The Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson has died, aged 67, after a long illness. Here are some of the tributes from leading figures in Scottish sport.

DUNDEE UNITED MANAGER CRAIG LEVEIN

"We have lost someone I'd call a decent guy and, as close as we've become, he is someone I wish I could have known a lot longer.

"As a chairman he could not have backed me any more than he did, but it is as a good man that I think of him.

"Over the next few days a lot will be said about him and what he achieved, but I really will remember him as a decent guy.

"We knew how ill the chairman was and we have been expecting this. That means in some ways you can steel yourself for it, but when it happens it is still terrible news.

"We are all very upset and right now there is not much I can say."

SFA CHIEF EXECUTIVE GORDON SMITH

"Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and everyone at the club at this terribly sad time.

"Eddie was a man who loved the game and was passionate about bringing success to the club he loved.

"You need only look at the way the fans reacted at the CIS Cup final earlier this year to see how much Dundee United meant to Eddie and how much Eddie meant to the club.

"He will be sorely missed."

RANGERS CHAIRMAN SIR DAVID MURRAY

"I had come to know Eddie well in recent years, and, even as he battled with illness, his football club was always his main priority.

"We are deeply saddened by today's news and, on behalf of everyone at Rangers, our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

CELTIC CHIEF EXECUTIVE PETER LAWWELL

"Everyone at Celtic is deeply saddened at the news of Eddie'S death and our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time.

"Eddie was a genuinely popular figure in Scottish football who was absolutely devoted to Dundee United.

"He was very proud of his association with the club and always fought their corner with honesty and integrity, doing his best for Dundee United while always having the wider interests of Scottish football at heart."

MOTHERWELL CHAIRMAN JOHN BOYLE

"Eddie fought for his club, he was so enthusiastic and so passionate. He was an inspiration to us.

"There was absolutely no question that, as he said, he was the custodian for the fans.

"Dundee United went through a very, very turbulent time and he brought stability to the club.

"They have achieved marvels in the last six or seven years, largely due to his influence. The players, the manager and the fans all looked up to him so much.

"He has left the club in tremendously good nick. He fought for all of the smaller clubs. He was a director of the SPL for many years and, as everyone will tell you, they may have disagreed with him, but there was enormous respect for him."

MIKE BARILE, DUNDEE UNITED SUPPORTERS' GROUP, ARAB TRUST

"Eddie was just a lovely man. He was so passionate about his football team, and through his hard work and determination he proved his doubters wrong and turned things around here at the club.

"He was a real workaholic and that explains a lot of his success in business - once he decided what he wanted to do, that's what he did.

"Whether Eddie was speaking to a taxi driver or whoever, he gave that individual his full attention and was genuinely interested in them - that was a remarkable gift."

FEDERATION OF DUNDEE UNITED SUPPORTERS' CLUBS

"We have lost a wonderful father figure whose massive physical, emotional and financial contribution will always be revered amongst us.

"The courage, bravery and devotion to our team shown by Eddie during the latter stages of his illness dispels the myth that there are no heroes anymore - Eddie Thompson is a hero to all of us.

"We are all heartbroken today. The heartfelt love and sympathy of every Dundee United FC supporter goes out to his family."

ST JOHNSTONE MANAGER DEREK McINNES

"First and foremost my thoughts are with his family. Eddie was a big family man. I d

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi will not face Scotland at Hampden when the nations meet for a November friendly.

Barcelona have successfully lobbied for Messi to be rested, having reluctantly released him for the Olympics.

The SFA had agreed a deal for Argentina's full squad to come to Glasgow on 19 November but the visitors have decided to withdraw Messi.

"After negotiations with Barca, we have come to the conclusion we must take care of Messi," said an AFA spokesman.

"So that means he is excused for the friendly matches against Scotland in November and France in February. It is common sense.

"However, Messi is the only Argentina player who will be given permission not to play."

After arranging the glamorous fixture, Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith insisted he knew nothing of of such a deal.

"There cannot be an arrangement in place that Messi is not allowed to play for Argentina," Smith said.

"There could be a gentleman's agreement that we don't know about."

Argentina will visit Scotland for the first time in 18 years when they come to Hampden Park.

The SFA says it negotiated hard with its counterparts to make sure Scottish fans were given value for money.

"The insistence was that Argentina would bring their best-available squad," said Smith.

"Even if Lionel Messi is not here then they will be a very strong unit.

The Scottish FA has announced a new two-year sponsorship deal for the Scottish Cup in partnership with Willie Haughey and the Scottish Government.

Former Celtic director Haughey will provide £1m each term, while branding rights go to Holyrood.

It will be called the Homecoming Scottish Cup to mark the drive to attract tourists in 2009, the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth.

The name of the tournament will change for the 2009/2010 season.

SFA president George Peat said: "If we can use the magic of the cup to promote our country internationally and to encourage people to live better, healthier lives, then we will be doing something really special."

The trophy has been without a sponsor since brewer Tennent's ended their 18-year association in May last year in order to support the national team.

The Scottish Government, who will meet the costs of activating the rights to the tournament, will use the event to promote healthy living and citizenship through football messages.

Activation costs refer to the expenses associated with marketing opportunities such as the branding of pitch hoardings and perimeter boards, advertisements in programmes, website messaging, public relations costs to work with players and community engagement.

Businessman and philanthropist Haughey was a Celtic director between 1994 and 1997 and has previously invested in Livingston.

"The generosity of Willie Haughey has made The Scottish Cup a prize that every Scot, at home and abroad, and every friend of Scotland has a share in," said First Minister Alex Salmond.

"Four million people across 40 countries watched the Scottish Cup last year and this year they will all be invited to be a part of our Year of Homecoming.

"This funding will turn Scotland's premier domestic sporting cup competition into a cohesive celebration of national sporting success.

"What's more, this announcement gives the Scottish Government further opportunity to highlight the work of a new group that has been established in partnership with the SFA to promote citizenship through football.

"As well as continuing to tackle sectarianism, the new group will look at issues such as anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug misuse, domestic abuse and violence."

The second-round games of this season's tournament will be played on 25 October.