Football Briefs: Monaco say forward Mbappe approached without consent

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field on Thursday

AS Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe has been approached by a number of European clubs without the Ligue 1 side's permission, they said on Thursday.

One of the most exciting prospects in world soccer, the 18-year-old scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, helping Monaco win the league and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

"'Important' European clubs made contact with Kylian Mbappe and his entourage without (our) authorisation," said the club on its website.

Monaco said the contacts had broken French league rules and FIFA statutes.

"To put an end to this unacceptable situation, AS Monaco is considering asking the French Football League and FIFA to open disciplinary procedures against offending clubs," the statement said. It did not name the clubs involved.

FIFA transfer rules state that "a club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him."

Bonucci's Milan move marks end of Juve's famed 'BBC' defence

One of European football's most formidable and long-standing defences was officially broken up on Thursday when AC Milan confirmed that they had completed the signing of Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus.

Bonucci had formed part of the so-called BBC defence at Juventus along with Andrea Barzaglio and Giorgio Chiellini. They had been together since 2010 and helped their club win the last six Serie A titles.

Juventus had also reached two Champions League finals in the last three seasons, losing both to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

Italy international Bonucci, capped 70 times, made 319 appearances for the Turin club. He joined Milan last week for a fee of 42 million euros ($48.9 million) -- the highest so far in this Serie A transfer window -- subject to a medical.

As the club finalised the move on Thursday, Milan coach Vincenzo Montella described Bonucci as the best central defender in the world alongside Spain's Sergio Ramos.

"For me, it's a dream to be able to coach him," he said on Milan's website.

Bonucci's decision to leave dominant Juventus for a club which has spent the last few seasons slumped in midtable mediocrity surprised many observers, who believed that he could have chosen a top English or Spanish side instead.

Linfield face partial ground closure, Celtic player banned

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been suspended for provoking spectators and Linfield have been handed a partial stadium closure by UEFA, following their highly-charged Champions League qualifier match in Belfast.

Both teams were also fined over incidents at their second qualifying round first leg tie last Friday, which Celtic won 2-0.

UEFA said it had opened further disciplinary proceedings against Celtic following their 4-0 win in Wednesday's return leg in Glasgow.

Friday's first leg was marred when fans of Irish Premiership champions Linfield threw objects on to the pitch and invaded the playing area at the end of the game.

UEFA said Linfield would be ordered to close the lower section of the south stand at WindsorPark at their next home European tie. They were also fined 10,000 euros ($11,630).

Griffiths, who had a bottle thrown at him, was given a one-match suspension and will miss the game at home to Norwegian champions Rosenborg on July 26. His team were fined 4,500 euros for misconduct after receiving five yellow cards.

The match had been identified as politically charged.

Media reports said Griffiths tied a Celtic scarf around the WindsorPark goalpost and made a 5-1 gesture - a reference to the predominantly Catholic side's win over Glasgow rivals Rangers, a Protestant club with close ties to Linfield.

Police in full riot gear, backed up with dogs, ended the Belfast game on the pitch keeping rival fans apart after several hundred Celtic fans obtained tickets, despite the Scottish club's decision not to take up their allocation.

UEFA said the new proceedings against Celtic were over an "illicit banner" displayed by fans, blocked stairways in the stadium and a "kit infringement" in Wednesday's second leg.

Meanwhile, Macedonian champions Vardar Skopje have been charged with throwing of objects by fans, crowd disturbances, blocked stairways, illicit chants and setting off of fireworks during Tuesday's 3-1 win over Malmo.

Spartak Moscow, Dynamo Moscow fined for fan racism

Russian Premier League champions Spartak Moscow and rivals Dynamo Moscow have each been fined 250,000 roubles ($4,250) over fans' racist behaviour, the Russian Football Union (RFU) said on Thursday.

In a statement posted on its website, the RFU said both clubs could face harsher sanctions in the event of further incidents.

Russia has pledged to crack down on racism and fan violence as the country faces increased scrutiny before it hosts the World Cup finals next summer.

"The World Cup lies ahead and we want the culture of team support at Russian stadiums to meet the highest international standards," the RFU quoted its anti-racism and discrimination inspector, former Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin, as saying.

Russian media said Spartak fans had directed a racist chant at Lokomotiv Moscow's Brazilian-born goalkeeper Guilherme during their club's 2-1 win in the Russian Super Cup last week.

Guilherme was granted Russian citizenship in 2015 and was named in the country's squad for last month's Confederations Cup.

The RFU said that Dynamo Moscow fans had booed and made "discriminatory gestures" targeting Spartak players during the clubs' 2-2 draw on Tuesday.

Russia received praise from world soccer governing body FIFA over its trouble-free hosting last month of the eight-nation Confederations Cup, a two-week tournament.

However, the country still faces a challenge in convincing the football community that it has eradicated racism and violence fully from the stands, as incidents have continued at club level.