Frei fitness fear for Switzerland
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Article summary
News round-up: Switzerland and Stade Rennais FC striker Alexander Frei faces more time on the sidelines while there is a ban for AFC Ajax fans.
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Stade Rennais FC
Scottish Premier League side Livingston FC have appointed former Heart of Midlothian FC and Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC boss John Robertson as their new manager until the end of the season. The 41-year-old replaces ex-Celtic FC and BV Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert, who resigned after the bottom club's 1-0 home defeat by Dunfermline Athletic FC on Saturday. Robertson spent four years as a player and coach at Livingston before taking the reins at Inverness.
Toulouse FC midfielder François 'Pantxi' Sirieix is out for the rest of the season after the 25-year-old fractured his ankle during Sunday's 0-0 draw at Olympique de Marseille. Sirieix is to have surgery in Paris and will be sidelined for three to four months, according to Toulouse club doctor Marc Bichon.
Dutch Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag have banned AFC Ajax fans from their stadium for the next five years after violence erupted two days before the sides' recent meeting at the Zuiderparkstadion. Den Haag's mayor Hans Deetman said the ban was inevitable following the disturbances which left several supporters with serious injuries. The sanction will be reviewed in three years' time.
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard booked a place against Olympique de Marseille in the last 16 of the French Cup after winning 2-1 at Ligue 2 side LB Châteauroux after extra time.
Blackburn Rovers FC maintained their hopes of claiming a place in UEFA competition next season with a 2-0 victory against bottom side Sunderland AFC at Ewood Park. A goal in each half from Craig Bellamy proved enough to earn three points that moved Mark Hughes' side up to seventh in the table.
FC Penafiel have confirmed that Brazilian striker Roberto has been temporarily suspended after testing positive for the banned stimulant salbutanol. The Portuguese Liga side said the player took the substance due to asthma. "The player only told the club about the substance on the day he was tested because he does not take it often," Penafiel said in a statement.
