Football news

Former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga has been appointed coach of Serie A strugglers Catania. The Sicilians, hovering above the drop zone, parted company with Silvio Baldini on Monday.

Zenga quit as coach of Romania's Dinamo Bucharest in November after losing a derby to former club Steaua Bucharest.

The 47-year-old had also previously coached National Bucharest as well as New England Revolution in the United States and UAE side Al-Ain among others. He earned 58 caps for Italy and was a mainstay of Inter's side in the 1980s and early 90s.

Prandelli gets Fair Play award

Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, was yesterday presented with the 2008 Fair Play award by Milan's Finanza magazine and Italia Oggi.

As well as being one of Italy's most respected trainers, Prandelli is admired throughout the country for his sense of fair play. The former Parma coach refrains from publicly criticising officials and is popular with opposition coaches and players due to his sportsmanship.

"It's a special emotion and another prize that Florence has given me," Prandelli said. "I am happy and honoured."

Flamini hopes to stay

Mathieu Flamini said he wants to stay with Arsenal despite reports in France claiming he had opened talks with Juventus. The Gunners are keen to tie Flamini down to a new long-term contract.

A host of Europe's top clubs are reported to have made contact with Flamini, but fresh reports in France claim he has narrowed his options down to two choices - staying with Arsenal or moving to Juventus.

"I am talking with the club and we'll see what happens. But I hope to stay at Arsenal," the Frenchman said.

Diouf to quit Bolton

El-Hadji Diouf will quit Bolton at the end of the season even if they stay in the Premier League. The Trotters are embroiled in a desperate battle to beat the drop and are currently four points adrift of safety. However, the Senegal star has revealed he has no plans to stay at the Reebok Stadium.

"Whether Bolton stay in the top division or not, I will not stay next year for sure," Diouf said.

Diouf claims up to five clubs are interested in him and although he wants to remain in England, he also says he could switch to Spain or Italy.

Pletikosa in Celtic link

Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has played down talk linking him with a possible move to Celtic. Reports ahead of Croatia's clash with Scotland last week suggested Pletikosa would be interested in a move to Celtic.

The Spartak Moscow custodian claims Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has twice tried to sign him in the past, but he insists he has no plans to leave the Russian club.

"Strachan offered me to switch to his team twice already, but I extended my contract with Spartak for four more years," Pletikosa said.

Probe into fans' behaviour

Police are to speak to Liverpool and Everton football clubs about allegations that players were abused during the city's derby game. Officers will probe claims that Everton captain Phil Neville was spat at and punched as he took a throw-in.

Police will also look at reports that other fans chanted comments about the daughter of Liverpool captain and England international Steven Gerrard. Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in the match at Anfield on Sunday.

Television cameras appeared to capture Neville being abused by several fans in the second half of the game.

Bentley undecided on future

David Bentley says he has not ruled out leaving Blackburn to further his goal of becoming an England regular. The 23-year-old is in talks with Rovers over a new contract but admits he wants to play regular European football in order to gain recognition.

Bentley said: "Time will tell over the next few months what will happen. It's a big decision in my life."

Bentley has shown in the past he is willing to take difficult decisions, handing in a transfer request at Arsenal in 2005 in pursuit of first-team football.

Porto accused of match-fixing

Portuguese champions FC Porto have been formally accused of fixing two domestic fixtures in the 2003-04 season. The games in question, against Estrela da Amadora and Beira Mar, came in the same year ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho led Porto to Champions League glory.

Porto beat Estrela da Amadora 2-0, while the match at Beira ended in a goalless draw.

Mourinho was not mentioned in the report. Porto won their domestic title in 2003-04, beating runners-up Benfica by eight points.

Saints accepted early payment?

Cash-strapped Southampton are refusing to comment on reports claiming they have accepted an early payment from Arsenal for Theo Walcott to ease their immediate financial problems.

Walcott moved to Arsenal in January 2006 as a 16-year-old for an initial £5 million fee which could have risen to £12million, based upon his progress. But the Saints are now thought to have accepted a total payment of £9.1 million for the striker.

The Championship strugglers have managed to reduce their financial losses lately but continue to face an uncertain future.