Football news

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has revealed he was kidnapped 10 years ago while at CSKA Sofia.

The 28-year-old Bulgarian was grabbed after training by three henchmen of gangster Georgi Iliev, who was believed to want the young player to sign for his club, Levski Kjustendil.

"That's true," the former Tottenham forward said when asked about the incident.

"It was a horrific ordeal but a long time ago now. That was a time back then, you know."

Berbatov said he managed to make a frantic call to his father, Ivan, who intervened.

Old Firm clash not decisive - Smith

Rangers boss Walter Smith insists his side can still win the Scottish Premier League even if they lose to leaders Celtic today.

Smith knows Celtic will move seven points clear at the top of the table if they defeat their Glasgow rivals at Ibrox in the season's first Old Firm clash.

Smith said: "We don't want to fall seven behind, we want a good result and to try to peg Celtic back a little bit.

"But both teams have found themselves in a situation where they have been seven points behind the other and have dragged themselves back to win a championship.

"I think the most important thing is for us to peg Celtic back."

Goalkeeper caught moving posts

A goalkeeper for top Swedish team Gothenburg has escaped any sanction despite being caught on film attempting to shorten his goal before a match, the Swedish Football Federation (SVFF) announced.

"The referee did not note any fault and the incident would have merited a yellow card but not a red one. For that reason the disciplinary commission did not impose any subsequent sanction," the SVFF said.

In a match against Orebro last month, Kim Christensen, a Dane, was spotted kicking the moveable goalposts, an action that resulted in them moving several centimetres inwards.

The referee was alerted after 30 minutes of the match by Orebro players and Christensen, 30, admitted that it had not been the first time he had moved the goalposts in such a way.

Boateng included in Germany squad

Germany have included uncapped 21-year-old defender Jerome Boateng in their squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Finland.

"Jerome has played well in different positions with Hamburg this season whether it be central defence, full-back or as a defensive midfielder," coach Joachim Loew told reporters.

"It's a logical consequence he should take the next step up to the national team."

Germany top Group Four with 22 points, one ahead of Russia, the team they visit on October 10.

The Germans then host Finland in Hamburg four days later.

No Milan contact, says Van Basten agent

The agent of Marco van Basten has denied speculation linking the former Ajax coach with Milan.

Reports in the Italian press suggest former Milan striker Van Basten is the ideal candidate to replace under-fire Leonardo as head coach of the Rossoneri.

However, Van Basten's agent Perry van Overeem said: "I have also read those rumours regarding Marco in the press.

"But they are only rumours. There has been no official contact with Milan or with any other clubs for that matter.

"Marco is leaving all the doors open but has not made a decision regarding his future."

Benitez expects immediate response

Rafael Benitez is confident Liverpool will bounce back from their Champions League flop against Fiorentina when they face title rivals Chelsea today.

Benitez was furious with his players after a 2-0 defeat in Italy that he described as the worst performance of his five-year reign.

"The reaction of the team has been positive and we have looked at all aspects of what went wrong," Benitez said.

"We know we can win at Stamford Bridge and I will want the side to produce the sort of positive things they did after the interval in Florence.

"I expect a reaction from my players after what happened in Florence and I want to see that form at Stamford Bridge."

Redknapp laughs off Pompey return

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp laughed off speculation that he was set to quit White Hart Lane to return to Portsmouth.

Bookmakers had slashed the odds on Redknapp leaving Tottenham from 50-1 to evens after heavy betting that he would go back to Portsmouth for the third time in his career to rescue the team who are bottom of the Premier League.

"I'm definitely not leaving. It's absolute nonsense. Absolute rubbish," he said.

"I couldn't be happier than I am here. I left Portsmouth more than a year ago. Hopefully, Portsmouth will get sorted out. I don't know where people dream these stories up from."