Football news

Manchester City have lined up Hungarian international Marton Fulop on loan from Sunderland to resolve a goalkeeping crisis threatening their bid for a Champions League qualifying place.

Shay Given, the club's regular goalkeeper, was ruled out for the season after dislocating his shoulder at the weekend.

The club's reserve keeper Stuart Taylor is recovering from knee surgery which left only 23-year-old Gunnar Nielsen, who stood in against Arsenal as the first player from the Faroe Islands to appear in the Premier League.

Fulop is used to playing on loan having had stints at Chesterfield, Coventry and Sunderland while on Tottenham's books and then joining Leicester and Stoke from Sunderland.

Emirates mulls Spain sponsorship

Dubai government-owned air carrier Emirates is considering a sports sponsorship deal in Spain after the success of deals with several major European teams, its CEO said.

"We have sponsored all the way to New Zealand, Australia, the Far East, Europe and America," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said.

"This year we will be flying to Spain so you may see us there (with a sponsorship deal)," he said.

Asked whether a potential deal would involve a club from Madrid, with both La Liga clubs Real and Atletico based there, or Barcelona, he did not want to specify.

"Up to now we have more been in the capitals," said Sheikh Ahmed with a smile.

Thorpe backs Aussie World Cup bid

Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe has thrown his support behind his country's bid to host the football World Cup.

Australia hopes to hold the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, arguing that having the event would consolidate the growth of the sport in Asia.

"It would be huge for Australia as the whole country would be showcased to the rest of the world," Thorpe said.

Thorpe will have a chance to press his case when he joins UEFA president and FIFA executive committee member Michel Platini at a sports convention in Dubai today.

Fergie backs Labour for British election

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson backed Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour in Britain's May 6 general election, and compared the poll to the race to win the Premiership.

Ferguson acknowledged that the week of the election may be one of the worst of his life if Labour lose and Chelsea win the Premiership ahead of Manchester United on May 9.

"Aye, and it might be one of the best weeks of my life. Because Chelsea can still slip up. And so can the Tories. You've got to keep believing," he said.

"This country is miles better for having had a Labour government these past years."

Blanc criticises Bordeaux medics

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc hit out at the club's medical staff after they let Yoann Gourcuff play injured for almost half an hour last Saturday.

The Ligue 1 club said Gourcuff, who was replaced at half-time in Bordeaux's 1-0 defeat at Lorient after picking a thigh injury after some 20 minutes, missed the game at Valenciennes yesterday.

The injury is not expected to put Gourcuff, France's main playmaker, in doubt for this year's World Cup.

"I think a medical staff has to take its responsibilities. When they told me at half-time it was a strained muscle, he was out, no questions about that," Blanc said.

"A player always wants to stay on the pitch. We took big chances with him and with the French team."

Japan coach seeks Wenger's advice

Japan coach Takeshi Okada says he has been tipped off by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger that World Cup opponents Cameroon may make the most of their height advantage.

The smaller Blue Samurai open their World Cup account against Cameroon on June 14.

"I'd better let my players eat a lot and grow taller as counter-measures," Okada quipped.

Okada said he got the hint when he had dinner with Wenger in London last week and sought his advice about fellow Frenchman and Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen.

"I asked him if Le Guen is an idealist or realist. Is he a person who follows his ideal or takes a realistic approach by adjusting to opponents?" Okada said. Wenger called Le Guen a realist.

Juve's Trezeguet heading to Milan

The agent of Juventus striker David Trezeguet, 32, told reporters his player wants to leave Turin in summer and join Serie A rivals Milan.

Antonio Caliendo said the Frenchman is just one of several players facing the axe at Juventus at the end of the season.

"We are waiting to see what will happen at Juve in the next few weeks and then we'll make a decision," Caliendo said.

"Other clubs are after him, including Lyon. However, his objective is Milan. I believe that the price will be around €5m and €10m. The contract for David would be for two years."

Trezeguet is the most successful overseas scorer Juventus ever had since his arrival a decade ago.