CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: The Champions League final will be moved from its traditional midweek slot and instead be held on Saturday evenings, Uefa announced yesterday.
The move was confirmed following a meeting of Uefa's executive committee in Lucerne and will come into effect from the 2009 season.
The committee also approved proposals by Uefa president Michel Platini to guarantee a greater share of places in the main competition to countries from outside the top-ranking nations.
The new plans will see the qualifying competition split into two sections, with 15 teams from the leading countries vying for five places, and league champions from the remaining 40 Uefa members competing for another five spots.
Twenty-two teams will qualify automatically for the Champions League based on their league standings.
Former French midfielder, and European Cup winner with Juventus, Platini has agreed to shelve his plans to involve domestic cup winners in the Champions league.
"I believe in that idea but I believe it came too early," said Platini, adding that a working group would be set up to examine the possible inclusion of cup winners in future versions of the competition.
WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Fifa yesterday named Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Lionel Messi as the three finalists for the 2007 World Player of the Year award.
The world soccer governing body said the trio were confirmed after a poll of coaches and captains of national teams around the world selected them from a 30-strong shortlist.
The winner, who will succeed Fabio Cannavaro of Italy and Real Madrid from last year's competition, will be announced at the Fifa World Player Gala in Zurich on December 17th.
If Kaka gets the nod it is likely to mean a double triumph, with the AC Milan playmaker expected to be named winner of the Ballon d'Or tomorrow.
Kaka was the inspiration behind the Italian club's Champions League success last season, finishing top scorer in the competition with 10 goals.
The 25-year-old opted to sit out the Copa America but he was hardly missed as Brazil went on to take the trophy with a 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final.
Messi was in the Argentina side that lost that match.
The Barcelona forward, still only 20, missed out on the Spanish title last season - won by Real Madrid.
Among the highlights of his year was the hat-trick he scored in a 3-3 draw with Real in the Primera Liga.
Ronaldo (22) led his club side Manchester United to the English Premier League title last season, scoring 17 league goals in the process. He also helped United reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they lost to Milan.
