Football news

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will seek to stay in charge of world soccer's governing body after 2011 because of the raft of new initiatives he wants to push through.

"I have not finished my mission in soccer, I need more time. I hope that in 2011 the FIFA Congress has further faith in me, otherwise I'll go back to my village," the 73-year-old said.

Ideas to improve football include the trial of extra officials to monitor the penalty box in the Europa League and Blatter's 6+5 plan to increase the number of home-grown players at clubs, which is opposed by the European Commission.

Blatter has been head of FIFA since 1998.

Barca have edge over Real - Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Barcelona play better football than his Real Madrid side and has tipped Lionel Messi to win the 2009 Ballon d'Or.

"Barcelona play better football (than Real), but why?" the 24-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or last season, told France Football.

"Because they have been together for several seasons, not two months. Barca are better than us today but the real question is who will be in front at the end of the season?"

The winner of the Ballon d'Or will be announced on December 1 and Ronaldo said that while Xavi and Samuel Eto'o were strong contenders, Messi was likely to be the winner.

"He's the favourite. He won the Champions League, the (Spanish) league. If he wins it, he will have deserved it."

Onyewu to have knee surgery

US defender Oguchi Onyewu will have surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee today.

Onyewu was injured in last Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in Washington, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Onyewu, 27, left Standard Liege after last season. He inked a three-year contract with Milan but appeared in just one of the club's 10 competitive matches this season.

Milan chief Adriano Galliani said last week the club will seek compensation from the US federation.

US team doctor Bert Mandelbaum is to perform the surgery in Los Angeles. The time-frame for Onyewu's recovery will be determined after the operation.

Uruguay to prepare in Guatemala

Uruguay will prepare for the first leg of their 2010 World Cup play-off against Costa Rica next month in Guatemala.

Uruguay, who finished fifth in the South American qualifiers, meet Costa Rica, the fourth-placed nation in the CONCACAF region, in a two-leg play-off for a berth at the South Africa finals.

Uruguay, who beat Australia in a play-off for the 2002 finals but lost to the same country for the 2006 tournament in Germany, face Costa Rica in San Jose on November 14 and in Montevideo on November 18.

Prandelli gets Facchetti award

Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, will receive the Giacinto Facchetti award, sponsored by La Gazzetta dello Sport, on Monday. The contest, now in its fourth year, rewards those who demonstrate the correct spirit of the game.

Prandelli will receive a cheque for €10,000 to be given to a charity of his choice.

In 2006 Vicenza player Julio Gonzalez, of Paraguay, won the award after he decided to continue playing despite having an arm amputated following an accident.

Younes Mahmoud Khalef, the captain of Iraq, was awarded the 2007 prize after he led his side to victory in the Asian Cup. Paolo Maldini is the last recipient of the award, which was given to him in recognition of his service to Milan.

Sweden's Larsson announces retirement

Henrik Larsson has announced he will end his playing career after Helsingborg's league match against Elfsborg on November 1.

The 38-year-old, who enjoyed club success with Feyenoord, Celtic, Barcelona and had a short stint at Manchester United, made his 106th and last appearance for Sweden in a 1-0 loss to Denmark on October 10.

"I know now that I am 100 per cent sure about my decision to stop," he said.

"I will think over what I will do next. Most of all I need some time to adjust to life after football."

Larsson won a Champions League medal with Barcelona in 2006. He also won the Golden Boot in 2001 as Europe's top club scorer.

Fury boss denies Fowler exit

North Queensland Fury owner Don Matheson is adamant Robbie Fowler will honour his two-year contract with the A-League club.

Rumours in Australia have suggested Fury's marquee striker has fallen out with head coach Ian Ferguson.

"He's leaving over my dead body and I own and run the club, so that's where that all finishes," Matheson said.

"Robbie's an outstanding lad, probably the best thing that has happened to the A-League to date. I'm sure the coach has his expectations and they'll work through that. If I thought there was an issue I'd deal with it in a flash."