Football news

The Italian football league announced that the 2009-10 Serie A season will kick off on August 23 and come to a close on May 16, 2010.

The new season will include four midweek rounds - September 23, October 28, January 6 and March 24 - and the break for Christmas will run between December 27 and January 3.

The Serie B will start on August 22 and end on May 30.

The first rounds from the Coppa Italia will begin on August 2 while the Italian Super Cup contest, between champions Inter and cup holders Lazio, will be played in Beijing on August 8.

Arsenal tracking defender Bassong

Sebastien Bassong, the unsettled Newcastle defender, told reporters that Arsenal are among a number of clubs wanting to sign him this summer.

Bassong wants to leave Newcastle following their relegation from the Premier League last season but he would prefer to stay in England and claims Arsenal have made an initial inquiry.

"I confirm that," he said.

"There has been an approach. But for the moment, there is nothing concrete. Foreign teams have made enquiries but as my priority is to stay in England, I haven't followed them through."

Bassong joined Newcastle from Metz last summer.

Fans demand life ban for referee

Hundreds of Huracan fans demonstrated outside the Argentine FA headquarters to demand life bans for the officials of Sunday's title decider, which their team lost 1-0 to Velez Sarsfield.

The fans, some wearing the club's white and red colours, called for referee Gabriel Brazenas and linesman Ricardo Casas to be suspended for life.

Hard core supporters aimed fireworks at police manning barricades, raising the spectre of violence though it did not materialise, and one fan with a megaphone shouted out Brazenas's home address.

Brazenas apologised on Monday for errors he said he realised he had made during the match when he saw TV replays, including missing a foul on Huracan goalkeeper Gustavo Monzon in the build-up to Velez's winning goal.

Diao rewarded with new contract

Senegalese veteran midfielder Salif Diao won himself a new one-year contract with Stoke City.

The 32-year-old former Liverpool player played 21 times for Stoke last term in which they did well to avoid relegation.

"I'm really happy to sign the contract. I've always wanted to stay here and the club always wanted me to stay here too," said Diao, who also had short spells at Birmingham City and Portsmouth in England after beginning his career in France.

"There's a very difficult season ahead of us and it's good for everything to be sorted out now."

Nakamura expects baptism of fire

Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura expects little in the way of special treatment after signing for Spanish side Espanyol.

The 31-year-old midfielder joined the La Liga side on a two-year deal last month from Celtic and pledged to establish himself quickly at his new club.

"I have to convince the manager, my team-mates and the Espanyol fans to accept me," Nakamura said.

"I'm the foreigner so unless I am better than the Spanish players I won't get to play much. I have always wanted to play in Spain at a big club so it's a chance to prove myself."

Nakamura's decision to snub Yokohama prompted the president of the J-League side to cut his own salary by 50 per cent by way of apology for failing to sign the star player.

Brazil vs England friendly for Qatar

Saud Al Mohannadi, the Qatar Football Association secretary, revealed that Doha will host the international friendly between Brazil and England this year.

A date of November 14 has been pencilled in, although that will depend on England qualifying for the 2010 World Cup top of their group.

"The game indeed will be held in Doha next November," Al Mohannadi said.

"Al Jazeera Sports Channel is in charge of this game and they have been planning it for a while. Our role is to co-ordinate with the TV station and teams regarding the venue of the match and the training schedules and stadiums."

Rangers join hunt for Trezeguet

Scottish champions Rangers have joined the hunt to sign wantaway Juventus striker David Trezeguet.

Reports in the media said Rangers are ready to offer around €10 million to sign the Frenchman as Juventus are seeking to raise more cash to sign new players this summer.

The former Monaco player earns around €5m per season and considering that at 31 his market value can only decrease, sporting director Alessio Secco would be delighted to offload him before the new campaign starts.

Top clubs Lyon, Barcelona and Milan have shown interest in Trezeguet. Bayern Munich also made inquiries, making the striker's move to the Scottish league somewhat difficult to happen.