Football: Now Laudrup quits Copenhagen

AROUND THE WORLD

Denmark

SIX MONTHS after leaving Chelsea and claiming he was homesick, Brian Laudrup has announced he is leaving the Danish club FC Copenhagen, putting his future playing career in doubt.

The Danish international joined the club in December, just three months after signing for Chelsea and a short time after the two clubs met in the European Cup-Winners' Cup.

The 30-year-old striker said in a statement that he quit for "private reasons" and not because of the club's poor play or problems with players or the management.

It has been quite a year for the younger brother of Michael Laudrup. Last season he also quit 's national team following the World Cup to spend more time with his family. FC Copenhagen manager Flemming Oestergaard said he was "disappointed" with Laudrup's decision, adding 's best known player had played only six months of a two-and-a-half year contract.

Laudrup's transfer to FC Copenhagen did not help the club, who are unlikely to qualify for Europe this season.

Laudrup, who scored twice for FC Copenhagen this year, said he has not decided whether he will continue his professional career.

Spain

ATLETICO MADRID face an agonising two-week wait before they play host to their local rivals Real in a derby match that could determined their First Division future. After Atletico's 2-1 loss at Extremadura on Sunday, the implications of the match now goes far beyond who can claim bragging rights in the Spanish capital.

Atletico have suffered a staggering slump in league form during the second half of the season - their last win at home was against Celta Vigo on 24 January - despite reaching the Spanish Cup and Uefa Cup semi-finals.

They are now perched in 15th place, just three points above the relegation zone and any further defeats would leave Atletico facing the possibility of playing off against the fourth-placed Second Division side for a place in the top flight of Spanish football next season. Atletico have not been in the Spanish Second Division since 1934 and as recently as 1996 they won the Spanish league and Cup double.

The consequences of the defeat at Extremadura was not lost on the Spanish media yesterday. "Atletico are attached to an IVU [intravenous unit]," the sports daily Sport said.