BARCELONA: Former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson could miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The extent of the injury was revealed by keyhole surgery performed by club doctors on the Barcelona striker's knee yesterday to repair cartilage damage sustained during Saturday's Primera Liga victory over Real Madrid.

Barcelona said Larsson had asked for any surgery on the torn ligament to be postponed, making it difficult to estimate how long the 33-year-old player would be out of action.

RACISM: English soccer authorities have called for renewed vigilance against racism in the game following the reported abuse towards Dwight Yorke at Blackburn on Sunday. Lancashire Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations the Birmingham striker was racially abused during the match at his former club. Yorke confronted a fan he claimed was taunting him as he warmed up along the touchline.

The FA and Premier League have released a joint statement describing the incident as "isolated", but "a reminder of the need for continued vigilance".

Meanwhile, the Spanish Anti-Violence Commission will meet today to discuss the racism witnessed in last week's international between Spain and England. The commission is a government body that deals with the problem of violence in sport. Its decisions are legally binding.

BLACKBURN: Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid has been charged with improper conduct by the English FA after appearing to elbow Birmingham's Jesper Gronkjaer in the stomach in the 3-3 draw at Ewood Park on Sunday. The duo were jostling in the penalty area before a Blackburn corner and Reid seemed to throw his arm towards the Danish winger.

WALES: John Toshack has criticised players who have decided to retire from the international scene.

The new Wales manager must bring in new talent following the retirement of players such as captain Gary Speed, Mark Pembridge, Andy Melville, Nathan Blake and Andrew Johnson. "You look at things and you wonder who would have been around if we'd got a draw at Old Trafford and had got something from the Poland game," Toshack said.

"Retiring because of time and demands on a player's life is not the right attitude. I'm of the opinion that managers should retire players and not the other way around."