Football news

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is "damaging" Birmingham City by dragging out his takeover, club co-owner David Sullivan has said.

Sullivan also insisted that the current board will not extend the buy-out deadline for Yeung beyond Christmas. Yeung's takeover has put a freeze on any new contracts for Birmingham staff, including manager Steve Bruce.

"I cannot believe that Carson and his group do not realise how damaging their actions are for the club," Sullivan was quoted as saying.

Yeung was expected to meet the Blues board and Bruce after yesterday's Premier League clash with Wigan.

Owen to discuss future in summer

Manager Sam Allardyce has revealed Newcastle will have talks with Michael Owen in the summer to discuss his long-term future at the club.

"There is no (buy-out) clause in Michael Owen's contract. There's no way Michael can leave unless we want him to," Allardyce said.

"Saying that, if Michael was as determined as some players are when they decide they want to go, that would be a different story.

"But at the moment, we're hoping Michael stays fit and plays continuously for Newcastle from now until the end of the season. If he does that, we can have a good look at the situation then."

Bianchi to fight for starting role

Rolando Bianchi has vowed to fight for a place in the Manchester City side but reckons Sven-Goran Eriksson needs to change his tactics.

"Eriksson told me he needs a quick striker," Bianchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Now I'm not in the group of players who are useful and I don't know if, on a tactical level, something will change soon.

"I can only work and change the situation only with commitment and by taking advantage of the chances I'll have. I'll do everything to persuade the coach to change his mind."

Don't blame McClaren - Rooney

Wayne Rooney has laid the blame for England's Euro 2008 troubles at the feet of the players - not manager Steve McClaren.

"Before that Russia game (England lost 2-1) everyone was saying how well the side was playing and how well the manager was doing," Rooney said.

"Of course everyone was really disappointed to lose - but one defeat doesn't make you a bad side or him a bad manager.

"We're the ones playing the football, we're the ones representing the country and we feel responsible for it."

Pennant out for 10 weeks

Liverpool have been hit hard by the news that Jermaine Pennant requires surgery on a stress fracture of his right tibia and faces a 10-week lay-off.

The winger limped out of the Reds' Champions League defeat at Besiktas on Wednesday and the club have now confirmed he has been carrying a problem for almost the whole of this season.

Pennant was expected go under the knife this weekend.

Lazio at the centre of new scandal

The Italian match-fixing scandal may not be over yet as Lazio risk a points penalty after details of a suspicious phone call between Delio Rossi and Claudio Lotito were released.

The coach and president were intercepted when discussing a match against Lecce - the game that was the focus of their part in the Calciopoli trial - on April 17, 2006.

Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi is reportedly ready to ask for the maximum penalty, which could be a year-long ban for Rossi and a two-point penalty for Lazio.

Palermo refute Amauri quit talk

Palermo director general Rino Foschi has dismissed reports that Brazilian forward Amauri is in negotiations with Roma, Milan, Manchester City and Juventus.

"I want to be clear on this - nobody has requested Amauri and I have not received any offers for him," Foschi was quoted as saying.

"It is a shame to see him linked with other clubs, as these are untrue stories that are blown up and then hurt the dressing room atmosphere."

Milan-Juve brought forward

The much-awaited week 14 clash between Milan and Juventus at San Siro will be brought forward to Saturday, December 1.

The Lega Calcio has announced the changes to the Serie A fixture list all the way up to Christmas. Other important alterations include Palermo-Fiorentina on Saturday, December 8, Lazio-Juventus on Saturday, December 15 and Roma-Sampdoria on Saturday, December 22.

The Milan derby will kick off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 23.

Juve stadium decision next month

Juventus general manager Jean Claude Blanc has told a shareholder meeting that a decision on whether the club should return to a rebuilt Stadio delle Alpi or construct a new stadium will be made by the end of November.

Juve are currently sharing Turin's Stadio Olimpico with Torino.