Football news

Bayern Munich defender Lucio said yesterday he was interested in moving to a club in Spain, Italy or England.

"I've said the world's three best leagues in Spain, Italy and England would interest me," the Brazilian said.

"If interest comes from these countries I'd like that very much and would be delighted if a transfer would work out," said Lucio.

The newspaper said Barcelona were ready to pay at least 15 million euros for the 29-year-old, whose contract runs until 2010.

Given could miss rest of season

A groin injury could sideline Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given for the rest of the season.

The English Premier League club's website ( www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk ) said the Ireland international, who missed Monday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City, would have surgery in Germany this week and be out of action for about six weeks.

Defiant Sanchez not quitting

Hugo Sanchez said he will not resign as coach of Mexico's senior and U-23 squads after the unexpected failure to qualify for the Olympic Games.

"I've said it already, I'm not resigning," Sanchez told reporters.

"I'm sad, as are all Mexicans, and disappointed, because our dream was to take part at the Olympic Games," he said.

"But for these players to mature, we have to experience failure."

Maradona slams altitude ban

Diego Maradona criticised a ban on international matches at high altitude after playing a charity game in Bolivia's national stadium at 3,600 metres above sea level.

Bolivia president Evo Morales also took part in the match in front of a 30,000 crowd at the Hernando Siles stadium, which can no longer be used for World Cup qualifying games under FIFA rules.

"I, at the age of 47, and president Morales have shown FIFA that you can run on this pitch," Maradona told reporters.

"You have to play where you are born, not even God can prohibit this and certainly not (FIFA president Sepp) Blatter."

England match... no friendly

France will take on England in a friendly next week as if they were one of their Euro 2008 finals opponents, coach Raymond Domenech said.

England, who failed to qualify for the tournament in Switzerland and Austria, play Les Bleus at the Stade de France on March 26.

"Against England, we will have to play as if we were in the Euro finals. What is important is what the players feel on the pitch," Domenech said.

"They lost in Spain, it was a friendly game but I can tell you that got to them."

Shares up after TV deal

Shares in BSkyB rose 1.5 per cent yesterday after the UK pay-TV operator won the right to show the majority of Champions League soccer matches from 2009 to 2012.

UEFA said BSkyB had emerged as the clear winner for a number of rights packages including exclusive coverage of all live matches and highlights on a Tuesday and all games on a Wednesday with the exception of the first-choice fixture.

UEFA said it had received a number of offers for the remaining rights and it had invited a second round of bidding. The BBC and ITV could be expected to bid for those games.

Vogel signs for Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers have signed Swiss international midfielder Johann Vogel after a successful trial spell. The 31-year-old was released by Spanish side Real Betis in December 2007.

Subject to international clearance, Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further year. Vogel, who has 94 Swiss caps, began his career with Grasshoppers and has also played for Milan.

No longer ban on Taylor

The English FA have rejected FIFA's call to impose a longer ban on Martin Taylor for the foul that broke Eduardo's leg. The world governing body had asked the FA to increase the Birmingham defender's punishment after he was suspended for three matches.

FIFA's disciplinary chief Marcel Mathier studied the incident and then said the FA should reconsider their decision. But the FA have stuck to their guns and said the ban will not be changed because there was no clear case of intent on Taylor's part when he went in to tackle Arsenal's Croatian striker.

Athletic Bilbao awarded win

Athletic Bilbao were awarded a 2-1 victory and Real Betis were given a two-match stadium ban by the Spanish Football Federation's competition committee yesterday.

The ruling came after Saturday's Primera Liga match at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium was abandoned in the 69th minute after Bilbao goalkeeper Armando was hit in the face by a bottle thrown from the stands.

Bilbao were winning the game 2-1 at the time and the RFEF said in a statement: "The result will stand from when the game was stopped.

"Betis will be fined €9,000 and will have their sporting facilities closed for two matches."