Capello named England boss

Scotland announce fixture list

Farsley appoint Deacey

Fabio Capello has been confirmed as the new England manager. The 61-year-old signed a four-and-a-half year deal believed to be worth £6m a year, with an opt out after 2010. The Italian will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Monday before taking up the role on January 7. Capello’s backroom staff is all-Italian and includes Franco Baldini as his assistant, Italo Galbiati, goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi and fitness coach Massimo Neri. An English presence will eventually be worked into the set-up. FA chief executive Brian Barwick said:

“I am delighted that Fabio Capello has agreed to become England manager. When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello we have that man. Fabio is a winner. His record over the last two decades speaks for itself. At every club he has managed Fabio has won the league title and Sir Trevor Brooking and I were left in no doubt of his passion and commitment to bring that success to the England team.”

Scotland have announced their fixture list for their 2010 World Cup Group 9 qualification campaign, which begins on September 6 2008 with a trip to Macedonia followed by a clash in Iceland four days later. The first home game will take place against Norway on October 11 followed by Holland away on March 28 2009. Scotland will be hoping Iceland don’t make April fools of them when they visit Hampden on April 1 while they face their last away trip in Norway on August 19. The Scotland campaign ends with two home games on September 5 and 9 2009 against Macedonia and Holland.

In League One this evening, Cheltenham Town beat Luton Town 1-0 at Whaddon Road, courtesy of Andy Lindegaard’s second-minute goal while Wycombe Wanderers beat visitors Morecambe 2-0 in a League Two clash. Scott McGleish and John Sutton were on target for the home side.

Anderlecht have been fined almost £13,000 by UEFA due to the conduct of their fans during their UEFA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on December 6. Fans of the Belgian side threw missiles on to the pitch during the 1-1 draw while Spurs’ Didier Zokora appeared to be hit by objects thrown from the crowd. In addition, goalkeeper Paul Robinson found a metal bar lying on the pitch.

The Football Association has banned Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson from the touchline for two matches after he admitted using abusive and/or insulting words towards referee Mark Clattenburg during his side’s 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on November 24. Ferguson, who did not attend the hearing, was also fined £5,000. The ban starts on December 28 and includes the trip to West Ham United and the home clash with Birmingham City on New Year’s day.

Derby County are in discussions with an American sports company that is interested in investing in the club. The deal, which could wipe out the club’s estimated £25m debt, will be discussed at a board meeting on Monday.

Ray Ranson’s group Sisu Capital have completed a takeover of Coventry City and subsequently saved the club from entering administration and incurring a 10-point penalty. The takeover has allowed Ranson to become the Sky Blues’ new chairman. Retiring chairman Joe Elliott said:

“This is a very exciting day in the long, proud history of Coventry City Football Club and I am positive that will be reflected in the attendance for the game against Southampton. I am sure that Ray Ranson and SISU Capital will help drive Coventry City forward into a brand new era for the club. I’d like to thank the Board and Associate Directors for their magnificent support and ask that remaining shareholders return their signed forms or attend the special office at the Ricoh Arena, as per the instructions within the shareholder’s document, by Monday evening. I’d like to pay special thanks to Iain Dowie, his management team, the players and all of the staff at Coventry City who have loyally supported the club through such a difficult time.”

Farsley Celtic have appointed caretaker boss John Deacey as their new manager on a permanent basis.

Nathan Davies