Blatter stripped of a few Fifa privileges

ZURICH • Fifa has told its banned leader Sepp Blatter that he will have to leave his presidential apartment by Feb 26 when a successor is elected.

The apartment in an old Zurich building is one of the perks Blatter, 79, will lose following his eight- year suspension, which was pronounced on Monday by the ethics committee of football's world governing body. He automatically loses his official mobile phone and e-mail address.

But the disgraced Swiss, found guilty of a conflict of interest over a 2 million Swiss franc (S$2.8 million) payment to Fifa vice-president Michel Platini, does not lose all privileges.

He will get his salary - the amount is unknown - and can keep his car and apartment until the contract ends on Feb 26.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Duff ends 20-year playing career

LONDON • Former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff announced his retirement on Monday.

The 36-year-old footballer won two Premier League titles and the League Cup with Chelsea, lifted the League Cup with Blackburn Rovers and helped Fulham reach the 2010 Europa League final.

He returned home to Ireland to join Shamrock Rovers in July after a spell with Australian outfit Melbourne City, but has now called time on his 20-year career.

Del Bosque says retirement is close

MADRID • Spain coach Vicente del Bosque confirmed on Monday that his retirement is "close" and that next year's European Championship is likely to be his last major football tournament.

However, speaking at the launch of his book Winning and Losing at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation, he added that he would have discussions before making a final decision.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE