U.S. to Go Without Gibbs
U.S. defender Cory Gibbs is among several players sitting out international friendlies Wednesday.
Gibbs has an intestinal problem and won’t play against Poland at Warsaw, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Monday.
England will be without captain David Beckham and Michael Owen for its game against Sweden at Goteborg. Beckham has a calf injury, and Owen is out because of a hamstring problem.
France star Zinedine Zidane will sit out against the Netherlands at Rotterdam to recover from nagging thigh pain.
For the Dutch, standout defender Jaap Stam will sit out because of an unspecified injury, and defenders Frank de Boer (ankle) and Wilfred Bouma (back) are doubtful.
Italy will play at Portugal without top defenders Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Gianluca Zambrotta, who are all injured.
Germany will be without striker Miroslav Klose, who twisted a knee and will be out for about six weeks, for its home match against Belgium.
Klose’s five goals helped to advance Germany to the 2002 World Cup final, and he leads the current team with 16 goals. He scored once in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in February.
Croatia’s outstanding defensive midfielder, Niko Kovac, will be out because of a thigh injury when the team plays at home against Turkey.
Keane Is Cleared
UEFA, soccer’s governing body in Europe, has withdrawn its appeal of the suspension of Roy Keane, clearing the way for the Manchester United captain to play in European competition next season.
Keane was suspended for one match for standing on Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia last month in the Champions League second-round match, which the Portuguese champion won, 2-1.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel handed Keane a one-game ban, and Keane sat out the second-leg loss to Porto.
But UEFA reacted by launching an appeal of its own panel’s verdict, saying the act should be considered an assault, which would mean a ban of at least three matches.
Fashion Statement
Italy will wear jerseys inspired by Roman gladiators’ armor in the upcoming European championships in Portugal.
The team’s new Puma jerseys, created by English designer Neil Barrett, were unveiled in a presentation at Milan.
Although the traditional blue and white colors remain the same, minor alterations to the sleeves and collar include “layered garments” inspired by ancient gladiators’ armor, Puma said.
Italy will wear the jerseys for the first time at Portugal on Wednesday.
Roll Camera One
St. James’ Park, home field of Newcastle United in the English Premier League, will be the backdrop for a Hollywood film titled “Goal!”
The field was selected for the film, the first of a trilogy starring Diego Luna as a soccer player from East Los Angeles who goes to England to make a name for himself in the Premier League.
The movie is scheduled for release in February 2005.
Quick Passes
Ajax announced it won’t renew the contract of Finnish international Jari Litmanen when it expires at the end of this season.
Litmanen, 33, suffered from a recurring ankle injury after rejoining the team in 2002. He helped Ajax win four Dutch titles and the Champions League title in 1995 and has 96 goals in 179 league games.
Peru officials said they have solved a hotel reservation dispute that led Ecuador to threaten to pull out of the Copa America.
The officials said Argentina had agreed to share a hotel in Chiclayo, 410 miles northwest of Lima. Ecuador officials had not responded.
Celta de Vigo Coach Radomir Antic resigned a day after the team lost to Zaragoza, 2-0, and dropped to 19th place in the 20-team Spanish league.
