Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

Giggs to quit Wales

Wales skipper Ryan Giggs has confirmed he will retire from international football after their Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Manchester United winger, 33, will earn his 64th and final cap against the Czechs - level on points with Germany and the Republic of Ireland at the top of Group D - at the weekend and revealed the decision had not been an easy one.

"I feel this is a good time to retire and it's a difficult decision for me. I have loved playing for my country and I have loved captaining my country."

Crespo staying at Inter

Argentina striker Hernan Crespo will remain on loan at Inter Milan next season after his parent club, Chelsea, agreed to honour a deal. Crespo scored 14 league goals this season to help Inter run away with their 15th scudetto.

Crespo, in Basel ahead of Argentina's friendly with Switzerland on Saturday, said: "Staying at Inter was what I wanted. I would like to thank Chelsea first of all for their help, and Inter for confirming their faith in me."

Fifa role for Thompson

The English FA chairman, Geoff Thompson, will become one of the most powerful figures in football today after John McBeth was dramatically dumped as Britain's Fifa vice-president. Thomson will be succeeded by the IFA president, Jim Boyce, in four years' time.

McBeth paid the price for remarks that offended a large proportion of the football world - he claimed African and Caribbean nations were tainted by corruption and greed - and Thompson was nominated in his place for the seat on Fifa's executive committee.

Thompson suddenly find himself one of football's most influential powerbrokers - he is a Uefa vice-president and a close confidant of the Uefa president, Michel Platini - and he will also remain as FA chairman until he steps down next year at the end of his second term.

The decision came at a crisis meeting yesterday between the British associations in Zurich, called amid fears a campaign to abolish Britain's privileged position on Fifa would gather unstoppable momentum if a replacement was not nominated before today's Fifa Congress.

Ranson withdraws City bid

Ray Ranson has officially withdrawn from the race to buy Manchester City. The businessman and former City defender has spent the last six months seeking without success to discuss an offer with the club board.

He has, however, reserved the right to renew his interest should another party - including the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - make a formal offer.

In Brief

Portsmouth have completed the club record signing - thought to be around £7 million - of Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari in a five-year deal from Udinese.

Tottenham's Aaron Lennon has undergone surgery on his left knee after suffering a small cartilage tear during the England B international against Albania last Friday.

Alain Perrin has been appointed Olympique Lyon coach. Former Portsmouth and Olympique Marseille coach Perrin, 50, steered Sochaux to the French Cup title this season. He replaces Gerard Houllier, who quit last week.

Gabriel Agbonlahor was left out of the England under-21 squad for the European Championships in the Netherlands next month after failing to get in touch with the FA, whose messages for the 20-year-old forward were not answered. Oldham are set to complete a move for Lee Hughes when he is released from prison this summer. Hughes (31) was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in August 2004 after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Lokomotiv Moscow striker Garry O'Connor made a triumphant return to the Scotland national team when he bagged the winner in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria in Vienna last night night.

TONIGHT: National League First Division: Dundalk v Monaghan Utd (7.45).