Football news

Rio Ferdinand said the national team set-up was like a circus until the arrival of Italian Fabio Capello.

The Man. United defender told reporters the players became obsessed by their celebrity lifestyles.

"I think we got caught up in all the hype," Ferdinand said.

"We became celebrities in terms of the WAG (wives and girlfriends) situation. There was a big show around the squad. It was like a theatre unfolding."

Ferdinand contrasted the freedom the players previously enjoyed with Capello's strict approach, which has included banning family, friends and agents from the team hotel.

"This is a very, very professional regime," Ferdinand said.

Gremio teen advised to reject United

Gremio teenager Douglas had been advised to continue his career in South America and turn down interest from Manchester United.

United already have top Brazilian talents like Rodrigo Possebon and twins Rafael and Fabio and Douglas looks to be the latest on the club's agenda. Jaap Stam, recently added to United's scouting staff, watched 18-year-old Douglas in action earlier this month.

"Douglas still has to grow up," the player's agent Cesar Bottega said.

"I wouldn't like him to be transferred to a European team yet because when you start to negotiate with teams from the European market, it is not always possible to make your wishes come true."

West Ham Utd sign Tristan

West Ham United have signed former Spain striker Diego Tristan on a free transfer, the English Premier League club said.

The 32-year-old, who scored four goals in 15 internationals, has been without a club since leaving Serie A side Livorno last season after spells at Real Mallorca and Deportivo La Coruna.

"I want to show the fans I can score goals and help the team to go up the league," said Tristan, who is West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola's first signing and could play at Hull City on Sunday.

Drogba named for Africa award

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba was shortlisted for this year's African Footballer of the Year award despite saying he did not want to be associated with the prize.

The Chelsea striker is one of five candidates along with Michael Essien and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Egypt striker Amr Zaki and Mohamed Aboutrika were also nominated.

Drogba, the winner in 2006, had been expected to take it again in 2007 but it was given to Mali's Frederic Kanoute instead when Drogba refused to travel to Togo for the award ceremony in February.

"I have decided not to be part of the vote for the next African Footballer of the Year award. I feel that the contest has lost its worth," Drogba said at the time.

Rosina rules out move abroad

Alessandro Rosina has denied reports linking him with a move to the English Premier League. The 24-year-old Torino attacking midfielder has been a reported target of Tottenham and was also linked with a move to Everton last summer.

"I have not received any phone calls from England," Rosina told reporters.

"My mind and focus are only at Torino. In any case, at this time an experience abroad is not part of my plans."

Rosina, who scored eight goals in 35 Serie A appearances for Torino, signed a contract extension last summer which ties him to the club until June 2011.

Club chief threatens players

The president of Argentine first division club Rosario Central has been caught giving an astonishing speech in which he threatened to kill the players if his team were relegated.

Horacio Usandizaga caused an outcry after his speech to a group of Rosario fans, made on Oct. 8, was filmed and broadcast on cable news and sports channels.

Usandizaga was rowdily cheered by supporters throughout the expletive-ridden speech.

He said: "Central are going to get out of this situation, we are going to move forward.

"We are going to get out of this or I'm going to kill the... players, coaching staff and anyone else."

Moratti wants new stadium

Inter supremo Massimo Moratti wants to build a new stadium for Inter by 2012.

La Gazzetta dello Sport said Moratti is not happy to share the Stadio Meazza with city rivals Milan and is ready to propose a plan for a new stadium just for his club.

The new ground would probably be further out of the city with one possible site being the Rho-Pero region, which has excellent transport links.

Moratti is said to be an admirer of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena and Ajax's Amsterdam Arena and reports suggest the new ground would be a 60,000-seater.

Over the next two months, Moratti will be finalising the financial plans and the formal proposal should be made in December.