Former match-fixer Pacheco killed

SAN SALVADOR • Former El Salvador international football defender Alfredo Pacheco, who was banned for life for match-fixing in 2013, was shot and killed on Sunday as he left a petrol station.

Two friends who were travelling with the 33-year-old were hurt in the attack which took place in Santa Ana, 66km west of the capital San Salvador.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Benitez nearly managed Hammers

LONDON • David Sullivan has revealed that Rafael Benitez had agreed a deal to become West Ham's manager in the summer before Real Madrid stepped in at the 11th hour.

The English Premier League football club's co-chairman said he approached several high-profile managers as a replacement for Sam Allardyce before capturing Slaven Bilic, but Benitez was the closest to joining.

THE GUARDIAN

Ed will have ball of a time as Norwich chair

LONDON • British opposition party Labour's former finance spokesman Ed Balls has become the chairman of Norwich City, the struggling English Premier League football club.

The 48-year-old, a Norwich fan who once wanted to play for the club, lost his seat in Parliament in the May general election and is taking up the non-executive role with immediate effect.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE