Soccer - Football

Villa facing Euro 2012 fitness battle

2011-12-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

Barcelona striker David Villa is hoping to be fit in time for Spain's European Championship defence next June but will face a real battle to be ready for the finals, according to one of the doctors who operated on his broken leg on Monday.

Barcelona striker David Villa underwent surgery on his broken leg on Monday

• Villa undergoes surgery on broken leg

Villa, 30, is expected to be out for four or five months after breaking his shinbone during Barcelona's Club World Cup semi-final victory over Al-Sadd last Thursday.

Although Villa had not been featuring as regularly for his club of late, he is still a vital player for his country; the former Valencia frontman is Spain's all-time leading scorer with 51 goals in 82 games and claimed seven goals during Euro 2012 qualifying.

La Roja coach Vincente del Bosque will be desperate to get Villa back but Dr. Ramon Cugat, who was part of the team operated on the Barca star, said that a return to fitness for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine will be a challenge.

"The chances [of him playing this season] are slim, but it cannot be ruled out,'' Dr. Cugat said. "The timetable of four to five months is tight, yet there is hope. He has his goal to reach. He is keen to be able to play in the both the Champions League final and the European Championships. He wants it all.

"Tomorrow [Tuesday] he will begin his recovery, beginning to move his ankle. In three days he will be on crutches, and in five weeks we will remove the screws.

"We hope to have Villa back in time for the European Championship. It will be cutting it close. I believe that it will take four to five months, but we have to see how he evolves. I could make a mistake if I give an exact date.''

Dr Cugat added: "The operation went perfectly, and 35 minutes after the player was sending messages to his team-mates and smiling.''

Villa, who will spend the next few days recovering in hospital, was the tournament's top scorer as Spain won Euro 2008 with four goals while he was joint top-scorer with five goals as the Iberian nation won the World Cup in South Africa last summer.

Should Villa miss out on a place in Vicente del Bosque's Euro 2012 squad then it could be to the benefit of Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, who is one of the forwards fighting to be on the plane to Poland and Ukraine.

However, the former Real Madrid forward put his personal ambitions aside in admitting he hopes Villa will be fit to feature next summer.

"Clearly I'm a bit closer (to a Spain spot), but from the heart I hope that he recovers as soon as possible," Soldado told radio station Cope . Spain needs him, every Spaniard wants him to be at the European Championships and we're sure that he's going to get there.''

Arsenal and Chelsea weak

2011-12-16T17:37:00.001-08:00

Glenn Hoddle doesn't hold out much hope for Chelsea and Arsenal after both London clubs were handed tough Champions League draws, against Napoli and AC Milan respectively.

Andre Villas-Boas led his Chelsea team to a notable scalp against Manchester City last time out

• Arsenal face Milan
• Napoli chief pleased with draw
• Allegri: Arsenal not about revenge

Hoddle feels Chelsea and Arsenal are no longer the forces in Europe they have been in the past. The former England and Chelsea manager said: "Both clubs are going to find it tough. Both sides are not as strong that they have been over the past two or three years, and even then they couldn't manage to do it.

"Chelsea are reverting to the style of play which was synonymous with much of their success. They are being more defensive and tight, and have been getting better results as a consequence. But Napoli have one of the best offensive teams in the competition, their front three are as good as anything in the entire tournament.

"Arsenal are going to find it just as tough against Milan. Arsenal have been conceding too many goals lately and I don't see how they can stop conceding against the top sides like Milan. For many years now Arsenal have been one of the best passing teams, as good as anyone in Europe at retaining possession apart from Barcelona. But now they have deficiencies in defence that could cost them dear."

Of course Hoddle has no doubt who are the clear favourites for the Champions League: "It is not rocket science to go for Barcelona. Most people would say they will win it, and I am no different," Hoddle said.

"I always considered the 1970 Brazil team as the best on the planet, but now I would say that Barcelona are the best of all time."

Glenn Hoddle was launching the In Studio Match Experience at the Courthouse Hilton hotel in central London with the first cinema screenings being both Arsenal and Chelsea away in the Champions League

Seven thrilling tales of the Brasileirao

2011-12-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Brazilian Championship ended on a high note, with a host of regional derbies taking place across the country on a thrilling final day. That last act was very much in keeping with an exciting season, one that threw up no shortage of unforgettable moments.

From champions Corinthians’ early-season thumping of Sao Paulo to a clash of generations between Ronaldinho and Neymar and a vital late Adriano goal that kept O Timão on track for the title, the eight-month campaign produced many highlights that will live long in the memory.

Reflecting on it all, FIFA.com has picked out seven of the games that helped make the newly concluded Brasileirao one of the most gripping and unpredictable of recent times.

Corinthians 5-0 Sao Paulo(Pacaembu, 26 June 2011, Matchday 6) Sao Paulo went into this crunch meeting with confidence high after winning their opening five games and conceding just one goal in the process. Form is no guarantee of success when it comes to big-city derbies, however, as O Tricolor Paulista found out on a harrowing afternoon. Already hampered by the absence of Lucas, Casemiro, Rhodolfo and Rodrigo Souto, they were further inconvenienced by Carlinhos Paraiba’s dismissal just before half-time, the prelude to a second-half collapse.

Danilo coolly opened the scoring after the break, with Liedson then taking over, O Levezinhoghosting into the spaces afforded him by Sao Paulo’s undermanned defence to help himself to a hat-trick. As the Timão faithful celebrated, Jorge Henrique completed the five-goal rout with a drive that squirmed beneath goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni and over the line, setting the seal onCorinthians’ biggest ever win in the fixture and leaving Sao Paulo’s perfect record in tatters.

Santos 4-5 Flamengo (Vila Belmiro, 27 July 2011, Matchday 12)
Billed as a duel between the old master Ronaldinho and the young wizard Neymar, this mouth-watering clash more than lived up to expectations as the Brasileirao’s two most bankable stars turned on the style in one of the most exciting games for many a year.

Laying down an early gauntlet to his idol, Neymar helped tee up Santos’s opening two goals, conjuring up a remarkable overhead assist for the second while lying flat on the ground. He then made it 3-0 with a spectacular solo effort, playing a one-two with Borges before slicing through the Fla defence and sliding the ball past Felipe.

Accepting the challenge, Ronaldinho tapped in from close range to spark a Flamengo fightback that brought the scores level by half-time. And though Neymar dinked O Peixe back in front at the start of the second half, it was the former Barcelona star who had the last word, rolling back the years with a trademark free-kick under the wall and then completing his hat-trick and a stunning Fla comeback with a side-footed finish.

Vasco da Gama 2-2 Corinthians (Sao Januario, 2 October 2011, Matchday 27)Eventual runners-up Vasco went into this game with a two-point lead over the side that would pip them to the title. The hosts landed the first blow in a match that underlined how little there was to choose between the teams over the season, star centre-half Dede rising highest at a corner to head home.

O Timão hit back when Alex converted the selfless Danilo’s pass at the far post only for Fagner to put the home side back in front with a coolly chipped finish. Though Danilo restored party with a fine header, Corinthians could and should have won the game, wasting a string of presentable chances in the closing stages. Ultimately, those misses would not prove costly, and it was Os Cruzmaltinos who were left to rue the share of the spoils as they finished two points adrift of the Sao Paulo side in the final reckoning.

Fluminense 5-4 Gremio(Engenhao, 16 November 2011, Matchday 35)
Another nine-goal thriller in which Fluminense, who have acquired a reputation for the improbable in recent times, fell behind three times before Fred fired them to an unlikely win. The ex-Lyon striker enjoyed a purple patch at the season’s end, striking four goals here and notching another eight in the next three games to finish just behind Santos’s Borges in theBrasileirao scoring charts.

Rafael Marques got the ball rolling when he nodded in from close range to give Gremio the lead.Fred scored his first of the evening to level things up and popped up again to make it 2-2 after Marquinhos had put the visitors back in front with an exquisite free-kick. Rafael Sobis then got in on the act to give Flu a brief lead, but back came Gremio with two goals in a minute from Brandao and then Adilson. The insatiable Fred had the last laugh, however, tying it up at 4-4 from the spot and then hooking in the winner to cap an epic victory.

Corinthians 2 -1 Atletico-MG (Pacaembu, 20 November 2011, Matchday 36)When Corinthians’ fans look back on their triumph in the 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro, they will undoubtedly point to this clash with Atletico-MG as being pivotal in their success. Going into the game in top spot, two points clear of closest chasers Vasco da Gama, O Timão went a goal behind and were only able to level in the 77th minute via the wiliest of poachers Liedson.

Despite being the stronger side and piling the pressure on O Galo, Corinthians’ siege looked destined to end in frustration. That was until the last-gasp intervention of substitute Adriano, who has been ravaged by injury since joining the club earlier this year, with the former Inter Milan and Brazil star collecting Emerson’s pass before firing an unstoppable left-footed shot past Renan Ribeiro. O Imperador’s first competitive goal for Corinthians could barely have come at a better time.

Vasco 2-1 Fluminense (Engenhao, 27 November 2011, Matchday 37)Vasco may have been taking on Fluminense, but they had one eye on fellow championship chasers Corinthians who were hoping to clinch the crown in their match against Figueirense. Knowing that O Timão had won 1-0 thanks again to that man Liedson, 2011 Copa do Brasilwinners Vasco thus needed to beat Rio de Janeiro rivals Flu at any cost to prevent Os Corintianos from guaranteeing the title with a match to spare.

Os Cruzmaltinos it was who struck first, with striker Alecsandro coming off the bench to head Vasco into the lead. Yet their hopes were hit just seven minutes later, when Flu’s lethal frontmanFred grabbed an equaliser for O Tricolor Carioca. But with the Corinthians' players already assembled on the pitch at the Ressacada stadium in Florianopolis, ready to celebrate title success, Vasco kept the race alive in the most dramatic of fashions. A last-minute strike from fan favourite Bernardo made it 2-1 to the home side as the victory kept them within two points of the summit to guarantee a thrilling final round of matches packed with spice-laden regionalclássicos.

Cruzeiro 6-1 Atletico-MG (Arena do Jacare, 4 December 2011, Matchday 38)While the Brasileirao title was being settled by the results of two of the country’s biggestclássicos – Palmeiras-Corinthians and Vasco-Flamengo – another regional derby between Cruzeiro and Atletico-MG looked all set to go down in history. For the former, A Raposa, only three points would do to avoid relegation to Serie B for the very first time. O Galo, for their part, had the tantalising opportunity to consign their biggest rivals to the dreaded drop.

In the event, proving once more that logic goes out of the window in derby games, previously out-of-sorts Cruzeiro emphatically banished their relegation fears with a 6-1 demolition of their arch-rivals at the Arena do Jacare. Goals from Roger, Leandro Guerreiro, Anselmo Ramon, Fabricio, Wellington Paulista and Everton thus prevented A Raposa from experiencing the lowest point in their history while, at a stroke, achieving their biggest and most significant win in theclássico Mineiro.

FBI examines U.S. soccer boss's financial records

2011-08-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

(Reuters) - The FBI is examining documents charting more than $500,000 in payments made by a Caribbean soccer group to a top U.S. official of the sport that has been shaken internationally by corruption allegations.

According to a U.S. law enforcement officer, a New York-based FBI squad assigned to investigate "Eurasian organized crime" is examining evidence related to payments made to Chuck Blazer, U.S. member of the executive committee of FIFA, the Zurich-based governing body of soccer.

Blazer is also general secretary of CONCACAF, the sport's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean. He has recently sparked controversy by accusing two other top international soccer officials of corruption.

The U.S. law enforcement official would not describe the time frame or extent of the FBI inquiry.

But the official said the probe related to documents whose existence was initially reported by the Independent newspaper of London last weekend and on the www.transparencyinsport.org website by British journalist Andrew Jennings, who specializes in investigating alleged corruption in international sports.

In an e-mail to Reuters, Blazer denounced Jennings' story as "replete with errors" and said the journalist had a "clear agenda."

But Blazer did not deny receiving three offshore payments, totaling more than $500,000. Instead, Blazer insisted that "all of my transactions have been conducted legally."

THREE PAYMENTS

According to the documents, reviewed by Reuters, three payments were made to offshore accounts maintained by Blazer over the last 15 years.

In a letter dated January 29, 1996, Jack Warner, president of the Caribbean Football Union, and until recently president of CONCACAF and vice president of FIFA, instructs the vice president of a bank to wire transfer $57,750 to an account at Barclays Bank in the Cayman Islands maintained by a company called Sportvertising Ltd. The letter says that if any problems arise with the transfer, the bank should contact Blazer at CONCACAF's New York office.

A 1990 document, signed by both Blazer and Warner and reviewed by Reuters, identifies Blazer as "President" of Sportvertising Inc. The document, headed "retainer agreement", describes how CONCACAF, via the company, employed Blazer as its general secretary, paying his company both monthly fees and "a 10% override feel on all sponsorships and TV rights fees from all sources received by CONCACAF or for CONCACAF programs/tournaments", excluding "sponsorships arranged at the local level on tournaments and events."

Also examined by Reuters are records documenting a $205,000 payment to Sportvertising Inc., dated September 2010. The records includes a notation indicating the payment was on behalf of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

A third set of documents also in the FBI's possession relates to a purported $250,000 payment by the Caribbean Football Union to Blazer earlier this year. A letter to a bank supervisor dated March 31, 2011, signed by Warner, authorizes the bank to issue a draft worth $250,000 to "CHUCK BLAZE" and to debit the Caribbean Football Union's account accordingly. A second document purports to be a copy of a $250,000 canceled check made out to Chuck Blazer.

BLAZER DEFENDS PAYMENTS

In e-mails to Reuters, Blazer said he had not been contacted by the FBI or notified by them of any investigation.

He said two most recent payments to his company's Caymans accounts were in his view meant to be repayments to him by Warner of "a significant amount of money" that Blazer says he loaned to Warner in 2004.

Blazer said that as soon as he saw the most recent payment -- in the form of a check from the Caribbean Football Union -- he "immediately objected".

"In the past few weeks I have learned that Mr. Warner treated the CFU accounts as his personal accounts and co-mingled a variety of funds in those accounts," Blazer said. He said he was now "working with the current CFU administration to bring in forensic accountants to attempt to untangle this mess."

"My financial affairs have been structured legally and with advice of counsel - a standard practice for individuals of my age," he said.

He also said Warner, once his close ally in tense and tangled internal FIFA politicking, now is "attempting to attack me for having disclosed his unlawful conduct."

Warner did not respond to a query e-mailed to the Trinidad-based office of the Caribbean Football Union.

Earlier this year, shortly before FIFA's governing body was scheduled to hold a vote on whether to re-elect the organization's president, Sepp Blatter, Blazer publicly denounced Warner, a long-time ally, for his alleged involvement in a plot to hand cash bribes to Caribbean soccer officials in return for their votes to support a bid by Qatari soccer official Mohammed bin Hammam to replace Blatter as FIFA chief.

In the wake of Blazer's allegations, Hammam was investigated by FIFA's ethics committee on the bribery charges, found guilty of corruption, and banned for life from the game. Hammam is appealing against the FIFA life ban.

Last week, FIFA said it opened ethics proceedings against 16 Caribbean soccer federation officials related to the special meeting of the Caribbean Football Union in May.

Warner, a FIFA vice president and longest-serving member of the world soccer groups executive committee, was suspended by FIFA pending an inquiry into Blazer's bribery allegations. In June, he resigned from all his positions in international soccer. FIFA dropped the investigation into Warner.

Brazil look to bounce back from Copa woe

2011-08-09T17:30:00.001-07:00

Brazil exited the Copa after a woeful showing in the penalty shootout

With just the Confederations Cup and a selection of friendlies standing between them and the 2014 World Cup they will host, Brazil know that they must take their game against Germany - live on ESPN UK at 1945 BST on Wednesday - seriously.

The clash will be the first meeting of the two nations since June 2005, when Brazil beat their hosts 3-2 in a Confederations Cup semi-final in Nuremberg. Recently, though, Mario Menezes' failed to impress at the Copa America, less so in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay when they missed all their spot kicks, and much more will be at stake in three years' time if they do not sort out the endemic problems.

The attacking talents of Neymar, Pato, Robinho and Ganso struggled in Argentina, but still showed glimpses of their incredible potential. A more experienced side could combat some of the naivety that will surely feature in a young side.

Germany, for their part, will be missing two of their most impressive performers, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, as they are required for Real Madrid's pre-season preparations ahead of the two-legged Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona and could be short of experienced internationals in midfield.

The impressive Bastian Schweinsteiger will still make his mark, likely alongside Bayern team-mate Toni Kroos, but Dortmund's youth are well covered with call-ups for Sven Bender, Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the age scale, German legend Michael Ballack has turned down the option of a 'farewell' match against the Brazilians, claiming that such an idea was ''a farce''. The fact that 54,767 fans have sold out Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz-Arena suggests perhaps that others place more importance in the fixture than the former German captain. Brazil's players may be among them.

Germany player to watch: Manuel Neuer. The new Bayern Munich goalkeeper was the subject of ire from his own fans before he had even signed for the club and was thrust into the glare after a mistake in his competitive debut against Borussia Monchengladbach led to a shock 1-0 defeat. The stopper has class, though, and will be keen to cement the No.1 spot at international level with a commanding performance back between the sticks.

Brazil player to watch: Alex Pato. Tipped for a few years to be the replacement for Ronaldo in the Brazilian side, the striker has not made the giant leaps expected of him. For Milan he dovetails well with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but has looked a little isolated when asked to play as a lone striker for his country. Pace, power and deadly accuracy are all part of his repertoire and it should not be long before he is viewed as one of the best in the world.

Key Battle: Mario Gotze v Neymar. The young Dortmund midfielder has been tipped as 'Germany's Lionel Messi' by legend Franz Beckenbauer and will continue to show his skills in the Bundesliga next season after snubbing a move. In this sense, and many others, he is like Brazilian Neymar who is also being tracked by Europe's elite but seems content to stay with Santos. Both players are young, technically excellent and have the ability to change a game with their dribbling and vision.

Trivia: ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was opposed to the game, saying: ''I know that Brazil is an attractive game. But this slot has to be scrapped, and the (post-season) June dates as well.'' The game will also be broadcast in 190 countries.

Stats: Germany have only beaten Brazil three times, while the Samba stars have won 12 of their 25 games. In Women's internationals though, Germany have never lost against Brazil.

Odds: Germany (2.40), Brazil (2.90) and the draw (3.30) are on offer with bet365 and Germany to win 2-0 will get you 12.00.

Prediction: Friendlies are often tough to call, but Brazil will be highly motivated to succeed. One feels that the home advantage and a sprinkling of youth in the German side, though, may pay off.

Match-fixing scandal halts Turkish league

2011-07-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Turkey's football federation have delayed the start of the new season by a month amid a massive match-fixing investigation, Anatolia news agency reports.

Federation president Mehmet Ali Aydinlar says matches in the super league will kick off on September 9, and a day later in the second division.

Some 30 people have been charged and jailed pending trial this month as part of a probe into match-fixing and bribery in Turkey's first and second divisions.

The president of reigning champions Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim, is the most prominent among the incarcerated suspects, which include the vice-president and the coach of another Istanbul giant, Besiktas.

The suspects are accused of manipulating 19 games last season, which saw Fenerbahce clinch the title in the last match, outstripping Trabzonspor on goal difference.

The inquiry and arrests have sent shockwaves among fans in football-mad Turkey, amid the prospect of Fenerbahce losing the title.

Earlier this month, Besiktas, the Turkish Cup winners, returned the trophy to the football federation until cleared.

Uruguay surpass Argentina

2011-07-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Diego Forlan celebrates after netting his second goal to complete a 3-0 victory

Diego Forlan scored twice as Uruguay clinched a record 15th Copa America title with a comfortable win over Paraguay in Buenos Aires.

The Paraguayans reached the final without winning a single match in normal time but their fortune ran out against a Uruguay side who were vastly superior.

Luis Suarez put La Celeste ahead after 12 minutes and Forlan doubled the lead 30 minutes later. Atletico Madrid striker Forlan then added a late third to tie Hector Scarone as Uruguay's leading goalscorer with 31.

Uruguay bossed the first half with the pace and movement of Forlan and Suarez proving particularly troublesome for Paraguay's overworked defence.

Oscar Tabarez's men bristled with intent from the off and could have gone ahead inside two minutes. Suarez battled his way past two defenders and his scuffed shot was goalbound before Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar managed to smother it behind.

From the resulting Forlan corner, Diego Lugano powered a header on goal which was superbly parried by Villar, with the follow-up from Lugano blocked by the arm of Nestor Ortigoza on the line.

Paraguay's defence had been the foundation for their run to the final but it was breached for the first time in six hours after 12 minutes.

The ball fell fortuitously to Suarez in the area and the Liverpool striker turned smartly before clipping in a shot which beat Villar via Dario Veron's leg and the left-hand post.

Paraguay almost conceded again shortly after the half-hour mark when Suarez put Forlan through but Villar made an important block with his legs.

Suarez then turned the hapless Veron and lashed a shot into the side-netting before picking out strike partner Forlan, whose volley was easy for Villar.

Uruguay were dominating all over the field and they got the second goal their opening-half display deserved three minutes before the break when Egidio Arevalo dispossessed Ortigoza before playing in Forlan and his powerful drive easily beat Villar for his first goal in 13 internationals.

Ortigoza almost redeemed himself nine minutes into the second period when his scooped pass found Nelson Haedo Valdez and his volley produced a wonderful save from Fernando Muslera, the keeper tipping the ball onto the bar.

Paraguay wasted another route back into the contest after 62 minutes when midfielder Cristian Riveros failed to connect with Ivan Piris' cross at the near post after attempting an unnecessary back-heel.

The Paraguay rally eventually petered out and Uruguay could have added a third with 16 minutes to go, Edinson Cavani picking out fellow substitute Sebastian Eguren, whose deflected effort was superbly saved by Villar.

But Tabarez's men did have the final say with a wonderful third in the final minute. Cavani swept a cross-field pass to Suarez, whose cushioned header was perfect for Forlan to run on to and slot past the advancing Villar.

Arsenal fail with Jagielka bid - report

2011-07-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

Everton have rejected a £10 million bid from Arsenal for defender Phil Jagielka, according to widespread reports.

Phil Jagielka has been a mainstay in the Everton defence since joining from Sheffield United

• Jagielka signs new deal

Speaking at the end of last season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger outlined his intention to bolster his backline, but the Frenchman has yet to land a senior stopper this summer.

The likes of Blackburn's Christopher Samba and Bolton's Gary Cahill have been mentioned as targets, while Wenger is rumoured to be a long-term admirer of England international Jagielka.

It is now claimed that the Gunners have lodged an offer in the region of £10 million for Jagielka, £2 million less than their last approach, and this has been swiftly rebuffed as Everton look to retain the centre-back.

Jagielka signed a new four-year contract at Goodison Park in March this year, and it is expected that boss David Moyes will fight to hold onto his services, despite the Toffees struggling for transfer funds.

Corinthians offer 40m euros for Tevez

2011-07-11T17:26:00.001-07:00

Brazilian giants Corinthians have offered 40 million euros to re-sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. ESPNsoccernet understands that the player would accept a return and that his advisers expect City to agree the deal.

Carlos Tevez has again outlined his desire to leave Eastlands - and may get his wish to return to South America

City have set a price of £50 million for Tevez, and the first officially-tabled bid falls well short of that valuation. It might prove that Corinthians are a stalking horse to flush out bigger and better bids but Tevez's advisers still expect City to OK the move back to South America.

Corinthians' director of football, Duilio Monteiro Alves, confirmed that contact had been made with Tevez's representatives and the club would utilise its vast resources to land the player. Alves told Lancenet: "I don't want to get our fans' hopes up. We'll try. That's all I can say.

"[Signing Tevez] isn't impossible. It's a dream we're trying to realise. He is interested in returning, everybody knows that. He has said several times he would play for Corinthians or Boca Juniors again.

"With that interest on his part, we are interested in his coming. For that to come true, it is distant. But we are going after him and we have initiated talks."

ESPNsoccernet's source said the bid from Brazil might open up offers from other clubs, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and perhaps even Chelsea, all clubs who City would now consider rivals, now that they are in the Champions League.

"City might find it hard to turn down this offer," said the source. "And they will know they won't get a much bigger offer from anywhere in South America. Corinthians are serious about this.

"They mean business, they have the funds, they have a 55 million euro TV deal, a 26 million euros sponsorship deal, which is the fourth largest in the world, and they are building a new stadium which will open in 2013 holding 68,000, which will stage the opening ceremony for the World Cup."

Tevez was club captain before he quit in 2006 to join West Ham United along with Javier Mascherano, and he became the first foreign player in Brazil to win footballer of the year since 1976.

The striker wants to leave City after two years at Eastlands and has cited family reasons, saying last week that he wants to be closer to his two children and their mother who live back in Argentina. A move to Corinthians fulfills that objective. However, City may want to hold out for their price having invested £47 million in transfer fees to bring him to Eastlands in the first place.

The offer from Sao Paulo club Corinthians may interest City because it would mean Tevez joining a team who are not their rivals in any competition, and he would be rejoining the club he played for from 2004 to 2006, having joined from Boca Juniors.

Until Corinthians made their interest known to City, Tevez looked headed for Spain or Italy, at potential Champions League rivals, and with a loan move looking most likely.

Eto'o rules out Inter exit

2011-07-10T17:14:00.001-07:00

Manchester City transfer target Samuel Eto'o has committed his future to Inter Milan.

Samuel Eto'o is happy at Inter

Eto'o hinted last month that he would like to test himself in the English Premier League but the Cameroon striker now insists he intends to stay in Italy.

"The newspapers say I'm leaving Inter? I spoke with president Moratti right after the Copa Italia we won against Palermo and when the president speaks, I can only say yes," the former Barcelona star told Inter Channel.

Eto'o, 30, was linked with a move away from Inter after a disappointing season in which the club replaced manager Rafa Benitez with Leonardo and failed to defend their Serie A and Champions League titles.

However, the Inter star joined his team-mates for pre-season training this weekend and spoke of his excitement for the coming campaign under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini after a good work out.

"It went pretty well. It was quite hot, but never as bad as in Milan right now. I am in good shape and we have the right atmosphere to start a difficult season," Eto'o said. "We are all really eager to repay the enthusiasm of the fans by winning on the pitch."

Meanwhile, the agent of Santos full-back Jonathan says transfer talks with Inter are virtually complete.

"Negotiations are at an advanced stage. He hasn't signed yet, but I think the talks are 95% completed," agent Tadic told FcInterNews. "Jonathan will be in Italy between Monday and Tuesday to have his medical and sign the contract with Inter."

Wickham set for Sunderland medical

2011-06-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ipswich starlet Connor Wickham is expected to undergo a medical with Sunderland on Wednesday after Steve Bruce made an £8 million bid for the striker.

GettyImagesConnor Wickham: 72 appearances for Ipswich

Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested in Wickham but the Black Cats have stolen a march on their rivals with a formal approach for the 18-year-old and plan to seal the deal as soon as possible.

In addition, Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner is due at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday for talks with manager Bruce, who could announce a double signing.

Wickham has been a first-team squad member at Ipswich since the age of 16 and was part of the England Under-21 squad during this summer's European Championship.

Sunderland have been in discussion with Ipswich for several days and reports suggest they have agreed a package which could eventually rise to £13 million.

Bruce is currently engaged in an extensive summer shopping spree as he attempts to improve upon the club's first top-10 Premier League finish since the Peter Reid era.

Strikers are one of his main priorities with Darren Bent having been sold to Aston Villa in January, Danny Welbeck now back with Manchester United following his loan spell andFraizer Campbell facing most of the new campaign on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Indeed, Sunderland ended last season with record signing Asamoah Gyan as their only fit and available option in attack, and that is a situation the manager intends to address as a matter of urgency.

South Korea international Ji Dong-won has already been on Wearside to discuss terms, while the Black Cats held talks with Liverpool's David Ngog, initially as they negotiatedJordan Henderson's switch to Merseyside earlier this month.

But a successful swoop for Wickham would land them a player whose potential has alerted a series of interested parties, and it remains to be seen if they can beat off any competitors spurred into action by their bid.

Bruce is hopeful of pushing through moves for Ji and Gardner within the next few days, while he awaits progress on Manchester United trio Darron Gibson, Wes Brown and John O'Shea, for whom he has made a joint offer of more than £12 million.

Villas-Boas resigns from Porto

2011-06-21T17:28:00.001-07:00

FC Porto have revealed that treble-winning coach Andre Villas-Boas has resigned from his position, with Chelsea confirming they are hoping to agree personal terms with him "in the near future".

Andre Villas-Boas worked under Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter

Villas-Boas is now expected to be named as the Blues' new manager in the coming days after they paid the Portuguese champions the €15 million that activates the release clause in his contract.

Porto said in a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission: ''FC Porto, in accordance with Article 248 paragraph 1 of the Securities Code, hereby informs the market they have received from Mr Andre Villas-Boas the amount provided for in clause to terminate his employment contract.''

The statement also said that all that remained to sort out were the formalities of the termination of the contract.

Porto, who also confirmed Vitor Pereira as their new coach on a two-year contract, added on their official website: ''The amount has been deposited on the termination clause of the work contract of Andre Villas-Boas.''

Chelsea had been reluctant to pay such a large amount for a manager but Porto have stood resolutely by their rights and have now been rewarded for their persistence, with the Blues confirming their interest.

"We note that the release clause of Andre Villas-Boas has been activated," a statement on Chelsea's website said. "We can at this time confirm our interest in him and hope to reach agreement with him on personal terms and make a further announcement in the near future."

Villas-Boas is expected to sign an initial two-year deal with Chelseas, with star striker Falcao tipped to follow him. The Colombia international set a new goalscoring record for the Europa League last season, netting 17 goals in 14 games as Porto won the competition and bagged 16 in the league as the club cruised to the Primeira Liga title.

Villas-Boas was part of Jose Mourinho's backroom staff at Stamford Bridge between 2004-2007, meaning he can step into the club with an understanding of both English football and the way Roman Abramovich runs things.

Santos confirm Neymar interest

2011-06-20T17:31:00.001-07:00

Santos president Luis Alfaro Ribeiro has revealed Real Madrid have enquired about the availability of Neymar, along with a host of other clubs.

Neymar will cost 45 million euros.

Neymar, 19, is one of the hottest properties of the summer transfer market, with Chelsea and Manchester City also linked with the player, but Ribeiro insists no negotiations can take place until after his side's Copa Libertadores final second leg against Penarol on Wednesday night.

Ribeiro admits the race for the teenager is hotting up and hinted that his sizeable release clause would have to be met before Santos would consider selling.

''It is not just Madrid; a lot of other clubs in Europe have been calling us,'' Ribeiro told a press conference. ''It is no surprise - it would be strange if they didn't want him.

''If they pay the buy-out clause of €45 million and the player wants to go, there is nothing we could do.''

Nevertheless, the Santos chief hopes his side can hang on to the 19-year-old - especially if they win the Copa Libertadores.

''The clubs can talk to Neymar after the Libertadores, but I am sure that if we win the title, the reasons for Neymar to stay will be even stronger,'' he said. ''I know mind-blowing offers will arrive, but the player will benefit more if he keeps developing here.''

Success for Santos on Wednesday - which would be their first in the competition since Pele inspired them to back-to-back glory in 1962 and '63 - would ensure a place in the Club World Championship in December, while Ribeiro also revealed ambitious plans for the club's centenary year.

''Next year we celebrate our centenary; we are hopeful of bringing Robinho and Diego back to the club, and of keeping Elano and Ganso, and Neymar could be the biggest star of that movie,'' he said. ''Santos will write a page in the history of world football that will change the lives of the footballers involved.''

Barca make contact over Cesc

2011-06-19T17:13:00.001-07:00

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has confirmed Barcelona have registered their interest in signing Cesc Fabregas this summer.

Barcelona have made contact over Cesc Fabregas

Barca failed in their bid to prise Fabregas away from Arsenal last year with Arsene Wenger adamant that his captain would not leave the club but, with the player having expressed a wish to return to the Camp Nou, many felt that he might depart this summer.

Hill-Wood has now said that Barca have been in contact but stressed that, as yet, they have not tabled an offer.

"Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc," he told the Sunday Mirror. "They have been in touch, but so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go.

"But he comes from Barcelona so it is understandable if he wanted to go back. However, they have not made an offer so far."

Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen to sign Fabregas, but Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has warned that they will not match last year's €40 million offer. Rosell also said that, although this year's transfer budget stands at €45 million, the club may use cash from next summer's transfer kitty to increase that figure, while there are also certain to be sales, with Bojan Krkic set to leave for Roma in the coming days.

Widespread reports suggest Barca have all but agreed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese for an initial fee in the region of €28 million, while Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi's agent recently confirmed that Barca have seen a bid - reported to be worth €27 million - rejected.

Chelsea have £22m Modric bid snubbed

2011-06-15T18:22:00.001-07:00

Chelsea have had a £22 million bid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric rejected by the north London club, according to reports.

Luka Modric has long been deflected as an idea by Spurs boss Redknapp

The bid was dismissed out of hand by Spurs within two hours of it being received, but Chelsea are expected to return soon with an improved bid.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be looking to rebuild the squad at Stamford Bridge while simultaneously reducing its average age, after a relatively disappointing campaign which saw the club lose out to Manchester United in both the Premier League and Champions League.

At 25, Modric would appear to fit the bill on both counts, although Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has previously insisted that club chairman Daniel Levy has vowed not to sell the Croatian playmaker this summer at any price.

"If clubs the size of Manchester United and Chelsea are prepared to offer him Champions League football and massive wages, you would have to be very naive to think it wouldn't turn Luka's head," Redknapp acknowledged recently. "But I have been assured by the chairman that he is not prepared to sell him under any circumstances.

"And it's fair to say he's not happy about the unwanted attention and continuing speculation surrounding Luka.

"I have said on many occasions he is irreplaceable and it would be a massive disaster for the club if he was allowed to leave."

Modric has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer after the club failed to secure qualification for the Champions League, and has hardly distanced himself from such speculation with some of his recent quotes.

"I'm a Tottenham player and will be in London on July 7 to begin preparing for the season," Modric has been quoted as saying. "But I want to say that transfers could occur later. In England it is often the case they happen on the last day of the transfer period, August 31.

"So it is pointless to worry about anything now. If my situation changes after the start of preparation it would not be a problem."

Modric joined Tottenham from Dynamo Zagreb in 2008 for a fee in the region of £16m.

Swiss, Belarus grab opening victories

2011-06-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

The European U21 championships got off to a bad start for hosts Denmark when they suffered a 1-0 opening defeat to Switzerland, though were left to rue a late refereeing decision and a fine performance from Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

GettyImagesXherdan Shaqiri scored the winner for the Swiss

Xherdan Shaqiri followed his fine display his senior team at Wembley last week with a 48th minute winner struck with his left foot.

The FC Basel prodigy had already fired in a few sighters and was the dominant force in a goalless first half before scoring just after the break.

The second half saw the home side, with Ajax's Christian Eriksen at the core, be the most threatening as Sommer made a series of fine saves from Andreas Bjellend and Nicki Bille Nielsen. The latter had the ball in the net in the dying minutes but was marginally offside - at best - when finally beating Sommer.

That result puts the host at the bottom of Group A after Belarus stormed to the top after something of a surprise win against Iceland in an earlier game which preceded the opening ceremony in Aalborg.

A drab game in Aarhus looked to be headed for a goalless final whistle before Iceland were shattered by two late Belarus goals and a sending off in a 2-0 defeat. Having missed three chances through Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, the much-vaunted AZ striker,

Belarus celebrate a famous victory in Aarhus

Iceland paid the penalty when Aron Gunnarsson was given a straight red card for a professional foul on Stanislav Dragun, from which Andrei Voronkov scored from the spot in the 77th minute.

Substitute Maksim Skavysh completed the win for Belarus with a well-taken chip over Iceland keeper Bjornsson and he and his team-mates celebrated wildly at the final whistle and now look to have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals, where the likes of England and Spain may lie in wait.

Deal for Henderson is completed

2011-06-09T16:51:00.001-07:00

Liverpool have confirmed on Thursday evening that Jordan Henderson has completed his big-money move from Sunderland.

Jordan Henderson is the first of many summer signings for Liverpool

The Anfield club have reportedly negotiated a £16 million fee for the England midfielder, who made his international debut during the recent Premier League campaign.

A statement on the Reds' official website reads: "Liverpool Football Club have completed the signing of Jordan Henderson after the 20-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms.

"Henderson travelled to Merseyside on Wednesday after a fee was agreed with Sunderland. He then underwent a medical examination in Liverpool before signing a long-term deal.

"The midfielder has now joined the England U21 squad in Denmark as they prepare for the European Championships." News of David N'Gog's transfer in the opposite direction, worth a reported £7 million, is yet to be confirmed.

Henderson told Liverpool's website: "I'm over the moon, overjoyed to be here and I'm really looking forward to it. I was flattered to know Liverpool were interested in me and, once I knew, it was a massive decision for me to make but also a massive opportunity.

"Obviously it's hard to leave your local club. I'm a Sunderland lad, I've supported them all my life. But I'm really looking forward to the future now and obviously this is a massive opportunity for me. I'm really excited by it."

A statement on Sunderland's official website added: "Liverpool have signed Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old travelled to the Merseyside club's Melwood training ground on Wednesday to discuss terms and undergo a medical after the two clubs agreed a substantial fee.

"All the relevant paperwork has now been completed and Henderson, who is currently away on international duty with England's under-21 side, has penned a 'long-term' deal at Anfield."

Angry Gallas quits France after snub

2011-06-06T17:18:00.001-07:00

Tottenham defender William Gallas claims he has ''drawn a line'' under his international career having not featured in any of national coach Laurent Blanc's squads to date.

William Gallas: Drawn a line under his international career

• Belarus 1-1 France

Gallas, 33, was not included in the party for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus and the friendlies against Ukraine and Poland this week, and in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe he appeared to indicate he would not want to be picked again.

He said: ''When I saw that I had returned to my top level [with Tottenham] I thought [Blanc] would recall me. It was said that the best would be selected and I think this season I was one of the best French players in my position.

''Well if it's like that... I have drawn a line under my international career.''

Gallas last featured for France in their disastrous campaign at the World Cup in South Africa last summer, which was overshadowed by a player strike after forward Nicolas Anelka was sent home following a row with then coach Raymond Domenech.

The former Arsenal man fears that is how he will be remembered as a France international, despite also featuring in the side which reached the 2006 World Cup final.

''We made decisions that were wrong, but at the time we were in a bubble, we were oblivious. This image haunts me and I know it will pursue me,'' he added. ''I've had 16 years at the top level and one decision, one mistake has screwed up everything.''

Van Persie slams Spain and Chelsea

2011-06-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has launched an incredible tirade against Spain and Chelsea players, telling them to stop 'bitching' at officials and get on with playing football.

Robin van Persie protests his red card against Barcelona

Van Persie claims he 'cannot understand' the behaviour of players who constantly put the referee under pressure and was scathing of Barcelona following their actions in the Champions League last-16 clash with the Gunners. However, he has now extended his ire towards the world champions and also London rivals Chelsea.

"They [Spain players] always go up to referees in an attempt to get an opponent booked. They are trying to screw colleagues! That kind of behaviour really annoys me," Van Persie told Sport 1.

"People who are watching the game on television and fans really do not want to see these kind of things. If you want to witness a lot of complaints, you should just go the bakery or something. There's always people nagging there as well.

"Chelsea players are always bitching against the referees. I really cannot understand that. Just shut the f*** up and focus on playing football."

The Dutchman's comments, though, do take a different line from that of team-mate Jack Wilshere who claimed on Wednesday: "It's no use just Robin van Persie going because it looks like it's just him having a go at the ref. If we all get round him..." suggesting that Arsenal need to toughen up and impose themselves on officials.

Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner has confirmed his desire to leave the club.

"I have decided 100% that I must leave Arsenal," he told sporten.dk. "I've considered this for a long time and was quite clear when I arrived at my decision.

"It doesn't feel particularly strange to not know what my future holds - I'm quite calm and confident that I'll be fine at a new club.

"I'm fully focused on Saturday's game for now, because it is incredibly important, but after the international is over I may focus more directly on my future [but] I am sure I could easily go on holiday without having to panic about it. I'm looking to relax, mentally, after a season that was not what I hoped for or expected."

Palermo reject Chelsea's Pastore bid

2011-06-01T17:15:00.001-07:00

Chelsea have had a 'major offer' for Javier Pastore rejected, Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has claimed.

Javier Pastore could be on his way out of Palermo this summer

The Blues are keen to bolster their Premier League title challenge ahead of next season and are believed to be interested in luring Brazilian winger Neymar to the club. However, they are also after a creative central midfielder and 21-year-old Pastore seemingly fits the bill.

"Chelsea was a club that we had a major offer from,'' Zamparini told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. ''But it did not reach the minimum figure that we set for a player of his quality.

"If someone wants to buy Pastore, the price is €50 million (£44 million). There are five or six clubs also interested, including Man City and big clubs from Spain and Italy but so far there has been nothing from them."

Pastore has scored 11 goals in 35 games for Palermo this season, and could be sold by the club in order to 'balance the books'.

Barca masterclass seals trophy

2011-05-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

For the second time in three years, brilliant Barcelona denied Manchester United Champions League glory with a sensational performance at Wembley.

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match - Xavi: It's tempting to give it to Man United keeper Edwin van de Sar for a making a string of saves in his last match before retiring but, predictably, it has to go to Xavi. The midfield maestro stepped up to captain his team in the absence of Carles Puyol and laid on the all important first goal for Pedro with a sublime pass. After a slow start he maintained that level for the rest of the match, keeping United's defence bamboozled while Messi and Villa wreaked havoc.

Barcelona verdict: Just like in Rome two years ago, Barca started slowly but after ten minutes they settled down and after 20 minutes it was obvious they were a class above United. A makeshift back four were rarely troubled due to the trademark pressing by the players in front of them and, when they had the ball, the Catalans proved to be unstoppable. They cut through the United midfield like it wasn't there and peppered Van der Sar's goal for the rest of the match.

Man Utd verdict: They tried as hard as they could, but gave the ball away too cheaply on too many occasions and as a result couldn't put Barca under pressure. United had one shot on target and that was the goal for Wayne Rooney. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both made some great tackles and Van der Sar made a string of great saves, but it still wasn't enough as their team-mates couldn't carry a threat in attack.

Could do better - Ryan Giggs: He is a man in form but he struggled at Wembley and was shifted out to the wing when United's central midfield was overrun and was then skinned by Dani Alves. But his worst moment came when he stopped to appeal for a penalty when he still had possession of the ball in the Barcelona area.

Stat attack: Barcelona may only have won a record equalling 11th European trophy tonight, but they have won more League and European Cup doubles than any other team in history.

Although United could take some small consolation from the knowledge they were more effective than that 2009 letdown in Rome and even managed to level Pedro's first-half strike through Wayne Rooney, once again the better team won.

On the ground where the Catalans lifted their first European Cup, Lionel Messi also laid his personal ghost to rest, scoring his first goal for Barcelona on English soil, belting home what proved to be the winner nine minutes into the second half.

David Villa curled home an equally splendid third with just over 20 minutes to go to set the seal on Barcelona's fourth Champions League win and end all arguments about their right to be regarded among the truly great teams that have ever played the game.

It was a gut-wrenching night for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who started it by making one of those brave decisions for which he is so renowned. Not even finding a place on the bench for his record signing and top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, was a big call.

United could not have made a better start either. Park Ji-sung set the tone, nipping in to whip the ball away from Dani Alves. Just as Jack Wilshere advised, the white shirts got right in Barcelona's faces, pressing them, allowing no room for them to settle.

Unlike two years ago, Ferguson's team did not create a clear-cut chance. However, former Red Devil Gerard Pique was very fortunate to get away with a back pass to Victor Valdes, when his goalkeeper was much closer than he realised. With Javier Hernandez closing in, Valdes scrambled the ball away.

It was the template United needed to follow. To have done it for the entire 90 minutes would have required additional lung capacity. And once Barcelona got into their stride, they were relentless.

For once Ryan Giggs looked every one of those 37 years as Xavi and Andres Iniesta flashed around him, holes appearing everywhere.

Pedro prodded wide at the near post. Villa hit exactly the same point in the advertising hoarding with a 20-yard effort that had Edwin van der Sar scrambling.

If there was one consolation, other than Nemanja Vidic's colossal performance at the heart of their defence, it was that United had prevented Messi running at them from deep.

Unfortunately, he soon started doing it, his close control near-perfect, as was a Vidic lunge to stop the world's best player as he was about to break clean through.

It was just a matter of time. Another hole for Xavi to chase into. He looked. He looked again. He rolled the ball to Pedro, who beat Van der Sar with ease.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sat back, sensing United would not be able to respond. His opposite number urged more from his team, particularly Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuador wide man was not at his best. However, it was Rooney who needed a performance on the biggest stage, having failed so miserably at the World Cup.

And it was Rooney who delivered at the end of a move which saw the Premier League champions carve Barcelona open with their own game.

A quick pass from Fabio to Rooney, to Michael Carrick, to Rooney, to Giggs, to Rooney, into the corner from 15 yards. Simple. Football is never that. Not at this level, and not when Messi is involved.

You had to feel sorry for United. Barcelona were back into their rhythm almost immediately after the break, the concentration required to always be in the right place at the right time phenomenal.

After more stoic defending, Iniesta rolled a pass to the Argentinian, a worthy heir to Diego Maradona.

Offered a couple of yards to dart into, he did exactly that, then beat Van der Sar with a 20-yard shot that required barely any back lift, the veteran Dutchman unable to get down to it.

Vidic was on hand to hack away when Van der Sar spilled Messi's next effort, although, playing in his fifth final, the former Ajax man redeemed himself when he brilliantly turned away a Xavi shot that would have ripped away any hope.

By introducing Nani for Fabio and pushing Valencia to full-back, the United boss was attempting to push Barcelona towards their own goal. Before the strategy could be applied, Nani committed suicide by gifting the ball to Messi by the touchline.

In attempting to atone for his error, the winger made it worse. Sergio Busquets quickly laid the ball off to Villa, who took one touch before curling a sublime shot into the top corner. From that hammer blow, there was no way back.

Final fantasy - Man Utd look for Wembley redemption

2011-05-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

This year, the home of football plays host to the most prestigious prize in the European club game - the Champions League - and two better teams could not have been handpicked as English champions Manchester United take on Spanish champions Barcelona.

The game at Wembley is a rematch of the 2009 final that was won 2-0 by Barcelona in Rome and pits the competition's best defence (United's four goals conceded in 12 games) against its best attack (Barcelona's 27 goals in theirs). It also sees two of the best performing sides over the last few years meet: Barcelona have made three finals in the last six editions, while United reached their third in the last four when they beat Schalke.

On paper, it is very hard to separate the two, although Manchester Utd are the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this season, with nine wins and three draws.

Sir Alex Ferguson is bidding to become the most decorated manager in the competition's history - tied with Liverpool's Bob Paisley on three titles - but has a tough choice ahead of him over how he will set his side up. In European games, Fergie has preferred to use the industry of Park Ji-Sung on the flanks, but that means a place on the bench for either Nani or Antonio Valencia. In central midfield, too, the boss must make a tough choice to leave out Anderson, Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick as he prefers a central role for Ryan Giggs. Chances are that Fergie will opt for the same team that beat Schalke 2-0 in the semi-final first leg and, with supposed 'home' advantage, will be confident of pulling off an upset.

Barcelona's previous visit to Wembley, in 1992, saw a late-gasp defeat of Sampdoria to win their first European Cup, but their only defeat in the Champions League this season was in London, when they lost 2-1 at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium last February.

There is no secret as to how the Catalans will set up. Their 4-1-2-3 system, playing tiki-taka possession football, is revered around the world and the stats are impressive. Barca are the only side to have completed more than 90% of passes in the Champions League this season, whilst Xavi and Sergio Busquets are the only players to have completed more than 1,000 passes (1,103 and 1,035 respectively).

In terms of team selection, the only question mark for coach Pep Guardiola comes in the left-back role. Guardiola must decide whether to bring Eric Abidal back into the fray after surgery on a liver tumour, but may worry that he is not yet ready for a game of such magnitude. The other option available is that Carles Puyol moves to the flank and defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano resumes the position he took up against Real Madrid in the centre of defence.

Mascherano's inclusion would seem a gamble given the current form of United striker Javier Hernandez (in stark contrast to Dimitar Berbatov who has failed to score in his last 1134 minutes of action in the Champions League), but the battle for supremacy in European football could hinge on it.

Manchester United player to watch: Edwin Van der Sar. The last time the Dutchman will ever pull on a United shirt could be the greatest moment of his career, or one of the worst. A truly great goalkeeper, Van der Sar's agility and bravery mark him out above his peers but it is his consistency that makes him such a prized asset and he has the best saves-to-shots ratio in the competition this season, having saved 31 of 35 shots faced. Also becoming the first goalkeeper ever to keep 50 clean sheets in the Champions League, he has been a rock at the back for United as they have embarked on an incredible defensive run, but he will have to be at his commanding best if he is to keep the magical Messi quiet and seal his place in record books as the oldest player to win the trophy.

Barcelona player to watch: Andres Iniesta. In 2009, it was Iniesta who took the plaudits for a dominant performance in the middle of midfield and, since then, he has continued to improve - including netting the winning goal in the World Cup final. Not the biggest of central midfielders, he uses his body exceptionally well and can be a tough customer to knock off the ball, but it is his vision and passing skills that make him such a dangerous opponent. As he has shown this year already he can step up on the big occasion and will be a vital player in Barcelona's passing game. He could be the man unlock the miserly United defence.

Key battle: Nemanja Vidic v Lionel Messi. The Premier League's best defender by a long shot, Vidic has oozed confidence this season and when he is partnered with Rio Ferdinand, United look unbeatable. The Serbian's power, pace and reading of the game mean that Barcelona will find a tough obstacle in their way, but they have the world's best player to help them break down the wall. Messi, playing as a 'false nine' will not be giving Vidic his usual test of aerial and physical challenges, and instead will drop deep and run at his man with the ball at his feet. The Argentine can be unstoppable on his day - although he has never scored on English soil in the Champions League - and the United defence will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2009 final, when he scored a rare headed goal.

Trivia: Has a player ever left Old Trafford to go on to win so much? Gerard Pique left United in 2008 after picking up Premier League and Champions League winners' medal and joined Barcelona where he won six trophies in his first season (La Liga, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup). He has since won two more La Liga titles and also the small matter of the 2010 World Cup with Spain. And he's still only 24.

Stats: This will be the 11th meeting between Barcelona and Manchester United, in all competitions. The record is perfectly balanced with three wins each and four draws and the 10 previous meetings have seen a grand total of 31 goals, an average of 3.1 per game.

Odds: Barcelona (2.00), Manchester United (3.75), and the draw (3.50) are on offer with bet365, while Lionel Messi to score the last goal is 5.00.

Prediction: An incredibly tough one to call. United will be the toughest test that Barcelona have faced this season and it's hard to imagine the Spaniards dominating like they did in 2009. One feels a piece of magic from any of the world-class players on show will win the game.

Aguero asks to leave Atletico Madrid

2011-05-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that he wants to leave the club and has asked the Rojiblancos to consider offers for him.

Sergio Aguero: Attracting the interest of Europe's big clubs

Aguero, 22, has been one of Atletico's star performers since moving to the Vicente Calderon from Independiente in 2006 but has now expressed his desire to leave the club after five seasons.

The Argentina frontman spent an hour and a half at the club's stadium on Monday meeting the cub's hierarchy, before leaving without addressing the waiting media.

Aguero, who has scored 74 La Liga goals in five seasons at Atletico, then revealed on Twitter and his official website that that he has asked the club to consider offers.

"I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say publicly. And the time has come," Aguero said on his official website. "So I keep my word and here I am. I find it hard to leave Atletico. It hurts and saddens me."

In a lengthy statement on his official website, Aguero revealed that Atletico were aware that he would want to leave in June when he signed his last contract and he insisted he wants to leave the club for sporting not economic reasons.

"I've thought long and hard and I am convinced that I must be true to myself," Aguero said. "I do not think I put a ceiling on the ability to keep learning, to keep growing. After five intense years, this stage for me personally is over and I have to give way to a new one.

"I'm about to turn 23 and I have everything before me. Suffice it to say that this is not an economic issue but strictly a sporting one. So I want to clearly express my appreciation to the club for the efforts they have made for giving me a salary that equates with the largest clubs in the world.

"I want to say also that this decision has been maturing for some time. The issue was discussed and agreed with Atletico last year when I was renewing my contract. I wanted to sign as a way to give back to the club for all the support they have given me. Had I not done so, they might not have received any more for my transfer.

"I received then a promise that the club would not stand in my way if I wanted to leave this summer. Therefore, in line with that commitment and my decision, I have asked them to listen to any offers they receive for me from different clubs.''

The forward also praised Atletico's supporters, adding: "For the fans, my eternal gratitude. I'm not trying to be original or say the politically correct. I'd rather say what I feel, beyond all other considerations because I know that the only way they will understand is if I do from my heart. That was the way I felt when I have talked all these years, with sincere love and affection. You are already part of my identity."

Aguero has had no shortage of admirers in recent years, with the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid all believed to have show interest. But it is Los Blancos who have been most heavily linked with a swoop in the Spanish press.

Real boss Jose Mourinho has often repeated his desire to add an extra striker to his squad this season and with the club unlikely to make Emmanuel Adebayor's loan move permanent, Aguero is reportedly being lined up to join compatriots Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria at the Bernabeu.

A move across Madrid would be one of the most controversial in recent memory and would see Aguero join the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes and Bernd Schuster in having played for both sides in the Spanish capital.

The Argentina ace signed a contract extension in January, though he admitted at the time that it did not mean he would not look for a move away from the club at the end of the season.

"I'm staying here because I want to,'' Aguero told the club's website at the time. "The club has always treated me very well. I am very happy, and that's why I renewed my contract.

"If in June, the club and I decide that it is best that I find a new club, it will be a decision we make together, but for now I am only thinking about trying to get into the Champions League with this team."

Real are certainly one of the few clubs in Europe who could affor Aguero's €45 million release clause, though Atletico claimed last month that another clause was inserted saying that the striker couldn't join their city rivals.

"I received offers for Forlan and Aguero from Real Madrid, but Aguero will not join Madrid," Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin told Onda Cero in April.

"We agreed on a buy-out clause of €45 million when he signed his contract extension. However, we also agreed that he couldn't' join Real Madrid - not even if they meet his minimum release clause."

Aguero once claimed he would never play for a team starting with the letter 'R', in reference to Racing and Real Madrid, the two bitter rivals of the clubs he has played for so far in his career.

Ancelotti sacked by Chelsea

2011-05-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Carlo Ancelotti is no longer Chelsea manager, the club have announced, after the final day of the Premier League saw them lose 1-0 to Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti: Leaves after two years in charge

A statement on the club's website revealed they had parted company with the Italian, who led Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double last season.

His position had been the subject of much speculation after Chelsea's poor form at the turn of the year, which culminated in their exit from the FA Cup and Champions League. Despite getting back into title contention in the league, and the January signings of Fernando Torres and David Luiz, a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United condemned them to second place.

The statement read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Carlo Ancelotti parted company with the club today (Sunday, 22 May).

"The owner and board would like to thank Carlo for his contribution and achievements since taking over as manager in July 2009, which included winning the Double for the first time in the club's history.

"However, this season's performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season's preparations. Carlo will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, where he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves.

"Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager. There will be no further comment until that appointment is made."

Europa League final Once in a lifetime

2011-05-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

This is a Europa League final of firsts - the first time the final has been played in Ireland, the first time the two finalists have been so geographically close (the cities of Porto and Braga are less than 50km apart), and the first time that SC Braga have ever appeared in a European final. As befits the nature of Portuguese domestic football, it will also be a final in the truest sense of the word.

GettyImagesDomingos Paciencia (L) and Andre Villas-Boas are two of Europe's most highly-rated young coaches

• Preview: Porto v Benfica

That this is the case for Braga is a certainty, with coach Domingos Paciencia last week confirming the worst-kept secret in the country and admitting the Dublin showpiece will be his final duty as head coach. He is likely to be followed out of the front door at the Estadio Municipal by a string of his most influential players. Goalkeeper Artur was spotted at Lisbon airport this weekend, unconvincingly garbling that he was visiting friends rather than discussing a move to Benfica. Portugal international full-back Silvio is widely believed to have already tied up a switch to Atletico Madrid.

Major finals are transient moments that come and go in the blink of an eye, and Braga's status as underdogs is at least partially cancelled out by their clear ability to seize the moment. They have proved it throughout a long and arduous campaign, with their European adventure having begun with a debut involvement in the Champions League qualifiers against Celtic just under ten months ago.

Domingos' men have recovered from a series of setbacks that would have finished lesser mortals: the 6-0 defeat at Arsenal on the occasion of their first Champions League group game, the departure of key players in January (such as Matheus, who scored the brace which gave Braga sweet revenge over the Gunners in the return leg) and a decimated defence for the quarter-final return against Dynamo Kiev (which nevertheless kept a clean sheet).

New Sporting Lisbon coach-elect Domingos is an admirable and dignified man, who resisted president Antonio Salvador's attempts to publicly put him on the spot about his future in recent months, before the club had negotiated the Europa League's latter stages. That ability to disassociate himself from outside clutter has clearly been transmitted to his team - one in which only Alan and Hugo Viana, of the players who were in the Champions League squad, had experience the highest echelon of European competition.

The second leg of the semi-final against Benfica was a case in point; Braga blocked out Europe's clamour for a Porto-Benfica final, forgot about recent bad-tempered clashes with Jorge Jesus' side in the league, and played their normal game, clinching victory with their oft-favoured one-two of a set-piece goal and heroic defending.

Even if Porto have never hidden their pleasure that Benfica failed to make it to Dublin - as was clear from the on-pitch celebrations at El Madrigal after the semi-final - there is a lingering sense of wistfulness at their eternal rivals' absence. Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira always has a reference to the Apito Dourado ('Golden Whistle') affair to hand when asked about Porto's achievements, and even with Vieira nowhere to be seen, his Porto counterpart Jose Nuno Pinto da Costa couldn't resist having a pop back.

"It's clear that we're in a (European) final for the fifth time without cheating, without having scored a goal with a hand, but all with the feet or the head," he told journalists as the group prepared to depart Francisco Sa Carneiro airport for Dublin on Monday, referring to Vata's handball goal which saw Benfica to the 1990 European Cup final at the expense of Marseille.

Having treated himself to a moment of fun, Pinto da Costa returned to matters of his own club, and how he might seek to prolong these golden moments into next season, when Porto make their return to the Champions League. If nothing can be taken for granted as regards the result of the Dublin final itself, most would concede that these are two clubs going in very different directions, with Braga accepting this as an apex and contemplating a rebuild, while Porto try to hold onto their own winning formula and take it further.

Hulk and Falcao have drawn admiring glances from clubs across the continent, but can Porto hold onto the two forwards?

That formula includes the retention of their record-breaking coach Andre Villas-Boas and of star forwards Falcao and Hulk. The former, having already broken the record for goals scored in a season in this tournament (16), told media back in his native Colombia this weekend that he is negotiating a contract extension at the Dragao.

Meanwhile Pinto da Costa - becoming increasingly exasperated at having to repeat that Villas-Boas will still be at the club next season on a weekly basis - insisted the weekend's announcement that Porto spent €13.5 million on 40% more of Hulk's registration (bringing Porto's total interest in the player to 85%) was not in preparation to sell the Brazilian on, "but to keep him".

Villas-Boas deserves credit for creating such a happy camp that his star players are pledging their futures to Porto at a time when Europe's finest are jostling for position for their signatures. The comparisons with his mentor may be overcooked, but one trait that Villas-Boas does share with Jose Mourinho is the ability to make all of his the group feel part of something special. While the Real Madrid boss may appear to more deliberately foster a cult of personality, it was notable - and amusing - to see Porto's players dressed in regulation Villas-Boas black raincoats over their suits in their airport waiting for departure, a fleet of Mini-Mes.

Though it is often said that a cup final is the chance of a lifetime, this one is even more so. The first (and who knows, maybe last) all-Portuguese European final is between one side that knows that this is their club's one and only chance for glory, and another whose desire is so keenly developed that they took 84 from a possible 90 points in an unbeaten league season while maintaining a push for domestic and continental cups. If ever a final promises to be fought to the end, it is this one.

Mancini: Tevez says he wants to stay

2011-05-17T18:29:00.001-07:00

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says that striker Carlos Tevez has told him that he wants to stay at the club next season.

Carlos Tevez celebrates his first goal against Stoke

Tevez has been linked with a move away from England after he claimed he wanted to be nearer to his family. The Argentine handed in a transfer request at the end of last year, but has since opted to stay at the club, helping them to break their trophy drought with the capture of the FA Cup and hauling them to third in the Premier League.

The striker netted two sublime goals in a 3-0 win over defeated FA Cup finalists Stoke on Tuesday night and manager Mancini revealed that Tevez has told him he has no desire to leave yet.

"Carlos has told me he wants to stay," said Mancini at his post-match press conference. ''I have spoken with him many times in the last 20 days and my opinion is he will stay. He has a five-year contract and has told us he wants to stay. He said that before. He never had any problem.

''Carlos has scored 20 goals this season. Every time we say Carlos is an important player. Carlos is Carlos. He is a fantastic striker and a fantastic player for us.

''In December he had a problem. But everyone can change his opinion. I don't know what his representatives think. Carlos is an important player here. The feeling for him is good. Nowhere else can he find behaviour that all people have for him.''

Mancini is clearly anxious to avoid a summer of uncertainty, particularly surrounding his best attacking player, who moved level with Dimitar Berbatov in the race for the Golden Boot with a brace that took him onto 20 for the season.

''I think if he will stay next year he won't change,'' said Mancini. ''When we play in the Champions League, probably we will have a better squad. We can buy other good players. Why should he change? I don't think this will happen.''

City know that victory away to Bolton on Sunday will see them stay ahead of Arsenal in the table and Mancini is keen to seal an automatic Champions League berth.

The Italian said: "I think it is important we think about the next game, it is in our hands. It is fantastic because everything depends on us. We have got into the position. We have one difficult game and it is very important.

"We have had a fantastic season with fourth place. Now we have won the FA Cup and if we can recover our strength well in the next four days we will go to Bolton. We are improving a lot and in the last 40 days we have played really well. We can only improve next season.

"If we want to win and improve, I know only one way - work, work hard. We can improve if we work. It is a very special moment. We have won a trophy, we are in the top four, at the moment we are in third position and I think for the supporters it is very special."

Messi celebrates hard-earned title

2011-05-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

Barcelona star Lionel Messi reflected on a hard-earned success after helping the Catalan giants claim their third successive Primera Division title.

Lionel Messi celebrates after the final whistle

Barca clinched the crown - the 21st in their history - after gaining the point they needed against Levante to ensure they could not be caught by second-placed Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola's men are now six points ahead of Madrid with two games remaining but they boast the better head-to-head record against the capital club this season, which is the deciding factor if the teams are level on points.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Levante, Messi said in Marca: ''I'm very happy because it's been a very tough title.

''It's taken a lot of hard work to be champions and more so against a great rival like Real Madrid.

''Now we have to enjoy it,'' added the Argentinian, who hit the post in the second half but was not able to add to his 31 league goals this season - leaving him five behind Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in race for the Pichichi award as top scorer.