Football news

The Polish Football Association has sacked Leo Beenhakker as coach of its national team after the side's poor showing in a loss to Slovenia that cost Poland a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"The decision is irrevocable. Coach Beenhakker ceases to be Polish national team coach," Grzegorz Lato, the president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), said.

Poland's 3-0 defeat on Wednesday sparked outrage in Poland, with one tabloid newspaper telling readers the side had "humiliated us."

Lato said Dutchman Beenhakker, who had coached the Polish side since 2006, would most likely be replaced by a Polish coach.

Juventus ready to bid for Rossi

Juventus supremo Giovanni Cobolli Gigli told reporters in Italy that his club are preparing to make a bid for Giuseppe Rossi next year.

With David Trezeguet announcing his departure from Turin in summer of 2010, Juventus are already looking for a suitable replacement.

"Giuseppe Rossi could be of Juventus quality, however, let me just enjoy our latest summer signings first," Cobolli Gigli said.

Villarreal's Rossi is said to be keen on a return to Italy, after a successful loan spell at Parma. Juventus, meanwhile, are also monitoring other strikers including Luis Fabiano, Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Fernando Cavenaghi.

Terry keen to forget Klasnic spat

England captain John Terry insists a spitting incident involving Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic should not detract from the joy of Fabio Capello's side reaching the 2010 World Cup finals.

Terry accused Bolton player Klasnic of spitting at him during the 5-1 win at Wembley.

Klasnic, on loan at the Reebok Stadium from French club Nantes, had replaced Eduardo as a 73rd-minute substitute.

Terry said: "It's not a nice situation. He is the first person who has ever spat at me. It's one of those things but let's not let it ruin a massive night for us.

"We have achieved what we wanted in reaching the finals with two games to spare and it is a great feeling after the disappointment of losing to Croatia and not making the Euro 2008 finals."

Mancini talks down Ibra claims

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic can expect a hot reception from his former Inter team-mates when the sides clash in the Champions League next Wednesday, according to winger Mancini.

Ibrahimovic claimed earlier this week he was expecting a good reaction on his return to the San Siro because "before my arrival they had not won anything for 17 years".

However, Mancini believes the Swede should not try to take all the credit for Inter's resurgence.

"He has done important things with us but his remarks struck me as a bit provocative," Mancini said.

"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but it's not like he says. Inter have existed for 100 years and had won trophies before his arrival."

Nine hurt in Bosnian violence

Nine people were hurt after hooligans attacked police in the Croat part of the southern Bosnian town of Mostar, venting anger over Croatia's 5-1 loss to England.

The police used tear gas to disperse a group of Bosnian-Croat youngsters who were throwing bottles and crates at shop windows and the police, hurting six officers late on Wednesday.

Mostar, divided between the Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats after the 1992-95 war, is no stranger to football violence.

In the ethnically divided Bosnia, Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Serbs support Croatia and Serbia. Only Bosnian Muslims support the Balkan country's national team.

Forlan to extend Atletico contract

Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, the top scorer in the Spanish league last season, is to sign a new contract with Atletico Madrid that will keep him at the club until 2013.

The deal, reached after three months of difficult negotiations, will extend his current contract by two years, Radio Cadena Ser reported. It said the buyout clause remains at €36 million.

The sports newspaper AS said his salary will be around five million euros a year, the same as Atletico's other star striker, Argentine Sergio "Kun" Aguero.

The 30-year-old one-time Manchester United player joined Atletico in 2007 from Villarreal for €21 million.

Reid joins Stoke after Thailand exit

Englishman Peter Reid has joined Stoke City as assistant manager after leaving his role as Thailand coach.

The Thailand Football Association had on Wednesday rejected former Sunderland manager Reid's request to agree a dual working role with Stoke and the Thai national team.

Reid, who lost just two of his 13 competitive games in charge of Thailand, had already been helping Stoke manager Tony Pulis in training and at games.

"I've come to an agreement with the Thai FA," Reid said.

"The pull of working with Tony Pulis in the Premier League was just too great to turn down."