Vidic back in Man United squad
MANCHESTER: Nemanja Vidic travelled with the Manchester United squad for their Champions League visit to Romania on Monday while fellow central defender Rio Ferdinand remained at home, the club confirmed on their website. Vidic has not played since suffering a calf injury in their opening game of the season against West Bromwich Albion on August 14. He should return for the Group C match against Otelul Gelati which United need to win to kick-start their campaign after two draws against Benfica and Basel. Vidic played for Serbia in their Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to Slovenia last week, but manager Alex Ferguson resisted the temptation to bring him back for Saturday’s Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield. Ferdinand, who will be 33 next month, played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool and there were no reports of any injury problems following the match. (Agencies)
Amnesty for match-fixers: FIFA
LONDON: FIFA’s security chief says whistleblowers will be offered financial rewards and an amnesty to provide information on match-fixing and other corruption in football. World football’s governing body has cited mounting evidence that international and club matches are being targeted by criminal gangs who bribe players and referees. FIFA’s head of security Chris Eaton told a conference in London on Monday that “from January next year, I will manage a rewards’ program for people in football to tell us about corruption in the sport of football, particularly match-fixing.” Eaton says there will also be a hotline and amnesty for “those players, officials and administrators who have been involved—or potentially involved— in fixing matches.” (Agencies)
Fabregas back in training for Barca
BARCELONA: Barcelona says Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has returned to training after recovering from a right thigh injury. Fabregas is unlikely to be considered for Barcelona’s Champions League match against the Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, but could figure in next weekend’s league match at home to Sevilla. Fabregas picked up the injury in a training session at the beginning of this month. The former Arsenal midfielder’s recovery is good news for Barcelona after defender Gerard Pique was ruled out for two weeks after injuring his right thigh in the 3-0 win against Racing Santander on Saturday. Barcelona leads the Spanish league on goal difference ahead of Levante. Real Madrid is a point behind. (Agencies)