Football news

Inter president Massimo Moratti has insisted Mario Balotelli will not be joining Manchester City in January.

The appointment of former Inter coach Roberto Mancini as City manager on Saturday has fuelled speculation 19-year-old striker Balotelli could head to Eastlands when the transfer window opens.

Moratti congratulated Manchester City for the appointment of Mancini, who won three Serie A titles in his time at the San Siro, but insisted the Italy U-21 international was not for sale.

"I think they (Manchester City) have made a great signing," said Moratti. "But they should not inquire about Balotelli for January because we are not selling him."

Juve fined €10,000 after racist chants

Juventus have been fined €10,000 after their fans sang racist chants and let off fireworks in Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by Serie A strugglers Catania.

Juve may have feared a far worse punishment as fans sang "there are no black Italians", a chant that cost them a stadium ban last season when directed at Inter forward Mario Balotelli, an Italian of Ghanaian decent.

The League said the punishment had been softened because of the Turin club's attempts to prevent such episodes taking place.

Napoli were fined €15,000 after a laser was shone at the opposition goalkeeper in Sunday's 2-0 home win over Chievo.

Japan's 'T-shirt' Inamoto eyes move

Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto could make a return to the J-League in January in a bid to secure a spot in next year's World Cup squad.

The 30-year-old has fallen out of favour at French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes and his agent said that Inamoto has had offers from Kawasaki Frontale and Omiya Ardija.

Once affectionately dubbed "T-shirt" by Arsenal fans after joining the English club in 2001 and hardly seeing any first-team action, Inamoto joined Rennes in June but has failed to even make the bench in the side's last three games.

Ancelotti backs Terry after allegations

England and Chelsea captain John Terry has been given the backing of his club and manager following allegations that he took cash payments to lay on a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training ground.

A Sunday newspaper claimed Terry accepted £10,000 in cash within yards of manager Carlo Ancelotti at the club's Cobham training HQ to arrange the visit for an undercover reporter.

But Ancelotti defended Terry after the centre-half played in Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Ham. Asked about the allegations, Ancelotti said: "This is not correct. This is not true.

"The club, me, the players, have a lot of confidence in John Terry and Terry did nothing wrong. He was very quiet, very calm, very concentrated for the game."

Zola buoyed by battling draw

Gianfranco Zola believes West Ham's battling 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Chelsea at Upton Park can be the spark to turn around their miserable season.

"The attitude, the passion and the courage of my players was remarkable," Zola said. "It was a good starting point and it will affect everyone from now on.

"They were tired but they didn't look like it. They could have played another 90 minutes. In the past we played some good games but I never felt the atmosphere we had today.

"We knew the team in front of us were better than us so we had to give something more. That was the key factor.

"We played with passion and dragged the crowd on our side and that made the difference really. In football it is such an important thing."

Eto'o hopes to face Chievo

Inter striker Samuel Eto'o is trying to delay his trip to Angola for the African Cup so he can lead his team's attack against Chievo on January 6.

The 28-year-old, whose goal gave Inter a 1-0 win over Lazio on Sunday, should meet up with his Cameroon team-mates soon after Christmas.

"I hope to be there against Chievo. I asked my manager if I can join the group as late as possible. Let's hope..."

Cameroon start their African Cup campaign on January 13 when they face Gabon.

Eto'o was delighted that his goal against Lazio lifted Inter eight points clear at the top.

"First of all, I am happy for the team," he said. "My goals are needed for the cause. It's wonderful to close the year like this."

Totti relieved injury not serious

Roma captain Francesco Totti was relieved to discover his knee injury is not as serious as first thought.

The striker picked up a knock on his right knee during Sunday's 2-0 win over Parma and was taken to hospital to undergo tests.

The 33-year-old underwent minor surgery on the knee earlier in the season and revealed he feared the worst.

"I was scared but I am happy that it is nothing serious," said Totti.

"I think I will be available when the season restarts in the new year."

Totti signed a contract extension with Roma until June 2014 last week.