A round-up of today's other stories in brief ...
Song accepts FA's three-match ban
ARSENAL midfielder Alex Song will miss the club’s next three Premier League matches after accepting an English FA charge of violent conduct following Saturday’s opening game at Newcastle United.
Song was charged after appearing to stamp on the leg of opponent Joey Barton during the ill-tempered 0-0 draw.
Although the referee missed the incident and did not book him, television replays clearly showed the incident and the FA reviewed the case afterwards.
His team mate Gervinho was sent off in the match for slapping Barton and both players will now miss the forthcoming games against Liverpool, Manchester United and Swansea.
Both Newcastle and Arsenal have until tomorrow to respond to a further charge of failing to control their players during the match at St James Park.
Moratti says Sneijder is staying at Inter Milan
WESLEY SNEIJDER will remain at Inter Milan this summer according to president Massimo Moratti, who has described the Dutch playmaker as “untouchable”.
Sneijder has been linked with a move to Manchester United and revealed at the weekend he could be sold for the right price after “unofficial talks” had begun.
Moratti has, however, denied those comments, saying there has never been any such negotiations and that Inter are not interested in selling one of their key men. Moratti revealed his resolve to keep Sneijder has been strengthened further by the imminent departure of star striker Samuel Eto’o, who is set to join big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
“There has never been any kind of talks about Wes,” Moratti said. “It doesn’t matter whether Eto’o stays put or leaves the club.”
Moratti also confirmed his interest in Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, but believes any deal is unlikely as he instead looks at other options to fill Eto’o’s departure.
Strike threats in Spain and Italy
TALKS between the Spanish football league (LFP) and the Spanish players’ union (AFE) yesterday failed to avert the strike action called for the start of the 2011-12 season this weekend. “We haven’t reached any kind of agreement,” LFP president Jose Luis Astiazaran, whose organisation represents the 42 professional clubs in the top two divisions, said after the first meeting since the strike was invoked last week. The union have called a strike for the first two rounds of matches in the top two leagues demanding greater protection for players’ wages at clubs who have gone into financial administration.
Italy’s footballers have been labelled as “spoiled” by a right-wing minister Roberto Calderoli after they threatened to go on strike in a row over players rights. The players’ union is especially unhappy about clubs trying to force players to move in the last year of their contracts and making players who are no longer wanted by their clubs to train separately.
QPR takeover to be announced
QPR are to make an announcement today amid reports a takeover is imminent. Malaysian airline entrepreneur Tony Fernandes is thought to be taking majority control of the club, which secured promotion to the Premier League last season. Fernandes, owner of the low-cost airline AirAsia, is to buy a 51 per cent stake from Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone. Ecclestone has been the majority owner of QPR for the past five years.
Wenger likely to escape with warning
ARSENE Wenger is unlikely to face censure from Uefa over communicating with his bench despite being suspended for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Udinese at the Emirates, with the governing body expected merely to issue a warning later today.
The Arsenal manager appeared to breach the conditions of his one-match touchline ban – a legacy of a row with the referee Massimo Busacca during last season’s exit to Barcelona – by contacting his assistant, Pat Rice, via phone calls made by the first-team coach, Boro Primorac, at his side.
Article 70 of Uefa’s disciplinary regulations states that any banned manager may sit in the stands but “may not communicate with his team”.
Uefa are expected to accept there had been a misunderstanding over the issue, though they could yet fine Wenger for failing to attend his post-match media duties.
Celtic sign Forster on loan again
CELTIC have signed goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a season-long loan from Newcastle subject to registration.
The 23-year-old will spend a second season at Celtic Park having played 44 times in a similar arrangement last term, which included a Scottish Cup triumph. Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: “We’re absolutely delighted as he’s been our main target, basically, since the end of last season. We’ve worked hard in the background to try and bring him in and we’ve eventually done that so we’re very, very pleased.”
Lennon has searched far and wide this summer for somebody to provide competition for Lukasz Zaluska and Dominic Cervi. Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League play-off first leg against Swiss side Sion at Parkhead and before the deal was confirmed, Lennon said: “We hope to have him registered in time for tomorrow night.” On whether he will face Sion, Lennon added: “We will have to see his condition.”
Keane officially added to Galaxy squad
REPUBLIC of Ireland captain Robbie Keane was officially added to the LA Galaxy squad last night after receiving his visa clearance to play in Major League Soccer following his €4m move from Spurs.
Ireland’s record goalscorer will travel to LA today and train with his team-mates for the first time tomorrow.
He is expected to make his debut against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Keane will wear the number 14 jersey for his new side.
Keane joins David Beckham and Landon Donovan as one of the three “designated players” at the club.
Former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel made way for Keane yesterday when he left Galaxy for Chivas USA.
