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■ ITALY

Ronaldo ruptures ligament

AC Milan and Brazil striker Ronaldo has ruptured a ligament in his left knee and must undergo surgery, the Serie A club said. The three-time World Player of the Year was carried off in tears after going down badly during Milan's 1-1 Serie A draw at home to Livorno on Wednesday. The 31-year-old, who has hardly featured this season because of a series of injuries, had only come on as a substitute three minutes earlier. "AC Milan communicate that after the first checks made at the Galeazzi hospital in Milan a rupture to his kneecap ligament was found in his left knee," the club said in a statement on their Web site. The Brazilian sustained two serious injuries to his right knee while playing for Inter Milan in 1999 and 2000, but recovered to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup. He went on to play for Real Madrid before joining AC Milan in January last year. "We're all very sad and worried about what happened to Ronaldo," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said.



■ ENGLAND

Three clubs in rich list

Three Premier League clubs appeared in the top five of the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time last year. Real Madrid were the world's largest revenue-generating club for the third successive season, but Manchester United climbed two places to second. Chelsea were up two to fourth and Arsenal, buoyed up by their new stadium, climbed four places to fifth. Barcelona, in third, complete the top five based on financial information, not including transfer fees, for last season. "This is the first time that any country has had three clubs in the top five of the Money League," said Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte. "Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium has transformed their revenues, whilst Chelsea's revenue increase sees them return to the top five." Real Madrid and Manchester United became the first clubs to generate more than 300 million euros (US$436 million) in a season. Real enjoyed a 20 percent increase to take their total revenue to 351 million euros, while United's revenue grew even more quickly to reach 315 million euros.



■ GERMANY

Keeper injured tying laces

Bayern Munich may be forced to turn to 41-year-old Bernd Dreher to keep goal after the club's regular keepers were hit by illness and a mysterious shoelace accident. Bayern No. 1 Oliver Kahn, suffering from flu symptoms, traveled with the Bayern team to Scotland for a UEFA cup tie only to be sent straight back on doctor's orders. Michael Rensing, Kahn's deputy, was doubtful for the game after injuring his back while bending to tie his shoelaces. "A couple of days ago Michael hurt his back while tying his shoes," coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. "I'm confident he'll be able to play, though. In an emergency we'll find someone to tie his laces for him." If Hitzfeld does have to call on Dreher it will be only his third senior match in the last three seasons.



■ BRAZIL

Pele separates from wife

Brazilian legend Pele separated from his wife of 13 years on Wednesday, it was announced by his press officer. The 67-year-old -- considered by many to be the greatest ever soccer player -- said that he just did not have enough time due to his busy schedule of engagements to make the marriage work. The marriage with Gospel singer Assiria Lemos had been in trouble for several months, the Brazilian press said, but that their 11-year-old twins Celeste and Joshua had already accepted the separation.
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