Football news

A player with English minor league club Chippenham Town has set a record for the fastest red card in senior football when he was sent off for a wild tackle three seconds after kick-off. Striker David Pratt, 21, was dismissed in a Southern Premier League game against Bashley on Saturday.

The previous fastest sending-off is generally accepted to be 10 seconds for Bologna's Giuseppe Lorenzo after he struck an opponent in a 1990 Italian league game.

English football's previous "best" was 13 seconds when Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Kevin Pressman handled outside his box in a game in 2000.

Also in 2000 an English amateur player, Lee Todd, was sent off after two seconds when he responded to the referee's whistle to start the game by saying "xxxx me, that was loud" and was dismissed for foul and abusive language.

No bids for Defoe and Johnson

Portsmouth have rejected reports about approaches for striker Jermain Defoe and defender Glen Johnson. Reports claimed Liverpool were set to sign Johnson for £9 million and that the full-back had visited the Reds' training facilities.

But Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie described the story "outrageous".

"We have had no approaches for any of our players and that includes Glen," Storrie said. "Glen is livid, everyone is, it's an outrageous story."

Storrie also dismissed claims from Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp that Pompey have received a "massive" bid for Defoe.

Arshavin still a target for Arsenal

Andrei Arshavin's prospects of moving to Arsenal next month are very good, his agent has said.

The Russia playmaker, currently on the books of Zenit St Petersburg, has received the green light to seek pastures new during the January transfer window should a suitable approach for his services be received.

"We know that Arsene Wenger likes the look of Arshavin," Dennis Lachter, Arshavin's agent, said.

"Arsenal were interested in signing him last summer and they still are, so we will wait and see what happens. There has been a lot of interest in him this time as well from England, Spain and Italy."

Di Matteo extends MK Dons contract

MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until June 2011.

Having succeeded Paul Ince in July, Di Matteo has made a terrific start to his managerial career, guiding the newly-promoted Dons to second place in League One.

Assistant manager Eddie Newton and fitness coach Ade Mafe have also agreed two-year extensions to their contracts and will continue to be key members of Di Matteo's backroom staff.

Napoli's Hamsik gets stolen Rolex back

Napoli's Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik received a pleasant Christmas surprise when learning that a precious Rolex watch stolen from him at gunpoint recently had been returned. "The Rolex is waiting for me at a police station in Naples," the 21-year-old said.

Knowing the importance of the watch for Hamsik, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis had promised he would buy it for the player after New Year's.

"But the fans knew how to get it first. For them footballers are pretty much like divinity - untouchable," added Hamsik.

Only a few months ago, striker Andrea Russotto was returned his BMW a few hours after the car had been stolen.

Ronaldinho wants Beckham to stay

Brazilian ace Ronaldinho wants David Beckham to stay with Milan until the end of the season.

"Beckham could help us to win trophies," Ronaldinho was quoted as saying.

"And if he was to settle well at San Siro then it would be a pity to see him leave so soon. He should stay at least until the end of the season."

Beckham has joined Milan on loan from LA Galaxy but is set to return to the United States in four months, just in time for the start of the MLS season.

According to reports, Milan are looking to strengthen their defence and Frenchman William Gallas and Palermo duo Cesare Bovo and Andrea Raggi are on their list of potential candidates.

Smith to trim Rangers squad

Rangers manager Walter Smith will be looking to trim his squad rather than bring in any new faces during the January transfer window.

"We have scouts in place as people do at every club but, first and foremost, we must adjust our current squad before we look at bringing bodies in," Smith said.

There have been claims that Deportivo La Coruna want to sign Spanish striker Nacho Novo, but Smith has had no firm enquiries.

"Nacho is going to Spain in one newspaper then going to Hull in another and there's quite a gap between the two," he said. "We've had no contact at this stage regarding any of our players."