Sporting briefs

Upset ref: The United Arab Emirates's top referee has refused to take charge of next month's World Cup qualifier between China and Australia because he is upset at not being nominated to work at the 2010 finals. Eissa Darwish, who refereed at the 2006 World Cup, said he retired from the game and will not work again after being overlooked by the UAE for a role in the 2010 tournament.

Cordoba: Inter defender Ivan Cordoba damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee during Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat at Liverpool, the Serie A leaders said. The Colombian will undergo arthroscopic surgery but Inter did not say how long he would be out for.

Charlton: Chinese Super League (CSL) Shandong Luneng have entered into a partnership with Charlton Athletic, which will involve the English team touring China in the next three years. Shandong, domestic double winners in 2006, loaned playmaker and national team captain Zheng Zhi to Charlton last season and made the deal permanent after the London side were relegated from the English Premier League.

Rocchi: Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi has signed a deal that will keep him at the stuttering Rome side until 2013. "It is what I have always wanted and I am very happy," he said.

Tommasi: Levante's Italian midfielder Damiano Tommasi will not play again this season after undergoing surgery in Rome yesterday to deal with a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee. The club said the 33-year-old former Roma player would return to Valencia next week to begin his recovery programme.

Moore goes: Premier League club Aston Villa have allowed striker Luke Moore to move on loan to Championship side West Bromwich Albion, subject to a medical. Moore, 22, will move to the Hawthorns until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer for an initial fee of £3 million, West Brom said.

Juan: Roma defender Juan skipped training after taking a knock during Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid, the club said. Media reports have said the Brazil international may be fit to return for the second leg in two weeks.

Ribery out: France playmaker Franck Ribery has not recovered from his hamstring injury and will miss Bayern Munich's UEFA Cup clash with Aberdeen today. "Franck has been unable to take full part in training," coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. "He might be back on Friday (tomorrow)."

Scottish Premier: Motherwell vs Inverness CT 3-1.