Football news

Marcelo Bielsa has agreed to extend his contract as Chile coach until the 2015 Copa America, the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) said.

ANFP president Harold Mayne-Nicholls confirmed the new deal for Bielsa, who guided the national team to the second round of the World Cup in South Africa. No financial details were revealed but according to media reports the Argentine will receive an increase on his annual 1.5-million-dollar salary.

“We have reached complete agreement on all points,” said Mayne-Nicholls.

The 55-year-old Bielsa took over in 2007. He previously coached Argentina from 1998 to 2000.

Illness delays Cigarini move

Luca Cigarini’s arrival at Sevilla for his medical ahead of his proposed loan switch from Napoli has been delayed by illness.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been forced to rest and advised not to travel to Andalusia yesterday due to “an inopportune fever”, according to www.sevillafc.es.

The agreement for the player to move to the Primera Liga club was reached with Napoli on Monday, with Cigarini poised to pen a season-long loan deal which will give Sevilla the option to buy next summer.

“Sevilla are going to use the services of Italian midfielder Luca Cigarini, once the player passes a medical examination and signs all documents,” read a Sevilla statement.

Barca urged to fix Wenger meeting

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has urged incumbent Sandro Rosell to meet with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger if he wants to sign Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas has been the subject of a summer-long transfer saga.

Gaspart, who had several dealings with Wenger during his three-year tenure, believes the only way for the matter to be resolved is for Rosell to travel to north London.

He said: “My advice, and that’s what I’ve told him (Rosell), is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger.

“I have seen him in negotiations and he has ended up selling. You have to meet him face to face to know if he is bluffing.”

Marquez joins Henry in New York

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez has expressed delight over completing his move to the New York Red Bulls from Barcelona.

The defender has now signed a multi-year deal with the Major League Soccer side, which will see him link up with former Barca team-mate Thierry Henry.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Red Bulls,” Marquez said.

“It’s a new experience, it’s a new challenge so I’m very happy with all this.”

Marquez joins Henry and Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel as the Red Bulls’ designated players – ones whose wages are exempt from the league’s salary cap.

Baggio set to join Azzurri staff

Roberto Baggio is on the verge of sealing a return to football after agreeing to be part of the staff of the national set-up.

Baggio, who retired in 2004, held a two-hour discussion with Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete and is now expected to officially be confirmed as technical committee president after a board meeting today.

He said: “I have given my assent, on my part there’s the maximum willingness to hold the role of president of the technical sector at Coverciano. Now, however, I have to wait the Federal Board on Wednesday (today).”

Baggio scored 27 goals in 56 appearances for Italy, and is the only Azzurri player ever to score in three World Cups.

Jelavic keen on Rangers move

Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic has urged employers Rapid Vienna to allow him to join Rangers. Rapid have so far rejected attempts from the Scottish champions to secure the 24-year-old frontman but the player has made his preference clear.

“I was informed about Rangers’ interest in me and I really want to go,” he said.

“Rapid are a great side and I have enjoyed my time here but I have paid them back well with goals and I deserve the chance to go. It has always been my dream to play in Britain and Rangers are a big club with tradition.”

Honduras striker Georgie Welcome is also looking to move to Ibrox after arriving at the club for a trial period.

Campbell angered by fans’ criticism

Newcastle new boy Sol Campbell has branded criticism of his physical condition as “pathetic” and vowed he will be back to peak fitness “in three or four weeks”.

The 35-year-old former England centre-back was labelled “fat belly” on Magpies’ supporters’ message boards after the publication of a less-than-flattering training photograph over the weekend.

Campbell accepts he has work to do but claims his current state is no cause for concern.

“It’s pathetic,’’ he said of the abuse.

“I had been training for three days – just three days. I am three weeks behind everyone else in pre-season. Don’t they know I have just got married and been on honeymoon?’’