Football news

Zdenek Zeman has denied being approached by Lazio despite reports linking the Czech as a possible replacement for under-fire coach Davide Ballardini.

Zeman was in the stands on Sunday and watched Milan beat Lazio, 2-1.

"I can only say that I have not spoken to any Lazio club executive," said Zeman.

"I don't know what will happen in the future."

Sunday's result left the Biancoceleste just two points above the drop zone.

O'Neill makes peace with Reo-Coker

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists his training-ground spat with Nigel Reo-Coker has been consigned to history.

Reo-Coker was left out of the squad for the game with Portsmouth following the bust-up between the duo in mid-September. But proof the incident is long forgotten came when O'Neill made Reo-Coker skipper for the clash with his former side West Ham on Saturday.

O'Neill said: "He's been captain before. I felt, if he's going into the side, he might as well burden himself with the extra responsibility as captain as well, and I thought he acquitted himself really well.

"Was it an excellent piece of man-management? I'm too old to start holding grudges now."

Ferguson set to escape FA action

Alex Ferguson is likely to avoid any disciplinary action after slamming the performance of referee Martin Atkinson during Manchester United's 1-0 loss to Chelsea.

Ferguson was furious with Atkinson for awarding a free-kick that led to Chelsea's winner.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he can't see anything," Ferguson said.

"He's got a Chelsea player standing right in front of him. That goal should not have been allowed. It was a bad decision. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there. It was a bad one."

However, it is understood the FA will not take action against Ferguson as he did not suggest Atkinson was biased.

Roma unwilling to release Brazil duo

Roma will not release goalkeeper Doni and defender Juan for Brazil's friendlies against England and Oman in the Middle East. Both players missed Roma's 1-1 draw at Inter on Sunday, Doni with a thigh knock and Juan with a calf strain.

"Doni and Juan will stay in Rome to have treatment, given that Brazil are only playing two friendlies and the regulations allow it," Roma's sporting human resources manager Gianpaolo Montali said.

"We have sent an urgent fax to the Brazilian Football Federation with all the necessary documentation. If the national team doctors want to verify the condition of their players, they can come to Rome and do it."

Beckham out of Brazil friendly

David Beckham has pulled out of the England squad to face Brazil on Saturday after the midfielder's LA Galaxy club reached the MLS Western Conference final on Sunday.

Beckham helped Galaxy to a 1-0 semi-final second leg win over Chivas USA to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate and reach the final against Houston Dynamo, which is scheduled for Friday.

Beckham, though, was forced out of the match after 78 minutes after taking a knock to his lower back, and watched the remainder of the action with an ice-pack on the injury.

England manager Fabio Capello included Beckham in the 24-man squad for the friendly in Qatar with the condition that he would withdraw if Galaxy qualified for the final.

FA and McDonald's agree new deal

The English FA and McDonald's announced a new 10 million pounds four-year sponsorship agreement aimed at grassroots level soccer in England.

Over the next four years, the new partnership will see the FA and the fast-food chain supporting more than 200,000 coaches and 400,000 volunteers through local FA networks as well as many other local initiatives.

FA chief executive Ian Watmore said he was delighted McDonald's were continuing to support soccer at the grassroots level after already being involved for the last eight years.

Manucho says sorry to coach

Angolan striker Manucho, suspended from the national team for arriving late for training, apologised yesterday in the hope of making it back to the squad.

"I apologise to the professor (coach), to my colleagues and in particular to the nation in general," state-owned news agency Angop quoted Manucho as saying.

Angola, who host the African Nations Cup from Jan. 10-31 next year, have friendlies this month against Congo and Ghana.

Coach Manuel Jose said last week Manucho, formerly of Manchester United and now at Spanish club Real Valladolid, would not play for his country again unless he apologised.