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■ ENGLAND

Moved match angers Blues

Chelsea have reacted angrily to having a potentially crucial Premier League match at Everton next month brought forward by two days to suit television, claiming the move could hand Manchester United or Arsenal the title. Chelsea, who play Wigan Athletic on April 14, will now travel to Goodison Park on the Thursday of that week rather than on the Saturday as first planned. "We believe the decision to hold the match on Thursday April 17 undermines the sporting integrity of the competition by giving our rivals for the Premier League title an unnecessary competitive advantage at a critical time of the season, with more recovery time from their previous match and preparation time for their next fixture when we have to play two games during the same period," a club statement said.



■ POLAND

Wdowczyk arrested

Former Polish international Dariusz Wdowczyk, who also played club soccer for Celtic and Reading, was arrested on Friday for alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Six others, including referees and coaches, were also arrested in connection with the corruption case, said Tomasz Fratczak, a spokesman for Poland's anti-corruption body, the CBA. Wdowczyk, 45, figured mostly for Polish top flight side Legia Warsaw and played 53 times for his country before going on to coach Polonia Warsaw. The match-fixing affair has scarred Polish soccer recently with 17 people, amongst them referees and federation officials, receiving suspended prison sentences in December.



■ GERMANY

Wolfsburg defeat Rostock

Jazek Krzynowek's injury-time goal gave VfL Wolfsburg a 1-0 win against Hansa Rostock in the Bundesliga on Friday. Alexander Laas crossed to the Polish international, who put the winner through the legs of goalkeeper Stefan Waechter just as it appeared as if demotion-threatened Rostock might weather Wolfsburg's constant attacks. The team, owned by Volkswagen, stretched their unbeaten streak to four games and maintained the league's best record since the winter break. Wolfsburg remained seventh in the standings.



■ BRAZIL

Romario hangs up his boots

Romario announced his retirement on Friday, ending two decades at the pinnacle of Brazil's national sport. The 42-year-old striker told Rio's O Dia newspaper that he was out of shape and physically unable to return after months of inactivity. "I've stopped playing. I can't do it any more. I haven't played since November," Romario said in an exclusive interview with the daily. Without the speed and endurance that once were his hallmarks, Romario is a shadow of the scorer who in 1994 was named FIFA's player of the year.



■ PORTUGAL

Mourinho in talks with Inter

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was locked in talks with Inter Milan on Friday, with the colorful coach tipped to take charge at the Italian giants next season, it was reported by Portuguese media. Antena 1 radio reported that Mourinho left Lisbon on Friday for Milan to negotiate a contract with Inter president Massimo Moratti. That was later confirmed by the Lusa news agency, quoting a source close to the Portuguese coach. Mourinho is one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.
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