Football news

Saturday's Serie A game between Juventus and Inter must be stopped if racist chanting is heard, the Italian players' union chief said.

Juve were forced to play a game behind closed doors last season after fans racially abused Inter's Mario Balotelli but their supporters have again chanted against the black striker in recent matches ahead of the clash in Turin.

"It's always difficult to suspend a match but if we want to beat this evil we shouldn't fear doing it," Sergio Campana told reporters.

"We have to give the captains the right to ask for the suspension of the game."

Rooney eyes best ever season haul

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is eyeing his best goal-scoring season after bagging a hat-trick in a 4-1 win at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Rooney's third treble for the club since he joined from Everton in 2004 has set the England man, already on 10 goals for the season, well on his way to smashing his previous best of 23 in all competitions in 2006/07.

"Taking penalties my tally should be a lot higher. Thankfully, I've scored two of them on Saturday," the 24-year-old said.

"It's a great feeling to score a hat-trick, an amazing feeling."

It was Rooney's first treble since October 2006 when United tore Bolton apart. The first came against Fenerbahce in September 2004.

Bayern Munich dismiss Babel link

Bayern Munich director of sport Christian Nerlinger has rubbished rumours linking his club with a bid for Liverpool forward Ryan Babel.

The Dutchman is reportedly one of Bayern coach Louis van Gaal's targets this winter, should he still be in charge of the Bavarian club, but Nerlinger denies there is any interest.

"I don't know anything about it and so you can take it for granted that there is no truth in it," he said.

Since Bayern are likely to sell striker Luca Toni in summer, a new forward to replace him is one of Van Gaal's targets, but it is unlikely Babel would be keen on a transfer if it meant he would still be sitting on the bench.

Mascherano claims derby goal

Javier Mascherano believes he should be credited with the opening strike in Sunday's 212th Merseyside derby despite it going down as a Joseph Yobo own goal.

The Liverpool midfielder let fly from 30 yards and although his shot appeared to be heading just off target it took a wicked deflection off the Everton centre-back and went spinning past goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Mascherano, however, is determined to claim the opener, which would be only his fourth career goal after hitting just one for Liverpool and two for Argentina.

"I think it's my goal because I tried to score with the shot," said the 25-year-old.

"It was a really important moment for me because I want to do my best."

Leonardo wants to keep Gattuso

Milan coach Leonardo does not want unsettled midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to leave the club during the winter transfer market.

The Rossoneri veteran has failed to earn a regular spot in Leonardo's side because of injuries and the coach's squad rotation policy.

Gattuso said last week he could leave Milan before the end of his contract in June 2011 if his playing time did not increase.

"If Gattuso has this idea in his head, I will try to make him change his mind," said Leonardo.

"I always speak to Gattuso and try to be very clear. Now the most important thing is that he recovers from the muscular injury."

Gattuso has been a reported target of Manchester City.

FA to investigate 'camera' incident

The Football Association are to investigate the throwing of an object - believed to be a camera - on to the pitch during Sunday's Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

There was a brief stoppage in play midway through the first half when referee Andre Marriner removed the item, which came from a section of the home crowd, and appeared to be thrown towards Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

The referee has mentioned the incident in his match report back to FA officials, who will now contact Arsenal for further information.

Arsenal said they will co-operate fully with the FA, who could study any available CCTV footage or images from the live broadcast.

Everton will turn corner - Cahill

Tim Cahill has played down fears Everton could become embroiled in a relegation scrap, despite the club languishing just three points above the drop zone with over a third of the season gone.

Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool has increased concern among the Everton faithful, but Australia midfielder Cahill felt the performance was encouraging.

Cahill said: "I think that's the best we've played in a while. Our passing was good, we made lots of space with our movement and had two disallowed goals.

"We're in a lot of trouble - the only way now is to play and work our way out of it."

Everton have won only once in 11 matches in all competitions.