Football news

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic will not face any disciplinary action for their clash last weekend after the German FA dropped its investigation.

The pair jostled for position as Dortmund prepared to take a throw-in and, as referee Helmut Fleischer saw the incident and awarded Stuttgart a free-kick, the federation is unable to take any further action.

Television replays showed Lehmann struck Subotic on the back of the head with his elbow and the Dortmund player retaliated by elbowing Lehmann on his lip.

"By giving a free-kick for Stuttgart, the referee has comprehensively dealt with the situation," the DFB said.

Lippi's comments on gay footballers

Italy coach Marcello Lippi was rebuked by one of Italy's leading gay associations this week for saying two members of the national team could not have an open homosexual relationship.

"Why, dear Lippi, couldn't footballers openly experience gay love when they show their flirts with every type of showgirl in front of every TV camera?" said the Arcigay association.

The veteran coach had insisted that choice was not due to homophobia but due to the requirements of team morale.

"This is not a question of culture but is more related to the fact that such a relation would create conflicts contrary to the interests of the dynamics of the group," he said.

Sneijder says treated poorly at Real

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder is fully focused on new club Inter after agreeing a move to Italy from Real Madrid, who, he says, had treated him "very badly".

"What happened with me is very strange," said Sneijder.

"They (Real Madrid) treated me very badly but to tell the truth I would prefer not to talk about it."

Sneijder told Spanish sports daily Marca: "I am going to a great club, of that I have no doubt.

"I am very sad to leave but that's the way it is."

Ribery ready to try new role

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has declared himself willing to try the position he has been earmarked to fill by coach Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal wants Ribery to play in the playmaker role behind his two strikers, but the player's initial reaction was to state his preference to play out wide on the left.

"I will try out the number 10 position and see how it goes," he said.

"I will trust the view of our experienced coach, who sees me playing there."

Ribery has played a total of just under half-an-hour in his side's first three games this season due to injury, but is hopeful of returning this weekend when they face champions Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena.

Maradona puts Pele in his place

Argentina coach Diego Maradona put Brazilian legend Pele in his place, insisting the latter was the second best player ever after himself.

A FIFA internet poll in 2000 saw Maradona, who will lead the albiceleste against Brazil in a September 5 World Cup qualifier, come out on top and he said that ought to settle the issue.

"What matters is that when the people voted, he came second behind me. Nobody can take that away from me," insisted Maradona, who said the fact he had played with success in European club football, unlike Pele, ought to be the clincher.

"Do you know what? I played in European football for ten years while Pele played in South America. Yes he won World Cups and everything, but playing in Europe is something else entirely," he said.

Ferdinand reckons no way past 40

Rio Ferdinand cannot see any way he can emulate Paolo Maldini by extending his career beyond his 40th birthday.

While Manchester United defender Ferdinand acknowledges the Italian legend's immense talent, he does not think the sheer pace of top-flight football in England makes it possible for anyone to match Maldini in the Premier League.

"You could not play to 41 in the Premier League," he told MUTV.

"Games are a lot slower in Italy and they don't play as many. When anyone comes here from another country they always say they can't believe how fast it is.

"It takes a couple of years off your career."

Redknapp vows to keep Pavlyuchenko

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists Roman Pavlyuchenko will not be heading home to Russia despite the 27-year-old striker being linked with a 10 million pound move to Spartak Moscow.

Redknapp admitted that the player, who scored in the 5-1 League Cup second win at Doncaster on Wednesday, is desperate to cement his place in Russia's World Cup squad and needs to be playing regular first team football.

"His people came down the training ground, they wanted to have a meeting with me to talk about him," Redknapp said.

"His only concern was missing out on the World Cup but it wasn't a case of him wanting to leave. He's got no issues with the club, he's happy in London."