Football news

Manchester United's Rodrigo Possebon did not suffer a broken leg after being hurt in a tackle during Tuesday's 3-1 League Cup win over Middlesbrough, the Premier League club said yesterday.

The Brazilian midfielder was given oxygen on the pitch after the incident, which earned a red card for Boro's Emanuel Pogatetz, and spent the night in hospital.

"He was kept in hospital overnight for observation and to assess whether there was any ligament damage to his knee," the club said.

Alex Ferguson said: "You don't want to see things like that and I hope I never see anything like it again. It is such a pity for the boy."

Drogba not leaving

Didier Drogba is happy at Chelsea and has no plans to leave Stamford Bridge despite being persistenly linked with a move elsewhere ever since the exit of former manager Jose Mourinho last year.

Mourinho is now coach of Inter who were expected to launch a bid for the Ivorian striker before the summer transfer window closed.

"There hasn't been anything. The club told me they wanted me to stay," Drogba said.

"I always said I was interested in Italian football, but right now I'm under contract with Chelsea. I am not staying here because I have to, but I really want to take up new challenges. The fact we lost the Champions League final makes me want to try and win it with the lads."

Milan for Albania charity match

Serie A giants Milan have reached an agreement with UNICEF organisers to figure in a charity friendly match in Albania next month.

Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded team will play against KF Tirana on October 14 at the Qemal Stafa Stadium.

KF Tirana are currently top of the Albanian league which only got underway last month.

The match is part of UNICEF's 'Albania Reads' project, which is trying to promote literacy among young Albanian children.

There is a worrying dearth of books in Albanian schools and the hope is that enough funds will be collected by the project as a whole to open 850 school libraries.

Schweinsteiger in Juve's plans

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is still being monitored by the Juventus scouts and the Germany international could move to the Serie A for free next summer.

Juve discussed Schweinsteiger with Bayern in the summer transfer window but stopped short of making a formal offer. Juve are looking to strengthen their midfield and Schweinsteiger could solve most of their problems next season.

Il Giornale reported that Juve are hoping that Schweinsteiger continues to refuse to sign a new deal at the Allianz Arena as they could poach him on a free transfer when his current contract expires at the end of the season.

Zola defends keeper

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola said his goalkeeper was not to blame for his side crashing out of the League Cup at Watford on Tuesday night.

Hayden Mullins's own goal 20 minutes from full-time settled the third-round tie, with the ball striking the midfielder after debutant Jan Lastuvka came for Lee Williamson's free-kick but did not catch the ball.

Watford won 1-0.

It was harsh on the goalkeeper on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk after keeping the scores level with saves to deny Tommy Smith and Jordan Parkes.

"I can't tell him anything because he made a fantastic save before he was very unlucky," Zola said.

Fans fight at end of Welsh derby

The Swansea-Cardiff City derby at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night ended on a sour note as eight people were arrested after fans clashed at the final whistle.

Swansea won 1-0 in a meeting between the great Wales antagonists, the first in almost 10 years. Officers from South Wales Police had missiles thrown at them during attempts to keep the opposing fans apart at the stadium.

"While the vast majority of spectators were well behaved, a minority made up of several hundred, caused officers and stewards concern throughout the event," a police spokesman said.

"It is of credit to the vast majority of mature fans that they supported police, however, the behaviour of others was totally unacceptable."

Wolves hero loses appeal

Chris Iwelumo will have to serve a three-game ban after Wolves lost their appeal against the red card their striker was shown in the 3-1 win at Preston.

Iwelumo was red-carded for violent conduct shortly after completing a hat-trick at Deepdale following a clash with North End defender Sean St Ledger. But an FA panel rejected Wolves' claim of wrongful dismissal and upheld the sending off.

Wolves were hopeful of winning the appeal after St Ledger himself went to see referee Martin Atkinson after the game to absolve Iwelumo of any blame.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was also sent to the stands for the second half after applauding the referee at half-time - a gesture he did not intend to be taken sarcastically.