Football news

A South African court released two Dutch women on bail yesterday, hours after their arrest for bringing 36 women to a World Cup match in orange miniskirts made by a brewery.

The two were freed on a 1,000-euro bail and required to surrender their passports when they appeared in a Johannesburg court.

They face charges of violating the Merchandise Marks Act, which is being used to protect FIFA's fiercely guarded commercial interests during the World Cup.

The two arrested women were accused of orchestrating the stunt to promote Dutch brewer Bavaria Beer, during the Netherlands-Denmark in Johannesburg on Monday.

Eriksson calls for Jabulani review

Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has added his voice to the debate over the Jabulani, the widely derided ball at the World Cup.

The Swede has called for a summit meeting to discuss its use, but not until after the 2010 World Cup.

"You can see in matches and in shooting practice in training that the ball swerves," Eriksson said.

"Goalkeepers are not happy about it at all. It's late to do anything about it for this World Cup but it should be discussed by the authorities. Everyone should listen to the top keepers in the world, this doesn't do them any favours at all.

"Managers, players and the firm that produces the ball (Adidas) should talk about it."

Toure poised for Barca exit - agent

Ivory Coast international midfielder Yaya Toure is poised for a move away from Barcelona and Manchester City are a strong option, his agent Dimitri Seluk said following talks at the Spanish club.

"In a few days we will have a definitive solution, although I must talk to him before," he told reporters.

"Manchester City are one of the options. I think Barcelona prefer this option because they are the ones offering the most money," he added, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The newspaper said the deal could be worth between €25 and €30 million.

Hungary coach Koeman faces axe

The future of Hungary's Dutch coach Erwin Koeman is in doubt ahead of a meeting of the national federation that will discuss his failure to lead the side to the World Cup finals.

Federation spokesman Lazslo Pajor-Guylaitol said Koeman's contract would be discussed at the first meeting of the newly-elected board later in the month.

The board "will decide whether it wishes to pursue or not its cooperation with coach Koeman," he said.

Koeman said he had been kept in the dark about his contract which runs until October 2011.

"I do not know what the future holds for me in Hungary. My fate is in the federation's hands," he said.

Rafa backs Dalglish for Liverpool job

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes that Kenny Dalglish is the best man to take over at the Premier League club again.

Benitez was presented as new coach of Inter on Tuesday after leaving Anfield earlier in the month.

"I think Liverpool should look at Kenny Dalglish," he was quoted as saying in The Sun yesterday.

"He is the man for the job.

"The owners should listen to the fans because they are unhappy. No one knows the club better than Dalglish and he would be perfect there.

"He wants the job and in my opinion he should get it."

Palermo's Miccoli to reveal future plans

Palermo striker Fabrizio Miccoli is to hold a press conference today amid increasing speculation over his future.

Miccoli has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini admitting Birmingham City made enquiries about the 30-year-old.

Palermo have insisted he is not for sale, with Sabatini telling TGS: "Is Miccoli considering Birmingham's offer? It is normal that a player has some doubts when an offer is received. Palermo do not want to sell the player. We will evaluate everything soon."

In a separate deal, Palermo yesterday signed much-travelled forward Massimo Maccarone from Siena for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old has signed a three-year deal.

No Chelsea bid for Benayoun

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is expected to leave Anfield this summer but the club have yet to receive an approach for the Israel international.

Reports suggesting the Reds have agreed a £6 million deal with Chelsea are premature but the Merseysiders are resigned to the fact the 30-year-old will leave and accept it is only a matter of time before an offer comes in.

Chelsea are believed to see the former West Ham playmaker as a direct replacement for Joe Cole, whose departure from Stamford Bridge was confirmed when the two parties failed to agree terms on a new contract after his current deal expired.

Reports claim Benayoun has already agreed in principle a four-year deal with Chelsea.