Football news

Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy could be ordered to pay an £80,000 fine following reports of a training-camp fight with team-mate John Arne Riise.

Manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that he would punish any players found to have breached club rules during a four-day training trip to Portugal last week.

According to one report in English media, a heavy drinking session on Thursday ended with Bellamy severely attacking Norwegian Riise.

There has also been speculation of a separate row involving Jerzy Dudek, Robbie Fowler and Jermaine Pennant while the squad stayed at the Algarve resort of Vale do Lobo.

Eye-witnesses have claimed that police were called to the resort during a noisy disturbance involving Liverpool players.

Ronaldo not a priority for Inter

Inter are not lining up a bid for Cristiano Ronaldo despite recent speculation to the contrary, club president Massimo Moratti said.

The Serie A leaders have been linked with Ronaldo after their manager Roberto Mancini on Sunday reportedly urged the club to sign the Portuguese winger.

Reports in Italy have the Nerazzurri preparing a £33.7million summer bid for the Manchester United star. However, Moratti believes tempting Ronaldo away from Old Trafford won't be an easy task.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is really a sensational player, but he represents Man. Utd and that means it would be very difficult to sign him," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"And I also don't think that he is an absolute requirement for us."

Real deny Capello resignation

Real Madrid have denied reports that coach Fabio Capello handed in his resignation last night, the day before the club's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

"The board is unaware of any resignation by Fabio Capello and we were very surprised by the reports that appeared in the media," club spokesman Miguel Angel Arroyo told a news conference at the Bernabeu.

"It hardly contributes to the right atmosphere on the eve of such an important match. I can guarantee that the board has not received any resignation from Fabio Capello."

Maldini set to reach 100-match mark

Milan captain Paolo Maldini will become only the fifth player, and first Italian, to notch up 100 Champions League appearances if he plays against Celtic today.

The 38-year-old defender is one match short of a milestone previously reached by the Real Madrid trio of Raul (106 appearances), Roberto Carlos (105), and David Beckham (102), as well as Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn (100).

Maldini has been a fixed point in Milan's team ever since making his Serie A debut for the club against Udinese in January 1985. With him in the side, Milan won seven Serie A titles and were crowned champions of Europe four times.

Palermo decline irks Zamparini

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has turned up the heat on his underperforming squad, saying that the players "should be ashamed of their latest displays".

A 1-1 home draw against Chievo on Sunday meant that Palermo had missed a chance to close the gap on Roma in second place after the latter's loss to Empoli the day before.

"I would like to put a sign at the entrance of my team's training ground with the points we have won in the past 14 matches," Zamparini was quoted as saying. "The possibility of reaching a Champions League spot is fading away. We are going into a free-fall."

Deschamps gets Juve backing

Juventus chief Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has moved to reassure coach Didier Deschamps that his position is not in danger.

Although the Bianconeri regained top spot in the Serie B after their 5-0 win against Crotone on Saturday, the Frenchman suggested that he may have to leave in the summer even if Juve gained promotion to the Serie A.

"There are still several matches before the end of the season, we need to remain focused," Cobolli Gigli was quoted as saying.

"Deschamps joined us this summer and agreed to work in Serie B with the penalisation. He is doing well, although we can still improve. In any case, it would be wrong and foolish to discuss his position."

Top English clubs appeal to Villa

David Villa has revealed an admiration for a host of Premiership clubs.

The highly-rated Spanish striker was widely tipped to leave Valencia in the January transfer window but nothing materialised. Chelsea have been widely considered as favourites to sign Villa but the Valencia hitman is also an admirer of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"I am attracted to the strength of Chelsea and the pace of Arsenal, especially at home," Villa told The Times.

"Everybody loves Manchester United - they have played some of the best football in Europe for a long time. Liverpool are like Valencia - a team full of heart, good at the back with a midfield of quality."

Nash heeds Wigan emergency call

Preston goalkeeper Carlo Nash has agreed to join Premier League strugglers Wigan on a month's emergency loan following injuries to Chris Kirkland and Mike Pollitt. Nash, 33, has fallen out of favour at Deepdale after a proposed move to Fulham last month fell through.

England keeper Kirkland is sidelined for six weeks after undergoing surgery to cure a thumb ligament damaged in training, while back-up Pollitt is currently out with a thigh strain. Jewell was given permission to bring in short-term cover for third-choice keeper John Filan.