Cohen continues Nice job

OGC Nice's Maurice Cohen has been re-elected as the Ligue 1 club's president until December 2007. The 49-year-old media businessman has served in the role since 2002, when he rescued the club from serious financial difficulties, and has begun a long-term rebuilding progamme. "We started to found a real professional, good-looking and prudent side," Cohen said after being re-elected by the club's board on Tuesday evening. "Now we'll keep make it grow, but in easy stages."

Also in France, Paris Saint-Germain FC were the big-name casualties in the Coupe de Ligue round of 16 on Tuesday after losing 1-0 at second division Montpellier Hérault SC, Fodé Mansaré scoring the only goal from the penalty spot five minutes from time. UEFA Cup contenders LOSC Lille Métropole were also eliminated, going down 4-2 on penalties at RC Strasbourg, while AS Monaco FC needed a late goal from Emmanuel Adebayor to see off EA Guingamp.

The Dutch Eredivisie has signed a television rights deal worth a total of nearly €210m over three seasons. RTL has gained rights for live Friday matches and some highlights, while the subscription package for live matches has gone to Versatel, who replace Canal+. Meanwhile, John de Mol's Talpa company have gained a highlights package, beating off public broadcaster NOS, who had held the right for 40 years, save for three months during 1996. However, NOS keep the radio rights as part of a contract that will earn the 18 Eredivisie clubs €69.9m a season. AFC Ajax general manager Arie van Eijden said of that figure: "It represents an average rise of about 70 to 75 per cent."

English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers FC have confirmed that former French international Youri Djorkaeff will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of December. The midfield player signed a three-month deal at Ewood Park in last September after leaving Bolton Wanderers FC in the summer, but has been sidelined for the past two months with a hamstring problem and it has been decided by mutual consent not to prolong his stay.

In Portugal, João Carlos Pereira has been relieved of his duties at A. Académica de Coimbra's coach, currently in 17th in the Portuguese SuperLiga. The coach had a meeting with the chairman José Eduardo Simões where an agreement was reached, although it is not yet known if Pereira will remain at the club in another role. "Pereira was an excellent choice last year but this year things are a little bit different," said Simões in a press conference, with his successor expected to be named on Thursday.

Serbo-Montenegrin international Ivica Iliev has signed a contract which will keep him at Serie A side FC Messina Peloro until 2008. Iliev joined the Sicilian club from FK Partizan last summer, signing a one-year deal. The 25-year-old forward has not scored any goal in 13 league appearances but has been one of the most consistent player in the squad so far for Messina, who lie in 14th place in Serie A with a match in hand.

Belgian First Division side K. Sint-Truidense VV have signed Finnish striker Jari Niemi. The 27-year-old, who reached an agreement with R. Standard de Liège to end his contract earlier this week, has agreeed a one-and-a-half year deal with his new club.

Aalborg BK goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has been voted goalkeeper of the year by his fellow custodians in Denmark's top two divisions. The 27-year-old finished one vote ahead of Brøndby IF's Casper Ankergreen, with Peter Skov Jensen of FC Midtjylland third.