Euro 2012 semi-final referees appointed

Uefa has announced the match officials that will take charge of the fixtures in the last four as we head into the business end of the competition 

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Uefa has announced the refereeing teams set to take charge of the upcoming Euro 2012semi-finals between Spain and Portugal and Germany versus Italy.
The first semi-final is set to take place in Donetsk on Wednesday, with the Seleccao taking on the defending European champions. Turkish referee Cuneyt Çakır will officiate the game, with the help of compatriots Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun as his assistants.  Slovenian Damir Skomina will act as the fourth official.

The second semi-final between Germany and Italy sees Frenchman Stephane Lannoy appointed to officiate the game, with Frederic Cano and Michael Annonier as his assistants.

England's Howard Webb will be the fourth official, very much keeping his hopes alive of refereeing the final, just as he did at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Montpellier confirm Arsenal-bound Giroud's exit

The Ligue 1 club's boardmember has wished the France international well but refused to disclose any details regarding the player's seemingly imminent move to the Emirates.
Montpellier president Louis Nicollin has confirmed that Olivier Giroud is leaving the club amidst widespread speculation that the forward is on the verge of joining Arsenal.

The Ligue 1 champions have already agreed a fee with the north London outfit for the France international and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed last week that the deal was "90 per cent done".

While Nicollin refused to disclose any details regarding the proposed transfer, he did admit that the player would be departing the Stade de la Mosson.

"I wish him well because he's a good kid," the Montpellier supremo has said.

Meanwhile, Nicollin's son, Laurent, who is the club's deputy chairman, all but admitted that Giroud's transfer to Arsenal was effectively a done deal. "The negotiations have gone very well," he told RMC Sport. "We have been in agreement for some days now."

Giroud hit 21 goals during his club's title-winning campaign last season, prompting links with various clubs around Europe in recent months, including Bayern Munich.

However, Arsenal have met the striker's release clause, which is believed to be €15 million, and the 25-year-old has agreed a deal with the Gunners which will treble his current wage.

Giroud will be the English side's second high-profile signing of the summer, with Germany international Lukas Podolski already having been acquired from Koln.

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