Football news

Relegated Real Betis have written to Spain's professional football league (LFP) asking for information about media reports that promoted Xerez could be thrown out of the nation's top division.

Betis lost their place in the Primera Liga on the final day of the season on goal difference but Spanish media have said they could earn a reprieve because of alleged irregularities linked to a capital increase Xerez undertook in 2002.

Xerez said on Friday they had fulfilled all the requirements to be able to compete in the Primera Liga. At a news conference last weekend, coach Jose Angel Ziganda said he had spoken to club officials and they had reassured him about the situation.

Mido set for Boro exit

Egypt striker Mido is set to quit Middlesbrough after the Championship side revealed yesterday they have accepted an undisclosed offer from an unnamed club.

The 26-year-old was fined last week for returning to pre-season training two weeks late following the north-east outfit's relegation from the Premier League.

Gareth Southgate had already admitted he was resigned to seeing Mido and Tuncay exit this summer, and the Boro boss revealed there has also been an upturn in enquiries for the Turkey international forward.

"Interest has certainly stepped up," Southgate said.

"We have received an offer for Mido which the club finds acceptable, it's up to the player and maybe something will happen over the next week."

Manolev to join PSV from Litex

Bulgarian cup winners Litex Lovech have agreed to sell defender Stanislav Manolev to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, the Lovech-based team said.

The 23-year-old Bulgarian international has signed a three-year contract with an option for two more years.

Litex declined to disclose the transfer fee.

Litex said they had turned down offers from Cologne and Aston Villa for Manolev, who broke into Bulgaria's senior team last year.

Peru players threaten boycott

Peru could forfeit their World Cup qualifiers in September after about 500 players sent letters of resignation to the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), according to media reports.

The players would disregard national team call-ups until the FPF agreed to reforms in the game they see as essential to pull Peru out of a slump that has them at the bottom of South America's 10-nation World Cup qualifying group, they said.

Peru, who have one win and seven points after 14 matches, are at home to Uruguay on Sept. 5 and away to Venezuela three days later.

Trezeguet not going to Milan - Secco

Alessio Secco, the director of sport at Juventus, has ruled out the possibility of French striker David Trezeguet moving to Serie A rivals Milan.

"We have not received any offers from Milan," Secco told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"In any case, even if there were bids, they would be turned away. We will only sell David overseas."

Trezeguet, whose current contract with Juve expires in 2012, has been linked with numerous clubs in Europe, including Olympique Lyon and Marseille, but his wage demands and price tag are thought to be a stumbling block for the 32-year-old who wants regular first-team football.

Bruce pushing to land Bent

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is doing his utmost to secure the signing of Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

Bruce wants to bolster his attacking options at the Stadium of Light and has already missed out on Portsmouth forward Peter Crouch.

The Black Cats' interest in the 25-year-old Bent has now been confirmed, with Bruce admitting talks are ongoing between the two clubs.

"Darren Bent is another one where we are trying our utmost," Bruce said. "We have tried all summer for Crouch and Bent.

"We have to agree a fee - obviously it isn't done yet. But we are talking."

Crouch on way to Spurs

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart confirmed yesterday they have accepted a bid from Tottenham for Peter Crouch.

"Obviously I'm disappointed to see Peter leave, but given the severe financial restraints in place here we had no choice but to accept an offer from Tottenham," Hart told the Daily Mirror.

"I think people need to realise that Pompey have been punching above their weight and could no longer sustain the level of spending that has gone on here over the last three years."

Hart also insisted that the takeover spearheaded by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim would not lead to a Manchester City style spending spree. "Even though a new owner is poised to come in, our dealings in the market will be modest in comparison to the past," added Hart.