Injury Real Madrid international break

Left back Coentrao dropped out of the Portugal squad with a muscle complaint, and with the versatile Arbeloa also being substituted out of Spain's 1-1 home draw against France with a muscle problem, Jose Mourinho may have gaps to fill at full back in upcoming games.

It looks pretty black, Spain and Real midfielder Xabi Alonso told reporters at a promotional event on Wednesday.

It's really bad luck that in seven days we have lost all three (full backs). I am sure the boss is working on finding a solution.

Injury Real Madrid international break

Khedira missed Germany's 4-4 draw at home to Sweden after picking up a muscle injury against Ireland.

Forward Higuain suffered a knock to his ankle while helping Argentina to a 2-1 win in Chile, while his strike partner Benzema hobbled out of France's draw at the Calderon clutching his left knee.

I hope it only looks bad and that we haven't suffered any bad luck with the strikers, Alonso added.

I hope they will both be ready for Saturday. The Spanish champions host promoted Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday as they look to close the eight-point gap on leaders Barcelona.

Former Zimbabwe football for life

"The dark episode should now be consigned to history's dump site and it is incumbent upon the entire family of football to jealously safeguard the beautiful game from its enemies."

Others hit with life bans include players Method Mwanjali, Thomas Sweswe, Edmore Sibanda, Danisa Phiri and Guthrie Zhokinyu, ex-ZIFA official Jonathan Musavengana, player agent Kudzai Shaba and former national team fitness trainer Thompson Matenda.

football

A former coach of top-flight club Monomotapa, Rodwell Dhlakama, an official at the same club, Hope Chizuzu, and Robson Sharuko, the sports editor of Harare newspaper The Herald, were also barred for life.

The bans follow an independent investigation headed by retired high court judge Ahmed Ebrahim.

Rushwaya, who sent the national team to play unsanctioned friendlies in Thailand and Malaysia, and a Singapore-based betting syndicate allegedly fixed the results.

Ebrahim said exact details of how the Zimbabwe teams were involved in the match-fixing may never be known, but claimed those behind the scam were driven by greed.

"I don't subscribe to the view that the root cause of it (match-fixing) is economic hardship," the former judge stressed.

"I believe the motivating factor is greed and making a quick buck."