Football news

Police in Berne reported a boisterous but generally trouble-free night after mass crowds of Dutch Euro 2008 supporters once again put on a huge party in the compact city centre.

Police spokesman Markus Schneider told Reuters that an estimated 110,000 fans had celebrated the Netherlands' 4-1 win over France in Group C.

"There were around 100 short-term arrests made throughout the entire day and night for mainly minor offences," Schneider said.

"When you consider that the addition of all those fans constitutes almost a doubling of the city's population, it was an incredibly peaceful night."

Drogba not leaving Chelsea

Didier Drogba told reporters he will not be leaving Chelsea this summer. The striker has been strongly linked with San Siro rivals Milan and Inter but he reiterated his desire to remain in England.

The former Marseille man has been with the Blues since 2004 but became unsettled in London following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho in September 2007.

"I have a contract until 2010, so I am still a Chelsea player," the striker told reporters.

"Mourinho is my friend and I am happy for him because he was missing coaching.

"He is a top coach but, like I said, my contract here runs until 2010."

Fulham's Healy awarded MBE

David Healy, the Netherlands Fulham and Northern Ireland forward, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. He has been recognised for services to football and to the community in Northern Ireland.

Healy, 28, is N. Ireland's top scorer with 34 goals in 65 games. He started his career with Manchester United in 1999. He went on to play for Port Vale, Preston, Norwich and Leeds before moving to Craven Cottage last year.

Healy's 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign were not quite enough to take Northern Ireland to the finals.

UEFA president Michel Platini travelled to Belfast in March to present Healy with an award for his 13 goals, which beat the record previously held by Croatia's Davor Suker.

€35m bid for Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor will find it hard to resist Milan if they try to tempt him away from Arsenal, the Togo striker's agent Stephane Courbis said.

"He's fine in London but when Milan call it's difficult to say no," Italian media quoted Courbis as saying.

"I know that (Milan vice president Adriano) Galliani has contacted the Gunners. Now it depends on them."

Milan are preparing a 35-million-euro bid for the player, according to Italian media reports.

Liverpool to up Barry offer

Liverpool are likely to put forward an improved offer to sign Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry after having a £13m bid turned down.

Reports said Rafael Benitez is poised to go back to Villa in a renewed attempt to bring the prolonged transfer to a conclusion.

The £18m-rated 27-year-old has told Villa he wants to sign for Liverpool who hope to sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus to help fund the deal.

Villa had received two offers from Liverpool for Barry, but manager Martin O'Neill said their latest bid had been turned down.

O'Neill has been critical of Liverpool's pursuit of Barry, who captained England for the first time and scored his first international goal during the recent friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.

Mutu apology for penalty miss

Romanian media yesterday both praised and damned Adrian Mutu after scoring a goal and missing a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Italy at Euro 2008 but he won backing from former great Gheorghe Hagi.

"I apologise for the missed penalty," Mutu told sport daily Gazeta Sporturilor but added: "I will take revenge against the Netherlands on Tuesday."

Hagi, arguably the country's best player of the past century, called for understanding and support for Mutu.

"Mutu must forget as soon as possible that he failed to convert his penalty," Hagi said. "We must encourage him, the world's best players have all missed important penalties in their life."

Roma teenager opts for United

Davide Petrucci, 16, is reportedly set to leave Roma for Manchester United. The Italian club will receive only £200,000 in compensation for a player who scored 14 goals in 19 youth team matches last season.

"Going to play for the strongest club in the world is a great opportunity for me," said Petrucci.

"It was hard to say no, even though I am a Roma fan and would have gladly stayed with them throughout my career.

"United have offered my father Stefano a job as a gardener and he will accompany me.

"I will go over on June 30 and start in United's academy the next day."