Football news

Kakha Kaladze has told reporters he will not give his back to Milan and the Serie A and sign for Michael Laudrup's Spartak Moscow.

Rumours were rife last week that the Georgia defender was mulling a move to Russia and end his stint at the San Siro after signing for Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 2001.

Kaladze has become a regular at the heart of Milan's defence and has made four appearances so far this term. He knows where his allegiances are.

"I have nothing to say," Kaladze said.

"There's no need for me to make any comment. I am happy at Milan and I have everyone's respect here.

"I'm honoured by the interest from Spartak Moscow, but I feel at home here."

Agger rejects row talk

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has dismissed speculation of a row with manager Rafael Benitez.

British media reported that the Danish international was considering his future at the club after failing to reclaim his place in the side.

Agger has made just two appearances this season, in the Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege and the League Cup win over Crewe. Benitez was unhappy with his performance against Liege.

"Of course there are things that Benitez was not satisfied with after Liege," Agger said.

"We didn't play a good match, but it is a big lie to say we had an argument. I have no problem in this club.

"He has just said that the team is playing very well, and that is why I am not playing."

Blame Berbatov

Former Tottenham manager Terry Venables has laid the blame for the club's dire start to the season on former striker Dimitar Berbatov, bemoaning the Bulgarian's "poisonous presence" at the beginning of the campaign. Berbatov started the season at White Hart Lane but speculation on his future dominated Spurs' early matches as manager Juande Ramos wrestled with whether or not to select the striker.

With two points from six league matches so far Spurs lie bottom of the table .

"Berbatov kept telling us he had 'a dream'. Well, good for you Dimi. You had a dream with a few extra noughts added to your bank balance," Venables said.

"But did Spurs have a dream too? You got your way but your poisonous presence at the start of the season and reluctance to play has cost the club that believed in you."

Kinnear left alone

Newcastle United's problems seems to see no end as manager Joe Kinnear found an empty training ground on his first official day as interim manager.

The former Wimbledon, Luton and Nottingham Forest boss was expected to begin work on reviving the team's fortunes after five consecutive defeats, but arrived on Monday to discover the squad had been given the day off.

It is the latest in a catalogue of stunning developments on Tyneside as the club is struggling to settle down after Kevin Keegan's exit.

Raul still valid

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insists the door remains open for record-breaking striker Raul to earn a recall to the national team.

Raul is Spain's leading goalscorer and one of only two players to win more than 100 caps for his country, but he has been in the international wilderness for almost two years after being overlooked by former coach Luis Aragones.

"I've known him since he was in the Atletico youth sides, with whom he was champion of Spain. And a year later he repeated it with Madrid," the former Real Madrid coach said.

"We are not talking about any old player. He has played 102 times with Spain and remains a starter with Madrid. Nobody is going to stop him coming into the national team if he is playing very well."

Police urge action after verbal abuse

Hampshire police want the English FA to act over verbal abuse directed at Sol Campbell, the Portsmouth defender, at Fratton Park last weekend.

Police said they made the complaint about some Tottenham fans because "it was not feasible to make arrests in that kind of huge crowd".

The FA, awaiting reports from witnesses and officials at the game, said it would "take action where necessary".

Campbell left Spurs on a free transfer in June 2001 to join fierce London rivals Arsenal.

The 34-year-old, who joined Portsmouth from Arsenal in August 2006 on another free transfer, was subjected to taunts when Pompey lost at home to Tottenham on December 15 last year.

Giovinco nears deal

Sebastian Giovinco is poised to extend his contract after lengthy talks with Juventus directors.

Giovinco has been targeted by a number of other sides, including Arsenal, and at first he looked reluctant to pledge his future to the Turin giants.

But after assurances of first-team football, Giovinco seems ready to extend his contract until 2013 with a starting salary of around £650,000 plus bonuses.

"We will have to see what happens," agent Alessandro D'Amico stated.

"There has been no direct contact with any other club. Giovinco will get his chance and he has shown that he can stay at Juve."