Football news

Alain Perrin has been appointed Olympique Lyon coach. Former Portsmouth and Marseille coach Perrin, 50, steered Sochaux to the French Cup title this season. He replaces Gerard Houllier, who quit last week after two years in charge.

Perrin had said he had accepted an offer from Lyon but talks dragged on after Sochaux president Jean-Claude Plessis asked for financial compensation.

A deal was reached late on Tuesday with Lyon accepting to pay Sochaux around 500,000 euros, a source close to the club said.

Fans want terraces back - poll

The Football Supporters' Federation yesterday launched a new report calling for safe standing areas at football grounds in England and Wales.

Standing areas were banned after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans died in a crush.

FSF head of development Steven Powell said the report had a "well-argued case" for a return to standing. But the Hillsborough Families Support Group described the call as a "step backwards" for supporters.

A poll of 2,100 fans found that 92% of those surveyed wanted clubs to bring back standing areas.

Abramovich to continue spending

Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich dismissed British media reports he will no longer spend heavily on players.

British media said this week that owner Abramovich was tightening the purse strings and the change could force key players like Frank Lampard and skipper John Terry to leave the Premier League club.

"This is absolute nonsense," said Abramovich, Russia's richest man with an estimated $18.7 billion fortune according to Forbes Magazine.

"Everything will remain the same. My relationship with Chelsea has not changed and I wouldn't want to change anything," he said.

Abramovich has spent nearly $500 million on player transfers since buying Chelsea in 2003.

Muntari joins Pompey

Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari yesterday completed his transfer for Portsmouth. Muntari, 22, left Udinese for Portsmouth on a five-year deal, thought to be worth about £7m.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: "We tried to get him in the last two transfer windows but Udinese didn't want to sell so we are delighted.

"He's got a great left-foot, has great energy, with the ability to run all day and he is a good passer of the ball."

Muntari is the third player to arrive at Fratton Park following the deals for Sylvain Distin and Hermann Hreidarsson.

Hughes deserves 'second chance'

Oldham are close to agreeing a deal to sign striker Lee Hughes when he is released from prison. Former West Brom and Coventry player Hughes, 31, is set to be released soon.

He was sentenced to six years in jail in 2004 after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

"Lee deserves a second chance and we consider this a top-class signing," Oldham director Barry Owen said.

Ronaldinho banned one match

Ronaldinho will be suspended for just one of Barcelona's remaining two league games after his dismissal against Getafe at the weekend for kicking out at defender David Belenguer.

The Spanish Federation's Disciplinary Committee decided the Brazilian had been provoked after suffering a series of fouls by Belenguer.

Ronaldinho will miss the game at home to city rivals Espanyol this weekend but will be available for the final match of the season against relegated Gimnastic Tarragona.

N. Ireland to unveil coach

The Irish FA hope to unveil their new national coach by the end of this weekend. IFA president Jim Boyce confirmed yesterday that "considerable progress" has been made in recent days in finding a successor to Lawrie Sanchez.

The identity of the new Northern Ireland coach remains a closely guarded secret for the moment.

Jim Magilton and Ipswich manager Nigel Worthington ruled themselves out of contention for the post last week. Iain Dowie, Jimmy Nicholl and Danny Wilson are among the names that have been linked with the job.

Buffon closer to Juve

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said his chances of staying at Juventus have risen to 75 per cent. The Italy no.1 looked set to quit Juve after helping them back to Serie A, but he's now claimed that he is more likely to stay rather than go.

"Things have changed recently," said Buffon, a reported target for Milan and Real Madrid. "If my chances of remaining were 49 per cent up to 20 days ago, now they are 75 per cent.

"If I am closer to Juventus it is because I respect this environment and they are the club which represents me the most."

Real Madrid eyeing Kaka

Real Madrid are about to resume with their bid to sign Kaka from Milan, reports in Spain said yesterday.

The Brazilian has been a primary transfer objective for the Spaniards since last year when Milan reported Real to FIFA over their public courtship of Kaka.

However, Spanish newspaper AS yesterday claimed that Real chief Ramon Calderon intends to keep the promise made during his election campaign by netting a top quality player. It seems, he is ready to invest up to £43m for the Champions League top scorer and could include Emerson in the deal.