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■ ENGLAND

‘Advice’ for bungling official

Nigel Bannister, the linesman who gave a goal instead of a corner for Reading during their Championship match at Watford on Saturday is to receive “operational advice.” “It appears an error has been made and it will be reviewed by us,” the assistant referees’ manager for Professional Game Match Officials, Paul Rejer, told Watford’s official Web site. “Nobody likes making errors and if it is a serious error, which we have got to review, then obviously he’ll regret it. The assistant referee gave what he saw and if it is incorrect then we will look at that and give him operational advice. From his position and angle it appeared the ball had crossed the line for a goal. He has made a human error,” Rejer said. “When the ball is bobbling about in the penalty area it is difficult to know that the ball has crossed the line.”



■ SPAIN

Star escapes boxer’s wrath

Real Madrid midfielder Guti’s feinting techniques were put to the test on Saturday when he was faced with a deaf but angry boxer who came to settle a score. Guti came to Jorge Munoz’s aid in 2006 as the boxer attempted to overturn a professional ban because of his impairment. Annoyed at Guti’s decision to abandon his cause, Munoz, according to reports, forced his way into Real’s training complex and got involved in a lively discusSPAINsion with the midfielder. After security were called scuffles broke out and one security agent had to be hospitalized. Munoz was later arrested by police.



■ ENGLAND

Church shoots for recruits

The Church of England is trying to attract new members by running an advertising campaign aimed at soccer supporters. The campaign, which is being run in match day programs for sides playing in the west Midlands, features four bishops from the Diocese of Lichfield underneath the headline — “Your local bishops are very excited about tomorrow’s new signing ... you!” The idea for the ad was thought up by Gavin Drake, director of communications for the Diocese of Lichfield, who is also the pitch-side compere for League One team Walsall. “Some say football is the new religion but in reality far more people go to church on a Sunday than go to football matches on a Saturday,” said Drake in a statement. “So if football fans respond to these adverts and come back to church you can guarantee that they’ll never walk alone.” Attendance at Anglican services has almost halved over the past 40 years. Buying soccer programs is an integral part of the ritual of fans attending games in Britain.



■ FRANCE

Marseille stay unbeaten

Marseille maintained their unbeaten start in the league after drawing 0-0 with Monaco on Sunday. Marseille dominated the second half at Stade Velodrome, but Monaco’s defense held firm and goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier dived low to his right to keep out Mamadou Niang’s header in the 50th. “Monaco came here to cancel us out, and not enough of our players were at their best,” Marseille coach Eric Gerets said. “We had problems playing the ball out from the back and we used the long ball too much. We should have played on the ground more, but they stopped us doing that.” Marseille have 12 points from six games, four behind defending champions Lyon. Monaco improved one place to ninth with nine points. Also on Sunday, Mouhamadou Dabo scored to earn Saint-Etienne a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain and propel them out of the relegation zone. Elsewhere, Nancy were held to 0-0 by visiting Rennes.


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