Football news

Atletico Madrid were wrong to offload Portugal midfielder Maniche to Inter in the January transfer window, according to club president Enrique Cerezo.

"It was a mistake to get rid of him," Cerezo was quoted as saying in sports daily AS. "He had a dispute with the coach (Javier Aguirre), who told us that he no longer wanted him and that it was absurd to leave him on the bench.

"We didn't strengthen that position because we couldn't find anyone suitable on the market."

McCarthy back in S. Africa squad

Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has been recalled to South Africa's squad for a friendly against Paraguay later this month after missing this year's African Nations Cup, the South African Football Association said.

McCarthy was left out of the tournament in Ghana while coach Carlos Alberto Parreira experimented with younger players but the 30-year-old forward has been recalled to provide much-needed finishing power.

Cuper confident of Parma survival

New Parma boss Hector Cuper said yesterday he was confident the club will avoid relegation from the Italian top flight. The Argentine replaces Domenico Di Carlo, who was sacked on Monday after fourth-bottom Parma's 2-1 home loss to Sampdoria at the weekend.

"I still must have my first training session, give me time to get to know the squad well," he told a news conference.

"In any case I can say that in these 11 matches we will do everything to stay in Serie A and I am sure we can achieve safety."

Champions League easier - Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said the Champions League was easier than the Premier League after his side won 1-0 at Inter to reach the quarter-finals 3-0 on aggregate.

Liverpool won the Champions League under Benitez in 2005 and were runners-up last year, but they have struggled to overcome Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea domestically. Those three teams are also in the last eight of the European Cup.

"For us the Champions League is a bit easier because we can be concentrated in two games.

"In the Premier League the top three English clubs are tough and it is hard every game," he said.

Gretna go into administration

Debt-ridden Scottish Premier League club Gretna confirmed yesterday that they had gone into administration. A spokeswoman said the club had been placed in the hands of administrators Wilson Field and a further announcement would be made later in the day.

Directors of the club, which is around £4.0 million in debt, passed a resolution at a board meeting last Friday to place the club into administration.

The move will trigger an automatic 10-point deduction by the SPL. Gretna are already 11 points adrift at the bottom.

Lescott prolongs Everton stay

Everton defender Joleon Lescott has signed a new long-term deal running until the summer of 2012. Lescott, 25, joined Everton from Wolves in June 2006 and has since become a vital part of the side.

"This is really terrific news," David Moyes, the manager, said.

"This continues our policy of securing - on long term deals - those players who not only represent Everton's present but also its future."

Lescott can play in central defence or left-back.

Diego in Werder bust-up

Werder Bremen star Diego was involved in a dressing-room bust-up with striker Aaron Hunt after last week's UEFA Cup first-leg loss at Rangers.

Diego, who is already serving a three-game ban in the Bundesliga after body-checking an opponent during Bremen's loss at Eintracht Frankfurt last month, clashed with Hunt after last Thursday's 2-0 defeat at Ibrox.

Hunt said: "That is true. There had already been an argument during the game."

Zalayeta facing long lay-off

Napoli were dealt a huge blow with the news that Marcelo Zalayeta is likely to be out for the rest of the season. The Uruguayan has played 21 games and found the net eight times this term since moving from Juve.

Reports said Zalayeta sustained a cruciate ligament injury last weekend. The 29-year-old jumped with Roma defender Philippe Mexes and was stretchered off after the pair collided.

It initially appeared that Zalayeta had hurt his head, but it has now emerged that the injury was in his left knee.

James extends Pompey deal

England goalkeeper David James has extended his deal with Portsmouth until the end of the 2009-10 season. The 37-year-old is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career and has been instrumental in the south coast club's progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.

James joined Portsmouth from Manchester City for £1.2m in 2006.

"I'm enjoying it at Pompey - it's a fantastic environment. I never envisaged the club being in this position when I joined," he said.