Football news

Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho were not included on the list of nominees for the 2008 Ballon d'Or award yesterday.

Barcelona striker Henry, who has had a difficult season in the Primera Liga, was not named on the 30-man shortlist for the first time since 1999. Milan forward Ronaldinho, who won the award in 2005, did not make the shortlist after a miserable season at Barcelona.

Former winners Fabio Cannavaro and Andriy Shevchenko were also excluded from the shortlist, which has been cut from 50 to 30 players this year.

European champions Spain have seven players on the list, including Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Brazil have only one player, last year's winner Kaka of Milan.

Sylvinho drops Celtic hint

Sylvinho told reporters he would be interested to leave Barcelona and join Celtic, paving the way for a January swoop by the Scottish champions.

The 34-year-old left-back, formerly of Arsenal, has barely featured at the Nou Camp this season, while Celtic could be tempted by the opportunity to bolster their options in Sylvinho's position.

"If there was an official offer, and we could agree terms, then I would be very excited about a move to Glasgow," Sylvinho said.

"If there are people at Celtic who think well of me as a footballer, then I'm pleased."

Juve in no crisis says Ranieri

Juventus may have lost their second match on the trot in the Serie A on Saturday but coach Claudio Ranieri told reporters his side is not in crisis.

"We are going through a tough time, but this is not a crisis," 'Tinker Man' said in the wake of a 2-1 loss at Napoli.

"I don't know what the club will say. I do know we are a compact unit and will discuss the situation calmly. We had taken the lead and should have controlled the tempo, but we did not do that."

Ranieri was already under fire for his supposed split with the 'old guard' and will no doubt draw more criticism after substituting Alessandro Del Piero for defender Paolo De Ceglie with the score reading 1-1.

UEFA told to mind own business

French junior sports minister Bernard Laporte told Michel Platini to mind his own business after the UEFA president said stopping international soccer matches because a national anthem is booed would be absurd.

"The UEFA president says what he wants. Everyone must know his place. The president of the Republic and the government took measures that concern them," former France rugby team coach Laporte said.

"Because in French law booing the national anthem is a crime punishable by six months in prison. It's not UEFA's business."

Beckham, Barnes join 2018 bid

David Beckham and former England winger John Barnes have been appointed vice-presidents to work on the country's 2018 World Cup bid, the FA said.

They will help support a new executive board and Beckham said: "I'm proud to be part of the 2018 World Cup bid and will do everything I can to help bring the tournament to England."

Former Liverpool star Barnes was recently appointed manager of Jamaica, where he was born, while LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham is looking to add to his 107 caps for England.

The appointments of Beckham and Barnes reflect an initial wave of ambassadorial roles as England 2018 Ltd, the company responsible for the bid, continues its preparations.

Coin attack at Villa Park

The English FA said there will be investigations following an incident at Villa Park on Saturday that saw an assistant referee hit by a coin during the match between Aston Villa and Portsmouth.

Phil Sharp needed treatment to his head during the closing stages, but was able to officiate until the end of the goalless draw.

A Villa spokesman said "any culprit will be banned for life".

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp believed the coin was aimed at him.

"They are a disgrace to the game," Redknapp said.

"It was probably thrown at me in all honesty but whoever does such things is a coward."

Arsenal want Liege captain

Arsenal have joined the chase to sign Standard Liege captain Steven Defour, according to his agent. The 20-year-old is already a full Belgium international and has been tipped for a move to the Premier League.

Ajax and Palermo have also shown an interest in the youngster, whose agent Paul Stefani says Arsenal and Lyon have now joined the hunt along with Everton and Middlesbrough.

Stefani said: "Defour is regularly linked with other clubs. Lyon and Arsenal came to scout Steven, and they decided to return to watch him again."

Midfielder Defour is being rated at £8 million and could move in January.