DECO: Former Portugal playmaker Deco has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over his one-year ban for a failed drugs test. The 36-year-old, who has now retired, was tested after Fluminense’s 2-0 win over Boavista on March 30 and his sample contained traces of furosemide – a diuretic which can be used to mask other substances. The former Porto, Barcelona and Chelsea player has protested his innocence, claiming the positive test is the result of a contaminated vitamin supplement.

ANYUKOV: Zenit defender Alexander Anyukov has signed a new deal that will keep him at the Petrovsky Stadium until 2018, the Russian club said. The 31-year-old, capped 77 times by Russia, has scored 12 goals in 307 appearances for Zenit. He joined Zenit from Krylya Sovietov Samara in 2005 and has won three league titles, one Russian Cup, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup at the club.

BAND BANNED: The England band have been told they are not welcome at next year’s World Cup. A six-strong brass band from Shef-field have been banging their drums and playing trumpets at England matches since 1996. The band regularly play crowd-rousing renditions of the national anthem and other songs at Wembley and on the road. But they will have to leave their instruments at home next summer after World Cup managing director, Ron DelMont, confirmed that instruments will be banned from venues at the tournament.

FA PROBE: The English FA has opened a full investigation into claims Nottingham Forest midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah was subjected to racist abuse by a section of Millwall’s home support on Tuesday. The 18-year-old, who is on loan from Chelsea, alleged he was abused while receiving treatment for an injury in the opening minutes of the 2-2 Championship draw at The Den and complained to Forest assistant coach David Kelly at half-time.

NO RACISM: FIFA has dismissed the idea that it overlooked two Afro-Brazilian people as hosts for the World Cup draw because of the colour of their skin. A prosecutor asked FIFA to explain why it chose light-skinned model Fernanda Lima and her white husband Rodrigo Hilbert instead of soap stars Lazaro Ramos and Camila Pitanga. FIFA insisted it opted to go with Hilbert and Lima because they were simply the better people for the job.

HAMREN: Sweden have extended the contract of coach Erik Hamren until 2016, the Swedish FA said yesterday. “I’m really charged up and eager to make it to the Euro-pean Championship in 2016 in France. It will be really exciting,” Hamren said. Hamren failed to guide Sweden to the World Cup in Brazil next year after losing a play-off against Portugal.

COPPA ITALIA: Fourth round – Sampdoria vs Verona 4-1.

LIGUE 1: Lyon vs Toulouse 1-1.