Football news

Portsmouth’s new owner Sulaiman al-Fahim said he is in talks to sell a stake to Saudi Arabian investors to help inject more cash into the troubled Premier League strugglers.

Fahim said he would be flying to London today to finalise the deal.

“I decided to have two owners for the club for its sustainability,” Fahim said. “I don’t know how much of a stake (I will sell). We have to agree on the terms first.”

The Observer quoted Fahim saying a deal would be concluded with Saudi businessman Ali al-Faraj, a property investor with a personal holding in petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

Fahim is recovering from a kidney stones operation on Friday, which meant he had to postpone a meeting with the consortium scheduled for the weekend the paper said.

Capello warns against arrogance

England coach Fabio Capello has warned his players against playing with arrogance in the build-up to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

Victories in their final qualifying matches in Ukraine next Saturday and at home to Belarus the following Wednesday would complete a perfect 10 wins out of 10 for England.

“We are one of the best teams in the world and we have to play every game to win but also with respect for the opponents,” Capello said.

“We must play against every team without fear but we must not be arrogant. If you play with arrogance it’s impossible to win.”

Capello said only 35 to 37 players were in contention for the 23 slots for South Africa next June.

Ferguson hits out at referee’s fitness

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson criticised referee Alan Wiley’s fitness after his team’s 2-2 home draw with Sunderland.

“He was not fit enough for a game of that standard,” said Ferguson.

“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher’s dogs.

“We have some who are fit. He wasn’t fit,” he was quoted as saying on the Sky Sports website.

“He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous,” added Ferguson.

Ade unhappy with ‘excessive’ fine

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor claims the £25,000 fine he incurred for his controversial goal celebration against his old club Arsenal last month was “excessive”.

Despite escaping another ban after serving a three-match suspension for a stamp on Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, Adebayor still felt he had been harshly treated on the second charge.

He said: “They have punished me for celebrating a goal and I accept it but I think it is excessive. But now I have to forget it and just think about scoring goals.

“If I play in the Emirates and score I will celebrate of course, but I will do it with my fans,” he said.

Beckham says close to return to Milan

England midfielder David Beckham is close to clinching a return to Milan for a second loan spell.

“There are other options available but none that will stop me going to Milan,” the LA Galaxy player told The Mail on Sunday.

“It is close to being finalised.”

England manager Fabio Capello has already said Beckham must return to a top European side to have any hope of making his squad for next year’s World Cup finals.

Beckham, who aims to move to the San Siro in January, added: “When I left (Milan), they said they wanted me to come straight back. I had such a marvellous time there. They’re a great club.”

Goal drought makes Schweini ‘sick’

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger admitted he felt ‘sick’ about the German giants’ lack of goals after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Cologne on Saturday.

Following Wednesday’s goalless draw with Juventus and the 1-0 German league defeat at Hamburg, Bayern have now gone three games without scoring and Schweinsteiger says the lack of goals is sickening.

“You simply have to score at home,” said Schweini after the clash at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

“As we say in Bavaria, it’s enough to make you sick – and that’s how it is.

“We had so many chances, but we’ve failed to score. It’s a bit depressing frankly. It’s a real shame we’ve only taken a point.”

Xavi frustrated by stifling tactics

Barcelona midfielder Xavi admits his side may have to get used to the ultra-defensive tactics used by Almeria on Saturday against future opponents.

Almeria opted for caution in a bid to make life difficult for Barca, and although it failed to stop the home side recording a 1-0 win, it left Xavi frustrated.

“We will have to get used to it. It’s a shame that they come here to pack the defence,” said Xavi, who was shadowed by Jose Chico throughout the match.

“I’ve never been marked like that. It was madness, obsessive.

“Even when they had the ball or when I was going to take a corner they marked me.

“I practically had to leave the game. It was very boring for me.”