Jaap Stam and Ryan Giggs have recovered from injury to give Manchester United a double boost ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League semi-final, first leg with Juventus. The pair were declared fit yesterday by manager Alex Ferguson after they trained with the rest of the United squad.
Both sat out Saturday's draw at Wimbledon and Stam had been troubled with an ankle injury, while Giggs had been suffering from a hamstring complaint. Their return means Ferguson will have a full squad to choose from for the Old Trafford tie.
Real Madrid have imposed a £21,000 fine on Yugoslav international striker Predrag Mijatovic for his refusal to play because of the Kosovo conflict. The fine, a Real spokesman said, after a meeting of the club's directors, is "the maximum possible under the club's rules". If Mijatovic, from Montenegro, continues to refuse to play he may be thrown out of the team, added the spokesman.
Bologna striker Giuseppe Signori is doubtful for tonight's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Olympique Marseille. Signori, who is recovering from a left knee injury, is "very doubtful", coach Carlo Mazzone sad yesterday.
"It will be the first time we'll play the opening leg away. It's usually regarded as an advantage but playing at the Stade Velodrome is far from being easy," Mazzone said. "It's a very important match for the players, for the club and for all the tifosi (supporters). A UEFA Cup semi-final is always a great moment and we'll do everything we can to qualify," he said.
Atletico Madrid play Parma in the other semi-final.
A teenager was shot dead in a clash between Flamengo and Fluminense fans before the big Rio derby on Sunday.