Football news in brief

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, who has been strongly linked with a move to New York Red Bulls, has reached a deal with Barcelona that releases him from his contract.

If the deal with the Red Bulls goes through, Marquez would join former Barca team-mate Thierry Henry in Major League Soccer after he was also freed from his contract.

Friendly violence

Catania's match with Greek side Iraklis was abandoned because of players fighting, the second pre-season friendly involving a Serie A club to be halted because of violence in two days.

The referee suspended the game in northern Italy after 70 minutes following a succession of bad fouls and scuffles, Catania said in a statement.

New Richardson deal

Sunderland's Kieran Richardson has signed a new three-year contract which commits him to the Barclays Premier League club until the summer of 2013.

The 25-year-old former Manchester United midfielder, who has also played left-back for Sunderland, joined the club nearly three years ago and has played 85 games.