Football news

English Premier League club Manchester City will play friendly matches in Hong Kong and Thailand next month, a senior club official said.

"We want to take the Premier League out there, first in Thailand, then Hong Kong," Executive Director Taweesuk Jack Srisumrid told Reuters.

"We will play local teams, perhaps the national teams also."

Ferdinand agrees new deal

England defender Rio Ferdinand has agreed to sign a new five-year contract with Manchester United, his agent told British newspaper Daily Express.

"This new deal will take him beyond (age) 34, but it won't be his last contract and in all probability it won't be his last contract at Manchester United," agent Pini Zahavi said.

The daily said the 29-year-old centre-back's deal was worth £130,000 ($260,000) a week.

Dossier on refs' blunders

Aldo Spinelli, president of Serie A's bottom club Livorno, has sent a dossier to the Italian football federation listing 16 games where his side have been punished by refereeing decisions he thinks were wrong.

"Everyone makes mistakes, we have as a club, just like players and coaches, but it is right to recognise the errors of referees, too," he told reporters.

Ljungberg boost for Hammers

Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is close to a return to action for West Ham. The Swede has been missing since suffering a hamstring problem in the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland last month.

It was feared the injury could sideline Ljungberg for the rest of the season and even force him to miss this summer's Euro 2008 finals.

Ljungberg said: "It was quite hard for the medical team to diagnose the injury, but I've been told it was an inflamed nerve. Luckily, the hamstring is not injured, which is great.

"The extra work I put in this winter, in the gym, is the reason I am in good shape."

Cuellar - Scottish league's best player

Carlos Cuellar, the 26-year-old Rangers defender, has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season.

Walter Smith, also of Rangers, was also honoured, receiving manager of the year honours at the awards ceremony held at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

Celtic's Aiden McGeady was named young player of the year, ensuring it would not be a Rangers clean sweep of the top awards.

Everton close to Pienaar deal

Everton are expected to complete a £2.2m deal for on-loan midfielder Steven Pienaar by the end of the week. The 26-year-old South African voiced concerns that a deal between Everton and his parent club Borussia Dortmund may have stalled.

But Everton have insisted the deal was never in doubt.

"The deal has been in place for some time and the final points are now being worked on," an Everton spokesman said.

A deal could be completed in time for Everton's clash with title-chasing Chelsea at Goodison Park tomorrow.

Kewell manager denies rumours

Harry Kewell's personal manager has rejected reports linking the Liverpool man with a move to Juventus. Reports emanating from Italy suggested the Turin giants were lining up a move for the Australia international with his future at Anfield in doubt as his current contract expires in the summer.

Juventus, Celtic, Bolton and Sunderland have all been credited with an interest, but the player's representative Bernie Mandic said: "I have not spoken to anyone yet regarding a possible move for Harry.

"Harry has not spoken to anyone and there have been no discussions with anyone from Juventus."

Parry set for Rafa talks

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is likely to have talks with manager Rafael Benitez to clear up any problems between the pair.

Benitez was unhappy after further revelations about the meetings with Jurgen Klinsmann last year regarding succeeding him as Anfield boss.

Parry said: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."

Benitez is said to have made contact with owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks on Sunday to clear up the issue.

Kaka's Beijing dreams on hold

Milan could stop Kaka from playing for Brazil at this summer's Olympic Games if they qualify for next season's Champions League.

Should Milan overhaul Fiorentina in fourth place and claim a place in the third preliminary round of qualification, the first-leg of those matches will clash with the Olympic tournament.

The tournament in Beijing is due to begin on August 6 with the final set for August 23. The first leg of the third preliminary round is scheduled for August 12-13, although Kaka would be available for the return leg which is scheduled for August 26-27.