SOCCER SHORTS

Soccer strories in brief

Zola close to extending his West Ham contract

GIANFRANCO Zola has revealed he is close to signing a new deal to extend his stay at West Ham.

The Italian has enjoyed success in East London since replacing Alan Curbishley last September, with the club currently battling for a place in Europe next season.

West Ham are ready to reward Zola with a new improved contract to ward off potential suitors and the Italian insists he is happy to stay at Upton Park.

“The fans here know the situation,” said Zola. “I have started something at this club and I want to see how it goes in the next few years.”

Zola is keen for his backroom team to be sorted with new contracts before signing his own deal and the former Chelsea star is confident everything will be agreed in the next few weeks.

“The club knows that is the first condition. This is not just about me but the whole team,” added Zola. “The secret this season has been that everybody has done a great job together.”

Inauspicious return for Ferguson

BARRY Ferguson endured an inauspicious return to Rangers yesterday, the deposed captain finding himself excluded from first-team training following his two-week suspension.

Ferguson, along with Allan McGregor, was punished by his club for making v-signs from the bench while on recent international duty with Scotland. The pair had been left out of the side following a late-night drinking session.

McGregor, also banned from Rangers’ Murray Park training complex for a fortnight, returned to train as normal with his fellow goalkeepers while Ferguson worked alone.

It now seems likely that Ferguson, tipped to leave Ibrox in the summer, will face a serious fight to win his place back in Walter Smith’s team.

However, McGregor has a strong chance of being named among the substitutes for tomorrow’s trip to Hibernian.

FA rally to Riley's support

THE FA have issued strong backing to referee Mike Riley after Everton manager David Moyes questioned his appointment for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Moyes suggested Riley is a fan of Manchester United, Everton’s opponents. An FA spokesman said: “Mike is one of the most highly respected referees in this country and around the world and has handled matches at the highest level. His integrity is without question.”

FK Pobeda banned for eight years

MACEDONIAN side FK Pobeda have been banned from European competition for eight years after being found guilty of manipulating the outcome of a Champions League match.

The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body issued the suspension “for breaching the principles of integrity and sportsmanship under Article 5 of the Uefa disciplinary regulations”.

The ban runs from the start of the 2009/10 season.

Uefa’s disciplinary panel, which debated the matter for seven hours, also ruled the club’s president, Aleksandar Zabrcanec, and Pobeda player Nikolce Zdraveski be banned for life from all football-related activity. Pobeda have three days to appeal the decision.

The charges against the club relate to the Champions League first qualifying round tie against FC Pyunik over two legs on July 13th and 21st, 2004.