Football news

UEFA has opened a disciplinary case against Bayern Munich players Oliver Kahn and Lucio for their conduct at the post-match doping control following the Champions League match against Real Madrid on March 7.

Kahn, the Bayern goalkeeper and captain, and Lucio, the Brazilian centre-back, have been charged with improper conduct for allegedly breaching "basic rules of good conduct", according to a UEFA statement.

The case will be dealt with by UEFA on Thursday. Bayern won the match against Real 2-1 at the Allianz Arena to clinch victory on the away goals rule after a 4-4 aggregate. They will face Milan in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Makelele faces wait for new deal

Claude Makelele should wait until next season to renew his contract with Chelsea because of the pressures of playing for club and country, Jose Mourinho said.

The 34-year-old France midfielder has a deal until July 2008 and newspapers say his agents are seeking a two-year extension.

Mourinho suggested that Chelsea should hold off as the player could not play so often for the club when still involved with France.

"I think it is one thing Makelele playing for Chelsea and another thing is Makelele playing for Chelsea and for France," the Portuguese coach said.

"When a 34-year-old man should be resting, he is playing international matches so when he comes back to Chelsea it's not to play but to rest."

Benitez supports stadium review

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has spoken in favour of the decision of new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to review the plans for the club's proposed stadium.

The Americans have halted preparatory work to set up a review of the new stadium to discover if they can increase the proposed 60,000 capacity.

"We talked about 60,000 fans, that would be fantastic but now we're talking about 70 or 80,000 and that would be better," Benitez told reporters.

"More Liverpool supporters could see the game and there are more possibilities for the club in terms of money. For me, it's good for the club."

Although Anfield once held almost 62,000 for an FA Cup match against Wolves in 1952, the current capacity of the ground is just over 45,000.

Wenger speaks highly of Johnson

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Everton's Andrew Johnson to partner Wayne Rooney in attack for England's important Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel next Saturday.

"Andy Johnson is a player who can help England," Wenger said. "He is a good player, with the timing and quality of his runs and he never gives up. He can be one of the players who can compliment Rooney."

Wenger considered signing Johnson from Crystal Palace but the Frenchman felt the transfer fee was too high.

"I did consider him at one stage when he was at Crystal Palace, but the price stopped it happening," Wenger said.

Keane hits out at Irish FA

Roy Keane has launched a verbal attack on the Football Association of Ireland after three members of his Sunderland side were left out of the latest Ireland squad.

Keane described the situation as a "disgrace" and believes one of the players involved, Liam Miller, has been omitted because of prejudice against his hometown.

David Connolly and Daryl Murphy were also excluded, and Keane, who walked out on his country during the 2002 World Cup, believes the players deserve to be included.

"These lads should be in the squad," he said. "It's a disgrace.

"Connolly had a fall-out a few years ago. What's holding Liam Miller back is that he's from Cork, without a doubt."

Mancini sets sights on 100 points

Inter coach Roberto Mancini is aiming to amass a record 100 points to mark the club's centenary year in a fitting way.

"I think 100 points are a lot, but we have the motivation and this squad is doing very well," Mancini said.

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in the Serie A this season with 73 points from 23 wins and four draws - already a new top-flight record.

"We must go into every match expecting a difficult challenge, starting from Ascoli on Sunday (today). They are coming off a run of positive results, have stopped Roma and won away at Siena, so they are to be reckoned with."

Doors open at new Wembley

The doors at the new Wembley Stadium opened for the first time yesterday for a special community event.

Up to 60,000 Brent residents tested turnstiles and escalators as part of the safety certificate application process for May's FA Cup final.

Football games were held on the pitch and visitors tested the 2,618 toilets - more than any other venue in the world.

The £757m ground was due to reopen in August 2005 but delays led to music and sports events being cancelled.

Man. Utd pair win Feb. awards

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs have won the Barclays awards for February.

Manager of the Month Ferguson and Player of the Month Giggs have helped guide league leaders United to three victories last month.

Giggs scored at Tottenham and also fired in a volley against Fulham.

It is the second time Ferguson and Giggs have won joint awards this campaign, having both landed the accolades in August 2006.