A round-up of other soccer news in brief
Inter say coveted duo not for sale
INTER MILAN have firmly declared that Maicon and Mario Balotelli are not for sale.
Both players have been linked with top European clubs this summer despite being under contract with the Italian champions.
Brazil right back Maicon is a target of Real Madrid, while Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Italian striker Balotelli.
But Nerazzurri sporting director Marco Branca insists Inter – who last season clinched a Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble – have no plans to part company with either player.
“We are in a privileged situation, having won so much. It’s true that we receive calls each day because everyone wants at least six or seven of our champions,” said Branca.
“Maicon and Balotelli? Our two players have never been placed on the transfer market. When and if there are offers, we will examine them but they are not for sale. How much is Balotelli worth? He is priceless.”
Mosimane gets South Africa job
PITSO MOSIMANE has officially been unveiled as South Africa’s new coach, taking over from Carlos Alberto Parreira.
The 45-year-old, who has been serving as Bafana Bafana assistant for the past four years and was also the number two at the World Cup, was the only person in the running for the job.
He has signed a four-year contract.
Argentina to stick with Maradona
ARGENTINA HEAD coach Diego Maradona is to be offered a new four-year contract.
The Argentinian Football Association have announced the plan and AFA president Julio Grondona will meet with the 49-year-old next week.
Should he accept the offer, Maradona, whose team lost 4-0 to Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals, will have the chance to lead his country again in four years’ time, when the global tournament is staged in Brazil.
The AFA executive committee met to discuss Maradona’s future and determined he remains the right man to command the national team.
Grondona intends to meet with Maradona no later than next Wednesday to discuss the contract extension.
Henry quits international game
FRANCE STRIKER Thierry Henry announced his retirement from international soccer yesterday.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, who signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) side New York Redbulls on Wednesday, played only a bit-part in France’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, which ended at the group stage.
“I made up my mind before the World Cup. South Africa did not play a part in my decision. I could have announced it before the World Cup but I didn’t want it to affect the team. It was time for me (to retire),” said Henry, France’s all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals in 123 appearances.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has also announced his international retirement. The 32-year-old won 62 caps for England, scoring seven times, and was a part of Fabio Capello’s squad at the World Cup.
Heskey started the matches against the USA and Algeria.
Rooney wins important victory
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney has defeated attempts by his former management agency to sue him for €5.12 million, labelling their claim “a joke” and an attempt to exploit him.
The 24-year-old England player had been accused of withholding commission on multi-million pound deals brokered by sports management firm Proactive, who used to represent him.
Rooney made no payments after soccer agent Paul Stretford, a director and founder of Proactive, left the firm in acrimony in October 2008, taking with him their top client. Judge Brendan Hegarty said the contract Rooney signed with Proactive in 2002 was a “restraint of trade” as it was up to eight years long when the FA recommended a maximum of two years.
He said Proactive was entitled to a “restitutional remedy” from Rooney of around €107,000.
City have €20M bid for Kolarov accepted by Lazio
MANCHESTER CITY are on the verge of taking their summer spending close to €95 million after Lazio accepted a €20 million bid for the Serbia international Aleksandar Kolarov yesterday.
Kolarov is an attacking left-back renowned for his powerful shooting and ability from set pieces – his style has seen him being labelled as the Serbian Roberto Carlos – and he has been identified to take over from Wayne Bridge in a new-look defence also featuring Jerome Boateng, the €12.5m recruit from Hamburg.
Bridge has not convinced the City manager, Roberto Mancini, that he is good enough for a team that aspires to challenge for the Premier League title in the coming season and the former England international can expect to start on the bench if the 24-year-old Kolarov agrees to become the club’s fourth signing of the summer.
City have also signed David Silva from Valencia and Yaya Toure from Barcelona, both for around €30 million, and the club’s transfer business since the Abu Dhabi United Group took control 22 months ago is likely to go through the €360 million mark in the coming weeks.
James Milner remains a target and City are hoping to reach a compromise with Aston Villa over a fee. Similarly there will be new attempts to resurrect a deal for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. Wolfsburg are asking for around €54 million whereas City will not pay above €36 million.
GuardianService
