Today's others stories in brief
Pay for play
Clubs will be paid a daily rate for their players at World Cup and European Championship finals under the terms of a momentous peace deal agreed by the game's ruling powers yesterday that will also see the G14 group of elite clubs disbanded.
The agreement removes any remaining threat of a European breakaway by the top clubs. G14 will also drop their court cases against Fifa.
In a return move that will have far-reaching consequences for the game, Fifa and Uefa will "make financial contributions for players' participation in European Championships and World Cups".
The move follows a summit meeting between the clubs, Fifa and Uefa in Zurich yesterday.
Chelsea sign Ivanovic
Chelsea have won the race to sign talented Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic. The 23-year-old becomes Avram Grant's second signing of the transfer window following the €20 million arrival of Nicolas Anelka last week.
Chelsea are understood to have paid close on €12 million to Lokomotiv Moscow for the versatile player and a work permit has already been granted.
Mvoto joins Keane
Sunderland have completed the signing of French centre-back Jean-Yves Mvoto from ParisSt-Germain. The 19-year-old defender has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the Stadium of Light.Manager Roy Keane told the club's website: "Jean is one for the future. We've seen a lot of him and he's a strong centre-back who will be a good addition to our squad."
Le Monde must pay
French daily Le Monde has been ordered by a Spanish court to pay Barcelona €300,000 in compensation for linking the club with the doctor at the centre of the Operation Puerto doping investigation.
Barcelona said the ruling from a Barcelona court also stated that Le Monde should publish a correction about the articles, which appeared in the paper on December 7th and 8th in 2006, in its printed and online editions and in two leading Catalan dailies.
Mathews for Cork
Cork City yesterday confirmed the appointment of Alan Mathews as the club's new manager with the Dubliner, who will take a career break from his job with one of the banks, set to start work immediately on preparing for the new season, reports Emmet Malone.
"It's good to have it all sorted out," said Mathews yesterday. "I'm grateful to Ulster Bank for allowing me the opportunity to take on the challenge.
"The club is potentially the biggest in Ireland and obviously the aim will be to fulfil that potential."
Foley retires
St Patrick's Athletic have confirmed that former club captain Colm Foley has been forced to retire due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old signed from Drogheda United in July 2000 and during his time at Richmond Park established himself as one of the best defenders in the league, reports Emmet Malone.
"Colm was a model professional," said manager John McDonnell yesterday, "and his loyalty and consistency is an example that few modern players now follow. He can be proud of his contribution to this club and it's a massive disappointment we are losing him."
England fixtures
England's Group Six fixtures for the qualifying stage of the 2010 World Cup are: 2008 - Sat, Sept 6th: Andorra (a); Wed, Sept 10th: Croatia (a); Sat, Oct 11th: Kazakhstan (h); Wed, Oct 15th: Belarus (a). 2009 - Wed, Apr 1st: Ukraine (h); Sat, June 6th: Kazakhstan (a); Wed, June 10th: Andorra (h); Wed, Sept 9th: Croatia (h); Sat, Oct 10th: Ukraine (a); Oct 14th: Belarus (h).
In brief . .. .
Middlesbrough were yesterday trying to thrash out an agreement with Heerenveen as they stepped up their pursuit of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves . . . Everton completed the signing of Plymouth starlet Dan Gosling yesterday . . . Portugal midfielder Maniche has joined Inter Milan on loan from Spanish side Atletico Madrid until June . . . Former Derby manager Billy Davies has pulled out of the race to become the next Scotland manager . . . Iceland right-back Gretar Steinsson is poised to complete a move to Bolton from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar . . . Celtic target Daniel van Buyten of Bayern Munich said yesterday he would consider a loan move to the Parkhead club.
