Football news

Birmingham City directors David Sullivan and Karren Brady were arrested on Wednesday as part of a police investigation into corruption in English football.

City said the Premier League club's co-owner Sullivan and managing director Brady "were invited to cooperate with a City of London Police investigation and have happily done so".

Previous arrests include Harry Redknapp, manager of Portsmouth, in November. He has always insisted that he has done nothing wrong. Clubs investigated last year include Newcastle and Scottish league leaders Rangers.

Lokomotiv Sofia coach quits

Stefan Grozdanov resigned as coach of Lokomotiv Sofia yesterday, a day after their 2-1 home defeat by Litex Lovech in the Bulgarian premier league.

The 62-year-old took over at Lokomotiv in October 2004 when they were bottom of the league and steered them to UEFA Cup berths in the next two seasons.

"I'm leaving because I couldn't convince the club bosses how Lokomotiv should develop in the future," Grozdanov told reporters.

Espanyol goalie attracts interest

Espanyol's Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is being courted by a number of clubs in England and Spain, the player's representative Patrick Mboma said.

"He's considering a change and there are four teams interested: Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United," Mboma was quoted as saying in Spanish media.

Inter join race for Ronaldinho

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said the club may face competition from city rivals Inter for Barcelona forward Ronaldinho.

"It is a derby on the transfer market," he said. "Inter director Marco Branca informs me of every telephone call that happens. I believe this operation (to sign Ronaldinho) will be done," Galliani told reporters before repeating that the door was open for Chelsea's Andriy Shevchenko to return to Milan.

'39th match' a good idea, rivals say

The Premier League's controversial "international round" concept was backed by leading officials from the Spanish and German leagues.

Earlier this year the Premier League proposed to play an extra international round of fixtures, in five cities around the world from the 2010/11 season but after a widespread opposition and a rejection from the FA, plans seemed to have been put on the back-burner.

However, those behind it may dig out their plans for a 39th round of matches again after being given rousing support from representatives of some of the rest of Europe's major leagues, who jealously look on at the Premier League's enormous global reach and income.

Lehmann hits out at Wenger

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said yesterday he was furious at being continually left on the bench in favour of Manuel Almunia.

Speaking to German soccer magazine Kicker, Lehmann also described Arsenal's Champions League exit this week to Liverpool as a tragedy for him personally. "I wanted to win the Champions League and thought I had a good chance of playing. The fact that I won't now get that chance makes me furious," Lehmann said.

"When I am not playing even though the other keeper is not exactly playing well, then it's difficult."

Chelsea lack style - Kenyon

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has conceded that the club's style of play is not entertaining enough.

Kenyon was full of praise for manager Avram Grant for successfully guiding the Blues to a Champions League semi-final but still thinks the team are a work in progress. "I don't think that it is where we want to be but everybody still wants to improve," he said.

Kenyon also called on the fans to get behind Grant. "The crowd needs to get behind the team and that is as much Avram as anyone else," he said.

Ambrosini support for Del Piero

Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has backed Alessandro Del Piero for a berth in Roberto Donadoni's Euro 2008 squad.

"He is a great man and a great player," Ambrosini told Tuttosport. "He has shown ferocious willpower to confirm that he is still a true champion and I really hope to see him run out for Italy."

Del Piero also received a vote of confidence from Panini, who included him in their Euro 2008 sticker album.

Villarreal linked with Oliveira

Villarreal are ready to make a sizeable bid for Milan outcast Ricardo Oliveira, according to reports from Spain.

The forgotten 28-year-old was sent out on loan to Real Zaragoza after a miserable campaign at San Siro last term. It seems that the Brazilian hitman has found a new lease of life in La Liga and he hit 10 goals in his first 16 games for Zaragoza who don't have the financial prowess to buy Oliveira.

Second-placed Villarreal are in a better position to make an offer and are rumoured to be preparing a £7m bid.