Football news

Reggina have sacked coach Nevio Orlandi and appointed the much-travelled Giuseppe Pillon. The team from the southern city of Reggio Calabria are second-from-bottom with Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Sampdoria their 10th loss of the campaign.

"Nevio Orlandi has been relieved from his responsibilities as first team coach," a statement said.

"It is official that Giuseppe Pillon is the new coach of Reggina."

Pillon, 52, has coached a plethora of sides and was last at second division club Treviso, whom he left in July after they escaped relegation.

The sale of striker Nicola Amoruso to Torino has been a major factor in Reggina's troubles this term.

Govou apology for drink-driving

Olympique Lyon's French international Sidney Govou apologised yesterday after being arrested and found five times over the French drink-driving limit.

"I wish to apologise to my family, who must have been very disappointed, as well as to the club and to the fans, who have always been behind me," Govou said.

"I realise I gave a bad image of the club with this offence and I really want to apologise for that," he added.

The 29-year-old forward was arrested in Lyon while driving during the night after the Ligue 1 leaders 0-0 draw at home with Marseille in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.

Raul still in line for Spain call-up

There may still be a chance for Raul, Spain's all-time leading scorer, to return to the national team, coach Vicente del Bosque said.

The 31-year-old Real Madrid striker, who has scored 44 goals in 102 matches for Spain, was dropped by Del Bosque's predecessor Luis Aragones in late 2006 and missed out on Spain's European Championship triumph in Austria last July.

"I am reluctant to put up a barrier to Raul and tell him that he will not return to the national team," Del Bosque said.

Raul has been in decent form for the Spanish champions this season, scoring six goals in 15 Primera Liga matches and three in the Champions League, taking his competition tally to a record 64.

Game 39 in Asia - 'a folly'

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has dismissed renewed interest in a 39th Premier League game to be played in Asia as folly.

The plan, still-born after first being floated in February, received cautious backing from Asia last week but United's fiery manager insisted there was no room in the calendar.

"I don't think there will ever be a 39th game and I don't believe there should be," the Scot said.

"Certainly I'm not in favour of it. You look at our domestic programme allied to our cup competitions... it's impossible."

Chiellini - no intention to leave

Claudio Chiellini, brother of Juventus defender Giorgio, told reporters the Azzurri ace has no intention of leaving the country to play in the English Premiership.

Chiellini is a regular in the Juve defence. Lately, there has been continuous speculation linking Chiellini with a move to the Premier League.

"Giorgio signed a contract renewal in July and even though I am not his agent I can tell you there is a real difference between talking about a deal and signing one," Claudio Chiellini said.

"However, if a club like Manchester City arrived at the end of the season and offered mega money, maybe it would be different. But it's all down to Juventus."

City boss says Hughes's job secure

Garry Cook, the Man. City executive chairman, said manager Mark Hughes is not in danger of losing his job despite the team hovering just above the drop zone in the Premier League standings at the moment.

After the takeover by the Abu Dhabi Investment Group at the start of season, expectations soared at Man. City.

Cook said: "The building of the future does not happen overnight. A few results from the last few games have not gone in our favour but what you don't want to do on occasions like that is panic.

"We don't even get to think about getting rid of the manager and nor should we."

Leonardo dreams of coaching Milan

Brazilian Leonardo, currently a sporting director and a former midfielder at Milan, wants to coach at a high level in future and Milan could be one of his destinations.

Leonardo donned the Milan shirt for four seasons. At present, he is in charge of Milan's transfer deals involving South American players.

"It's too early to talk about it, but in the future I would like to lead Milan or Brazil," Leonardo revealed.

"I started to think about that when I was nominated for the Brazil job before Carlos Dunga was appointed.

"I have a very special relationship with Milan and that's what makes it my dream to be their coach at some stage."