Football news

Former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Roberto Carlos has agreed a two-year deal with Sao Paulo-based giants Corinthians.

Roberto Carlos's contract with Fenerbahce ends on December 20 and according to Radio Record the 36-year-old has already agreed to join the Brazilian first division side.

If confirmed, the defender would be playing alongside former Brazil team-mate Ronaldo.

"I'll be able to play in the same team as him (Ronaldo)," Roberto Carlos said.

"I want to be part of the squad that competes in the Copa Libertadores."

Spanish probe hits two clubs

Spanish second division clubs Las Palmas and Rayo Vallecano, and seven professional players are to be investigated in a probe into betting on matches.

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday they were opening an enquiry into players suspected of betting on the outcome of matches they were competing in, and others, after a tip-off from UEFA.

Last month, the German authorities uncovered what UEFA described as the biggest match-fixing scandal on the continent.

Goalkeeper Javier Lopez Vallejo, of promoted La Liga club Real Zaragoza, and Rayo striker Piti were the highest profile players named.

Wenger looking to buy players

Arsenal will be seeking new players in the January transfer window because of Robin van Persie's long-term injury, manager Arsene Wenger said.

Wenger had said earlier that he was unlikely to spend and was happy with the squad but losing the Dutch striker for four to five months has changed his thinking.

"I didn't feel we were in the need to buy anybody but we will be out on the market that is for sure," he said.

"However we will only make a decision if it suits us."

The Dutchman, who had scored eight goals in his last 11 matches for Arsenal, was injured in a friendly between Netherlands and Italy last month.

Maradona ban stands for draw

The ban on Argentina coach Diego Maradona imposed after a foul-mouthed tirade also applies to tomorrow's World Cup draw.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Maradona, who has already said he would be staying away from Cape Town, would not be accredited.

"Maradona was banned from all football activities by the (FIFA) disciplinary committee for two months and that includes the World Cup draw," he said.

FIFA imposed the ban on Nov. 15, also fining Maradona more than $24,000, after an outburst at the end of last month's decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay.

Maradona, 49, who faced a potential ban from some of his team's matches at next year's World Cup, apologised for his behaviour and showed remorse, FIFA said.

Klinsi rules out Bundesliga return

Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has ruled out coaching a Bundesliga side again and has brushed off reports that linked him to Rafael Benitez's job at Liverpool.

Klinsmann was sacked as coach of Bayern Munich earlier this year after just ten months in charge.

And while his name is often cited in the German press whenever a coach comes under pressure, the 45-year-old has made it clear he has no interest in coaching a Bundesliga club.

"No, I will not take on a coaching role here," Klinsmann told German daily Bild.

"And I can't imagine that changing. For us it is relatively clear. We will not embark on another adventure in the Bundesliga."

Macheda inks new Man. United deal

Italy U-21 striker Federico Macheda has been rewarded for helping Manchester United win last season's Premier League title race with a four-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old remains a peripheral member of Alex Ferguson's first-team squad but he underlined his potential with late winners against Aston Villa and Sunderland in key matches at the end of last season.

Ferguson said he was delighted to have secured Macheda's services until at least June 2014.

"Everyone at the club recognises the fantastic talent he has and we hope to see that develop in the next few years, so he becomes a well rounded player," Ferguson said.

Theron leading lady for FIFA show

South African actress Charlize Theron has landed the leading lady's role in tomorrow's draw for next year's World Cup finals in her home country.

Theron will be joint host of the 90-minute show to be televised live to an estimated global audience of more than two hundred million people in 200 countries at 18.00 (Malta time).

She will join FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to host the procedure of placing the 32 finalists into eight groups of four teams for the tournament. The show will include an African musical spectacular, including gospel and jazz.

A host of sporting celebrities will also take part in the draw including Ethiopia's Olympic champion runner Haile Gebrselassie and David Beckham.