IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Lippi's future to be decided

ROME: Marcello Lippi's long-term future as Italy coach will be decided before the world champions travel to South Africa for next year's World Cup, the head of the Italian soccer federation said on Wednesday.

There has been speculation in the Italian media that Lippi will not continue beyond his current contract which expires at the end of the World Cup and could return to former club Juventus, possibly as a director.