Milan come back down to earth

AC Milan's joy at winning the European Super Cup last Friday was doused on Monday as they were held 1-1 by Fiorentina in their Serie A clash.

Milan - who beat Sevilla 3-1 on Friday in Monaco - looked to be on their way to joining AS Roma and Juventus at the top of the table when Brazilian star Kaka scored from the penalty spot - his third goal of the season - in the 27th minute.

However fatigue seemed to set in the second-half for the Milanese and Fiorentina took advantage as former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu headed the equaliser in the 56th minute.

Milan pushed forward looking for a winner but found Fiorentina's French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey equal to the task of both Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka's efforts.

Spanish Federation gives red card to Catalan-USA friendly

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday vetoed a mooted friendly international between the eastern region of Catalonia and the United States, which had been slated for October 14.

The Catalan regional federation (FCF) had reached agreement for the game with US counterparts but the RFEF board rejected the idea by 18 votes to three, FCF sources said.

One of the reasons put forward was that Spain are themselves playing Denmark a day earlier in a Euro 2008 qualifier and then on the 17th a friendly against Finland.

RFEF spokesman Jorge Carretero told the Europa Press news agency that the date was not opportune.

Occasionally, such as during the Christmas and New Year break, regional sides have played in friendlies and last October Catalonia played a Basque regional select XI.