Football news

Philippe Senderos made his debut for Milan on Thursday in the UEFA Cup match against Braga but told reporters it was difficult for him as he still isn't fully fit.

Senderos joined Milan from Arsenal on loan in the summer, but he has only just returned to match-fitness. The 23-year-old looked authoritative in the centre of defence during the 1-0 win over Braga.

"It was quite a difficult game for me from a physical point of view but I felt better as the match went on," Senderos said.

"It's a very positive thing that we didn't concede but I hadn't played an official game for a long time and I need to regain my condition to get back to my best."

Liverpool player's home ransacked

The home of Lucas Leiva, the 21-year-old Liverpool midfielder, was ransacked this week as the Brazilian was at Anfield for the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

Police said among the missing objects are an Olympic bronze medal and a collection of football shirts.

The burglary is the latest in a series of raids on the homes of Liverpool players and follows break-ins at the homes of Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina and Daniel Agger.

A police spokesman said the stolen items had "significant personal importance" to Leiva who won the bronze medal at Beijing 2008.

No loan switch for Juve's Giovinco

Sebastian Giovinco will not be involved in a loan switch away from Juventus in January, his agent said.

Giovinco is seen as a possible heir to Alessandro Del Piero but is currently struggling to break into the first team. Tuttosport claimed earlier this week that Juve's interest in Werder Bremen's Diego could force Giovinco to relocate in a loan switch, but agent Claudio Pasqualin played down such talk.

"There is no truth in reports that Giovinco will be leaving," he said.

"Seba is a Juventus player and he will stay there. A lot of things have been written but the truth is that Juve are relying on him and he will stay put."

'Ronaldo's special treatment'

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and said the Manchester United winger gets special treatment by referees following an incident at Celtic Park in midweek.

TV replays showed Brown being the victim of an off-the-ball incident during the 1-1 draw and Ronaldo escaping punishment even though the assistant referee was close.

Brown said: "Maybe it's because it's Manchester United. Or maybe it's just because it's Ronaldo we're talking about but I don't think there are many situations in football where a referee would let someone away with something like that.

"At the very least he should have been booked and been given a talking too."

Dossena struggling for form at Anfield

Italian Andrea Dossena said he is struggling for form at Anfield. The left-back signed for Liverpool from Udinese last summer but only recorded seven Premier League starts to date, amid Rafael Benitez's rotation policy.

Dossena, 27, said: "I am not fully happy with my level and, with Fabio Aurelio in my position, the manager has the option of a player more right now.

"Eighteen months ago I would not have expected to be playing for one of the most famous clubs in the world. I do not have silverware in my collection but after signing for Liverpool I have a real chance to win medals in every competition we enter.

"At Udinese my place in the team was more secure but now I must get to a high level and maintain that."

Balotelli slams biological parents

The picture of Mario Balotelli's birth parents in newspapers expressing their sadness at being unable to play a role in their son's upbringing after putting him up for adoption brought an angry reaction from the young Inter striker.

"I want to make some things clear regarding the comments of my biological parents," he said.

"They have talked of two people forced to give their child up for adoption due to poverty. This is false because nobody forced them to leave me at the hospital as a newborn baby and disappear.

"For 16 years I didn't even receive a phone call on my birthday, but now they make contact after I have become a Serie A footballer... they're strangers to me."

The 18-year-old was born in Palermo to Ghanaian immigrants Thomas and Rose Barwuah.

Hammers chief to review position

Asgeir Fridgeirsson, the West Ham vice-chairman, said owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is to review his position at the London club.

The financial future of the Hammers remains the subject of speculation amid Gudmundsson's personal involvement in a number of companies in Iceland which has been placed into receivership.

Fridgeirsson said: "Because of the global crisis and the complications in Iceland, BG is reviewing all his assets. He needs to review in light of what is going on. If you give a call to the owners of all clubs, 60-80 per cent would be considering their stance in the present climate."