Roma head for troubles

The Champions League Group B match between AS Roma and Dynamo Kiev was abandoned last night after Swedish referee Anders Frisk was hit by an object thrown from the stands.

The match was called off after a 40-minute delay following the incident which occurred just after Frisk blew for half-time, moments after he had sent off Roma defender Philippe Mexes for kicking out at Kiev striker Maris Verpakovskis.

The Ukraine's side led 1-0 at half-time with a goal on 29 minutes from Goran Gavrancic.

Real off to a shocker

Bayer Leverkusen started their Champions League campaign with a shock 3-0 win over a sluggish Real Madrid in a Group B game last night.

Real Madrid, who have won only once in 19 visits to Germany over the years, looked ordinary and vulnerable despite the presence on the pitch of all their top players.

Jacek Krzynowek put Leverkusen in the lead with a shot from 25 metres on 39 minutes. Franca doubled the advantage from the edge of the box five minutes into the second half and Dimitar Berbatov completed the victory from close range five minutes later.

Hughes' Rovers return

Blackburn Rovers appointed Welsh national coach Mark Hughes as their new manager last night.

"Blackburn announce tonight that Mark Hughes has been appointed manager with immediate effect," The club said in a statement.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) had given Blackburn permission to speak to Hughes, saying the two parties had an agreement which allowed the former Manchester United striker to speak to Premiership clubs.

FAW secretary general David Collins said earlier that Hughes would stay in charge of Wales for their next two World Cup qualifiers against England and Poland regardless of whether he joined Rovers, the club he finished his playing career with.

Mills denial

Danny Mills has slammed reports of a training ground bust-up with Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan.

With pressure mounting on Keegan following City's poor start to the season, it was claimed Mills had a row with his coach at City's Carrington training ground on Tuesday.

Mills believes outsiders were trying to stir up trouble for City.

"I was woken up by my advisor this morning telling me there is a story suggesting I have had a training ground bust-up with the manager," Mills said.

"This is complete garbage, for which I am absolutely astonished."

Celtic fears allayed

Celtic captain Jackie McNamara will be sidelined for at least a month after sustaining ankle ligament damage in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

McNamara had not, as first feared, broken his ankle but had twisted it badly when trying to prevent Barca from scoring their second goal.

Celtic are unlikely to face punishment from UEFA following the late kick-off against Barcelona last night. Congestion problems meant the game was delayed by half an hour to allow thousands fans time to take their seats.

A UEFA spokeman said: "It is very unlikely that action will be taken against Celtic because the decision concerning the delay was taken by UEFA in co-operation with the local police."

In Brief . . .

Despite shaking off an ankle injury, Matt Holland is unlikely to be fit enough to figure in Charlton's first team before Ireland's World Cup qualifying match with France in Paris on October 9th . . . Arsenal have tied down Italian Arturo Lupoli on a professional contract after the 17-year-old impressed while on a scholarship . . . Aston Villa's Martin Laursen needs a knee operation, ruling him out for four months.