Football news

The Boavista squad called off a strike planned for tomorrow after receiving guarantees they would start getting unpaid wages from next week, players' union chief Joaquim Evangelista said yesterday.

The squad, who warned last week they would skip a Premier League match with Nacional Madeira tomorrow if the club did not pay the arrears, are claiming wages from February and March.

Evangelista, head of the Professional Footballers' Union, said the squad had agreed to a last-minute management proposal for payment of a months' worth of the debt on Wednesday and the remainder by May 5.

Wenger to decide on new captain

Arsene Wenger is to reconsider whether William Gallas will continue as Arsenal skipper next season. Gallas sat on the pitch after full-time when Arsenal let in a late penalty in a 2-2 draw at Birmingham and his style of captaincy has come under fire.

"I cannot answer that (captaincy) question at the moment. I want to analyse the season after the season," Wenger said.

Gallas, 30, also kicked an advertising hoarding after Arsenal conceded the penalty at Birmingham in February. Many believe his actions undermined Arsenal's title challenge.

PM tips Liege for glory

Belgium Prime Minister Yves Leterme is backing Standard Liege to secure their first league title in 25 years today.

Liege, from the poorer French-speaking region of Wallonia, can claim the crown with victory over second-placed Anderlecht and a draw or defeat for Club Bruges against Ghent, ending over two decades of dominance by clubs from the more affluent Flemish (Dutch) region.

"It is bad luck to arrange the party before the event but I predict 2-1 for Standard, or at the worst a draw," Leterme said.

Maldini suffers thigh injury

Milan defender Paolo Maldini, who is mulling whether to retire at the end of the season, has suffered an injury to his left thigh.

The 39-year-old could be out for the final five games of the Serie A campaign, Italian media reported. Milan only said he would undergo more tests tomorrow.

Maldini told Reuters last week he had not yet decided if he would retire.

He had originally planned to quit in May after 23 years in Milan's first team but he is tempted to play on for another season after receiving the backing of club bosses and team-mates.

Domenech not watching Olympics

France soccer coach Raymond Domenech said his compatriots should not watch the August Olympics on television to make a statement on human rights.

"The French are saying they don't want the Games (in Beijing) because it's a scandal in the light of human rights in China," Domenech said.

"I'm telling people, if you're against the Games in China then don't watch them and turn your TV off. It would be a brave gesture and an act of civil duty... I will not be watching."

Ibrahimovic back for derby

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to be back for the derby as treatment for his injury continues. Last week, the Swede went back to his home country for specialist treatment on the tendon in his knee.

"Returning to Malmoe was the best decision we could have made," the Inter striker said. "I am not too worried by the injury, as I count on being back for the last few rounds of Serie A and also for the European Championships."

Reports suggest Ibrahimovic will be back for the derby on May 4.

Leeds decision delayed

Leeds have confirmed a decision over the validity of a 15-point penalty imposed on the club by the Football League will be made before the end of the season.

An independent tribunal will convene again for a fourth day tomorrow and the outcome will be revealed by May 1 at the latest.

Leeds' lawyers are attempting to convince a three-man panel that the League acted outside their jurisdiction when docking the points at the start of this season as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.

Liverpool to part with Torres?

Reports in the UK said Liverpool could be forced to sell Fernando Torres due to in-fighting between owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and a serious financial short-fall.

"Liverpool entered into an 18-month loan agreement with interest of 9 per cent - £2.8 million a year," the London Times said. "Should Liverpool be unable to pay back or refinance the loan, banks could force the sale of Torres and Ryan Babel, who was also included in the smaller refinancing package."

If Torres becomes available for around £27.5m, he will be a prime target for both Juventus and Milan, who are on the lookout for a striker.