Football news

Armed men raided the home of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher while the player was away in Italy, threatening his fiancee with a knife and stealing jewellery.

Three men kicked open the front door of Fletcher's home in the Manchester suburb of Bowdon on Monday evening and forced the woman to hand over her engagement ring, police sources said.

One of the attackers then held a knife to her throat, demanding that she hand over more valuables. Her mother was also threatened at knifepoint before the victims were handed over more jewellery.

The raid follows a series of break-ins at the homes of Liverpool players in recent months while they have been away playing high-profile matches.

AirAsia ponders United sponsorship

Malaysian budget airline AirAsia is mulling whether to become Manchester United's new shirt sponsor, the company's Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said.

The move comes after troubled US insurance giant AIG said it would not extend its sponsorship of United beyond an existing deal due to expire in 2010.

"Manchester United have just approached me on whether AirAsia would be interested in becoming their shirt sponsor," Fernandes said.

Indian company Sahara, Saudi Telecom and British insurer Prudential have also been linked to United as potential sponsors. The club relies on sponsorship for around a third of its revenues.

Lowly Treviso turn to Balbo

Lowly Treviso, currently rock bottom in the Italian Serie B, will have former Roma and Udinese striker Abel Balbo as new coach following the sacking of Luca Gotti.

Treviso were in Serie A as recently as 2006, but they are currently struggling hard to avoid the drop after a dismal campaign.

Treviso's directors tried to sack struggling tactician Gotti at the end of January, but the players protested until he was reinstated.

This will be Balbo's first coaching post. The Argentine hitman scored 78 goals in 171 appearances for Roma between 1993 and 1998 after arriving from Udinese.

Milan deny Abu Dhabi link

Milan denied a media report that the Italian club was in discussions about selling a stake to the Abu Dhabi United Group, owners of Premier League side Manchester City.

Italy's Corriere della Sera said that the group was interested in buying 40 per cent of Milan.

"In relation to what has been published about a possible sale of part of the club, (holding company) Fininvest and Milan announce that the news is without foundation," a statement said.

Milan, owned by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, missed out on the lucrative Champions League this season and funding for new signings has been tighter than usual.

Vialli has faith in Juventus

Gianluca Vialli will have mixed emotions tonight when his former teams Juventus and Chelsea clash in the Champions League last 16 first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Vialli, 44, played for Juventus between 1992 and 1996 before joining Chelsea until deciding to retire from the game in 1999.

"I'm happy that the two sides have been drawn together because I will be able to spend time with English and Italian friends," Vialli said.

"Until last week I would have said that Juventus had the hardest task of the Italian teams. But after seeing the spirit of the Juve players at Palermo on Saturday and the value of their best players I think they can do it.

"On paper, however, Chelsea are still the favourites."

Dossena needs time to adjust - Riise

John Arne Riise has urged Liverpool supporters to give his replacement at Anfield, Andrea Dossena, time to adjust to the Premier League. The 28-year-old Norwegian international spent seven years at Liverpool before joining Roma in June last year.

Dossena, 27, has struggled to impose himself in England, yet Riise has no doubts about the Italian's technical ability.

"I think Liverpool need to give Dossena time because he is a good player. He needs to adapt to the English style," Riise said.

"It's the same as me in Italy. I needed time and I hope people give him time."

Newcastle in the hunt for Suazo

Honduras striker David Suazo could end up playing in the English Premiership for Newcastle United next season.

Suazo, 29, joined Inter in 2007 with high hopes of repeating his heroics at Cagliari. But he failed to live up to expectations and struggled to secure a place in the first team, leading to his loan switch to Benfica.

He has enjoyed a positive spell in Portugal and has reportedly attracted the attention of Newcastle who are short of attacking options due to injuries to Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, another former Inter forward.

Reports in Italy claim that Newcastle are considering a serious bid for Suazo in summer if they avoid the drop from the top flight.