The Italian football team is full of leaders

Italy coach Marcello Lippi insisted his team is full of born leaders all over the pitch ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica.

Lippi was reacting to claims in the Italian press that the world champions lack a player with natural charisma.

“It’s not true that this team doesn’t have a leader, there’s (Gianluigi) Buffon, (Gianluca) Zambrotta, (Fabio) Cannavaro, (Daniele) De Rossi, (Andrea) Pirlo,” he said.

“All those that I have named are intelligent footballers who give their all for the team.

“There are others who aren’t here who are merely roosters in a henhouse.”

That comment was a clear reference to Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano, who once again has been left out of the squad despite excellent club form.

Cassano is an undoubted talent but a wayward one whose temperament and tantrums have held him back in his career, not only at international level but also at his clubs.

Despite his ability he failed to make it at either AS Roma or Real Madrid and he has played only 15 matches for Italy since making his debut in 2003.

“Every coach has his cross to bear, a player with public and press pressure behind him,” added Lippi.

“This doesn’t create a problem for me and I don’t give explanations because they cause more of a palaver than they are worth.”

Lippi also hit out at the Italian press who have been running stories this week about claims from some fans in Bari, where Italy host the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, that the World Cup winning coach will be jeered for not picking Bari native Cassano.

“What really, really, really annoys me is this climate created by certain newspapers about Wednesday’s match in Bari against Ireland,” he added.

“We will see how they receive me.”

As for Montenegro, Lippi is expecting fired up opponents, particularly after they ran the world champions close in Lecce at the back end of last year.

“For them it will be a party outside the ground and an historic occasion on the pitch. It’s normal that they want to beat the world champions,” said Lippi.

“For our part we just want to demonstrate the difference in abilities of the two teams.

“But we must be careful because, like all Slavs, the Montenegran footballers have good technical ability and play at pace.”

England boss Capello rounds on Redknapp

Fabio Capello suggested Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was guilty of double standards after failing to be as critical of Alan Hutton’s inclusion in the Scotland squad as he was about Ledley King’s call-up for England duty.

Spurs centre-back King was withdrawn on Tuesday from England’s squad for Saturday’s friendly international against Slovakia and next week’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

The 28-year-old Spurs captain does not train with his club between matches because of a chronic knee condition and so was a surprise inclusion in England manager Capello’s 24-man squad.

“It’s pointless. If he plays against Ukraine there is no way he can play on Saturday against Blackburn,” Redknapp said before King’s withdrawal.

However, Scotland manager George Burley has called up Hutton even though the full-back hasn’t played a first-team match for several months because of a foot injury and only recently made his comeback in a reserve fixture.

Hutton is not expected to feature in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier away to the Netherlands but could play against Iceland on Wednesday.

“We followed Ledley King for the last four or five games,” Capello told reporters here on Friday. “He played very well in all the games.

“We put him in the squad. When he was here the England medical staff checked him and the first day the knee was not good,” the Italian added.

“We waited one day to understand and check the knee again. It was the same. After this we decided he can go back home.

“But I have to say something. Mr Redknapp spoke about the England national team. But (Alan) Hutton, the Scottish player, after two months of injury, is in the Scotland squad.

“I don’t understand why he spoke about Ledley King and not about Hutton. Only this. They are different problems for him.

“He (King) played the last game. He was not injured. He played. Now I am happy because I spoke with the player.”

Redknapp, speaking before Hutton played 71 minutes of Monday’s reserve match against West Brom, said: “I spoke to George Burley and he said he definitely wouldn’t play him against Holland. It’s too quick.”

Hutton has repeatedly insisted he is ready for the rigours of international football but Redknapp said: “He has not played a game yet, so I don’t know you can work that out.”

Few question Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney’s suitability for England in terms of fitness and talent. But his temper, which led him into the kind of disciplinary trouble which saw him sent-off against Fulham last weekend remains an issue.

“He is young and sometimes his reactions are not so good, but he’s a good player and man,” Capello said on Friday.

“I spoke to him and sometimes we need to be a little bit aggressive. With him, I hope the level of the aggression will be balanced. Just aggressive, not too much.”

Juve will sign one star in the summer

Juventus chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc said on Wednesday that the Italian giants will sign a star player in the summer.

Juve are currently trailing Inter Milan by seven points in Serie A with only nine games remaining.

Following their elimination from the Champions League by Chelsea earlier this month, club coach Claudio Ranieri said they needed bigger stars to compete for the top honours.

And Blanc has now promised him at least one.

“I’m not talking about the transfer market but what I can tell you is that we will buy a star player,” Frenchman Blanc told investors at a conference in Milan.

“One who can herald a new era of success.”

Juve are not out of the championship race but will need to not lose any more ground on Inter ahead of the pair’s clash in Turin next month.

Were they to win that and reduce the gap between the two to no more than four points, Juve would certainly be in with a chance of claiming their first title since 2003.

“We’ll see what shape we’re in at the direct clash between the two teams,” added Blanc.

“Until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ll keep fighting.”

Bulgaria gives green light to sale of CSKA Sofia

Bulgarian authorities gave the green light on Wednesday to the sale of top Bulgarian football club CSKA Sofia by its Indian owner, businessman Pramod Mittal, to a Bulgarian company.

The country’s competition protection committee said on its website that the “acquisition of 100 percent of CSKA’s shares by the Bulgarian Titan Sport company” will not contravene national anti-monopoly legislation.

The authorisation was necessary for Mittal and Titan Sport to finalise the sale of the club after a corresponding agreement was signed on March 6.

Mittal, who is the younger brother of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, bought the club two years ago. But his spell as club owner was characterised by various financial troubles.

CSKA, who have won the Bulgarian championship 31 times and are the current champions, did not take part in this season’s Champions League after failing to cover their debts and obtain a license.

Krkic not looking to leave Barca

Barcelona youngster Bojan Krkic insists he has no intention of leaving the Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Speculations have suggested that the 18-year-old would be interested in a move away from the club in order to get regular first-team football next season.

“I have never even thought about going, firstly because I have faith in my chances, something that was reaffirmed to me last year, and secondly because I believe that I can compete with the players and that I can play in a team at the level of Barca,” Krkic told Catalunya Radio.

“I am at home because here I have my club, my family, my friends and in no other place would things be so good.

“At Barca, the best team in the world, we will always have the best defenders, the best midfielders and the best forwards, which is key.

“But I am keen to show that players from the youth team are also important. I try to stay away from the stories and ignore them all.”

Ibra staying but Maxwell leaving Inter

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent on Wednesday denied that his client is looking for a move away from Inter Milan.

However, Mino Raiola confirmed that another client of his, Brazilian left-back Maxwell, will definitely be leaving the San Siro at the end of the season.

Ibrahimovic sparked speculation about his future on Sunday when he said after his two-goal starring role in Inter’s 3-0 home win over Reggina: “I’m totally focused on winning the title but as for next season, we’ll see.

“I’m very happy to be at Inter but next year we’ll see.”

Inter president Massimo Moratti responded on Monday by saying: “I can’t imagine Inter without Ibrahimovic.

“But if that were to happen, it would not stop the club from carrying on.”

Ibra, as he is known in Italy, is a reported target for Barcelona but Raiola told Radio Radio that the Sweden striker, who Italian media claim to be the highest paid player in Serie A, will be going nowhere.

“People are talking about convincing Zlatan to stay but no-one has said he is leaving,” said Raiola.

“Zlatan has a great relationship with Moratti. There’s no reason for them to have a meeting (to discuss his future).

“Moratti was right when he said that we’ve given bait to the newspapers and the media to develop a story which for now doesn’t exist.

“If I or Zlatan or (Inter coach Jose) Mourinho don’t say anything Italy stops talking about football.”

Raiola also dismissed speculation that Ibrahimovic has set demands for staying with Inter.

“Zlatan has never asked for reinforcements or more money and anyone who says otherwise is a liar,” he added.

As for Maxwell it is the end of the road, however. The Brazilian was one of two players individually picked out by Mourinho for criticism following a 3-1 defeat at Atalanta in January and he lost his place to teenager Davide Santon.

Santon has impressed ever since and Maxwell has not been able to win his place back in the team.

“With Mourinho either you’re Zlatan and he takes you to his home or if you’re not Zlatan you’re dead and that’s not right from a coach’s point of view,” blasted Raiola.

“The relationship between Maxwell and Mourinho is finished.”

Raiola suggested Maxwell could move to Inter’s city rivals AC Milan.

“That’s not a decision for Inter to take but the player’s. We’ll terminate his contract, we’ll pay what has to be paid but we won’t set one price for Milan and another for other clubs.

“All the big teams know how good this player is.”

FIFA, UEFA stance ignores reality: WADA chief

World anti-doping chief John Fahey on Wednesday accused FIFA and UEFA of ignoring reality, after they rejected rules that ease out-of-competition drugs testing of individual footballers.

“One of the key principles of efficient doping control is the surprise effect and the possibility to test an athlete without advance notice on a 365 day basis,” the World Anti Doping Agency President said in a statement.

“Alleging, as FIFA and UEFA do, that testing should only take place at training grounds and not during holiday periods, ignores the reality of doping in sport.

“Experience has demonstrated that athletes who cheat seize every opportunity to do so and dope when they believe they won?t be tested,” he added.

Since the beginning of January, the world anti-doping code requires elite athletes to give notice of their location on a chosen one-hour period each day, seven days a week.

“WADA was surprised and concerned to read the statement issued on March 24 by the world and European football governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, in relation to universally harmonized whereabouts requirements that took effect on January 1, 2009,” the anti-doping agency said.

Football’s world and European governing bodies on Tuesday formally rejected the ‘whereabouts’ rule, arguing that team sport players should be treated differently.

FIFA and UEFA had stressed “the fundamental differences between an individual athlete, who trains on his own, on the one hand, and a team-sport athlete, who is present at the stadium six days out of seven, and thus easy to locate, on the other hand.”

“FIFA and UEFA therefore oppose the individual ‘whereabouts’ rule, and want to see it replaced by collective location rules, within the scope of the team,” the footballing bodies said.

But the anti-doping agency retorted on Wednesday that the code endorsed by its executive committee last May - including by representatives of team sports - had already accommodated football’s demands.

Drogba ready to extend Chelsea deal

Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba could be ready to extend his Chelsea contract, according to his agent.

Drogba has been linked with Europe’s top clubs as it appeared he was likely to leave Stamford Bridge earlier this season.

Drogba’s current contract keeps him with the Blues until 2010.

“Didi has a deal with Chelsea, so he is relaxed about his future,” he said in the Daily Express.

“It was very important for him to return to his best level without bad injuries, and he has shown that he is one of the best players in Europe.

“In football, you can never write anything off. There are big opportunities at Chelsea, so we will see what happens.

“If they present a new proposition then we will study it and after that Didi will make a decision on his future.

“A lot of big clubs in Europe have asked about him, but we will not make any decision until the end of the season.

“He is happy, playing well and his return to form and goals point to the fact he is enjoying his football at Chelsea.”

Gerrard wants new Liverpool deal

Steven Gerrard has admitted he is keen on signing a new contract with Liverpool.

The Reds skipper has two years left on his current deal and reports have linked him with several clubs, including Real Madrid and Chelsea in recent years.

“I have never been happier throughout my whole career than I am at the moment,” he said. “I have two years left on my contract and if there was a chance to extend it, I am sure I would.

“I am playing in a top team, with world-class players and I believe in the manager. Going forward, I am sure we can be successful.

“For years and years I have moaned about not being involved in a title race and being far away from the others. At the moment, I am playing in a team that’s capable of beating anyone in the league.”

FIFA, UEFA reject anti-doping ´whereabouts´ rule

FIFA and UEFA on Tuesday formally rejected rules that allow anti-doping authorities to locate individual players for out of competition drugs testing.

The governing bodies of European and world football said in a joint statement that there were fundamental differences between an individual athlete and those involved in team sports that needed to be taken into account in the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) ‘whereabouts’ rule.

“The governing bodies of FIFA and UEFA formally reject the stance taken by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) concerning the ‘whereabouts’ rule and, more specifically, the individual location of team-sport athletes,” the statement said.

“FIFA and UEFA want to stress the fundamental differences between an individual athlete, who trains on his own, on the one hand, and a team-sport athlete, who is present at the stadium six days out of seven, and thus easy to locate, on the other hand.”

“FIFA and UEFA therefore oppose the individual ‘whereabouts’ rule, and want to see it replaced by collective location rules, within the scope of the team and within the stadium infrastructure.”

Since the beginning of January, elite athletes are required to give notice of their location on a chosen one-hour period each day, seven days a week, under the world anti-doping code.

FIFA had already signalled its defiance of the requirement after an executive committee meeting last Friday by insisting on special treatment for footballers.

PSV chasing Celtic Vennegoor of Hesselink

According to Voetbal International, reigning Eredivisie title holders PSV are interested in signing Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The forward’s current deal with the Hoops expires at the end of this campaign.

PSV are unhappy with the performances of their current strikers and are reportedly ready to offload Danny Koevermans and Danko Lazovic in the upcoming transfer window. They have targeted Vennegoor as the perfect replacement for one of the duo.

The 30-year-old hitman has struggled to find his best form this campaign and has scored only two goals in 16 league appearances. However, Celtic are still keen to hold onto the towering forward and are expected to offer Vennegoor a new deal in the near future.

Buffon expects Inter to win the Scudetto

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon believes Inter will win the Scudetto this season.

The Old Lady are seven points behind the Nerazzurri in the race for the Scudetto.

“Inter will surely win the Scudetto because they have a big lead over us,” Buffon said on Sky Sport 24.

“They are a very balanced side and so it is difficult when you let them get an advantage.

“However, there is obviously some hope we could catch them otherwise I wouldn’t bother playing on Sunday.

“Inter are the most complete squad with the best unit. At the moment they deserve to be top and under pressure they managed to respond by winning games extremely easily.