Taffarel calls it a day

Empoli offer
The 37-year-old, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, has decided not to stay in Serie A with Empoli FC despite the offer of a one-year contract. He had been all set to join Empoli - until his car broke down on the way to the club and he had a rethink.

'Did not feel right'
"I simply realised then that it was not what I wanted," said Taffarel. "I turned it down because it did not feel right. I am certainly leaving football but I would like to stay in Parma and I would like to open a restaurant here." Taffarel won the 1993 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in his first spell with Parma and also the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray SK in 2000.

Esnaider problem
Real Murcia CF striker Juan Eduardo Esnaider faces at least two weeks on the sidelines because of a calf injury. The 30-year-old Argentinian suffered the injury in training on Wednesday.

Aloisi absence
Elsewhere in Spain, CA Osasuna will be without striker John Aloisi for a month after a scan revealed a muscle tear in his left thigh. The 26-year-old has not played since the league meeting with Club Atlético de Madrid nearly a fortnight ago. Osasuna also learned today that midfield player Julio César Pinheiro faces time out after suffering a groin strain in training.

Velkov resigns
Hristo Velkov has resigned as president of Bulgarian club PFC Cherno More Varna after two months in charge, during which time he cleared their debts. "I have completed my mission. The club still exists and plays in the league. Now we have players and the team is performing well," said Velkov, who will retain his 64 per cent share in the club, though he predicted it would be sold "soon".

Skela fined
Eintracht Frankfurt have fined their Albania midfield player, Ervin Skela, an undisclosed amount for spitting at an opponent in a Bundesliga game. Skela has already received a four-match ban for spitting at 1. FC Kaiserslautern's Thomas Riedl during the 3-1 last Sunday.

Moens leaves AZ
Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar have cancelled the contract of goalkeeper Oscar Moens. After a dispute about image rights, the arbitration committee of the Royal Netherlands Football Association ruled that Alkmaar should pay €600,000 to Moens, who becomes a free agent having previously been committed until 2007. The 30-year-old joined Alkmaar in 1996 after spells at AFC Ajax and SBV Excelsior.

Roda humbled
Finally, Roda JC's Dutch Cup hopes have been ended at the second-round stage by amateur side VV Baronie, who beat the 1997 and 2000 winners 1-0 thanks to a goal from Arie Eikelenboom. Clubs involved in European competition do not enter the cup until the fourth round.