Alberto parts ways

BERLIN: Brazilian midfielder Carlos Alberto — Werder Bremen’s most expensive signing — has quit the Bundesliga side after less than six months to be loaned to Sao Paulo in his home country. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will spend the rest of the season with the Brazilian side having only signed for Bremen for $11.5 million last summer from Brazil’s Corinthians. Alberto played just 44 minutes of Bundesliga football for Bremen after suffering from prolonged periods of sleep deprivation and was involved in a training ground fracas with team-mate Boubacar Sanogo last November. — AFP

FA clears Ferguson

LONDON: The Football Association (FA) has decided not to take action against Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after Reading fans accused him of making an offensive gesture at Saturday’s game. Ferguson left his seat on the bench after Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-minute goal gave the Red Devils a 2-0 victory at Reading and made a gesture with

his arm which the home supporters complained was aimed at them.

The FA said on Tuesday it has decided to take no action against the United manager. — AP

Garitana resigns

ZARAGOZA: Ander Garitano resigned as Zaragoza coach on Tuesday, nine days after he replaced the fired Victor Fernandez. Garitano said his decision was based on “exclusively personal reasons. I prefer if someone else comes in because the club needs someone who is 100 per cent committed.” No immediate successor was named by Zaragoza, which is 11th in the Spanish league with 25 points. Garitano denied Spanish media reports that he was stepping down due to differences with midfielder Andres D’Alessandro. The 38-year-old Garitano replaced Fernandez on January 14. — AP