A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Givens is optimistic
The Republic of Ireland under-21s can win the Madeira Invitational Tournament for the second time in two years with victory against Portugal at the Estadio de Machico today.
Irish manager Don Givens led his side to success in the same competition in 2004 but has admitted he did not expect to do so well in this year's event after losing 13 of the original 20 players he selected. He said: "If we could do it, it would be even better than the last time. There have been so many pull-outs and people have been coming late or going early, which makes it hard to get the balance right."
Ireland drew 1-1 with tournament hosts Madeira on Tuesday and the islanders held Portugal to a scoreless draw on Wednesday. Givens said: "It's a cup final now. We're not the favourites by a long way but Portugal are going in on the back of a disappointing result while we're going in after a good result. That might make a difference."
Larsson returns home
Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson will rejoin Helsingborg in the summer after signing an 18-month deal with the Swedish outfit. The 34-year-old had already confirmed he would return to his native Sweden at the end of the season after electing not to sign a new contract with the Primera Liga giants last October.
And, after weeks of speculation linking him with a move to Helsingborg, Larsson has finally confirmed the switch.
"I'm Helsingborg through and through. I played with them for two seasons and I've even built a house in Helsingborg. There was no other alternative for me, I'm really happy," Larsson told Swedish broadcasters SVT.
Fifa official in ethics row
Fifa vice-president Jack Warner has been judged to have violated the organisation's code of ethics by his involvement with selling World Cup tickets. The case, unprecedented in Fifa's history, could lead to Warner being suspended from the game's world governing body.
Warner has been found guilty of a conflict of interest after his family's travel agency were given the rights to sell Trinidad and Tobago's entire ticket allocation for the World Cup finals. He brought the matter to the attention of Fifa's committee for ethics and fair play himself, but now faces action from Fifa's executive committee next month. Sanctions could include a suspension from Fifa.
Squad for La Manga
In preparation for their elite phase of this year's European Championships the Republic of Ireland Under-19s will take part in a friendly International Tournament in La Manga from February 25th to March 4th.
The under-19s will play Scotland on February 27th followed by Norway on Wednesday March 1st and complete the tournament by playing Finland on Friday March 3rd.
IRELAND UNDER-19 (squad): S Henderson (Aston Villa), S Supple (Ipswich Town), K Murphy (MK Dons), S Kelly (Arsenal), M Mukendi (Derry City), S O'Halloran (Aston Villa), E Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), C Powell (Bohemians), JP Kelly (Bohemians), I Morris (Blackpool), O Garvan (Ipswich Town), S Gleeson (Wolverhampton Wanderers), C McCann (Burnley), J Hayes (Reading), W Clarke (Ipswich Town), S Long (Reading), A Stokes (Arsenal), Ross Gaynor (Millwall).
Hat-trick for Eto'o
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o was crowned the African Player of the Year for the third year in succession yesterday. The 24-year-old Cameroon international beat off competition from Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to claim the accolade at an awards ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Lyn Oslo and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel picked up the African Young Player of the Year award. The 19-year-old, who is being courted by Chelsea and Manchester United, starred for his country in last year's World Youth Championship in Holland.
In brief . . .
Henri Camara has received a rap on the knuckles from Wigan boss Paul Jewell after failing to return on time after the African Nations Cup with Senegal when he missed a flight from Senegal to France . . . Newcastle full back Celestine Babayaro has had his claim for wrongful dismissal rejected by a Football Association disciplinary commission. Babayaro was sent off at Aston Villa on February 11th for denying Milan Baros an obvious goalscoring opportunity. He will now serve a two-match suspension with immediate effect.
