Soccer shorts:Fifa's executive committee have voted unanimously to end their policy of rotating the hosting of World Cups through their six continental confederations.
The rotation policy has been dropped with effect from the 2018 World Cup. All national associations would be free to apply to host future World Cup tournaments, providing they did not belong to confederations that had hosted the two preceding editions.
Belgium and the Netherlands confirmed they would formally bid to host the 2018 World Cup following the decision, while English officials are likely to follow suit.
Referee reprimanded
The English FA yesterday charged referee Danny McDermid with using abusive and/or insulting words towards Leeds United manager Dennis Wise after a fiery English League One match last month.
McDermid sent Wise to the stands at half-time of the match on September 29th as Leeds drew 1-1 at Gillingham and had two players sent off.
The FA said Wise had been fined €7,000 and given a three-match touchline ban for using abusive and/or insulting words towards McDermid at half-time. Wise complained after the game that the referee had sworn at him and said he would report the incident.
McDermid has until November 13th to respond to the charge.
Valencia sack coach
Spanish side Valencia sacked coach Quique Sanchez Flores in the early hours of yesterday morning following the side's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla.
The Primera Liga side announced that reserve team boss Oscar Fernandez would take charge of the team on a caretaker basis.
Last week Valencia slipped to a surprise 2-0 defeat away to Rosenborg in the Champions League and are in third place in Group B, four points behind leaders Chelsea.
Despite Sunday's loss to Sevilla, Valencia are fourth in the Primera Liga, four points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi and Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari are all reported to be in the frame for the permanent post.
Keane to make do Sunderland manager Roy Keane will put his faith in his squad as injury and suspension continue to blight his efforts to climb the Premier League table.
Sunderland have now collected just two of the last 15 points they have contested and lie in 15th place in the table, only two points better off than crisis club Tottenham inside the drop zone.
Monday night's visit to Manchester City will be followed by the eagerly anticipated derby clash with Newcastle on Wearside, making the next fortnight a potentially pivotal one for Keane and his players.
It is one, however, which will have to be negotiated without the suspended full back Greg Halford, who will sit out both games, while Republic of Ireland defender Paul McShane will complete his three-match ban ahead of Newcastle's arrival. And with Carlos Edwards, Dean Whitehead, Kieran Richardson and Andy Cole injured, Keane knows the depth of his squad is being tested to the full.
He said: "We keep talking about the squad being tested - Roy O'Donovan got injured in the warm-up on Saturday.
"Now our full back is suspended for two games. Of course it's frustrating, and I am sure it's frustrating for Paul McShane, especially the position we are in in terms of the squad.
"It would be different if I had 24, 25 players - and on top of that, a lot of our players are playing with one or two injury problems.
"In an ideal world, I would like to give them a chance for the injuries to settle down, but we cannot."
Redknapp rewarded
Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp has signed a new contract which will keep him at Fratton Park until 2011.
Redknapp (60) first joined the club as director of football in 2001 then succeeded Graham Rix as manager. In 2003 he guided them into the top flight for the first time in 15 year but resigned in 2004 and moved to local rivals Southampton.
He rejoined Portsmouth in December 2005 and saved them from relegation.
Last season they finished seventh, their best finish for more than 50 years, and they are in the same position after 11 games of the new season.
In brief . . .
Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry has rejected speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea as a possible replacement for the unsettled Frank Lampard . . . Ajax Amsterdam's former Netherlands Manchester United defender Jaap Stam (35) has announced his retirement from playing football with immediate effect . . . Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has admitted his club have given up hope of taking AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka (25) to the Bernabeu . . . Reports claiming Manchester United were set to launch a move for Rosenborg's highly rated midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred (20) have been dismissed by the Norwegian club . . . Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar (37) has revealed his intention to quit international football after Euro 2008 . . . West Ham United forward Craig Bellamy faces up to a month on the sidelines after picking up an abdominal strain . . . Former Hull City chairman Adam Pearson has taken over as executive chairman at Premier League bottom club Derby County . . . QPR have appointed former Napoli and Siena manager Luigi De Canio as their new head coach . . . Republic of Ireland under-21 international defender Richard Keogh has returned to English Championship side after his two-month loan spell at Huddersfield Town in League One ended.
