Sporting briefs...

N'Zogbia: The Democratic Republic of Congo have called up Newcastle midfielder Charles N'Zogbia for an African Nations Cup qualifier later this month, despite uncertainty over his availability. N'Zogbia, born in France, is one of 20 foreign-based players selected for the Group 10 qualifier against Ethiopia in Kinshasa on March 25. He played for France at junior international level and has not made a formal bid to change his international status to the birthplace of his parents. Under FIFA rules, he must do so before his 21st birthday in May.

Motherwell: Motherwell have apologised to St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland after fans made racist taunts during the clubs' Scottish FA Cup quarter-final clash. Motherwell owner John Boyle said that they would be writing to apologise to the Trinidad and Tobago international.

Rosicky: Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky has been named Player of the Month for February in an official poll on Arsenal's website, garnering 23.09 per cent of the votes, the club said. The month's highlight for the 26-year-old was his first Premier League goal that brought his team a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium.

Osgood anniversary: Chelsea marked the first anniversary of the death of former Chelsea and England striker Peter Osgood by announcing they would put a life-sized bust of him in the East Stand executive club reception at Stamford Bridge.

Marseille: Jack Kachkar has reached a deal to buy former European champions Olympique Marseille, a spokesman for the Canadian businessman said yesterday. Kachkar, owner of pharmaceutical company Inyx, had offered €115 million to take over the Ligue 1 club and delivered financial guarantees to main shareholder Robert Louis-Dreyfus.

In Scotland: Celtic will meet second division St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after the draw was made yesterday. The other tie pairs Hibernian, who also feature in the League Cup final against Kilmarnock on March 18, with Dunfermline Athletic. The semi-finals will be played at Hampden Park, Glasgow on April 14-15.

Gomez: VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez injured a thigh muscle during their 2-0 German Cup win over Hertha Berlin and may miss their league match tomorrow at Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany striker, who is the Bundesliga's top scorer with 13 goals, hobbled off at half-time. Stuttgart are second, four points behind Schalke 04.

In Gozo: Division One - Qala St Joseph vs Sannat Lions 1-0. Division Two - SK Victoria Wanderers vs St Lawrence Spurs 5-2.

Mizuki Noguchi: Olympic women's champion Mizuki Noguchi has pulled out of the London marathon on April 22 with an Achilles tendon injury. In a statement released yesterday, race director David Bedford said Noguchi had missed a month's training because of an inflamed tendon in her left leg.