Goal of the day

A spectacular own goal from Thailand, from a league game between Pataragorn Dang and Anura.

Rumour of the day: Zico to coach Iraq

Former Brazilian international Zico is in talks to become the new coach of Iraq, according to wire reports. AP reports that the head of the Iraqi Football Association, Najeh Hamoud, has said negotiations on contract terms will start as soon as Zico arrives in Baghdad.

Thiago Alcantara called in Spain squad

Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara was the notable new face in Spain’s squad to play Italy in a friendly next week. The call-up was a reward was his outstanding form in Spain’s European Under-21 triumph earlier this summer.

Bin Hammam in new attack on FIFA

Mohammed Bin Hammam is refusing to go quietly. The disgraced former president of the Asian Football Confederation has claimed it is “suspicious” that FIFA has not yet produced the full reasons for his lifetime ban.

On his website, Bin Hammam says: “It gives FIFA the time to devise a justification for a decision that it was always going to make anyway. This is also outrageous as FIFA has been quick to publicise my guilt while holding up my opportunity to appeal.”

Champions League play-off draw

The draw for the play-off round of the Champions League was made earlier to today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

Arsenal face a difficult tie against Italy’s Udinese, while Lyon were drawn with Russian side Rubin Kazan, conquerors of Dynamo Kiev in the third qualifying round. Bayern Munich have a slightly easier draw, against Swiss side Zurich, while Spain’s Villarreal face Danish side Odense.

Arsenal reject Cesc bid

Arsenal are reported to have rejected Barcelona’s latest bid for midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The latest offer is reported to be a fee in the region £27million, with £6million in add-ons.

Champions route:

Wisla Krakow (POL) v APOEL (CYP)

Maccabi Haifa (ISR) v Genk (BLG)

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Malmo (SWE)

Copenhagen (DEN) v Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

BATE Borisov (BLS) v Sturm Graz (AUT)

League route:

Odense (DEN) v Villarreal (SPA)

Twente (Hol) v Benfica (POR)

Arsenal (ENG) v Udinese (ITA)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Zurich (SWI)

Lyon (FRA) v Rubin Kazan (RUS)

Europa League play-off round draw

Tottenham were paired with Hearts in today’s draw for the Europa League play-off round. The winners of the 38 ties will join 10 losers from the Champions League play-offs in the group stages, where 10 sets of four teams will play each other home and away.

Full draw here.

Deal of the day: Canales on loan to Valencia

Real Madrid have agreed to loan attacking midfielder Sergio Canales to Valencia for the next two seasons. Valencia also have the option of buying the Spain Under-21 international at the end of each season for a reported price of 12 million euros.

Deal of the day 2: Gabriel Milito to Independiente

Gabriel Milito has rejoined Independiente eight years after leaving the Buenos Aires club to move to Europe. Defender Milito, brother of Internazionale striker Diego, was released by Barcelona earlier this summer.

Under-20s quarter-final line-up takes shape

Argentina, Brazil and Egypt all cruised into the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup but England face a nervous wait to see if they will make the last 16 after drawing 0-0 with Mexico.