Football news

Fabio Capello insists England's trip to Qatar to face Brazil in a lucrative friendly this month is a worthwhile exercise. The FA have come under fire for agreeing to the fixture in the middle of a hectic period of Premier League and European action.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, while not specifically mentioning the Doha fixture on Nov. 14, is frustrated by "the intrusion of a friendly game in some unknown country" in the midst of the season.

But Capello insists his players will return from duty fresher than those from other countries.

"I don't understand what this is all about," he said.

"Most other countries are playing two games but we are only playing one match and returning the players on Sunday, four days earlier than the other countries."

Mancini resolves Inter dispute

Former Inter coach Roberto Mancini has had his contract at the Italian champions resolved and is now available to take other jobs.

Mancini, who has been linked in the media with Real Madrid, was sacked in May last year despite a third straight league title after losing the confidence of Inter president Massimo Moratti.

The 44-year-old coach threatened to resign during the 2007/08 season only to change his mind later. He was replaced by Jose Mourinho, who led Inter to the scudetto again last term.

Mancini had a deal with Inter until 2012 and media reports say he has agreed to walk away with eight million euros, significantly less than he would have been paid for the remainder of the contract.

Celtic chief won't risk club's future

Celtic chairman John Reid told shareholders that he has no intention of risking the Scottish club's long-term financial future for short-term success on the pitch.

Reid was giving a passionate response to accusations that failure to buy new players in January had cost the club their fourth successive Premier League title.

Reid pointed to the financial difficulties currently being suffered by rivals Rangers, who are reportedly £30 million in debt.

"I say look around you, great institutions are falling apart," he said.

"You have to make sure you don't fall in to the populist trap of trying to buy an easy ride for the next few months by selling the future of the club and that is what we won't do."

Allardyce wants physical challenges

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has warned that efforts to clamp down on the physical side of English football could prove disastrous.

Tackling has been under the spotlight again after Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell's challenge on Theo Walcott, which left the Arsenal winger with a knee injury.

Allardyce said: "This is a physical contact game and fans love the commitment.

"You take that away and you haven't got a product. If you don't have a product, you don't have the money that you have got, you don't have the worldwide recognition - you will destroy the game."

Wenger shrugs off Adebayor's claims

Arsene Wenger insists his season will not be affected by Emmanuel Adebayor's claims that Cesc Fabregas could leave Arsenal if the Gunners fail to secure Champions League football next term.

The Arsenal captain has long been linked with a return to Barcelona, where he began his career.

Adebayor left the Gunners to join Man. City in a £25m deal in summer.

Wenger said he does not have time for Adebayor.

"Frankly, I'm not really bothered about what he says," Wenger said.

"Why should I react to quotes that may not even be accurate?

"Nobody knows what's happening next week so why should you speculate or worry about statements of that type?"

Schalke looking to sell top players

Schalke 04 coach Felix Magath admitted yesterday the cash-strapped Royal Blues are looking to sell some of their stars as the Bundesliga side try to reduce their wage bill.

Last Thursday, Schalke announced they had trimmed €25.5 million off their debts - reported to be in excess of €180 million - but their top names could be sold to lower their wage bill.

"Even if we have some breathing space now, we must considerably reduce our wage bill," Magath said.

Ex-Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi and defender Rafinha top a list of eight players Bild claim Magath is keen to move on to ease their wage bill.

Cambiasso called up by Maradona

Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso was called up by Diego Maradona for the first time when he was included in a 19-man Argentina squad for the friendly against Spain.

Argentina meet Spain at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on November 14.

In a squad made up entirely of players with European clubs, Cristian Ansaldi, of Russian league leaders Rubin Kazan, is the only newcomer, picked for the problem in left back position.

Cambiasso won the last of his 45 caps in Alfio Basile's last match in charge, a 1-0 defeat by Chile in a qualifier in Santiago a year ago.

The midfielder was overlooked by Maradona, who celebrated his 49th birthday on Friday, for the eight World Cup qualifiers Argentina played under the new coach this year.