Football news

Australia striker Mark Viduka has been ruled of his country's World Cup qualifiers in June with an Achilles heel injury, coach Pim Verbeek said yesterday.

The 32-year-old Newcastle United striker committed last month to helping Australia qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when he was fit.

Verbeek, however, said Viduka would not be available for matches against Iraq in Brisbane and Dubai on June 1 and June 7 respectively, Qatar in Doha on June 14 and China in Sydney on June 22.

Liverpool forward Harry Kewell and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had said they would also be available for the qualifiers, Verbeek said.

Edelman resigns as Arsenal managing director

Arsenal's managing director Keith Edelman resigned yesterday, the Premier League club said.

Edelman quit as director of Arsenal Holdings PLC but will be retained by the London club for 12 months to ensure a smooth transition takes place.

During his eight years at Arsenal, he oversaw the club's move to the Emirates Stadium from Highbury in 2006 and said he was now ready for a new challenge.

The club, who lie third in the league table with two matches to play, said they had started looking for a replacement but in the meantime director Ken Friar would serve as acting managing director.

Palmeiras crushed after sleepless night

Palmeiras were thumped 4-1 by Sport Recife in the Copa Brasil on Wednesday after the players were kept awake the previous night by rival fans letting off firecrackers in front of their hotel.

Brazilian media also said Sport Recife fans pelted the Palmeiras team bus with stones as it entered the Ilha de Retiro stadium in Recife.

"In the early hours of the morning, the Palmeiras delegation had their rest interrupted twice because of the firecrackers let off by some fans," Palmeiras said on their website ( www.palmeiras.com.br ).

Palmeiras coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said the incidents did not influence the result.

Linesman hit by object at Boca match

Defending champions Boca Juniors' Libertadores Cup match at home to Cruzeiro finished one minute early on Wednesday after a linesman was hit by an object thrown from the crowd.

Television pictures showed the Uruguayan official being treated for a cut on his forehead after the incident in the second minute of stoppage-time at the Bombonera stadium.

Referee Jorge Larrionda, who had signalled three minutes of added time, immediately finished the game.

The injured official had been running the line in front of the stand where the most expensive seats and the VIP boxes, including the one used by former Argentina captain Diego Maradona, are located.

Boca were winning 2-1.

Adriano agent meets Galliani

The agent of Brazilian forward Adriano has met with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, triggering rumours that the Inter outcast could move across the city.

Adriano is currently playing on loan with Sao Paulo after he was granted leave to return to his homeland to recover from depression and physical problems.

Italian newspapers reported yesterday that Adriano's agent Gilmar Rinaldi was in Milan on Wednesday to discuss his client's future and he opted to meet with Galliani and Leonardo rather than Inter technical director Marco Branca.

According to the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, the meeting proves a move is being discussed, but La Gazzetta dello Sport has played down the significance of the talks, claiming it was simply a matter of friends meeting for a meal.

Juve's Tiago voted Serie A's biggest flop

Juventus midfielder Tiago Mendes has been voted the biggest transfer flop of the season in Serie A by an online poll.

Portuguese Tiago, who joined Juventus from Lyon last summer, was criticised by the media and fans alike during a disastrous first half of the season, but has regained some form in recent months.

Nonetheless, the 26-year-old's poor start proved enough to convince voters in the Corriere dello Sport's survey that he was the worst buy of the campaign.

The top 10 flops: 1. Tiago (Juventus); 2. Muslera (Lazio); 3. Larrivey (Cagliari); 4. Tristan (Livorno); 5. Recoba (Torino); 6. Esposito (Roma); 7. Emerson (Milan); 8. Almiron (Juventus); 9. Bianchi (Lazio); 10. Lucarelli (Parma).

Flamini tells team-mates he's joining Milan

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has told team-mates that he will be joining Milan next season, reports in Italy said yesterday.

The French midfielder has rejected the Gunners' new contract offers and looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Juventus were thought to be the favourites to land his signature, but, according to the Corriere dello Sport, he has his heart set on the Rossoneri.

"I have decided that I will be going to Milan," Flamini allegedly said in the Arsenal dressing room.

Milan are reportedly ready to offer a four-year deal worth around £3m per season to lure Flaimini.