Football news

Barcelona midfielder Xavi says Spain are hurting after failing to make the final of the Confederations Cup.

Xavi, who was effectively shut down by the US in their 2-0 upset, was disappointed that the European champions' dreams of another title were shattered.

"It's a big disappointment and it hurts not to be in the final because we would have liked to be there," he told reporters.

"Nothing went right for us during the match. We had a lot of scoring chances, but none of them went in.

"It's a real shame, but I do not believe it is necessary to jump to any negative conclusions."

World Cup rewards for S. Korea squad

Members of South Korea's squad will receive up to 80 million won (62,000 dollars) each as a reward for leading the country to its seventh consecutive World Cup finals.

A total of two billion won will be distributed to 42 players who made the squad over eight matches in the final Asian qualifying round.

Players will be listed in six groups based on the number of appear-ances and contributions to the team's success. Captain Park Ji-Sung, of Manchester United, who played in seven games, is expected to scoop the highest prize.

Head coach Huh Jung-Moo will receive 120 million won.

No ban for 'green' players - Iran FA

The head of Iran's football federation has denied punishing players for wearing green wrist-bands in a show of support of the opposition during a World Cup qualifier.

"The comments in foreign media are nothing but lies," Ali Kafashin was quoted as saying. "The federation has not banned any player from the national team."

FIFA wrote to the Iranians to seek answers over alleged punishments meted out to players who wore green wristbands during the 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Korea last week.

Ali Karimi, once dubbed Asia's Maradona, and skipper Mehdi Mahdavikia were among six players who wore the wristbands. On Wednesday, both players resigned from the national team, saying they wanted to clear the way for younger players.

Cisse set to join Panathinaikos

France striker Djibril Cisse is set to join Panathinaikos after the Greek club reached an agreement with Marseille.

"Nothing is signed yet but Cisse is coming to Athens for the medical tests and to sign the contract," a Panathinaikos spokesman said.

Cisse, 27, who is from the Ivory Coast, made his name at Auxerre in France before moving to Liverpool in 2004.

After three years in the Premiership he joined Marseille, who loaned him to Sunderland where he scored 10 goals in 35 games last season. He has scored nine goals in 37 internationals.

Man. City lead Tevez race

Carlos Tevez is assessing offers from Manchester City, Chelsea and one other club, Kia Joorabchian, the player's adviser, was quoted as saying.

After Tevez rejected a new five-year contract with Manchester United last week, Joorabchian hinted that City were now favourites to sign the player.

"Right now we are evaluating the proposals from Manchester City, Chelsea and one other team," Joorabchian said.

"In the next two weeks, Carlos, Adrian (Rouco, Tevez's agent) and I will meet to sort this out. City is a club with most of the chances because they are building a big squad, but it is not a decisive point.

"The contract with United officially runs to until June 31 and we'll respect that."

Pato pledges to stay with Milan

Alexandre Pato is not eyeing a move away from Milan. The Brazilian had previously been linked with a move to Chelsea, who recently appointed former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach, but Pato denied he wanted to leave.

"I am a Milan player and Milan are my future," said the teenager.

"I felt great at the club in the past year-and-a-half. I want to win the next Champions League and the scudetto with the Rossoneri shirt."

Reports suggested that Chelsea were prepared to make a £30m bid for the youngster but Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insisted that Pato will not be leaving San Siro any time soon.

No trial for Douglas, Gremio tell United

Manchester United's proposal to take Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa on trial has been rejected by Gremio.

United are reported to be very keen on signing Douglas, who is valued at £18 million, and have been tracking him for more than 12 months.

Alex Ferguson wanted to see Douglas in action at United's training complex for 20 days but Gremio replied that the player is too good to have a trial.

"We have said to them (Manchester United) that this will not happen," Duda Kroeff, the president of Gremio, said.

"Douglas is not at the stage where he would go through such a situation."