Sporting Digest: Football

Pietro Vierchowod, the veteran Italian defender, has extended his contract at Piacenza for another year. Vierchowod, 39, made his professional debut in 1975 and his Serie A debut in 1980. He has played more than 500 times in the Italian First Division.

Arsenal, the women's FA Cup holders, went through to the fifth round of the competition with a crushing 11-0 win over Chelsea. England's Justine Lorton and the former international Marianne Spacey scored impressive hat-tricks and Rachel Yankey and Kelly Few scored two apiece with one coming from Sian Williams. Doncaster Belles beat Canary racers 6-0, Karen Walker scoring four goals, and Southampton Saints came back to beat Leeds City Vixens 2-1.