Football news

The Italian football federation is heading for troubled waters as Lega Calcio chief Antonio Matarrese may run for FIGC presidency.

Giancarlo Abete was set to take over as president of the federation after former leader Franco Carraro stepped aside in the wake of the summer soccer scandal. However, the agreement to pass on the baton has fallen through and the Lega Calcio - a union of Serie A and B clubs - will attempt to gain more control over the sport.

"The Lega will present its own candidate to the elections for FIGC president," announced Lega Calcio.

If Lega Calcio is to take control, then the most likely man to put forward would be Matarrese - who has already been FIGC president from 1987 to 1996 and FIFA vice-president.

Drogba worried over Mourinho

Didier Drogba (picture) is showing signs of uneasiness at Chelsea with speculation surrounding the club that manager Jose Mourinho could leave. Mourinho has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and Drogba, 28, says the players are in the dark over his plans.

"Losing him will be extremely painful, it's not easy losing a good friend," Drogba told The Sun.

"I don't know if it will happen but if it's true it is very sad. Stories keep cropping up but hopefully he'll stay."

Drogba says the Chelsea players are desperate for him to stay with the club and lead them to even greater heights.

Lazio end Di Canio fight

Lazio have finally ended their legal battle with Paolo Di Canio, leaving the club with some more money in their coffers. The fan favourite stormed out of the club last summer when his contract expired, but insisted that he was still owed approximately £25,000 in unpaid wages.

Lazio countered that the same sum was required to pay off fines for his lack of discipline and for shirts he gave away as gifts.

Last week, the judges sided with Lazio on the issue and it's not expected there will be a new appeal.

"Lazio were right on everything," said lawyer Gian Michele Gentile.

"The credit that Di Canio had pending from the club was annulled, as at the end of the day it was balanced out by his debts. The matter should be over with now."

Burley to focus on Southampton

George Burley played down speculation linking him with the vacant job as Scotland national team coach. Walter Smith left the role to take over as manager of Rangers last week, and Burley has been touted as a possible replacement.

However, the Southampton boss made it clear he is dedicated to taking the club back to the Premiership.

"It is an honour even to be mentioned for the job but I have only been at Southampton for a year and the only thing I am concentrating on is getting the club back to the Premier League," Burley told the club's official website.

"There have been a lot of changes and I have brought in a lot of players and staff. It is a difficult job but one I am enjoying."

Roma stars resolve row

Rosella Sensi, the Roma club boss, yesterday admitted there was a row between Francesco Totti and Amantino Mancini, but insisted it's over. Newspaper reports last week suggested that the bitter rift in the squad would push the Brazilian towards Inter in the summer.

"There was a misunderstanding between Totti and Mancini, but it only lasted for a day," assured Sensi when asked about the situation.

"There is no problem here, so what was written was purely an interpretation of events."

Sensi is the daughter of president Franco Sensi and the de facto chief now that he is in ill health.

No Dallas approach for Davids

Tottenham manager Martin Jol yesterday told reporters there had been no approach from FC Dallas for Edgar Davids, but he is not ruling out a move for the Dutch ace.

Dallas coach Steve Morrow said that his club had been talking to Davids' advisors for a number of weeks. Jol, though, says no-one has contacted Tottenham about the availability of the veteran midfielder.

"I asked him (Davids) because I want to be clear and he told me there has been no approach," Jol told Sky Sports News. "I told him there has been no approach from any clubs."

Jol says he can understand why Davids may want to move, but he is not resigned to losing the midfielder.

PSV pull out of Luque deal

PSV Eindhoven have pulled out of talks to sign Newcastle forward Albert Luque on loan until the end of the season. Luque was keen on the switch to Holland, according to the 28-year-old Newcastle outcast's representative.

But it is understood Newcastle were not keen to release the Spanish star for the second half of the season, despite his struggle to settle on Tyneside. The former Deportivo La Coruna player has struggled since joining the Magpies for £9.5m in 2005, and wants a move to resurrect his career.