Torres not ready to return after groin injury
Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League match at Blackburn today because he has yet to recover fully from a groin injury. The Spain striker has been out of action since 4 November. He trained this week but is not totally fit. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez says "he's doing well but he will not be ready for this game." Benitez added that Torres should be fit to play Fiorentina in the team's final Champions League match on Wednesday.
Japan considers dropping out of 2018 WCup bid
Japan is considering withdrawing from the 2018 World Cup bidding race to concentrate on getting the 2022 tournament. "We are considering making an announcement," bid spokesman Tetsu Hirai told The Associated Press yesterday. Japan would join Indonesia, Qatar and South Korea as Asian bidders for 2022. They believe the 2018 tournament will go to Europe because South Africa is hosting in 2010 and Brazil has the 2014 finals. The World Cup, which was first played in 1930, has never before left Europe for two straight editions. England, Russia, Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal, along with the United States and Australia, all want to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
Roberto Mancini interested in Nigeria job
Former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini says he has been sounded out about taking over Nigeria's national team and is interested in the job. Mancini told yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have been asked informally if I was interested and I said 'yes' because the prospect of an African Cup of Nations and a World Cup is attractive, and Nigeria is filled with great but unknown players. If they really want me, I'll sit down and talk." Nigeria are reported to be looking to replace its current coach, Shaibu Amodu.
Galliani gets tough with Gattuso
Amid reports Rino Gattuso rejected a contract extension, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani says the club is not a hotel. Gattuso expressed his dissatisfaction at being left out of Milan's recent games even though he has been nursing an injury. The Rossoneri quickly rallied around him, no more so than Galliani who promised Gattuso a new deal that would see him finish his career with the club. However, it has emerged yesterday morning that Gattuso may have rejected the proposal, increasing speculation he will leave Milan after a decade in Rossonero.
Ancelotti not interested in Inter’s Balotelli
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has rejected claims he is trying to bring tempestuous Inter striker Mario Balotelli to Stamford Bridge. La Gazzetta dello Sport carried a story earlier this week suggesting the 19-year-old had grown so fed up with Jose Mourinho's hard line approach that he would consider moving to England and possibly Arsenal. Inter President Massimo Moratti has since declared Balotelli is absolutely not for sale, but some feel he could be on his way out of Pinetina in the summer. Speaking ahead of yesterday's highly anticipated World Cup draw, Ancelotti said: "He is a player who we are not negotiating for."
Inter were "helped"
The Calciopoli trial in Naples has thrown up another sensational headline with a linesman claiming Inter asked for help to get Ivan Cordoba's ban reduced. Rosario Coppola revealed how in his eyes Inter put pressure on former designator Gennaro Mazzei to "soften" the suspension Cordoba received on getting sent off in a match against Venezia. Cordoba was subsequently banned for two matches. Having resisted attempts to get the suspension reduced, Coppola apparently fell out of favour and never ran the line again in Serie A. "All the clubs with power, with the greater weight, they all made recommendations or signals," he said. Last month, a secretary revealed how he thought the balls used to draw referees for certain matches were in fact "tricked" as they were discoloured and misshapen.
Juventus eyeing Liege striker Mbokani
Juventus's search for a new striker capable of replacing David Trezeguet has taken them to Belgium where Standard Liege's Dieumerci Mbokani is attracting interest. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have already made an inquiry about the powerfully built 24-year-old Congo international. Mbokani arrived in Belgium in 2006, scoring four goals in nine appearances for Anderlecht before moving to their rivals Standard. He soon conquered a regular place in the first team and has terrorised opposing defences ever since, scoring 44 goals in 87 games.
Boniperti back for Italy
Nearly 49 years after Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti last played for Italy, his grandson Filippo has been called up to play for the Under-19s. The 18-year-old who plays for Juventus's Primavera made a name for himself last year when he scored a hat-trick for the Allievi against Modena. Filippo crept back on to the radar a week ago when he scored a goal for the Juventus Primavera in their 2-0 victory over Genoa in the Coppa Italia. Filippo plays in central midfield and, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport: "has nice technique, good dribbling and a discreet shot."