Real fire Capello

MADRID: Spanish league champions Real Madrid fired coach Fabio Capello. Madrid’s sports director Pedrag Mijatovic said the decision, which was widely expected, was made at a board meeting on Thursday. He said the club was considering several candidates to replace the Italian coach but would not give any names. — AP

Final in Johannesburg

ZURICH: The opening match and final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. The decision was made on Tuesday by the bureau of the World Cup Organising Committee, FIFA said. FIFA also delayed this year’s WC qualifying draw in Durban by two days to November 25 and approved the qualifying formats for its confederations. FIFA said hosts South Africa will be placed in Group A of the World Cup. — AP