Soccer Shorts

Parreira joins exodus: Carlos Alberto Parreira resigned as coach of Brazil yesterday following their quarter-final exit at the World Cup finals, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said.

"After a meeting held this morning . . . with CBF president Ricardo Teixeira, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira left the Brazilian national team," said a statement on the CBF's official website.

Former Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was in charge of Brazil from 1998 to 2000, and former Sao Paulo and Peru coach Paulo Autuori are the favourites to take over.

Parreira's resignation means that, less than two weeks after Italy's triumph in the World Cup final, only 15 of the 32 competing national coaches remain in their posts.

Law laid down for Newton

West Ham winger Shaun Newton has landed a seven-month ban from the English FA following a positive test for cocaine.

Newton (30) was tested after West Ham's FA Cup semi-final victory over Middlesbrough on April 23th and he was subsequently suspended by the club on May 20th.

Manager Alan Pardew admitted to being "infuriated" his club's reputation had been tarnished but vowed to stand by Newton.

In brief . . .

Sunderland have signed former Birmingham and Republic of Ireland international defender Kenny Cunningham (35) on a one-year deal . . . Italy's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has decided to stay at Juventus despite the club being ordered to start next season in Italy's second division, the player's agent said yesterday . . . Portsmouth have offered Turkish club Fenerbahce £8.2 million for Nicolas Anelka (27), according to the French striker . . . Former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha (32) has signed for Qatar Sports Club having been released by Bolton . . . Chelsea have been granted a work permit for Nigeria midfielder Jon Obi Mikel (19) . . . Dublin-born Leicester defender Patrick McCarthy (23) will be the club's captain for the forthcoming campaign.