The UEFA Super Cup between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League will take place in Cardiff in 2014 and Tbilisi in 2015.
Formerly a two-legged affair, since 1998 the competition has taken place as a one-off match at Stade Louis II in Monaco.
However, from 2013 it will be hosted in various cities around Europe, with Prague set to host the first match away from Monaco in 2013.
UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino revealed that the Welsh capital Cardiff will organise the match in 2014, with Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, following suit the year after.
Seedorf joins Brazil’s Botafogo
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed a two-year deal with Botafogo, the Brazilian top-flight side have confirmed.
Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo announced the capture of Seedorf, 36, as “the biggest signing of a foreign player ever made by a Brazilian club”.
The player’s agent Deborah Martin, said: “Seedorf is the first European player to go to Brazil. He is still breaking records. The idea of playing in the Mecca of football was very attractive to him.”
Seedorf left Milan in June when his contract expired, bringing to an end a 10-year spell at the San Siro.
Beckham snub stuns Eriksson
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson would have selected David Beckham for the Olympic squad after he was overlooked by Team GB coach Stuart Pearce.
The ex-England captain revealed last week that he had been left out of the final 18-man squad, with Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards understood to have been chosen as the three over-age players.
Eriksson said: “I haven’t seen Beckham play for a long time but I think David should anyhow be there because it is the Olympic Games, it is Great Britain, it is England, it is London.
“So I would have picked him, put him on the bench at the very least.”
Egypt miss out on Nations Cup
Egypt have failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup for the second year running after being knocked out in qualifying by Central African Republic 4-3 on aggregate on Saturday.
CAF, leading 3-2 from the first leg, claimed a 1-1 draw in Bangui to advance to the final round of qualifiers for the 2013 tournament.
CAF are yet to reach the finals of a major continental competition, while Egypt have won the Nations Cup seven times, most recently in 2010.
Ozil baffled by Germany criticism
Midfielder Mesut Ozil admits he does not understand why Germany’s exit from Euro 2012 received such negative publicity with even the future of coach Joachim Loew cast in doubt.
Germany lost 2-1 to Italy in the semi-finals after having set a new world record of 15 consecutive wins in competitive matches, yet the German media have been strongly critical of the national team’s performance in Poland and Ukraine.
“All this discussion just for one defeat...we could have scored three goals in the opening stages of the match and now the coach is meant to be able to prevent that?” Ozil said.
“Since I have been involved (with Germany), we have received lots of praise, particularly from abroad, and now everything is supposed to be wrong?”
Ferrara linked with Samp job
Italy U-21 coach Ciro Ferrara has agreed a deal to take over at Serie A newcomers Sampdoria, reports said yesterday.
The Genoa club are looking to install a new coach as president Riccardo Garrone believes that current incumbent Beppe Iachini doesn’t have the experience to lead the team in the Serie A.
Last week, Rafa Benitez failed to reach an agreement with Sampdoria who have now turned their sights on Ferrara. According to the Corriere dello Sport, Ferrara is prepared to terminate his contract with the Italian federation to join Sampdoria.
Bradley in Roma talks – Chievo
Chievo announced yesterday that Michael Bradley is in talks to join Roma despite interest from Inter and Juventus.
The American midfielder enjoyed an excellent campaign with the Verona club and reports claim that he has already agreed a move to Roma.
“He would be enthusiastic about the idea of playing for a big club like Roma,” Chievo director of sport Giovanni Sartori said.
“The transfer is not complete yet but Bradley is keen to join a big club like Roma.”
It is believed Chievo are requesting €3m for Bradley’s transfer.