Football news

The English FA will look into allegations of financial impropriety over West Ham's signing of Javier Mascherano last year.

The News of the World yesterday claimed to have documents detailing a £339,000 payment in relation to the deal, which was not disclosed, as required, to the FA.

"We have received documents and will be investigating," a FA spokesman said.

The Premier League is probing the signings of Mascherano and Carlos Tevez but the Hammers have denied the charge. The Argentine pair joined West Ham on August 31 from Brazilian side Corinthians.

Mascherano was given special dispensation to join Liverpool last month.

Essien could be fit for Chelsea

Chelsea midfield powerhouse Michael Essien could be fit for today's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Tottenham Hotspur, a game manager Jose Mourinho is confident of winning.

"There is a chance for Essien," said Mourinho after his side strolled to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the league on Saturday without the powerful Ghanaian who suffered a knee injury in the comeback 3-3 FA Cup draw with Spurs last week.

"We have a replay but that first match was like a victory for us. I am confident because the team is fighting hard.

"I think against Tottenham we were out of the FA Cup at half-time. Nobody believed we could still be in, only us. We fought very hard to get back and deserve this second game at White Hart Lane."

Rangers fans' 'sectarian abuse'

Among the topics on the agenda of a meeting between Rangers and their supporters tomorrow will be a video footage posted on the internet showing Rangers fans chanting sectarian songs during last week's UEFA Cup game against Osasuna.

The YouTube clip apparently shows fans in a near empty stadium chanting an offensive slogan to a Tina Turner song. Dozens of fans in Rangers shirts are seen punching the air as the song is sung.

After the match, Rangers, now out of the UEFA Cup, complained of a lack of segregation in the stadium and of heavy-handed policing.

Ancelotti looking to copy Sir Alex

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is looking to stay at Milan for more years to come and perhaps emulate Alex Ferguson's 20-year tenure on the bench with the same club.

"You make choices in your life in a bid to improve," he said. "Seeing as I believe I'm already with the best club in the world, I have not thought about the possibility of going elsewhere."

This is Ancelotti's sixth year with Milan.

"I am very happy in Italy and have the good fortune to work with a club that respects and appreciates me. From a professional standpoint, this place gives me great motivation. That is why I confirm I would like to be Milan's Alex Ferguson."

Berbatov... a complete player

Martin Jol said Tottenham would turn down all offers for striker Dimitar Berbatov who he rates at the £40 million bracket. Berbatov has enjoyed an outstanding debut season in the Premiership following last summer's £11 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.

"In this market he would be £30-40 million. But even if somebody offered that we would never sell him," said Jol.

"He reminded me a bit of Johan Cruyff when he started. He's a link-up player, he's a finisher... he is complete."

Berbatov's form has led to reports that he could be a target for the likes of Manchester United - a club Berbatov admits he held talks with prior to the switch to White Hart Lane.

Gilberto not joining Juve

Arsenal will not consider selling Gilberto to Juventus in the next transfer window, Arsene Wenger told reporters yesterday.

The Brazilian is a key player for the Gunners as his solidity allows the youngsters in the team to express themselves further up the field. His efficient displays often go unnoticed, but reports suggest they have caught the eye of Juve.

Juve are looking to rebuild their side in the summer, ahead of a tilt at the Serie A title provided they secure promotion this season.

Wenger said: "Gilberto is under contract, we have had no offer so the subject is closed. Let him go to the end of his contract and then we will see... but we might well extend because he is an important player."

Romario takes tally to 998

Former Brazil striker Romario, 41, took his career tally, according to his own records, to 998 goals last weekend after scoring his third hat-trick of the year. Romario's goals came in a 20-minute spell in the second half as he helped Vasco da Gama beat modest opponents Boavista 6-2 in the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro state) championship.

"A few years ago, everybody thought my career was finished," Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner told reporters.

"But there's the reply. I'm going to be the second to reach this milestone," he said, referring to the 1,000-goal target which Brazilian Pele passed in 1969.

Aussies consider friendly boycott

Some of Australia's top players are reportedly considering boycotting international friendlies against Argentina and Uruguay because they are unhappy at the timing of the matches.

Australia are due to play Uruguay in Sydney on June 2 and Argentina in Melbourne four days later as part of their preparations for the Asian Cup, to be staged in south-east Asian in July.

Several senior players, including captain Mark Viduka, wanted the matches played later so they could have a break after the end of their European club seasons.