Football news

Leicester owner Milan Mandaric says David Beckham's move to LA Galaxy will have no impact on the popularity of the game in the US.

"Why would one man make a difference in a nation of 300 million people?" Mandaric said. "Americans have chosen their sports and soccer isn't one of them."

Mandaric owned San Jose Earthquakes during the 1970s when George Best, Pele and a host of the game's biggest stars joined the North American Soccer League. But despite huge crowds at the stadia, US television companies couldn't be convinced and the league folded in the 1980s.

"I appreciate what David's done but we had a lot better players there then - Pele, Beckenbauer, Best, Cruyff, a lot of big names. We tried to put one of those big names in each team to try to elevate the popularity of the game, but we just could not do it."

Adriano facing Inter exit

Inter will be ready to part with Adriano next summer after growing tired of his late night partying. Numerous reports in Italy yesterday claimed that Inter and Adriano have reached the point of no return after the latest bust-up between the club and player.

Problems seem to have re-emerged after he was excluded from the Champions League clash with Valencia on Wednesday.

"Adriano didn't feature because he wasn't 100 per cent fit," explained coach Roberto Mancini. "He was in no condition to play an entire game."

Rumours alleged that the real reason behind his exit was because Adriano had not recovered from his 25th birthday celebrations three days earlier.

Ticket protest at Craven Cottage

Leaders of a campaign to cut prices at away games are urging Manchester United fans not to buy anything inside Craven Cottage today.

United fans are being charged £45 by Fulham for their visit to London while Manchester City fans paid only £25. But the Old Trafford club's supporters have now decided enough is enough.

Protest organiser Pete Boyle said: "We are not picking on Fulham, it happens everywhere and we're fed up with it."

Boyle wants fans to refrain from buying food, drink, programmes or any other merchandise in the ground.

The protest's objectives have been posted on Manchester United websites and leaflets will be distributed before kick-off. Away tickets for this fixture cost £32 last season and £25 the season before.

Terry set for quick recovery

John Terry, out of the League Cup final against Arsenal tomorrow, should be fit for next weekend, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday.

The central defender twisted his right ankle during the Champions League 1-1 draw at Porto on Wednesday and hobbled away from the stadium in a protective boot. Mourinho said left-back Ashley Cole had recovered from injury and was fit to play tomorrow.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben, substituted on Wednesday because of a muscle strain, should also be fit.

Brown blasts Romanov

Craig Brown, the former Scotland coach, hit back at Vladimir Romanov yesterday following the Hearts' supremo latest attack on referees and the media.

Brown told BBC reporters Romanov's latest comments are not doing his credibility any favours.

"He is not doing Scottish football any good with these remarks," he said. "We are all very, very angry. We all take exception to these uninformed observations he is making."

Romanov's latest statement again likens the media to monkeys. And, although he has since denied alleged corruption in Scotland, he again made a veiled attack on the nation's referees.

Nedved claims Chelsea snub

Pavel Nedved, 34, has revealed that he spurned a multi-million pound offer to join Chelsea in the summer. The Czech star opted to stay at Juventus despite their enforced relegation due to match-fixing, while watching a number of high-profile colleagues depart Turin.

Tottenham and Monaco were both linked with moves for Nedved but yesterday he revealed that Premiership champions Chelsea were also keen to seal his signature.

Nedved, however, insisted he has no regrets about snubbing Roman Abramovich's advances.

"It's true, I would have earned a lot of money, but something didn't convince me enough," Nedved said. "I'm not regretting staying. On the contrary, I would never have forgiven myself for escaping."

Emerson could join Milan

Emerson is being linked with a move to Milan as reports gather pace that his stay at Real Madrid is coming to an end. The Brazilian left Juve last summer but his adventure has been tough. He has struggled to adapt in Spain, he's been heckled by fans and refused to play in the 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

With Real already having signed an ideal replacement in the form of Gago last month, a Serie A return is beckoning for Emerson.

Although previously linked with a move back to Juventus, it now seems that he could soon be wearing the Milan jersey.

Coppell hopeful on Sidwell deal

Reading manager Steve Coppell is hopeful midfielder Steve Sidwell will sign a new contract.

"I don't think it's for us to persuade him to stay now, it's for other clubs to persuade him to sign for them," Coppell told the club's website.

"We'll be constantly knocking, he knows that and we respect each other's positions."