Football news

Croatia defender Dario Simic has quit international soccer after national coach Slaven Bilic made it clear he was no longer likely to be in the starting line-up, the Sportske Novosti daily reported.

"It's hard, but this had to come one day," the 32-year old Monaco defender, who collected his 100th international cap last month, said in an interview.

"Bilic has told me I might be an alternative on the right flank, while he has other solutions for the full-backs and that's fine. I do not want to be a burden for anyone."

Arab investor wanted

Burnley are looking for an investor from the oil-rich Gulf states to develop the club and steer them to the Premier League.

Majority owner and property developer Brendan Flood admitted he was seeking to bring Middle Eastern funding and players to the humble northern England team, which competes in the Championship.

"It's a club with super-sized ambition and we need an investor with a super-sized cheque book," Flood told Dubai-based magazine, Arabian Business.

"It could help fulfil a lot for us."

Flood said he was seeking $50 million to renovate Burnley's 126-year-old Turf Moor stadium.

Ferguson angry at FA decision

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has reacted angrily to the FA's decision to overturn the red card Chelsea's John Terry was shown at Manchester City on Saturday. Terry will now be available for Sunday's league clash against United at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Mark Halsey dismissed Terry for serious foul play but an independent FA regulatory commission overturned the decision.

Ferguson said Keith Hackett, general manager of the Professional Game Match officials board, overruled Halsey thereby saving Terry from a three-match ban.

"As I understand it Hackett told Mark Halsey to rescind the red card and he wouldn't do it," said Ferguson. "I understand Halsey is being made to referee in the second division this weekend. I just don't understand how this could have happened.

"If it had been United, Hackett would not have done this."

Henry hits back

Thierry Henry, 31, has hit back at his critics after helping Barcelona to a 3-1 Champions League victory at home to Sporting Lisbon.

The striker came close to scoring on two or three occasions at the Nou Camp but it was Rafael Marquez, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi who found the back of the net.

Henry was rested for Saturday's 1-1 league draw at home to Santander, prompting further speculation that coach Pep Guardiola had dropped him.

"It's better to talk about our victory than the incredible things they have said about me," Henry said.

"People talk a lot but I have been playing football for 14 years and it is 11 players who win or lose, not one.

"Here, though, it seems to operate differently sometimes."

Aguero... the problem-solver

Atletico Madrid were full of praise for Sergio Aguero after the Argentina striker scored twice in the 3-0 away win over PSV on Tuesday that put them top of Champions League Group D.

The 20-year-old, nicknamed "Kun" after a Japanese comic book hero, netted twice in the first half against the Dutch champions, and Portugal midfielder Maniche added the third in the second half.

"Aguero makes life easier for us. When we have a problem we give the ball to him and everything is sorted out," Atletico forward Luis Garcia said.

Maniche added: "I don't have words to describe the kid. Aguero will be the best player in the world in two or three years."

Aguero was the Spanish side's top scorer in the league last season.

No extended ban for Guthrie

Danny Guthrie will not receive an extended ban for his tackle on Craig Fagan which left the Hull forward with a fractured leg. The Newcastle midfielder was red-carded late on in his team's 2-1 upset at home last weekend.

The FA confirmed that it can take no further action on top of a mandatory three-match suspension for the red card.

"Every sending-off carries an automatic sanction under the current regulations," a spokesman said.

"The FA doesn't have the power to extend automatic suspensions."

Guthrie will miss Newcastle's match against West Ham and Blackburn, and Tottenham's League Cup visit to St James' Park.

New citizenship for Cluj hero

Romania plans to naturalise Argentine forward Juan Culio after he stunned Roma with two goals that earned unheralded CFR Cluj a 2-1 win in their Champions League group match.

"Culio played brilliantly," Romanian Soccer Federation head Mircea Sandu said. "I've asked (the soccer authorities) to start getting the necessary documents."

Minutes after Tuesday's Group A match in Rome's Olympic Stadium, Culio said he would be "happy to play for Romania".

"Of course, I'll accept if the national team's coach (Victor Piturca) needs me," Culio said.

In Cluj city centre, some 1,000 fans celebrated until the early hours after the unexpected win by a team which was playing in the third division five years ago.