Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

Inter miss chance

Inter Milan missed the chance to clinch the Serie A title yesterday after they were beaten 3-1 by second-placed AS Roma. Inter's hopes of sealing their second successive crown were dashed as late second-half goals from Francesco Totti and Marco Cassetti sealed Roma's win at the San Siro.

It was Inter's first league defeat of the season. Simone Perrotta had fired Roma ahead before Marco Materazzi levelled from the penalty spot. Inter remain on 81 points, 13 ahead of Roma with six matches to play.

In other matches, third-placed Lazio (57 points) were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened Chievo Verona. AC Milan tightened their grip on fourth and a Champions League qualifying place as Alberto Gilardino and Kaka grabbed a brace apiece in a 5-2 win over Ascoli.

United fans banned

Three Manchester United fans, Nicholas Storker, Sassan Nikkah and Darrell Flood, received football banning orders yesterday following violent clashes before the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Roma. The men admitted to public order offences when appearing at Trafford magistrates' court.

Storker was banned from any football stadium in England or Wales for three years for trying to incite a crowd of home supporters to surge forward and attack their Italian counterparts. Nikkah also pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour and received a three-year ban, was fined £110 and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Flood (45) was also banned for three years for throwing a plastic bottle at Italian fans.

Republic up to 31st

Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland have moved up 20 places to 31st in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday.

Staunton's side are just two places above Northern Ireland who leaped 14 places to 33rd. England have slipped two places to eighth while Scotland, joint leaders in their Euro 2008 qualifying group, fell three places to 19th. Wales are up three to 74th.

Italy regained top spot from Argentina after their recent wins over Georgia and Scotland.

FIFA WORLD RANKINGS (last month's ranking in brackets): Top 10 - 1 Italy (2); 2 Argentina (1); 3 Brazil (3); 4 France (4); 5 Germany (5); 6 Netherlands (7); 7 Portugal (8); 8 England (6); 9 Spain (10); 10 Czech Republic (9). Others: 19 Scotland (16); 31 Rep of Ireland (51); 33 N Ireland (47); 36 Slovakia (37); 74 Wales (77); 80 Cyprus (68).

Ronaldinho unwell

Spanish champions Barcelona have denied a report that Ronaldinho has glandular fever. The Brazilian has been suffering from tonsillitis, and was forced to sit out Sunday's 1-0 Primera Liga win over Real Mallorca with coach Frank Rijkaard describing him as "feeling very weak". Ronaldinho has now been given an individual training schedule to help aid his recovery.

A statement on the club's official website read: "He is one of the players in our squad who has played the most games this season. This, combined with his recent tonsillitis, has led the technical staff and the trainers to set up a programme which requires morning and evening sessions in the gym and on the Nou Camp pitch."

Radio Barcelona had earlier suggested the 27-year-old had contracted glandular fever, also known as mononucleosis.

Pele to appeal ban

Triple African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele said he would appeal against a one-year suspension handed to him last week in a match-fixing case. The former European Cup winner was among officials and players from four clubs banned after two high-scoring matches in the race for promotion to Ghana's premier league last month.

Abedi Pele's club FC Nania won 31-0 over Okwawu United while rivals Great Mariners were 28-0 winners over Mighty Jets in results deemed by the Ghana FA to have been fixed.

Abedi Pele, who is a member of FIFA standings committees and an ambassador for South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup finals, said he would seek to clear his name.

"My contention is that while the score line may raise eyebrows, it does not provide irrefutable proof that the match was fixed," he told the BBC in an interview.

New deal for Finnan

Steve Finnan will be rewarded for his fine season at Liverpool with a new extended contract. The Republic of Ireland international full-back will be offered better terms along with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina. The 31-year-old has been one of the Premiership's most consistent right-back this season and manager Rafa Benitez is poised to offer a new contract.