Football in Brief: Scots to try out safe standing; Boyd to return; Seville chief jailedn

Scotland's top-flight clubs have been given the green light to pilot safe standing schemes in their stadiums. The SPL announced a relaxation of their rules on standing following a general meeting of all 12 clubs yesterday.

"There is no suggestion that we are simply opening up the terracings again," said Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster. "It is about introducing areas that are safe for standing, like the Rail system that we have seen in Germany. Atmosphere is a big part of it. I am of a generation who went to games where safe-standing was allowed."

Scotland is not bound by the law which banned standing areas in top-flight football in England, which came into force after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Boyd to return to British game

The former Rangers striker Kris Boyd is looking to resurrect his career in Britain after ending an unhappy spell in Turkey. Boyd has terminated his contract with Eskisehirspor following a dispute over unpaid wages. The 28-year-old made two appearances for the Turkish club after moving from Middlesbrough. Boyd's agent, Mark Donaghy, said: "His contract has been terminated because of late payments."

Seville chief sent to prison

The Seville president Jose Maria del Nido was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison yesterday for his involvement in the embezzlement of public funds in the Spanish town of Marbella. Del Nido will also have to pay the Marbella town hall €2.7m (£2.3m) for his role as a lawyer in the corruption ring from 1999-2003.

Del Nido is in his ninth season as club president. During that period, Seville have won two Uefa Cup titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and a European Super Cup. Coach Marcelino Garcia said: "This won't affect our performance as a team in any way. I hope he continues as Seville's president and continues to be as successful as he has until now."