LONDON: Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit, fired in February as player-manager by English side Chelsea, is becoming a newspaper journalist. Gullit will write a column for Sunday's The Observer, which has announced plans to expand it sports section.

Gullit is becoming a familiar face in the British media. Earlier he announced plans to jump from the BBC -- the state-owned broadcaster -- to a soccer's commentator's job with ITV, one of Britain's three commercial stations.

Gullit, who led Chelsea to the FA Cup title last season, will make his ITV debut at this year's FA Cup final on May 16 between Newcastle and Arsenal.

Cook to spoil Nigerian general's party

LONDON: British foreign secretary Robin Cook hopes to keep Nigerian military leader Gen. Sani Abacha from attending this summer's World Cup.Cook, speaking to The Sunday Observer, said Abacha should be prevented from using a loophole in European sanctions against Nigeria to attend soccer's showcase inFrance. Cook said he would press French authorities on the matter.

Abacha will seek election as a civilian president just a month after the World Cup ends. Opponents say he will use his presence at the World Cup as a campaign tool.

Maurice lands PSG a berth in final

PARIS: An early goal by striker Florian Maurice sent Paris-Saint Germain to the French Cup final in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Guingamp yesterday. Playing in front of 28,000 fans at its home Parc des Princes Stadium, PSG's goal came after just four minutes, when Maurice fired in a cross with a right foot shot at the far post.

PSG will play Lens in the final, at the Stade de France, on May two. Lens won its semifinal on Saturday, beating lyon 2-0.