Injury woe for Atlético

Injury setback
The centre-back has been suffering sharp pains to the big toe of his right foot since last season and the problem flared up again during Saturday's league defeat by Valencia CF, forcing the player to leave the pitch after just 20 minutes.

Two months out
Tests on Wednesday showed that García Calvo has damaged bones inside the toe and needs an operation. Atlético officials estimate that the 28-year-old will be out of action for two months, depriving coach Gregorio Manzano of one of his key defenders.

Fenerbahçe handed ban
The Turkish Football Association has ordered Fenerbahçe SK to play their next home game at a neutral ground because of crowd disturbances at the Super League match against Gaziantepspor on 14 September. The ban will come into force for Saturday's league game against Gençlerbirligi SK. The club recently had a similar suspension commuted to a fine following trouble at a match against Trabzonspor at the Sükrü Saraçoglu stadium.

Petrov stays put
Hot on the heels of his country's qualification for the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals, Bulgarian international winger Martin Petrov has signed a two-year contract extension with German side VfL Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old, who played a major part in Bulgaria's qualifying campaign, has agreed a deal that could keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2007.