Football - Hertha Berlin fires new coach Michael Skibbe

Hertha Berlin has fired coach Michael Skibbe after just five matches in charge, all of them defeats. Hertha announced the dismissal of Skibbe and assistant Edwin Boekamp yesterday, a day after the team slumped to a 5-0 defeat at Stuttgart. That left the club, which returned to the Bundesliga this season after dropping into the second division for a year, in 15th place and only two points clear of the relegation zone. Hertha hired Skibbe from Turkey's Eskirsehirspor in December after predecessor Markus Babbel was fired following a dispute with general manager Michael Preetz. A former Germany assistant, Skibbe has also coached Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray. Preetz said the club is looking for an interim replacement.

Suarez apologises for snubbing Evra handshake

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has apologised for refusing to shake hands with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra before the Premier League match between the two teams. Suarez says "I realize I got things wrong," adding that he not only let down Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish but also "the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry." The Uruguay striker says in a statement released by Liverpool yesterday that "I made a mistake and I regret what happened." Saturday's match was the first time Suarez and Evra had met since the Liverpool striker was banned for eight matches for calling Evra "negro" several times at a match at Anfield on 15 October. Suarez says "I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

Rooney backs Gerrard for

England captaincy

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says that Steven Gerrard is the ideal choice to be the new England captain. England are without a captain or coach after manager Fabio Capello resigned on Wednesday following John Terry's dismissal as captain by the Football Association. Rooney, who is suspended for England's first two group games at the European Championships this summer, has also declared his own interest in the role. The striker wrote on his Twitter page that "For everyone asking, I would love to be England captain. But that's up to new manager to decide. Gerrard is perfect choice for me."