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.