Football news

New Chinese football boss Wei Di is to meet FIFA president Sepp Blatter next week to discuss China's match-fixing scandal.

Wei, who took over as the head of the football department at the sports ministry in January when his predecessor Nan Yong was arrested for accepting bribes, will travel to Zurich next week to meet Blatter.

"Wei is visiting under FIFA's invitation, which is normal for a new appointee, and I believe they will discuss every aspect of Chinese football," a Chinese FA spokesman said.

FIFA said earlier this year they were working with the CFA on revising their "statutes" and were "considering" plans to meet with the Chinese over the match-fixing scandal.

Balotelli refuses to make apology

Inter's teenage forward Mario Balotelli said he was refusing to back down in a row with coach Jose Mourinho that has led to him being frozen out of action for a month.

Mourinho again left Balotelli out of his squad for yesterday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at home against CSKA Moscow, amid media reports that the Portuguese is waiting for an apology for an incident in training.

"I'm not so stupid to miss five matches (unnecessarily). If an apology were due, I would have given it before," Balotelli was quoted as saying by Italian media.

"Being as I'm right, I'm not apologising."

Mourinho unhappy in Italian football

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has again spoken of his dislike for Italian football.

"I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football," the former Chelsea and Porto coach told Sky Sports television.

Asked why, he said: "Because I don't like it and it doesn't like me, simple."

Mourinho has also voiced his displeasure with elements of Italian football in the past. The Portuguese again declined to talk to the media after his Serie A leaders lost 2-1 at Roma on Saturday, continuing a month-long media boycott before and after Italian league games.

Ibra: Titles will earn Arsenal respect

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Arsenal must win titles before their brand of free-flowing football will be given the credit it deserves.

Barcelona have proved to be capable of winning with style, while Arsenal's free-flowing style has been good to watch but has brought them little trophy success recently.

"When you play attractive football it is important to win titles also," Ibrahimovic said. "If you don't, people say these teams don't win by playing that way and maybe they should change their style.

"I like the way Arsenal play because they are a very strong team. They have many young players and play attractive football and have a coach who has been there for a long time."

I turned down Juventus - Trap

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed he turned down a move to Juventus earlier this year.

The 71-year-old claims he was sounded out about replacing Ciro Ferrara, who was sacked at the end of January after a poor run of results, before the Turin club appointed Alberto Zaccheroni until the end of the season.

"With a heavy heart I turned it down because it was impossible for me to be involved in a national team and club football," Trapattoni said.

"It would not have been a serious option."

Trapattoni guided Juve for a total of 13 years over two spells.

Birmingham's McLeish proud of his side

Alex McLeish has revealed his pride at Birmingham taking points off all of the big four clubs in their first season back in the Premier League.

The Blues shared the spoils in the home matches with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal and also claimed a point at Liverpool, who visit St Andrew's on Sunday.

"It has been fantastic, a great achievement to take points off all of the normal top four clubs," McLeish said. "We would have liked to have taken more. We've got Liverpool at home next and we have played well against other top teams at St Andrew's.

"It has been difficult for us to win on the road recently but no-one finds it easy away from home - as Arsenal found against us at the weekend."

Brown backs Lennon for Celtic job

Celtic skipper Scott Brown believes Neil Lennon would be a "great choice" to manage the club on a long-term basis.

Lennon enjoyed a winning start in his interim role when Celtic beat Kilmarnock 3-1 on Saturday in the Premier League.

The former Parkhead captain stated his desire to retain the post on a permanent basis immediately after replacing the ousted Tony Mowbray last week.

"If you ask all the lads, he's a leader," Brown said.

"He has been there and done it all, and the players all respect him as well, so he would be a great choice."