Sevilla get royal approval

Spanish UEFA Cup winners Sevilla FC will attend a royal reception next Wednesday at the La Zarzuela palace near Madrid. King Juan Carlos will congratulate coach Juande Ramos and his players in person on securing the Andalusian club's first European trophy.

Real Sociedad de Fútbol will release four players when their contracts expire in June. Coach José Mari Bakero has told veteran goalkeeper Alberto López, defender Sergio Boris, midfielder José Javier Barkero and striker Óscar de Paula that they will not be offered new deals.

Former French international defender Alain Goma is one of six players to be released by English Premiership club Fulham FC. The 33-year-old, who previously played for AJ Auxerre, Paris Saint-Germain FC and Newcastle United FC, heads a group also including Argentinian striker Facundo Sava.

UD Leiria have unveiled Domingos Paciência as their coach for the 2006/07 season following Jorge Jesus's move to CF Os Belenenses earlier in the week. "This is a decision that will surprise everybody," said Leiria president João Bartolomeu. The 37-year-old Domingos is a former FC Porto and Portugal striker with no coaching experience in the Portuguese Liga - he has previously trained Porto's B team.