Two Czech First League side Sparta Prague players "have been told to train with the women's team after making sexist comments about a female match official." Goalkeeper TOMAS KOUBEK said that "women belong at the stove" after assistant referee LUCIE RATAJOVA failed to flag an opponent offside during Sunday's 3-3 draw with Brno. Midfielder LUKAS VACHA tweeted a picture with a comment "to the stove." Sparta CEO ADAM KOTALÍK called the remarks "unacceptable." He added that the players "will see for themselves that women can be handy not only at the stove." Women's team captain IVA MOCOVA said, "We are looking forward to the boys training with us" (BBC, 10/4). ... The Scottish FA announced that Rangers player JOEY BARTON has been "charged for alleged breach of football's rules on betting." The charge "relates to alleged betting activity on games" between July 1 and Sept. 15. Barton has until Oct. 12 to "reply to the charges" with a hearing set for Oct. 27 (London TELEGRAPH, 10/5). ... Premiership side Saracens player ALISTAIR HARGREAVES has "retired from rugby union with immediate effect following a concussion injury." The 30-year-old Hargreaves, capped four times by his native South Africa, "made 79 appearances for Saracens after joining the north London club from Durban's Sharks Super 12 side" in '12. Hargreaves said, "I've suffered a number of concussions in the last two seasons and after seeking medical advice I've come to the conclusion that the risk is outweighing the reward" (PA, 10/5). ... Germany's World Cup-winning Manager JOACHIM LÖW has "ruled out a return to the Bundesliga after he leaves his position with the national team and said treatment of coaches was sometimes unfair." He has been in charge since '06 and his current deal runs to '18. When asked if he had ruled out a Bundesliga return, Löw said, "That is correct. What I fundamentally do not like is the way in which coach changes are being done at the moment. I can understand that sometimes from the club's perspective a change in coach is appropriate. But what is decisive is that this happens in a fair and correct way" (REUTERS, 10/5). ... Man City Manager PEP GUARDIOLA has blocked his players "from using the internet at the club's training base in a drive to foster more face-to-face communication and a greater team spirit." The Spaniard has arranged for certain areas of the City Football Academy "to be free from 3G signal and disconnected from the in-house Wi-Fi system." Other changes made by Guardiola "include the banning of pizza after matches, with players now snacking on nuts." Guardiola has also "instructed the squad to eat together at the Etihad Stadium following home games" (London GUARDIAN, 10/4).
