Football news

Argentina showed no mercy against Haiti as Diego Maradona's side claimed a 4-0 friendly victory in one of their final warm-up matches before the World Cup.

Uncapped Facundo Bertoglio hit a brace for Argentina who fielded a home-based team, as it was not a date FIFA had set for international duty. The players boosted their chances of making the 30-man preliminary squad to be named on May 11.

"The guys got my message very well," Maradona said. "I told the players all of them had one chance and they knew to profit from it.

"There were high peaks in form. I liked several players."

Beasley expecting Gers exit

DaMarcus Beasley has all but given up on staying at Rangers next season, despite suggesting he would take a pay cut to do so.

United States midfielder Beasley, one of six players out of contract at Ibrox this summer, has yet to be offered a new deal.

"Rangers haven't spoken to me about coming back so I guess you can put two and two together and make your own conclusions," said Beasley, whose three years in Scottish football have been blighted by injury.

"But never say never. I would consider (a pay cut) so I wouldn't count that out. I have a perfect situation here from a life standpoint and I love playing for a great club like Rangers."

Premier League reject Fulham request

The Premier League have turned down Fulham's request to bring forward their final game of the season against Arsenal to give them extra time to prepare for the Europa League final.

The Cottagers, who play Spanish side Atletico Madrid in Hamburg next Wednesday, made a formal request to have the Emirates Stadium clash moved from Sunday to Saturday.

However, the Premier League have turned the Cottagers down. A statement said: "Given it was the final day of the season, when we always play all our matches at the same time for reasons of integrity, and being mindful of the travel plans supporters will have made, the board felt it wasn't appropriate to move the Arsenal-Fulham match."

On-loan Majewski seals Forest move

On-loan Polish international Radoslaw Majewski has signed for English Premier League hopefuls Nottingham Forest, his home club Polonia Warsaw said yesterday.

Polonia confirmed they have completed the paperwork for the 23-year-old midfielder's move to Forest, to whom the Polish top-flight strugglers lent Majewski in July 2009.

Majewski has flourished since joining Championship side Forest, playing a key role in their clinching a play-off slot, as the club seeks to recover long-lost glory and return to the upper echelon of English football.

Maicon happy at Inter - agent

Inter's flank defender Douglas Maicon is happy at the club amid reports of strong interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City, his agent said.

Widely regarded as one of the best players in his position in world football, Maicon had lamented last year that Inter weren't giving him the recognition he deserves.

However, Maicon's agent, Antonio Caliendo, has played down talk of his client leaving San Siro. Caliendo said: "If after three games we have to sit around a table and talk it will be Moratti (Inter president) who decides.

"He has to look at his balance sheet and a series of other things that don't depend on us. Anyway, the lad and his family are happy in Milan."

Hinkel backs Lennon for Celtic job

Andreas Hinkel believes Neil Lennon has earned the right to be appointed Celtic manager on a permanent basis.

Tuesday's Old Firm derby victory maintained Lennon's 100 per cent Premier League record since he was named interim boss at the end of March. The one black mark from his eight games in charge was last month's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County.

"I've gone through a few big changes in my time here and even more so just this season," Hinkel, 28, said.

"I think a lot of this year's problems have been down to losing good players and having injuries at the wrong times. But Neil is bringing us back to the winning habit and you can say he definitely deserves a longer chance in the job."

Jagielka ready for supporting role

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is looking forward to a "fantastic" World Cup - whether he makes Fabio Capello's England squad or not.

Jagielka is back in contention for a place in the party to travel to South Africa after overcoming a 10-month lay-off to play a part in Everton's strong finish to the season.

"You dream about playing for your country in the World Cup and if I get the opportunity to travel with the squad, especially after the previous 10 months, it would be amazing," Jagielka said.

"If I am lucky enough to go I'll be buzzing - but, if not, I'll still be smiling, I'll still be putting my shirt on supporting the boys."