Zico

Brazil great Zico has been appointed as the coach of Iraq on a one year contract, the nation's football federation has confirmed.

The 58-year-old, who has earlier coached Japan, Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow, replaces Wolfgang Sidka, who was not offered a new agreement.

Zico will take charge of the side with instant effect as the Iraqis get ready for the next stage of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Iraq has been drawn along China, Jordan and Singapore in Group A in the third round of qualifying, and will face the Jordanians on September 2.

Fenerbahce banned from Europe

Fenerbahce logo

Fenerbahce will not play in the Champions League this season because of an ongoing investigation, the Turkish Football Federation has confirmed.

The declaration comes on the eve of Champions League group stage draw in Monaco.

Turkish Football Federation logo

According to a declaration on the TFF website, UEFA wrote to the federation to demand Fenerbahce's withdrawal, threatening wider disciplinary act against the TFF should they fail to do so.

The letter was sent on to Fenerbahce, who declined to withdraw.

"In the face of this development, on August 24 an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held to talk about the threat of the Turkish Football Federation being exposed to severe disciplinary endorsements if Fenerbahce took part in the UEFA Champions League this season, and it was decided to bar them from participating," the announcement said.

Fenerbahce were crown league champions last term, pipping Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-3 win at Sivasspor on the final day.

The final standings stay official, but Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim is one of more than 30 people confined custody pending trial on the matter.

UEFA Champions League logo

UEFA are expected to make an proclamation later this evening.

A head of the expected UEFA announcement, there was confusion over who would take Fenerbahce's spot in the contest.

The left second legs of the play-offs were because of take place tonight, and there was speculation that one of the beaten teams from this round would be reinstated.

If UEFA were to go by coefficients, Arsenal would be sure a place in the group stage, in spite of of the outcome of their tie against Udinese.

There was also the chance the TFF could be invite to enter another team in Fenerbahce's place.

Ronaldinho Called back to the Brazil Squad

Ronaldinho

Flamengo forward Ronaldinho has been called back to the Brazil squad for following month's friendly against Ghana at Craven Cottage after a nine-month absence.

Ronaldinho in action

The 31-year-old has not featured for his country since 1-0 defeat to Argentina last November, his only appearance in Mano Menezes prevails as Selecao coach.

Porto forward Hulk

Other noteworthy inclusions in the 24-man group for the September 5 come across were Real Madrid left back Marcelo, Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio, Porto forward Hulk and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

Leandro Damiao

There was no place for Chelsea midfielder Ramires, however there was room for Santos versatile Brazil Under-20 international Danilo.

Brazil team: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Fabio (Cruzeiro); Lucio (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dede (Vasco), D Luiz (Chelsea), D Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Adriano (Barcelona), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), L Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Ralf (Corinthians), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), PH Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo); Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Robinho (AC Milan), A Pato (AC Milan), Hulk (Porto), L Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).

Silverstone expects to the future

Silverstone has submitted plans to additional secure their futurity that has been described as the most significant in the circuit's 60-year history.

Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northants District Council last week received a comprehensive outline planning application that will transform the Northamptonshire estate if given the green light.

Silverstone has already experiment a track revamp, and this year the fresh £27million pit-and-paddock complex was unveiled.

Even so, in a bid to get one of the leading venues in the UK, the plan now is for a business park, Technology Park, education campus, three hotels, ancillary retail and spectator facilities that include a Welcome Centre and Museum of Motor Sport, also as a kart track and outdoor stage.

Silverstone Holdings Ltd managing director Richard Phillips said: "This is the most important initiative that Silverstone has taken in its 60-year history.

"Approval of this planning application will help maintain Silverstone's position as a leading global centre for sport, leisure, education and technology, and support its vision of becoming a world-leading motor sport destination."

British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC)

Chairman of the British Racing Drivers Club, Stuart Rolt say: "The submission of this planning application is a big step forward in releasing the commercial potential of Silverstone and its 760-acre estate.

"The timing of this planning application is closely linked into the process we are currently undergoing to seek potential investment from third parties that will enable us to move forward with our plans more rapidly."

Rolt and Phillips both confirmed at last month's British Grand Prix that for the development to succeed, outside investment was needed as they could not support such an important financial undertaking.

It is estimated the development will make around 8,400 permanent jobs in the firms and activities pulled to the site, plus an average of around 550 construction jobs per annum throughout the development phase.

India Sorted with West Indies for Under-19 World Cup

India clubbed with West Indies, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea for the preliminary phase of the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be held in Australia next year.

The occasion will get happening in Queensland exactly one year from now and Scotland will be there as the leading Associate after winning eight of their nine matches during the qualifiers, which happened in Dublin and Derry.

Defending champions and hosts, Australia, will head Group A have been drawn alongside 1998 winner England, Nepal and Ireland, the ICC said in a declaration.

Group B is made up of the last event's runner-up and two-time winner Pakistan, New Zealand, Scotland and Afghanistan while 2000

2008 champion India have been concerned Group C along with West Indies, Zimbabwe and PNG. Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and Namibia make up Group D.

Haroon Lorgat

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said, "The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is a very important tournament for us and I want to congratulate those six teams who have qualified to take part in Queensland next year."

"This tournament has proved to be an important stepping stone for elite young cricketers aspiring to play international cricket. It's an opportunity for them to develop and test their skills in a high-pressure situation against the world's best at this level," he added.

Shane Long Wait for West Brom Finally Over

Shane Long

West Bromwich have at last signed Reading striker Long for an unrevealed fee, the club have confirmed.

Shane has put pen to paper on an initial three-year agreement with the option for an added twelve months.

Roy Hodgson

Long becomes Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's sixth signing of the summer with the fee understood to be an initial £4.5million, rising to a promising £6.5 million with add-ons.

He is presently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, preparing for clash with Croatia in Dublin.

Barclays Premier League

But Long will be in contention to make his West Brom debut in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Hawthorns.

West Brom

Albion declared the deal after the results of Long's medical proved positive. He becomes their sixth signing of the close season but the first for whom they have paid a transfer fee.

Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley, Zoltan Gera and Marton Fulop were Bosman transfers while Ben Foster signed on a season-long loan from Birmingham.

Shane Long celebrating

Long has been Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's number one striker target across the summer to provide support for last season's top scorer, Peter Odemwingie.

He scored 25 goals for the Royals previous season and was joined with a move to West Ham.

John Madejski

Reading also confirm Long's move in an announcement with Chairman Sir John Madejski saying: "Shane has been a conscientious and loyal servant for Reading.

"Water will always find its own level, and nobody can deny a talented young player the opportunity to play at the highest level when they have the ability to do so.

"Had we won (the play-off final) at Wembley, I have no doubt that Shane would still be playing for Reading, but we wish him great luck at West Brom."

Brian McDermott

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: "West Bromwich Albion and Roy Hodgson are very lucky to get Shane and I'm sure their fans will see what a great talent he is and how hard he'll work for the team."

Indian players set for world badminton meet

Wembley Arena Indoor Stadium, London

Saina Nehwal lone trust in women’s singles as world meets to be dress rehearsal for 2012 Olympics.

A young Indian contingent will be testing its skills at the World Badminton Championships which get under way in London on Monday. The tournament, which ends August 14, will be will be held at the 12,500-capacity Wembley Arena Indoor Stadium, which will also be the venue for the sport at the 2012 London Olympics.

This will be a great chance to impress national coach Pulela Gopichand as Kashyap Parupalli and Ajay Jayaram will spearhead the dispute in the men’s draw.

This would be Kashyap’s third outing in the World Championships. In 2009, when the event was carried on first time in India at his hometown Hyderabad, he lost in the second round and in 2010; he lost in the first round in Paris.

Kashyap Parupalli

However Kashyap has improved extremely over the last year with remarkable wins over higher ranked players and has also bagged the Commonwealth Games bronze medal. Going into the tournament as India No. 1, Kashyap would be looking to showcase his talent and go as far as achievable. He will face Dieter Domke of Germany in the opening round.

Ajay Jayaram

Indian No. 2, Ajay Jayaram will be playing his awfully first world championship. He will be against Japan’s Kenichi Tago who is the 15th seed. “The preparations have been good and I am up for the challenge. This is a huge occasion and probably the biggest tournament, so, I am very excited,” said Jayaram.

“I have been training hard for this and tried to improve my game, I feel quite fit, so, let’s hope for the best,” he added.

Jayaram has impressed against the likes of world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, 2010 world champion Chen Jin, world No. 3 Peter Gade a moment ago. Although he has not defeated them, Ajay has taken his matches versus them till the very end, where higher ranked players have withered away fast.

He said, “I have come quite close against top players, but could not finish of the games. Hopefully, if I meet them now I can beat them.”

Saina Nehwal

The women’s draw has the only entry of Saina Nehwal, who has got a first round bye. The seed No. 6, has shown that she can easily arise to the dominant Chinese players. The world No. 6, a winner of three Super Series titles, would be looking to win the honored tournament.

In men’s doubles, India’s No. 1 seasoned pair Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face Michael Fuchs and Oliver Roth of Germany. Young pair of Pranav Chopra and Tarun Kona will fight it out versus Hung Ling Chen and Yu Lang Lin of Chinese Taipei.

Kona, who played in the 2009 world championships in India with Arun Vishnu, would be facing the same opposition in the first round. He said, “We were too young when we played them last time. This time we are more prepared and our aim is to win.”

Jwala Gutta and Ashvini Ponnappa

In the women’s doubles event, 2010 Commonwealth gold medallists Jwala Gutta and Ashvini Ponnappa are up against Eva Lee and Paula Lynn Obanana of USA in the first round.

In mixed doubles Diju Valiyaveetil is approaching back after his long have a rest after recovering from the medical treatment he had to undergo along with Jwala. The 16th seeds have got a first round bye.

Winning the tournament would be intend for all, but in hindsight the Indian players would be looking at the World badminton Championships as a springboard to next year’s Olympics.

David Nalbandian crashes out in Washington

Defending champion David Nalbandian dropped out of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington DC at the first hurdle as he was defeated by James Blake.

David Nalbandian, seeded eighth, never establish his rhythm as he lost 6-2 6-4 in the second-round clash.

The Argentinian was the only seed to lose as number 11 John Isner topped Tobias Kamke 6-1 6-3, 13th seed Kevin Anderson beat up to dispatch qualifier Chris Guccione 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-0) and number 16 Jarkko Nieminen beat Igor Kunitsyn 7-5 6-4, all in second-round clashes.

David Nalbandian

The balance of the action was in the first round, and was highlighted by a lengthy battle between Grigor Dimitrov and Tim Smyczek, which finally saw Dimitrov come through 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-3).

Ryan Sweeting beat Alex Bogomolov Jr 6-2 6-4, Flavio Cipolla dispatched Marsel Ilhan 7-5 6-0 and Michael Berrer was a 7-5 6-1 winner over Paolo Lorenzi.

Wildcard Ryan Harrison advanced with a 6-4 1-6 6-1 win over Mischa Zverev, Somdev Devvarman beat Denis Gremelmayr 6-2 6-3 and Tommy Haas beat Amer Delic 6-2 6-3.