Top Official From Serbia Shot in Head

A top soccer official from Serbia and Montenegro was shot in the back of the head Friday by an unknown assailant and was in critical condition.

Branko Bulatovic, general secretary of the Serbia and Montenegro Soccer Assn., was in the lobby of its headquarters in central Belgrade at the time of the shooting. Police said they had a detailed description of the suspected assailant, who fled on foot.

A motive was not immediately clear.

Bulatovic, 53, was taken to Belgrade’s emergency hospital, where he was in a coma, doctors said.

All weekend league games were postponed, and an international exhibition match against Norway that was scheduled for Wednesday may be scrapped.

Portugal on Alert

Portugal will have its fleet of 20 F-16 fighter jets on permanent standby and ready to scramble against any airborne terrorist threats during this summer’s European Championship, a security official said.

Portugal on Thursday requested that NATO provide AWACS surveillance planes to help guard Portugal’s skies during the tournament June 12 to July 4.

AWACS surveillance planes are primarily used to detect suspicious aircraft. They can spot low-flying aircraft, including those that could be flown by suicide pilots, at a range of more than 250 miles.

MLS Moves

Two Major League Soccer teams moved to upgrade their offenses, beating a FIFA-imposed Wednesday deadline for international transfers.

The New York/New Jersey MetroStars acquired Argentine forward Sergio Galvan Rey, and the Columbus Crew picked up Costa Rican forward Erick Scott.

Galvan Rey, 30, has scored 171 goals in eight seasons for Colombian team Once Caldas.

Scott will play on a one-year loan from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense, and the Crew will have the option to purchase his contract.

Blanco Absent

Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco won’t be with the national team for a friendly Wednesday against Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center.

Espndeportes.com reported that Blanco was wanted for questioning by authorities in Houston for an incident in which he allegedly punched a waiter at a bar in January.

Blanco recently asked Coach Ricardo Lavolpe not to include him on the roster.

England Injuries

David Beckham, Michael Owen and Ashley Cole, all injured in games this week, might have to sit out England’s friendly against Sweden next week.

Beckham, who plays for Real Madrid, isn’t expected to play in the Spanish league match against Sevilla on Sunday because of a deep leg bruise.

Cole, an Arsenal defender who suffered a knee injury, will not play in the English Premier League game Sunday against Manchester United.

Owen, a forward for Liverpool, has a strained hamstring and is doubtful to play against Leicester City.

Quick Passes

Defender Tony Sanneh, who plays for FC Nuremburg in Germany, will replace injured Chris Armas on the United States roster for Wednesday’s road friendly at Poland.

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D.C. United teenage sensation Freddy Adu will be featured on CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday night. Among those interviewed for the piece are Pele and U.S. national team Coach Bruce Arena.

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David Marshall, the 19-year-old goalkeeper for Glasgow Celtic, signed a four-year contract to stay with the club.... Roger Lemerre, who last month led Tunisia to an African Nations Cup title, has signed a contract extension through 2006.

-- Compiled by Jim Barrero