Football news

Clarence Seedorf has pulled out of the Netherlands' provisional Euro 2008 squad, the Dutch football association (KNVB) said yesterday.

The Milan midfielder called coach Marco van Basten on Monday to inform him about his decision not to accept a possible invitation to the definitive squad for next month's tournament in Austria and Switzerland, a KNVB statement said.

"I was surprised by his announcement. I didn't expect it. I told Clarence that I respect him as player and human being but he made his decision," van Basten, who named a provisional 30-man squad including Seedorf last week, was quoted as saying.

Levante players plan strike

Players from relegated Primera Liga side Levante announced they will start an indefinite strike over unpaid wages starting with Sunday's final league match of the season against champions Real Madrid.

The strike was announced because of the Valencia-based club's failure to pay the players money owed from as far back as last season.

Team spokesman Luis Manuel Rubiales said they had contacted players from Real Madrid to explain their decision and that they had received a sympathetic response.

Drogba plays down injury fears

Didier Drogba is adamant he and Chelsea team-mate John Terry will be fit for next week's Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow.

Both players sustained injuries in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Bolton in the Barclays Premier League, Drogba hurting his knee and Terry dislocating his elbow.

But the Ivory Coast striker is sure they will be fit to face United in the Russian capital next Wednesday as the Blues go in search of their first Champions League crown.

"I took a blow to my knee that was operated on (back in December), and it hurt at the time," he told French daily L'Equipe.

"I put ice on it immediately. But there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week."

Another award for Ferguson

Alex Ferguson has won the LMA Manager of the Year award after leading Manchester United to a 10th Premier League title in the last 16 years and next week's Champions League final.

The Scot's award was announced at the LMA annual awards dinner in Nottingham on Monday evening.

The award is voted for by the entire LMA membership and takes into consideration the performance of all managers during the season, based on all the resources available to them.

It completes a double for Ferguson, who also won the Premier League award.

Lehmann eyes Stuttgart move

Arsenal's out of favour goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted he could see himself playing for Stuttgart but has not ruled out retiring from the game altogether.

The Bundesliga club have reportedly made an approach for the 38-year-old stopper, who can leave the Gunners on a free transfer.

Lehmann said: "Yes, if I choose to keep playing, then I can imagine playing for VfB (Stuttgart).

"VfB is an established name in the Bundesliga."

Japan's United Chiba target Owen

Japan's JEF United Chiba are planning an audacious swoop for England striker Michael Owen, Japanese media reported yesterday.

The J-League club have just unveiled former Liverpool first-team coach Alex Miller as their new manager and believe Owen can solve the team's current goal-scoring problems.

Japan's Nikkan Sports reported that Chiba officials were preparing an initial approach and that contact had been made with Owen's agent Tony Stephens.

Owen has yet to agree a new contract with Newcastle and the striker has also been linked with a move to League champions Manchester United.

Croatia captain ponders post-Euro 2008 retirement

Croatia captain Niko Kovac could end his international career after Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland in June, where he expects his country to reach the last eight.

"I am closer to the decision of hanging up my international boots than staying on for another campaign," the 36-year-old Salzburg defensive midfielder, who has won 75 caps and scored 12 goals for Croatia, told daily Slobodna Dalmacija.

"I will play for another year at Salzburg for sure and the club has made me an open offer to take up any position I choose when I decide to retire," he said.