Football news

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant blasted football's lawmakers after seeing Younes Kaboul sent off for celebrating his last-gasp equaliser at Sunderland.

The Frenchman was booked for removing his shirt and, having already been cautioned for a foul, was given his marching orders by referee Steve Bennett after snatching a point at the Stadium of Light with a 93rd-minute leveller.

Grant said: "It's a silly red card - it's a silly rule, it's a stupid rule. If someone can explain this rule to me...

"What happens if someone takes their shirt off? Does it damage someone, does it disturb someone, does it make someone angry? All our bench celebrated and took their shirts off - if you see the belly of the kitman..."

Juve's Buffon has knee surgery

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has undergone successful surgery on his left knee, the Serie A club said yesterday. Media reports said he would be out of action for up to 40 days.

The Italy no.1 suffered a cartilage problem some months ago but postponed an operation until after the Champions League group stages.

Following their elimination by Bayern Munich, Buffon decided to put off surgery for a few days in order to help the team recover but the 31-year-old was powerless in Saturday's 3-1 Serie A defeat by Bari.

Winger Mauro Camoranesi could also be ruled out for some time after going off with a thigh injury on Saturday.

Burley wants club football

Former Scotland boss George Burley has declared himself ready to return to club management.

Burley was sacked in November after a 3-0 friendly defeat by Wales in Cardiff which followed a failed 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The former Hearts, Ipswich and Derby boss is looking to get back to the day-to-day involvement, which he missed while boss of Scotland.

"It was a great experience and a great honour," he said.

"It was something that has made me a better manager and now I'm looking forward to getting back into club football."

O'Neill pleased after Villa break jinx

Martin O'Neill refused to get carried away after his Aston Villa side beat champions Manchester United 1-0 on Saturday - the Midlands club's first win at Old Trafford in 26 years.

Victory meant Villa had now defeated three of the so-called 'Big Four' - United, Liverpool and Chelsea - already this season.

"I am quite sure people will try and make those connections, I am just delighted to have won it," O'Neill said.

"It's a long time since the football club won at Old Trafford and that is very, very pleasing. In the last few years every time, pre-match, I have been asked what we will do about it so I am really pleased to have finally won a game."

Gunners to seek compensation

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the club intend to seek compensation from the Dutch football federation over the ankle injury suffered by Robin van Persie.

The forward suffered ankle ligament damage during Holland's friendly against Italy on November 14 and is not expected to return to action until April next year.

Wenger said: "We are working on this with our lawyers at the moment and we are definitely going for it.

"I expect financial compensation for the damage it can make to the championship and the salary involved. It is especially frustrating to lose your players for the rest of the season in a friendly game."

Wenger claims the Dutch federation misdiagnosed the injury.

Kuranyi in dark over future

Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi refused to speculate about where he may be playing next season after notching his eighth goal of the season on Saturday.

The 27-year-old scored one and set up the other as the Royal Blues ended Werder Bremen's 23-game unbeaten streak.

However, Kuranyi's future remains up in the air. His contract with Schalke runs out in the summer and the financially-stricken club have yet to make him a new offer.

Since he is one of the biggest earners, the likelihood is he will leave but Kuranyi has made it clear that he is still happy in Gelsenkirchen.

"I don't know where I will be playing next season, but I hope it is with Schalke," he said.

Spurs to probe Assou-Ekotto clash

Tottenham have launched an investigation into the confrontation between Cameroon left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and a home supporter following Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Wolves at White Hart Lane.

Assou-Ekotto had to be restrained by Tottenham assistant manager Joe Jordan after reacting angrily to jeers as he left the pitch on Saturday.

Police and stewards were made aware of the incident and a club spokesman confirmed they are looking into the matter.

"We are aware of the incident and we are investigating," said the spokesman. "The police are speaking to everyone involved."