Football news

The English FA have moved to ensure that bugged conversations between players and coaches remain confidential.

Discussions involving manager Fabio Capello and the squad are understood to have been secretly taped ahead of the recent friendly against Egypt.

Although they have not officially commented, the FA's lawyers have contacted media organisations warning that publication of the contents of the recording would be illegal.

The secret recording is yet another unwelcome issue for Capello to be faced with in the build-up to the World Cup after the England coach was forced to replace John Terry as captain following revelations about the defender's private life.

Bayern - keeping Ribery a priority

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted the club will pull out all the stops to convince Franck Ribery to extend his current deal at the Allianz Arena.

The Frenchman is out of contract in 2011, but if he doesn't commit himself to a new deal before the summer he is likely to be sold, as Bayern would risk losing him on a free transfer 12 months later.

"Extending Franck's contract is our absolute priority," Rummenigge said.

"If we had wanted to sell him, we would have had to do that last summer. We had some really big offers then, particularly from England. But we all agreed to keep him."

Scholes - San Siro goal my worst

Paul Scholes has admitted his match-changing equaliser against Milan three weeks ago is probably the worst goal he has ever scored.

Trailing 1-0 and lucky not to be out of the tie after being completely outplayed, Manchester United managed to reach the interval level at the San Siro after an outrageous piece of good fortune.

As he attempted to get on the end of a cross, Scholes missed his kick and was as amazed as anyone to see the ball shoot off his standing left leg and fly past Dida.

"That goal was probably the worst one I have ever scored," said Scholes, who bagged his 100th in the Premier League on Saturday with a late winner at Wolves.

"It is easy enough to admit... but a goal is a goal and I will take it."

Lehmann likely to hang up gloves

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is likely to retire in the summer after confirming he won't be extending his contract at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The 40-year-old has opted against remaining with the Swabians and hopes understudies Sven Ulreich and Alexander Stolz will prosper following his departure.

"Staying would be unfair on Sven Ulreich," he said.

"He will be rivalling Alexander Stolz and they are both looking forward to the challenge."

Asked if he would consider staying on a while longer, Lehmann said he could "rule that out".

McLeish plots spending spree

Alex McLeish has warned he will need to undertake a major spending spree this summer if Birmingham are to consolidate their position in the Premier League.

McLeish insists he has been given no indication by owner Carson Yeung that the money available for new players will be affected by the £20.5m loss suffered during the final year of the David Sullivan-David Gold reign.

McLeish said: "Nobody has said last season's losses would affect things. We were talking about spending £20m in January and I only spent £6m of that.

"I would imagine that remaining £14m - plus whatever there is available to be spent this summer - means we should be reasonably healthy."

Gerrard could be in hot water

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could face an FA investigation after he appeared to flash a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner during his side's 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Monday.

The England midfielder was booked in the 81st minute of the Premier League clash following a robust challenge from behind on James McCarthy, and replays of the incident suggested that Gerrard had gestured towards Marriner as well as mouthing an obscenity at the official.

Marriner did not notice the gesture but the FA may decide that Gerrard has a case to answer.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, speaking after the game, insisted he had not seen the incident.

"I don't know, I was too far away," he said.

Abete critical of technology snub

Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete believes FIFA is making a mistake by refusing to experiment with goalline technology.

Abete was stunned by the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to vote against the introduction of video technology to aid referees.

"IFAB's decision confirms the direction taken... by FIFA and UEFA to consider the human aspect of refereeing without giving way to technology," Abete said.

"That doesn't take away that experimenting can be possible. If we don't test, there is a mistake in the method."

Abete believes Italy would be one of the countries that benefits from introducing such technology given the high-profile nature of the league and the scrutiny it receives from the media.