Football news

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood hopes to get American tycoon Stan Kroenke to join forces with the club's directors to stop a Russian takeover of the club. Kroenke, who owns 12 per cent of the club's shares, received a hostile reception from Hill-Wood earlier in the year when it was thought he wanted to make a move for the club.

"I think it would be rather nice if he (Kroenke) would join the lockdown," Hill-Wood was quoted as saying. "It's obviously up to him but we would welcome it.

"He now sees the benefits from a long-term relationship with us and is not remotely interested in making a bid."

UEFA open case against Celtic

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic after an incident involving a fan in the Champions League victory over Milan.

The Scottish club will have to answer charges of lack of organisation and improper conduct of fans. The Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the matter on October 11.

UEFA said they are also seeking clarification on why goalkeeper Dida was substituted in the closing minutes after Celtic had scored the winner. Dida was carried off on a stretcher after a fan ran on to the pitch and appeared to make minimal contact with the Brazilian.

Frings, Borowski earn recall

Germany coach Joachim Loew was able to recall Werder Bremen trio Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski and Clemens Fritz for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Ireland and the Czech Republic.

With captain Michael Ballack still injured, Frings and Borowski, back fit after lengthy absences, could make up the central midfield partnership for the games in Dublin on October 13 and in Munich four days later.

Germany are top of Group D with 22 points from eight games. The Czechs are second on 20 points from nine games, with Ireland a distant third on 14, also from nine.

Milan linked with Del Piero move

Alessandro Del Piero could be heading for a move away from Juve and towards Milan. The 32-year-old had been expected to commit the rest of his career to Juve, but he has been frustrated by the offer tabled.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, has even admitted that he is eyeing a move for the unsettled star.

"There's nothing to say that Del Piero couldn't come to Milan on a free transfer," he told reporters.

Del Piero was said to be hurt when fans jeered him during his slow start to the campaign and he raged that the club had treated him with a "lack of respect" during contract talks.

FIFA vs EU on players' quota

Sepp Blatter says he is ready to challenge the European Union to get a quota on foreign players within European teams. Blatter made his comments in response to a poll of football fans for BBC.

He wants clubs to be limited to five foreigners in their starting XI to allow homegrown talent to flourish. The proposal contravenes EU law but Blatter says football needs to act.

"Workers in Europe can circulate freely but footballers are not workers," he said.

Rosina to stay at Torino

Alessandro Rosina will not leave Torino after committing his future to the club by signing a long-term deal.

Negotiations with the homegrown talent had progressed slowly, but there were rumours that Milan may step in to try and lure the 23-year-old away in January.

The new deal will tie Rosina to Torino until 2011. The new conditions amount to nearly double his original wage.

Owen included in England squad

Michael Owen has been included in Steve McClaren's 27-man squad for England's Euro 2008 Group E qualifiers at home to Estonia and away to Russia. Owen, who scored three goals in the victories over Israel and Russia last month, has made a rapid recovery from a groin injury after surgery in Germany last week.

Emile Heskey, his strike partner in those matches, is out with a broken foot, meaning a call-up for West Ham's Dean Ashton who broke his ankle training with England after being selected in August of 2006.

Estonia come to Wembley on Saturday week with England travelling to Moscow four days later for what could be the decisive fixture in their qualification hopes.

Kaka FIFPro player of the year

Milan forward Kaka was named FIFPro World Player of the Year yesterday for inspiring his side to a seventh European Cup win last May.

More than 45,000 professional footballers throughout the world were invited to vote in the annual awards which are in their third year.

The 25-year-old Brazilian was instrumental in Milan's Champions League triumph, ending up top scorer with 10 goals including three in the semi-final win over Manchester United.

FIFPro World XI: Buffon; Nesta, Cannavaro, Terry, Puyol ; Steven Gerrard, C. Ronaldo; Kaka; Messi, Drogba, Ronaldinho.

Dutch defy Ferguson on keeper

Edwin van der Sar is in the Dutch squad for the Euro 2008 Group G qualifying matches against Romania on October 13 and Slovenia four days later. The Manchester United goalkeeper injured his toe last Saturday against Birmingham.

United boss Alex Ferguson said Van der Sar will play for his club not before October 20.

"I spoke with Edwin and he told me that his injury is almost the same as he suffered in August in the match against Switzerland," Holland coach Marco van Basten said. "But it feels better this time and expects to be ready for next weekend."