Other soccer stories in brief
Chelsea cool on Cole
Ashley Cole's chances of moving to Chelsea appear to have become more distant after Jose Mourinho played down talk of signing the Arsenal and England defender.
Cole, valued at around £20 million, is unlikely to remain at the Emirates Stadium after criticising the way Arsenal dealt with the tapping-up scandal that enveloped both clubs last year. But Mourinho claims it would be wrong for him to fuel more speculation over Cole's future and stressed that Chelsea have not stepped up their interest in the player.
Mourinho said: "Ashley Cole is a good player yes but from your (the media) point of view we are connected with every good left back in European football. And I repeat that Ashley Cole is an Arsenal player."
Ljungberg sidelined
Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is a doubt for both next month's Champions League qualifier and the start of the Premiership season.
The Sweden midfielder has been struggling with an ankle problem, which may not clear up in time for the 29-year-old to feature against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on August 19th.
Arsenal will learn who they face in the third qualifying round tomorrow. The tie will be played over two legs on August 8th/9th and 22nd/23rd.
Emerson deal complete
Brazil midfielder Emerson became the second player to complete his move to Real Madrid from troubled Juventus this week when he signed a three-year contract yesterday.
Emerson and Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, who signed on Tuesday, were reported to have moved for a combined fee of around €20 million.
The 30-year-old international links up with his former manager at Juventus, Fabio Capello, who swapped Turin for Madrid earlier this month.
"Like Cannavaro yesterday Emerson was another top priority for our management team and we did all we could to sign him," Real president Ramon Calderon said.
"He is the type of player who sacrifices himself for the team and will be a key part of the side we are building."
Barcelona board resign
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and his board resigned yesterday to set in motion a presidential election at the club, as ordered by a Spanish judge last week. A caretaker body will take charge of the European and Spanish champions during the campaign.
Last Wednesday, Judge Roberto Garcia Ceniceros upheld a complaint from three club members who said Laporta had already served his four-year tenure.
He ruled that according to the club's statutes the year ran from July to June, and that as Laporta officially took power on June 22th, 2003, the eight days before the end of that month constituted his first year in office.
Laporta's four-year term would therefore have expired on June 30th this year.
In brief . . .
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani fired an angry broadside at Real Madrid yesterday for their attempts to lure Brazilian midfielder Kaka to Spain . . . New Wolves manager Mick McCarthy wants to sign Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley (32) from Everton . . . Quinton Fortune (29) has signed a one-year deal at Bolton . . . Middlesbrough have signed Sunderland's Julio Arca (25) for £1.75 million as a replacement for Franck Queudrue (27), who is set to join Fulham
. . . Pascal Chimbonda is set for showdown talks with Wigan manager Paul Jewell next week as he remains desperate to quit the JJB Stadium . . . Barnsley hope to sign Republic of Ireland midfielder Colin Healy after he impressed on a trial . . . Khalilou Fadiga (31), released by Bolton, has joined Qatar side Al Wakra.
