LONDON, Nov 27 - Soccer news in brief from around
the world:
* Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association for
the behaviour of their players in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League
victory at Derby County, the FA said in a statement.
Chelsea's players reacted angrily after their Ghana
midfielder Michael Essien was sent off for violent conduct after
appearing to strike Derby's Kenny Miller. Chelsea have until
Dec. 12 to respond.
The FA also said Essien's claim for wrongful dismissal had
been rejected and that he would serve a three-match ban.
* Valencia have Serbia striker Nikola Zigic back in their
squad after he played against Kazakhstan in the delayed Euro
2008 qualifier last Saturday.
But coach Ronald Koeman is without injured midfielders Ruben
Baraja and Miguel Angel Angulo, and defenders Alexis and
Emiliano Moretti for the visit of Schalke 04 in Group B on
Wednesday.
Koeman confirmed that former Spain international keeper
Santiago Canizares would retain his place in the team for
Wednesday's match despite an error which gifted Racing Santander
a 1-0 win over his side at the weekend.
* Cyprus first division team Omonia Nicosia have appointed
former player George Savvides its coach after parting company
with Serbian Dragan Okuka, the club said on Tuesday.
Savvides, 47, is a former Cypriot international who played
for AEK Athens for five seasons from 1987. He returned to Cyprus
and Omonia where he retired in 1995.
The club said Savvides had signed a six-month contract with
an option for a further two years.
(Reporting by John Leonidou, Mark Elkington, editing by
Trevor Huggins)