Sporting Digest: Football

Hugh Dallas will take charge of the Old Firm game at Parkhead on 27 December despite Celtic informing the Premier League of their reservations. The appointment was backed by Scottish Premier League officials yesterday. The last time Dallas took charge of a league fixture between the Glasgow rivals in May, he was struck by a coin thrown from the stands by a Celtic supporter. Rangers won the game 3-0 to clinch the title.

Thomas Helmer is returning to Sunderland after the German club Hertha Berlin decided not to extend his loan deal. The 34-year-old former German international defender will not be fit to play again until February because of an Achilles tendon injury.

The Torino goalkeeper Luca Bucci must appear before an Italian Football Federation disciplinary committee following his scuffle with an official from Perugia. Bucci has been accused of stubbing out a cigarette in the official's face.