The Romanian soccer federation (FRF) have suspended international relations manager Florin Prunea after he was charged in an affair relating to bribes in refereeing, the federation announced on Friday. “The emergency committee have decided to suspend Mr Prunea’s contract indefinitely until the process has been finalized,” FRF president Mircea Sandu said. “If he is innocent, he will return to his post if it still exists in the FRF organization.” Last month 10 people involved in Romanian soccer, including Prunea, a club boss and five referees were charged over alleged bribes in refereeing. Former international Prunea was accused of illegal use of his position and receiving US$14,000 from the owner of first division side FC Arges, Cornel Penescu, to use his influence so that Penescu would be treated leniently in two cases of violating federation rules.
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Dalglish returns to Liverpool
Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish is returning to Anfield to take up a role in their academy and become a global ambassador for the club, the Premier League side announced on Friday. Dalglish became a revered figure at Anfield after joining from Celtic in 1977 and he is often cited as Liverpool’s greatest player. The Scot subsequently became the Merseyside club’s manager. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wanted to get Dalglish back at the club, as new managing director Christian Purslow explained. “In our very first meeting, Rafa and I agreed that we wanted to try and bring Kenny back to the club,” Purslow said. “That would help Rafa really drive forward our academy, which is at the heart of our plans for the future.”
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Sturridge joins the Blues
Chelsea announced on Friday they had signed teenage striker Daniel Sturridge from Premier League rivals Manchester City on a four-year deal after the player’s contract at Eastlands expired. Although the two clubs could not agree on a fee, the 19-year-old Sturridge’s age means City are entitled to receive some money as part of his move and a fee will now be settled by a tribunal. England under-20 international Sturridge, the nephew of former Derby County forward Dean, scored four goals in 26 appearances for City last season.
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El Salvador, Canada win
El Salvador and Canada enjoyed victories on the first day of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the regional tournament for North and Central America and the Caribbean. In Group A, El Salvador, backed by an impressive following at the Home Depot Center, pulled off an upset 2-1 win over Costa Rica, while Canada beat Jamaica 1-0 in an earlier game at the same venue. Osael Romero scored both goals for El Salvador in a high-intensity game. The forward opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb solo finish after Williams Reyes had headed on a long ball. Costa Rica pulled level in the 63rd minute with a close range strike from Warren Granados, before Romero grabbed the winner five minutes from the end. In the earlier game, Canada’s Ali Gerba struck the winner in the 75th minute.
■RUGBY UNION
Medard catches swine flu
France and Toulouse fullback Maxime Medard has been diagnosed with A(H1N1) flu after the French team returned from a tour of New Zealand and Australia. “Maxime Medard had a sudden rise in temperature on Wednesday after the return from Australia,” media officer Lionel Rossigneux said.
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