Football news

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc believes the future prospects of unsettled striker Marouane Chamakh would best be served if he stayed with the French champions.

And the Moroccan striker, recently a target for Arsenal and Sunderland, said he would be happy to stay with the French champions.

"For the moment I'm staying here. I'm waiting to see," said Chamakh. "If it all goes well, I might end up staying."

Blanc said: "We had an agreement. If a big English club really showed their desire to come and sign him, we would all agree on the deal.

"Right now, who is giving the best challenge and the best sporting guarantees to Marouane? It's Bordeaux."

Italy to introduce fan cards

Football fans in Italy will have to obtain a special supporters' card from their club to see their team play away from home next year.

"From January 1, football enthusiasts will only be able to follow their team away from home if they have the supporters card," Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told a news conference.

The government believes this initiative will make it easier to police matches and track down trouble makers, as part of their bid to clamp down on hooliganism in Italian football.

Chelsea bid over €50m for Aguero

Chelsea have offered Spanish side Atletico Madrid over €50 million for their Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, reports said.

The Blues would be willing to pay Atletico up to €57 million if the deal included another Argentine player, Maxi Rodriguez, sports daily Marca reported yesterday.

Atletico have repeatedly stated that Aguero is not for sale.

The 21-year-old son-in-law of Argentina manager Diego Maradona has a buy-out clause in his contract with Atletico worth €60 million.

Messi to skip Barca's opener

Lionel Messi will be allowed to skip Barcelona's first game of the league season to join up with Argentina for their World Cup qualifier against Brazil, coach Pep Guardiola said.

Barcelona's Primera Liga opener at home to Sporting Gijon has been moved to Monday, August 31, because the Super Cup against Shakhtar Donetsk is on August 28.

If Messi had played, he would have been late to join Argentina's preparations for their home match against the South American group leaders on September 5.

"The Super Cup is on the Friday and at the end of the day it is the player who suffers in these situations," Guardiola said.

"He wants to play with Barcelona, but because of the FIFA regulations, he would have been cutting it fine to join up with his national team. I have given him permission."

Beckham sees red in Galaxy defeat

England midfielder David Beckham was sent off after 17 minutes in LA Galaxy's 2-0 defeat against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Beckham received a straight red card for a studs-up tackle on Sounders midfielder Peter Vagenas but he insisted there was no maliciousness involved.

"Pete is one of my best friends," he told the club's official website.

"I think it's a hard tackle but not with means for a red card.

"I've never gone in one tackle wanting to hurt someone. The referee saw it differently."

Hughes stands firm in Lescott row

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refused to back down in his growing war of words with Everton counterpart David Moyes over the attempted signing of England defender Joleon Lescott.

City have failed with three offers for Lescott, provoking the ire of Moyes who launched a vitriolic verbal attack on Hughes.

"It wasn't a surprise seeing David's comments," Hughes said.

"He feels a little bit aggrieved at the situation, you always are when a club comes and tries to acquire your better players.

"All we're trying to do is conduct our business in the right way through the proper channels. But there's a chance Everton will change their minds.

"It's not finished yet as we understand the situation."

Cicinho craves return to Brazil

Cicinho has his heart set on leaving Roma and return to his homeland despite reported interest from European champions Barcelona.

The former Real Madrid full-back has never quite settled in the Serie A and is expected to be sold in order to fund new transfers.

"My intention is to return to Brazil. I don't feel happy in Europe and I talked it over a few times with San Paolo president Juvenal Juvenicio, but Roma won't release me," Cicinho said.

"Naturally I am happy that a big club like Barca are interested in me, but there has been no contact and if I had to leave I want to return to Brazil."