Football in brief: Morrison’s WBA form earns him new deal

WEST Brom’s longest serving player, midfielder James Morrison, has signed a new four-year contract.

The Scottish international has put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2016. Morrison, who joined the Baggies from Middlesbrough five years ago, has played a major role in establishing the club in the Barclays Premier League but has yet to replicate such form on the international stage as Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign has got off to a depressing start.

Benfica skipper Luisao faces ban for Celtic tie

Benfica captain Luisao looks likely to miss the Champions League clash with Celtic at Parkhead next Wednesday after being suspended for two months for physical aggression against a referee in a pre-season friendly in Germany. Centre back Luisao pushed over referee Christian Fisher during a friendly against Fortuna Duesseldorf, with the game abandoned and Fisher pressing charges against the Brazil international. The Portuguese Football Federation are due to inform Fifa of its decision, making it likely the ban will be applied in the Champions League.

Fifa extends Conte’s Italian ban worldwide

Juventus coach Antonio Conte’s 10-month Italian ban for not reporting match-fixing has been extended globally, Fifa said yesterday, meaning he will not be on the bench for Wednesday’s Champions League opener at Chelsea. Conte, who has strenuously denied the allegations from his time in charge of Siena, is set to miss the entire Serie A season and Fifa has now invoked part of its disciplinary code to enforce the ban worldwide.

England U21s to face Serbia in play-offs

England will play Serbia in next month’s qualifying play-offs for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Stuart Pearce’s men beat Norway 1-0 on Monday to finish top of Group Eight with seven wins from eight matches and earn themselves one of the seven seeded berths for today’s draw in Nyon. Serbia, who were unseeded, won Group 4. The two-legged play-offs will be held between October 12-16 with the winners progressing through to next summer’s finals in Israel.

Mourinho happy with ‘sad’ Ronaldo’s form

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has sought to play down Cristiano Ronaldo’s revelation two weeks ago that he was feeling “sad” at the club. “If he is sad and he plays like he plays then that’s perfect for me, he can carry on doing the same,” said Mourinho when asked about his Portuguese compatriot’s comments. “I am a soccer coach and my responsibilities are the results and for that reason when the results are not good you kill me,” the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager added as Real prepare for today’s La Liga match at Sevilla.