Football news

While not in the same class as French great Zinedine Zidane, Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan has revealed his admiration for his namesake.

By scoring twice against Brazil in Egypt's opening Confederations Cup match, Zidan matched the exploits of Zizou, who famously managed a brace against the South Americans at the 1998 World Cup.

"Zidane was the best player in the world and I always try to learn a lot from him," said Zidan.

"I usually watch a lot of the matches that Zidane played."

Zidan honed his scoring touch in Europe with time at Midtjylland, Werder Bremen, Mainz, Hamburg and now Borussia Dortmund.

Milan say no offers for Pirlo

Milan insisted that the experienced Andrea Pirlo will not be available on the transfer market this summer and, morevoer, the club added they have received no offers for the Italy midfielder.

Reports in the UK media had strongly linked the World Cup-winning playmaker with a move to Chelsea next month where he would join forces with former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti, now in charge at Stamford Bridge.

"We have not received any offers for Pirlo," Milan vice-chairman Adriano Galliani said.

"But if we did, we would return them to the sender. He will remain at Milan 99.9 per cent."

Premiership stops Setanta TV deal

The English Premier League has terminated its contract with struggling Irish broadcaster Setanta saying the TV broadcaster was unable to meet its payments for showing live matches.

"It is with considerable regret that we announce that Setanta has been unable to meet their obligations. As such the existing licence agreement between us has been terminated," the Premier League said.

"We will now go ahead and market the 46 UK live matches for the 2009/10 season."

Setanta had teetered on the brink of administration for much of the last month after missing payments for sports rights and the management had said it was fighting to refinance and secure its future.

Chelsea match bid for Johnson

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie revealed that Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £17.5m bid for defender Glen Johnson.

Johnson appeared to be on his way to Anfield after Liverpool's offer was accepted earlier this week, but Storrie confirmed the Fratton Park club have now agreed terms with Chelsea as well.

The 24-year-old has already had one spell at Chelsea before leaving due to lack of first team opportunities and must now decide if he wants to return to Stamford Bridge.

"The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen," Storrie said.

Torres vows to stay at Anfield

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has told Manchester United and Barcelona to forget about trying to lure him from Anfield.

Torres recently signed a new contract with the Premier League club but reports this week suggested United may use some of the cash from their imminent world record sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to make a £50 million bid for the Spain star.

"I'm very happy with my contract at Liverpool and wouldn't leave just to earn a little more somewhere else where I wouldn't be that happy," Torres said.

"To want any more would be greedy and that is not me. As long as Liverpool want me, I will stay."

West Ham want Inter's Jimenez

West Ham United want to sign Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez from Serie A champions Inter, the Premier League club's manager Gianfranco Zola said.

"Let's hope we can sign Jimenez," Zola told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He is one of those lads who play the way I like. It's not easy to sign non-EU players in England but I think these problems can be solved."

The Hammers could possibly complete a double signing from Inter, with Brazilian Mancini also on Zola's radar.

Jimenez, who has been capped 20 times for Chile, struggled for first team football under Inter boss Jose Mourinho during last season's title-winning campaign.

Cahill in plea to absent Viduka

Tim Cahill has urged undecided striker Mark Viduka to return to the international fold to spearhead Australia's World Cup bid in South Africa next year.

Viduka, 33, missed playing in all 14 qualifiers over the past 16 months as Australia qualified for the 2010 finals with two games to spare.

Cahill, whose goals on Wednesday ensured Australia finished top of their Asian World Cup qualifying group after a 2-1 win over Japan, said: "He's a player of stature and brings to the team his experience, knowledge and goals.

"Playing off 'Dukes' in the last World Cup, people question that he doesn't get his goals, but he does all the ugly work. We miss that and it's crazy because we'll take any experience."