Football News

The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal's new home ground, is to host the international friendly between Brazil and Portugal next month. Five-times World Cup winners Brazil will face Portugal on February 6.

It will be a second visit to the Emirates Stadium for Brazil, who played Argentina last September. Fulham's Craven Cottage will host a friendly between European champions Greece and South Korea on the same day.

Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be making his first trip to England since rejecting the national team job last summer.

Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira said: "We are delighted to be returning to the fantastic Emirates Stadium to take on one of the best teams in the world in front of what we are sure will be another sell-out crowd."

Emre in racism allegations

Newcastle midfielder Emre is expected to escape an FA charge over allegations he made racist remarks during his side's defeat at Everton.

The 26-year-old Turkey international became embroiled in an angry confrontation with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Joleon Lescott in the game at Goodison Park last weekend, and allegations of racism surfaced later.

Referee Dermot Gallagher did not hear the alleged comments, but said in his report to the Football Association he had been informed of the claims.

Suazo best foreigner in Serie A

Cagliari ace David Suazo has been named as the best foreign player of the 2005-06 Serie A season by his fellow professionals.

The Sardinian outfit broke the news this week after the Honduran scored 22 goals in the league last term.

Suazo will receive his award, organised by the AIA - the Italian Players' Association - at the 'Oscar del Calcio' ceremony on January 29.

Smith set for Rangers return

Walter Smith, the Scotland coach, will return to Rangers for a second spell as manager after the departure of Paul le Guen, BBC Sport reported yesterday.

Former Ibrox striker Ally McCoist, on Smith's coaching staff with Scotland, will also be part of the new set-up.

Le Guen had only been at Rangers for 200 days, and left after stripping Barry Ferguson of the captaincy. Smith helped Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton.

Lupoli dreams of Napoli

Arturo Lupoli has revealed his intention to join Napoli in Italy's Serie B next summer. The 19-year-old, an Arsenal player but currently on loan with Derby County, is free to sign a pre-contract as his deal with the Londoners expires this summer.

Lupoli said: "I have had offers from some big Italian Serie A clubs but the fact that at Naples - as well as being near my family - I will have more playing time makes me lean in that direction.

"It's cold in England," he said. "I want to go back to Italy... that's my dream. My Arsenal contract expires in June and so with the Bosman Law I can sign a pre-contract with another club and move in June."

Messi could cost Moratti £71m

Spanish newspapers yesterday reported that Massimo Moratti, the Inter supremo, could splash around £71 million for the signature of Lionel Messi, the Barcelona star player.

Messi, 19, is tied to Barcelona until 2014 and has a £107m release clause, but Moratti seems willing to do all he can to convince the player to leave the Camp Nou.

Inter could offer a £3.9m-a-season contract to the striker, who is allegedly discontent over his current deal and could therefore ask for a discounted switch.

Messi started his career at Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.

But he moved to Barca at the age of 13 and was voted Player of the Tournament in Argentina's 2005 U-20 World Cup triumph in Holland.

Mascherano move may hit snag

Liverpool's attempt to sign Javier Mascherano on a loan deal could hit a snag as FIFA looks set to intervene in case the Argentine is involved in a third transfer move this season.

Mascherano will become one of the first departures under new West Ham boss Alan Curbishley after failing to adjust to life in the Premiership since his shock transfer deadline day signing from Corinthians.

The holding midfielder wants to go and Rafael Benitez has reputedly offered Mascherano an escape route from his Upton Park contract.

Widespread reports in the English media indicate that talks regarding a loan switch to Anfield are at an advanced stage, but FIFA rules prohibit a player from appearing for three separate sides in the same season.

Crouch... a Juventus target

Juventus are thought to be targeting a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. Reports in Italy yesterday suggested Juventus have lined up Crouch as a possible replacement for David Trezeguet.

Trezeguet's long-term future at Juve is shrouded in doubt, with the player thought to be considering his options. Juventus are now believed to be drawing up a list of targets to replace Trezeguet, should the Frenchman leave Turin.

Crouch is thought to come under the gaze of Juve officials. It was reported that Liverpool and Juventus might do a straight swap between Crouch and Trezeguet.