ZAGREB • Croatia's Football Federation head Davor Suker has strongly denied reports linking him to one of Europe's biggest match-fixing scandals.

German media reports yesterday said prosecutors in Bochum had evidence that Suker was in contact with Ante Sapina, a German of Croatian origin and a key figure in the 2009 scandal that rocked European football. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Laporta to champion more causes if elected

BARCELONA • Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta will do his best to put the name of Unicef or another humanitarian cause back in a prominent position on the Spanish football team's jersey, should he return to the helm in next month's elections.

His previous tenure from 2003 to 2010 saw a logo put on the shirt for the first time in the club's history. Under the last board, led by Sandro Rosell and then Josep Maria Bartomeu, Qatar Foundation and Qatar Airways logos appeared on the front, while Unicef was relegated to the back.

REUTERS

Alpecin to drop slogan for Tour de France

BERLIN • Alpecin, sponsor of German cycling team Giant-Alpecin, will drop its advertising slogan "doping for the hair" for the duration of the Tour de France.

The company, which manufactures a men's shampoo that claims to boost hair growth, wants to make sure the focus is only on its cyclists.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

First day-night Test match starts on Nov 27

SYDNEY • Australia and New Zealand will play the first day-night match in Test cricket history at the Adelaide Oval from Nov 27-Dec 1.

Officials from both countries hope the format - played under lights and with a pink ball - will drive up attendance and television ratings for the five-day game.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE