Newell censured: Luton said they had severely reprimanded manager Mike Newell over sexist comments he made about a lineswoman, but stopped short of sacking him. Newell's reported remarks complaining about lineswoman Amy Rayner and female match officials in general sparked widespread condemnation in the footballing community.
Sanchez: Hugo Sanchez, considered the best-ever Mexican footballer, was yesterday named Mexico's national coach. Sanchez, 48, was a prolific marksman in one of Real Madrid's most stylish teams having been top goal-scorer in Spain's Primera Liga for five times. He was noted for the spectacular somersaults he performed after scoring a goal.
Luque: Newcastle forward Albert Luque has said he is keen to return to Spain after struggling to establish himself in the Premier League. Spanish media have linked the former Barcelona youth team player with a possible move back to the Nou Camp, with the Primera Liga leaders having been hit by a series of injuries to key forwards recently. "I want to return to Spain and if it is to a big club even better," Luque said.
Fined: Germany's FA (DFB) has accepted a fine of $16,020 from UEFA for hooliganism around last month's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia in Bratislava. The DFB said yesterday it was appealing against a UEFA ruling that it should also pay for damage to property in the incidents. According to the DFB, the Slovakian authorities did not heed a warning to restrict the sale of tickets.
Death threats: Gimnasia-La Plata players have denied receiving death threats from their own fans on the eve of a 4-1 home defeat by Boca Juniors. The investigation began after daily Ole alleged that a group of armed Gimnasia fans entered the team's headquarters on Nov. 7 and demanded they lose to Boca. The fans claimed a win for Gimnasia would have benefited their rivals Estudiantes, who are challenging Boca for the Argentine title.
Puskas: Hungarian soccer great Ferenc Puskas is in a critical condition in intensive care in a Budapest hospital, sport daily Nemzeti Sport said yesterday. Puskas, 79, known affectionately in Hungary as Ocsi Bacsi, or "our little brother", is suffering from pneumonia and high fever. Kutvolgyi Hospital intensive care director Zsolt Ivanyi declined to comment and said only the family may give out news about his health.