Football news

FIFA said yesterday it would look into a complaint from Manchester United concerning Real Madrid's alleged attempts to unsettle winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

United threatened to take Madrid to FIFA last month after club officials were quoted expressing their admiration for the Portuguese player.

Yesterday FIFA confirmed receiving a formal complaint from the English Premier League side.

"We will first have to look at the precise nature of the complaint before seeing what steps will be taken," FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola said.

United claim that Madrid's statements about Ronaldo are aimed at tempting the player to breach his contract.

Everton in new stadium talks

Everton's move out of Liverpool could take a step closer when planners meet to discuss new stadium proposals. The £400m scheme includes a 50,000-seat stadium and Tesco superstore on an 85,500 sq metre site in Kirkby, Merseyside.

Neighbouring councils have opposed the development, saying it will take away trade, but supporters say it is vital for the town's regeneration.

Kirkby is about nine miles away from the centre of Liverpool in the neighbouring borough of Knowsley.

Knowsley Council's planning committee is to discuss the scheme, but because of its size cannot issue permission.

Davis to stay at Rangers

Steven Davis is on the verge of completing a permanent move from Fulham to Rangers. The 23-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder earned plaudits after moving to Ibrox on loan in January.

Davis's agent Rob Segal said: "I think the clubs will be speaking this week and there's a willingness to do the move."

Segal said Fulham understood Davis wants first-team football.

Davis featured prominently as Rangers progressed to the UEFA Cup final and were pipped to the Scottish Premier League title on the last day by Celtic.

Celtic interested in Frei

Alexander Frei, the luckless Switzerland captain, said Celtic have again shown their interest in signing him. The 28-year-old was ruled out of Euro 2008 after suffering a knee injury during his side's opening 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic.

But the Borussia Dortmund forward will be fit again in six weeks and he has told Celtic manager Gordon Strachan to make a move if he is interested.

"Apparently Celtic were in for me in 2004 and 2006," Frei said. "Now they want me again in 2008.

"However, no-one has ever put an offer on the table. If they want me they can phone me."

Vargas wants move

Juan Manuel Vargas told reporters he is looking for a move away from Catania and that Fiorentina or Real Madrid could be his new destination. The Peru international has been a pivotal figure for Catania over the last two years and has made a name for himself in Serie A.

"I repeat, I am just focusing on playing for the national side at the moment - I haven't spoken to my agent yet," Vargas said.

"I don't have any idea what will happen. It is an honour to be tracked by Fiorentina and it would be a pleasure to play for them or Real Madrid."

Vargas is expected to fetch around £7m, but Fiorentina may struggle in a bidding war against Liga champions Real Madrid.

Rovers not rushing to hire manager

Blackburn said reports that chairman John Williams is to hold talks with Alan Shearer over the vacant manager's job at Ewood Park were false.

Rovers have been on the lookout for a new manager since Mark Hughes left last week to take charge of Manchester City.

The likes of Sam Allardyce, Paul Ince and Steve McClaren have been linked with the role but former Blackburn striker Shearer has also emerged as one of the favourites.

Williams played down reports that Shearer could be offered the position and revealed that 40 applications have been submitted.