Football news

The English Football Association says it plans to oppose forecast plans to extend the half-time interval from 15 to 20 minutes, a proposal that has been slammed by fans.

The idea, which is backed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter with an eye on extra advertising revenue, is due to be raised at an International Football Association Board meeting in Belfast this week.

Senior figures within the English game feel it takes scant regard of supporters' needs, particularly in countries with less temperate climates, such as the UK.

"It is very unlikely we will be supporting it in the discussions," said an FA spokesman.

"We are mindful of supporters' views and also our clubs in the Premier League."

Man. United with defensive headache

Manchester United have worries in defence for tomorrow's Champions League last 16 tie at Inter with manager Alex Ferguson running out of centre-backs.

Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans limped off in Saturday's hard-fought 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford with a recurrence of a recent ankle injury.

"It's a bit sore," Evans told MUTV. "I kicked the ground when I tried to make a long clearance and now it's a bit tender."

Evans had been pencilled in to replace Nemanja Vidic, who is suspended. Wes Brown and Gary Neville have already been ruled out of tomorrow's game.

Juventus chief not giving up

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is still hopeful that his team will catch up with Inter in the Serie A standings and win the title despite being nine points adrift at present.

"Our scudetto hopes are not yet lost. There is a sizeable gap, but we have kept it steady for another week," he told reporters.

"Ranieri and I have been in agreement for several weeks on how to approach the title race.

"Clearly if Inter continue at this pace, then even if the other teams win, their victory will be inevitable. But we have to try and be there when Inter slip up."

England-Scotland match put on ice

England and Scotland will not meet before the 2010 World Cup.

An end-of-season clash was tentatively proposed but in the end the plans were scrapped as Scotland coach George Burley was reluctant to play the game without his Old Firm contingent, who were committed to tour matches elsewhere.

Scotland are still hopeful of resurrecting the idea but the FA have already filled their dates for 2009, scheduling friendlies with Slovakia, Holland and Slovenia, with the exception of November, which is reserved for play-off matches.

The two countries last met in 1999 when two Paul Scholes goals at Hampden Park ultimately proved decisive in a tense qualifier for Euro 2000.

Bayern owe fans apology - Rensing

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing insisted his side owe their fans an apology after they slumped to their third loss in four league games on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat by Cologne.

Bayern found themselves 2-0 down to a mediocre Cologne side at half-time at Munich's Allianz Arena and although Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten pulled a goal back with time running out, it was not enough.

"I believe that after today we must apologise to all our fans for this defeat," said Rensing.

"The first half time was inexplicably bad, Cologne could have won by more. We didn't deserve a point, never mind a win."

Wenger hopeful of elite football

Arsene Wenger insists he is not relying on winning the Champions League in order to maintain Arsenal's place among the European elite this season.

The Gunners were held to a third consecutive goalless league draw by struggling Sunderland on Saturday and now trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by six points.

"I don't think we will have to win the Champions League to qualify," he said.

"I believe we are six points behind Aston Villa and there is a long way to go.

"Villa have difficult fixtures. Obviously, we want to go as far as we can in the Champions League, that goes without saying. I am confident we will do it but it will be tight."

Barry to stay if Villa qualify

England midfielder Gareth Barry has told Aston Villa he is willing to stay at the Premier League club if they qualify for next season's Champions League.

Barry, 28, was close to joining Liverpool last year after setting his sights on a move to a team playing in Europe's elite club competition.

But Liverpool refused to meet Villa boss Martin O'Neill's asking price and Barry was forced to stay at Villa Park.

"There's nowhere else I would want to be playing at the highest level," Barry said.

"It's easy for me to want Aston Villa to play Champions League football. It is also easy for me to give 100 per cent when I am playing for Villa."