Football news

Former Brazil striker Romario will make another attempt to score what he says will be his 1,000th goal in Vasco da Gama's Brazilian championship match against Sport Recife on Sunday.

However, the match is being played at Vasco's Sao Januario stadium rather than the Maracana, where Romario had always wanted to reach the milestone, club president Eurico Miranda said in a radio interview.

"The party's ready," Miranda told Radio Tupi. "He will play against Sport and he will score the 1,000th goal."

"The surprise is the statue that he will have at Sao Januario. It should be ready in 20 days. It's a bronze statue which is being produced by a well-known artist."

Ronaldinho too tired for Copa

Brazil forward Ronaldinho has asked to be left out of the squad for the Copa America because he is tired, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said.

Ronaldinho's request came three days after midfielder Kaka also asked to be left out of the competition and in spite of comments from coach Dunga that he wanted to take a full-strength squad.

Brazilian media had been speculating for some time that Ronaldinho wanted a rest and his request will heighten speculation that his relationship with Dunga is under strain.

Dunga has left Ronaldinho out of the starting line-up on several occasions and said that the former World Player of the Year will not be given special treatment.

English fans being priced out

English Premier League clubs could face a drop in attendances next season after a survey published yesterday showed spiralling season ticket prices were starting to hit fans in the pocket.

The poll, carried out by a leading finance company, said that one in eight season ticket holders would not be renewing next season - a rise of five per cent on last year.

Virgin Money's Football Fans Price Index - based on responses from 2,013 fans - showed a 17.8 per cent rise in matchday costs, with nearly one in five fans saying they could not afford to attend all of their club's home fixtures.

Of the 20 clubs in England's top flight, West Ham look likely to be hit hardest with 38 per cent of their season ticket holders saying they would not be renewing next season.

Warnock leaves Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock left the club yesterday following their relegation from the Premier League after one season in the top flight.

In a news conference at Bramall Lane, club chairman Kevin McCabe said Warnock was leaving by mutual consent after almost eight years in charge.

United were condemned to the drop on goal difference on Sunday when, needing to avoid defeat at home to Wigan Athletic, they lost 2-1.

Sheffield-born Warnock had been in charge since 1999.

Allardyce releases five players

Sam Allardyce, the new Newcastle manager, wasted little time in releasing five players. Defenders Titus Bramble, 25, and Australian Craig Moore, 31, have not been offered new contracts.

Czech keeper Pavel Srnicek, 39, and left-back Olivier Bernard, 27, have also been shown the door.

Allardyce has also opted not to make Oguchi Onyewu's loan period from Belgian club Standard Liege into a permanent move.

Allardyce said: "It's important we recruit the best players possible and make sure we are not always looking for the big names all the time."

Rossi focusing on Parma

Giuseppe Rossi has said he is only looking to keep Parma in Serie A rather than making plans on his own future. He has turned around the club's fortunes since his loan arrival from Manchester United in January.

"I only want to concentrate on the present and the present is called Parma," said Rossi, 20. "Then at the end of the season there will be the U-21 Championship finals in Holland.

"I will only discuss my future with United when the time is right."

Moratti eyeing Tevez

Inter are ready to make a £25m bid for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez, English papers reported yesterday. According to the Daily Express, club owner Massimo Moratti has already started discussions with the player's agent Kia Joorabchian.

Tevez is thought to be considering his future despite the fact that his goals arguably kept West Ham in the Premiership.

Moratti is expected to meet Joorabchian later this week to discuss the deal as West Ham are seemingly ready to sell to the highest bidder.

Maldini to play on

Milan captain Paolo Maldini confirmed yesterday he will play on for one more season in a bid to reach a ninth European Cup final.

The 38-year-old is set to play in his eighth final against Liverpool next Wednesday and he denied suggestions he might bring his retirement forward if Milan are victorious and the one-club man picks up a fifth winners' medal. Maldini recently played in his 600th Serie A match.

Coppell - Manager of the Year

Steve Coppell has been named Manager of the Year for the second season in a row. The Reading boss was honoured after a vote by fellow Premier League and Football League managers and comes after he guided the club to eighth spot in the Premiership.

Sunderland's Roy Keane won the award for the Championship, Yeovil's Russell Slade triumphed in League One and Danny Wilson, of Hartlepool, for League Two.