Podolski set to leave

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

BERLIN: German international striker Lukas Podolski will leave Cologne for English Premier League side Arsenal at the start of the 2012-13 season, the Bundesliga club announced on Monday. The 26-year-old — capped 95 times — joined struggling Cologne from Bayern Munich in 2009. No details of the transfer were given by Cologne who are 16th in the Bundesliga, however press reports estimate the fee at 13 million euros. Podolski, who has played 180 matches and scored 86 goals, will join Germany teammate Per Mertesacker at Arsenal.

Marchetti suspended

ROME: Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and Brazilian defender Andre Dias have picked up four and three match bans respectively for aggressive behaviour in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Udinese. The pair were involved in a bizarre incident in injury time when the Lazio defence stopped playing with Udinese substitute Roberto Pereyra then scoring his team’s second goal. Dias motioned that he had heard the referee blow his whistle, and was subsequently sent off for protesting. Their bans will make Lazio’s pursuit of a third place finish and with it Champions League football next season all the more complicated.

Lovren uncertain

LYON: Lyon’s Croatian international defender Dejan Lovren looks doubtful for Euro 2012 after injuring his right foot during the French Cup final against Quevilly on Saturday. Lyon coach Remi Garde said the 22-year-old player picked up a sprain which saw him stretchered off during the 18th minute of the tie which they won 1-0 against their third-tier rivals at Stade de France.

Van Buyten inks deal

BERLIN: Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until June next year, the Bundesliga club confirmed on Monday. “We’re delighted that he’ll still be playing for Bayern next season,” said club sporting director Christian Nerlinger. “With his qualities and experience he will be an important part of our team in the future.” The 34-year-old, who has played for Bayern since 2006, has been sidelined with a left foot injury for the past three months. He has played 133 Bundesliga matches for the club and scored 19 goals.

SKorean cyclists killed

SEOUL: Three South Korean professional cyclists were killed and five others injured on Tuesday after a truck crashed into the group while they were training, police said. The 25-ton cargo truck hit the cyclists in Euiseong, southeast of Seoul. Police said the truck first collided with a van, which was following the cyclists with their coach inside, before smashing into the group. Three died on the spot and four others were seriously injured. The coach survived with minor injuries, they said.

Hopkins not retiring

LOS ANGELES: Bernard Hopkins has no plans to retire from boxing after losing his World Boxing Council light-heavyweight crown to Chad Dawson. Instead, boxing’s oldest-ever champion wants to win another title. Hopkins, who became the oldest man to win a major world boxing title when he defeated Canada’s Jean Pascal last year, said he intends to win a new crown to break his own age mark, one he took from legend George Foreman. “Regardless of the result, I will continue my career,” he said.