Sport in Short: Football

THE recent retirement of Franco Baresi, the Milan sweeper, from international football has opened the way for his club- mate, 33-year-old Mauro Tassotti, to become Italy's oldest international debutant in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Switzerland in Cagliari - the home country's first World Cup qualifier since 1981.

RUSSIA make their World Cup debut against Iceland in Moscow tonight with a welcome addition to their forward strength. Sergei Yuran, the Ukrainian striker from Benfica, has decided to play for Russia, having described Ukraine's international future as 'uncertain.'

MARSEILLE, the French champions, have transferred Francois Omam-Biyik, the Cameroon international striker, to their First Division rivals, Lens, for an undisclosed fee.

BROMLEY, of the Diadora League, will have to find a new home for the near future after a fire caused extensive damage to the clubhouse, stand and floodlights yesterday.