Football news

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has backed captain Fabio Cannavaro despite the defender's mistakes in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Spain.

Cannavaro, 34, has struggled at times for both Real Madrid and Italy this season, looking short of the form that helped him claim the 2006 World Player of the Year award after the Azzurri's World Cup triumph.

His weak clearing header gave David Villa the chance to lash in a superb volley, while earlier a Luca Toni effort was ruled out for Italy after Cannavaro committed a foul in the build-up.

"Cannavaro played very well," Donadoni said.

Rangers make Klasnic move

Ivan Klasnic, the Croatia forward, said Rangers have made an approach to sign him. The 28-year-old came on as a substitute in the 1-1 friendly draw with Scotland on Wednesday and could make a permanent return to Glasgow next summer.

Klasnic has recovered after having to undergo a kidney transplant 11 months ago but so far Werder Bremen have yet to offer him a new deal.

Klasnic said: "Of course, I know all about the club after Rangers played Bremen a few weeks ago in the UEFA Cup, although I didn't play in those games because I was injured."

Drogba says he's joining Inter

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has told team-mates that he will be joining Inter in the summer. According to reports in Italy, the Ivorian marksman has made it clear that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and is looking for another major European club.

Drogba has been increasingly unsettled at Chelsea since the departure of manager Jose Mourinho last year. Now it seems that the Italian champions are in pole position for the 30-year-old's signature.

The fee required for such a high-profile transfer is estimated to be around £18 million.

Coach fired... by e-mail

The Frenchwoman charged with leading China's women's soccer team to the Beijing Olympics has been fired by e-mail.

Elisabeth Loisel, who took over as coach of the former World Cup and Olympic runners-up last October, had a brief and troubled reign marked by poor results and disputes with Chinese FA staff.

The coach told China Daily from France that she had received an e-mail from the CFA saying her services were no longer required and had cancelled her planned return to China.

Chelsea's Sinclair opts for Palace

Crystal Palace have signed Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old had been on loan at Charlton but made only three appearances as a substitute.

Bath-born Sinclair, who joined Chelsea from Bristol Rovers in 2005, has also had loan spells at Plymouth and Queens Park Rangers.

Sinclair made his debut for the Blues this season and scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup at Hull.

FA extension for Mascherano

The English FA have extended the deadline for Javier Mascherano to respond to his improper conduct charge until 6 p.m. today. The Liverpool midfielder has been on international duty with Argentina, and the FA have agreed to a 24-hour extension.

However, the date for the case - scheduled to be heard by a regulatory commission - has been brought forward to April 3.

The charge came after studying Mascherano's reaction to his dismissal from Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

Camo to get extra year

Juventus are considering offering Mauro Camoranesi an extra year on his contract. Having shrugged off the injury problems that dogged the start of his campaign, the winger has hit top form.

He scored against Inter last weekend and was one of Italy's best players against Spain during Wednesday's friendly.

Juve sporting director Alessio Secco said: "Last year we extended his contract until 2010, but if he continues to play like this then we will have no problems with stretching it to 2011."

Berbatov stays says Ramos

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has re-affirmed his determination to keep hold of Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov's future at White Hart Lane has been the subject of ongoing speculation this season.

The 27-year-old's agent, Emil Dantchev, recently stated that the Spurs star would consider an offer from Milan.

But Ramos said: "We want him to keep on playing for Tottenham, but we understand that he is an ambitious player. There are many big clubs that want to sign him... he deserves it because he is a great footballer."

Justice served - Cellino

Cagliari supremo Massimo Cellino feels "justice has been served" with the return of three points. The Sardinians were docked three points on February 29 due to a legal loophole in the Italian sports justice system, but won an appeal in midweek.

"Justice has been served in the true sense of the phrase," Cellino said.

The change takes them off the foot of the table on 28 points, leapfrogging Empoli on 26 and Reggina with 27.