Real president resigns: Fernando Martin has resigned as Real Madrid president after losing a vote of confidence at a board meeting late last night. "The board have voted unanimously to call for a presidential election," club spokesmen Enrique Sanchez said. "They have accepted the resignation of Martin so that he can stand in those elections." Director Luis Gomez-Montejano will take over as president until elections can be held.

Messi: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, still recovering from an injury to his right thigh, pulled up during a training session in his native Argentina yesterday, media reports said. Messi pulled up during a sprint and kicked a cone in frustration but Argentina national team sources said it was not serious, they said. It was not immediately clear whether the problem was with the same leg or the same injury.

Micoud: Werder Bremen playmaker Johan Micoud has been given a three-match ban for grabbing Schalke 04's Danish defender Christian Poulsen in the groin during their 0-0 draw at the weekend. Bremen's commercial manager Klaus Allofs said yesterday the club would challenge the ruling by the German Football Association (DFB) against Frenchman Micoud.

Dual nationality: Getafe's Argentine defender Mariano Pernia is available for selection by Spain coach Luis Aragones after securing dual nationality yesterday. "It is a big day for me because I wanted Spanish citizenship. Dual nationality opens doors for me with a view to getting to the World Cup," Pernia told the Getafe website. "I haven't spoke to Aragones yet, but I am excited at the possibility that I could now make it."

Cahill: Australia midfielder Tim Cahill's faces a battle to be fit for the start of the World Cup finals after a scan confirmed that a knee injury will sideline him for six weeks, his club Everton said yesterday. Cahill, 26, suffered ligament damage to his left knee after colliding with Birmingham City's Damien Johnson in Saturday's Premier League game.

Blind: Ajax Amsterdam said they will review coach Danny Blind's position at the end of this season after a newspaper report yesterday that the club will sack him. In a short statement, Ajax said they will evaluate the club's technical staff when the season ends and would not comment further on media speculation.

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