Sports Briefs

Judge denies bail for Spanish FA boss

MADRID, Spain (AP):

A judge denied bail for the Spanish football federation president, his son and a federation vice-president arrested in an anti-corruption probe after taking their testimony yesterday.

According to a court statement, National Court judge Santiago Pedraz made the decision to keep federation president Angel Maria Villar, son Gorka Villar, and federation vice-president of economic affairs Juan Padron behind bars while the investigation continues.

Judge Pedraz set bail at US$116,000 for a fourth suspect, Ramon Hernandez, the secretary of the regional Tenerife football federation.

The four men were arrested in police raids on Tuesday. A state prosecutor accused them of improper management, misappropriation of funds, corruption, and falsifying documents.

UEFA charges Celtic over fans' paramilitary banner

NYON, Switzerland (AP):

UEFA opened a second wave of charges against Celtic after fans raised a paramilitary-style banner at a Champions League game.

UEFA said yesterday that a disciplinary case relating to an "illicit banner" will be judged on July 28, ahead of announcing verdicts from the Scottish champion's previous game against Linfield of Northern Ireland.

The banner showing a masked soldier identified with Irish Republican imagery was shown by fans on Wednesday during Celtic's 4-0 win in Glasgow in a Champions League second qualifying round, second-leg game.

Mexico coach says clubs blocked top players

GLENDALE, Arizona (AP):

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio says he was denied top players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup's knockout rounds because "our bosses and the clubs themselves" had other ideas.

Seeking to win the Gold Cup for the fourth time in five tournaments, Mexico wanted to use some of the six replacements each team is allowed under tournament rules. He spoke about the idea with his top player pool on June 25, a day after a win over host Russia at the Confederations Cup.

"I met with seven players we thought about bringing to the Gold Cup. I intended to bring them," Osorio said Wednesday on the eve of a Gold Cup quarter-final against Honduras. "But we had to get to the 23-man final roster. The who, what, why is a question for our bosses and the clubs themselves."