Football news

UEFA said it was stepping up its efforts to have sport receive specific exemptions within European Union (EU) law. Following a meeting in Vienna, UEFA's executive committee said it would present a document to the EU presidency calling for sport's specific nature to be recognised "within a clear legal framework."

Working together with other team sports, UEFA has secured several "declarations" from the EU concerning the specific social importance of sport, but the EU has yet to fully define this so-called 'specificity' in any binding, legal directive.

UEFA said its latest document would call on the European Council to "confirm its commitment to implement a definition of the specificity of sport in concrete terms."

Huntelaar against release clause

Klaas Jan Huntelaar's future at Ajax is in doubt after the striker failed to agree a new contract with the club.

Ajax technical director Danny Blind told reporters that talks had failed in large part because Huntelaar, wanted by Man. United and Arsenal, is requesting that a release clause in his contract be lowered.

"When you look at the Ajax salary structure he could get a huge deal," Blind said.

"But he doesn't want to see a release clause set at €25 million in his contract. We didn't want to go any lower.

"If he doesn't want to sign a new contract, he still has a deal for the next two years."

CAS to rule on Porto reprieve

UEFA's decision to let Porto back into next season's Champions League will be examined by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a challenge by Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes.

The court received an appeal from the two clubs asking it to issue a ruling by the end of July at the latest.

The Portuguese champions were originally thrown out of the competition by UEFA's disciplinary body after domestic soccer authorities fined and stripped them of six league points for allegedly bribing referees.

UEFA's own appeals body later annulled the decision, arguing that the proceedings in Portugal had not yet been completed.

Bologna bid for Nakamura

Shunsuke Nakamura is a transfer target for Bologna, who are now back in the Serie A. The 30-year-old joined Celtic from Reggina in 2005 and has a year remaining on his contract at Parkhead.

Bologna club president Alfredo Cazzola said: "We have already formalised our offer to Celtic, so they know the conditions of the proposed transfer. We are waiting to hear back from Celtic about the offer once they've discussed it with the player."

Nakamura has inspired Celtic to three successive Premier League titles. He has also been linked with a return to Japanese football, with J.League side Yokohama Marinos.

Bolton complete Elmander transfer

Bolton Wanderers have signed Sweden striker Johan Elmander on a three-year deal from French club Toulouse for an undisclosed transfer fee.

"He is a player who will get us goals and create other opportunities for his team-mates," manager Gary Megson said, adding that Norway striker Daniel Braaten had moved the other way in a cash plus player deal.

The 27-year-old former Feyenoord striker, who played in all three of Sweden's Euro 2008 group matches, is Bolton's second pre-season signing after midfielder Fabrice Muamba joined from relegated Birmingham City earlier this month.

Ljungberg to focus on West Ham

Sweden captain Fredrik Ljungberg announced his retirement from the national team to concentrate on playing for West Ham in the English Premier League.

"The simple fact is that the physical strain of doubling on the national team and in club football for such a long time has finally taken its toll," the 31-year-old midfielder said.

"And that is why I have decided to concentrate on playing for West Ham United and that is where my focus will be."

Ljungberg, who captained Sweden at Euro 2008, joined West Ham last year after nine successful years with London rivals Arsenal.

He has battled several injuries over the years but, since making his international debut nearly 11 years ago, remained Sweden's first choice in left midfield.

QPR land Genoa midfielder

Genoa midfielder Emmanuel Jorge Ledesema will play for QPR in England on a season-long loan in 2008/09. The 20-year-old Argentine joins on a deal which gives the London club an option to buy him at the end of his temporary spell for £2.37 million.

First-team coach Iain Dowie said: "He's one for the future, but technically he's ready now.

"I went to watch him in Italy and although Genoa lost that game, he was the outstanding player on the pitch."

Ledesema was attracting interest from several Serie A clubs in Italy but the Championship club won the race to secure his services.