A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Samba transfer request may spur Redknapp bid
TOTTENHAM Hotspur and QPR are likely to step up their interest in Christopher Samba, after the defender handed in a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers.
QPR have had two offers for Samba, the second worth €7.5 million, rejected. Blackburn manager Steve Kean is adamant the player will not be allowed to depart this month although a significant bid – of at least €12 million – could change that, reports Ewan Murray.
Now, Kean’s captain has sought to speed up his exit. He said: “I have today officially requested a transfer from Blackburn Rovers Football Club. I have personally informed the owners, manager and executives at the club that I want to leave in this transfer window.
Although Tottenham have not made a formal offer for Samba, their manager, Harry Redknapp, is a known admirer of the 27-year-old. Arsenal have been linked in the past with a move for Samba with reports yesterday suggesting Manchester City could now make a surprise bid.
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Texeira moves to ISL file bid
BRAZIL’S Fifa member Ricardo Teixeira is expected to lodge an appeal in the Swiss federal court this week to try to prevent the now-infamous ISL file being published.
The court action by Teixeira means Fifa’s plans to publish the file, which names Fifa executives who took kickbacks from World Cup television deals from now-defunct marketing firm ISL, could be delayed for as long as six months.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he would publish the court document last month, but this was delayed to February due to legal action by Teixeira in a court in the Swiss canton of Zug. Now sources in Zurich have said a fresh appeal to the higher federal court is to be submitted this week, leading to the likelihood of a further delay that could extend to the summer.
In 2010, Teixeira was named by BBC’s Panorama, along with the former Fifa president Joao Havelange – Teixeira’s former father-in-law – as having received payments from ISL.
Morrison contradicts Ferguson claim
MANCHESTER United starlet Ravel Morrison has claimed he has not turned down a contract offer from the club.
The 18-year-old England youth international has hit the headlines in recent weeks after Newcastle launched a bid for him.
Alex Ferguson then stated Morrison had turned down the club’s offer of a new deal, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
However, Morrison has now taken to Twitter to insist that he has not rejected a deal.
“I have never 1s turned down a contract off Manchester United, he Tweeted.
Morrison, who is yet to make his league debut for the club but has played in the League Cup, has reportedly been attracting interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Everton have taken American international striker Edson Buddle on trial, his agent has confirmed. The 30-year-old is currently with Bundesliga Zwei outfit Ingolstadt, who he joined 12-months ago. He has scored nine goals in Germany.
Hooper "committed" to Celtic
STRIKER Gary Hooper has sought to dampen speculation linking him with a move away from Celtic by reiterating his commitment to the Scottish Premier League leaders.
The 23-year-old former Scunthorpe player has been the subject of transfer speculation, with former boss Nigel Adkins rumoured to be interested in taking him to Southampton.
Hooper told Celtic’s official website, www.celticfc.net: “I’m very happy. I’m back playing now and scored at the weekend. It was good to be back in the team.
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m a Celtic player and very happy here, winning games for Celtic and we’re two points clear at the top of the league just now. I’m just focusing on football.”
Darlington sack coach - and players
THE administrators of Darlington yesterday made all the club’s playing and coaching staff redundant with immediate effect.
Earlier this month the Quakers entered administration for the third time in nine years, with the 10-point deduction leaving them just above the relegation zone in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Joint administrator Harvey Madden confirmed the decision:
“Given the financial position of the club and, as a consequence of my legal obligations, I have had no alternative but to terminate the contracts of all playing staff and the retained administration staff,” he said in a statement. “Notwithstanding this, there remain parties interested in either injecting funds into the club to enable it to continue operating or acquiring the club.”
Remy not game for Harry move
LOIC Remy says it is “out of the question” he will be leaving Marseille this month after he was watched by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.
France international Remy has been a long-term target for Redknapp and reports have suggested he could be the subject of a transfer-window bid by Spurs.
Redknapp took in Marseille’s game against Lille on Sunday and Remy scored both goals in the 2-0 home success over the reigning French champions.
“There was no additional pressure,” Remy told France Football. “It is nice, it means some clubs have shown interest but it has already been sorted out with the chairman and the coach – it is out of the question to leave now.”
Tottenham have agreed a deal with Juventus for the permanent signing of Spanish midfielder Yago Falque. The Spain under-21 international had been on loan from the Turin side since last summer and has made six appearances for Spurs.
Maradona has kidney stones op
DIEGO Maradona has undergone surgery to have kidney stones removed, the Dubai hospital where he is being treated said yesterday. Maradona was admitted to the hospital after complaining of abdominal pains. The 51-year-old Argentinian great, who coached his country at the 2010 World Cup, has had various health problems over the years, including when he spent 10 days in intensive care with heart and breathing problems in 2004.
