Kaiserslautern face licence struggle

The 18 teams in the Bundesliga have received their operating licences for next season, albeit with conditions attached for 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

'Enormous effort'
The licence is needed to play in the Bundesliga or the second division. It is granted by the German Football League (DFL) to clubs who can guarantee their financial situation is healthy. Kaiserslautern need to prove that planned outgoings can be met, something which would take an "enormous effort" if they were relegated, according to chairman Rene C. Jäggi. Eintracht Frankfurt have their licence but will have to report their financial situation to the DFL on a monthly basis if they go down.

Austrian news
From Germany to Austria, where Sebastian Martinez and Under-21 international Florian Sturm have committed themselves to SK Rapid Wien until 2007 and 2005 respectively. Rapid, in third, are nine points behind second-placed Grazer AK, who have been robbed of striker Ilco Naumoski for around three weeks. The Macedonian international has injured his knee and will sit out Sunday's potential title-decider at FK Austria Wien. Grazer, level on 62 points with Austria, have never won the title.

Vasilyuk returns
The Belarus striker Roman Vasilyuk has left FC Spartak Moskva on loan for FC Dinamo Brest in his homeland. The 25-year-old is revered in Brest having scored 47 top-flight goals for the side prior to a move to Russia. Vasilyuk has scored seven times in 16 internationals - including four against Poland on 5 September 2001, a Belarussian record.

AIK's double blow
Following yesterday's resignation of coach Richard Money, AIK Solna have learned that Andreas Eriksson and Daniel Hoch face lengthy spells on the sidelines. Eriksson, who scored AIK's winner against GIF Sundsvall on the opening day of the 2004 Swedish season, has strained knee ligaments and will be out for three weeks. Hoch will be missing for a month with a fractured leg. "Because of the break for [UEFA] EURO 2004™ it means it might be a while before I play again," said Hoch.

Thompson axed
RBC Roosendaal will not field Ode Thompson again after the striker refused to come on as a substitute in the final minutes of Sunday's 1-1 draw against AFC Ajax. Thompson was expecting to replace Sammy Youssouf much earlier in the second half and when the call finally came from coach Robert Maaskant the Nigerian sat steadfast on the bench. "If Thompson cannot engage his brain to put the team first in such an important match then I do not need him anymore," said Maaskant, who refused to let Thompson return from Amsterdam on the team bus.