Football news

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports he would not welcome Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko back to the club.

"I never said he could not play alongside Alexandre Pato. I just said the two players have similar characteristics," he told a news conference.

"In any case, I am convinced that if Sheva was to return, he would be very useful to this team."

Brazil say no to La Paz

Brazil have reiterated that they will not be going to La Paz at 3,600 metres above sea level when they face Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers, adding to the controversy over a ban on high altitude matches.

FIFA have effectively prohibited La Paz and the Ecuadorean capital Quito from staging World Cup qualifiers because of the altitude.

"Brazil are not playing Bolivia in La Paz," a spokesman said.

Brazil, who have lost twice, drawn once and won once in their last four visits to La Paz, are due to face Bolivia away in October next year.

Messi returns to Barca squad

Argentina forward Lionel Messi returned to the Barcelona squad for the match against Recreativo Huelva in the Primera Liga last night. The 20-year-old tore a muscle in his left thigh at the beginning of March during the 1-0 Champions League win over Celtic at the Nou Camp.

His return is a boost to Frank Rijkaard's side as they seek to close the seven-point gap on leaders Real Madrid, with seven games left. Barca have only won once in their last six outings.

Wenger rues refereeing decisions

Manager Arsene Wenger said Arsenal's trophy hopes had recently been hit by the worst run of refereeing decisions against a single team since he arrived in English football.

The Frenchman said winning the Premier League would be the most satisfying achievement of his career after a run of controversial refereeing calls. The Gunners face leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford today.

"This team has been punished in the last seven weeks more so than any team I have seen in England since I arrived 11 years ago," Wenger said.

"Every single decision has gone against this team recently."

Newcastle to part with N'Zogbia

Unsettled Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia will be allowed to leave the club at the end of the season. Tottenham and Arsenal are thought to be keeping an eye on N'Zogbia's situation.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan said: "When I first came in there were eight days left of the transfer window. Charles and his agent wanted to move him out of here and I wouldn't allow that. I said if he did his best until the end of the season and felt the same way, I would let him go."

Fergie, Ronaldo win awards

Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo have claimed the manager and player of the month awards for March. It is Ferguson's 21st manager of the month award, winning his first in August 1993, while Ronaldo has now collected the player award on four occasions.

The prizes crown an exceptional month for United, who won all their Premier League games without conceding a goal.

Hleb heading to Inter

Inter have agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal's Alexander Hleb and £11m transfer, reports in Italy claim.

Barcelona are also reported to be interested in making a bid for Hleb but it looks like Inter are set to win the race for the Belarus international who is regarded as the ideal replacement for Luis Figo. The latter is set to leave the Italian champions at the end of this term.

Candidates for Figo's position in the team had included Barca's Deco.

Hamsik at Napoli until 2013?

Napoli star Marek Hamsik has extended his contract until 2013, according to reports. The midfielder has established himself as a key player for Napoli since joining from Brescia.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, sources in Slovakia say a deal has been struck with agent Jurelaj Venglos.

In exchange for staying at the San Paolo, Hamsik will receive a pay rise providing him with wages worth £650,000 per season.

Davids hints at Serie A return

Edgar Davids, the former Milan and Juventus midfielder, has expressed a desire to return to the Serie A soon. He started his Italy career at San Siro in 1996, but a broken leg kept him out for almost a year and he was sold to Juve, who turned him into a European star.

"My time in Turin was very special. It was wonderful because when we were on the field, it felt like we couldn't lose," the Dutchman said.

Davids's deal with Ajax expires this summer and he has certainly not ruled out a return to the peninsula.

"My contract runs out in a few months and I will look at my options, but I certainly could come back to Italy."