Football news

German international midfield star Michael Ballack played his first match yesterday after a three- month absence through injury which cost him captaining Germany at the World Cup finals.

The 33-year-old played in a friendly for his new club Bayer Leverkusen against third division Wiesbaden setting up one of the goals in a 4-0 victory a week away from the start of the Bundesliga.

Ballack could well make his competitive debut for Bayer Leverkusen against Ukrainian side Tavriya Simferopol on Thursday in the Europa League play-off round.

Ben Arfa at odds with Marseille

Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has sworn he will leave Marseille for Newcastle even if it means not playing for a season.

The 23-year-old French international has been told by the reigning champions that he will not be released to play in England with Newcastle.

But after staying away from training on Thursday and Friday and not travelling to Valenciennes for Saturday’s league game, Ben Arfa told L’Equipe newspaper he is ready to continue his strike action.

“It’s because the club officials don’t give a damn about me that today I announce that I am prepared to put my career on hold if they do not accept the offer from Newcastle as agreed at the start,” he said.

Schwarzer stalemate to continue – Hughes

Fulham manager Mark Hughes made it clear Arsenal would have to up their offer for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer before he’d let the Australia international leave Craven Cottage.

The Gunners had a two million pounds bid for Schwarzer rejected by London rivals Fulham in May and Hughes indicated the Cottagers would want more for the player.

“The intention is to keep Mark Schwarzer,” Hughes said.

“Myself and Mark have had conversations and I fully understand the reasoning behind the fact that he maybe wants to take up the opportunity (to join Arsenal).

“But I think he also understands that we have to protect our position as well, and that is what we are doing.”

Marseille confirm Niang’s departure

French champions Marseille on Saturday confirmed they will sell Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang to Turkish club Fenerbahce.

“Marseille tonight confirms the departure of Mamadou Niang to Fenerbahce,” said a statement on the French club’s website.

The 31-year-old Niang, who had been linked with a move to Fenerbahce all summer, was substituted in the second half of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Valenciennes which sent the champions to the foot of the French first division.

Ozil dreams of Madrid move

Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil is optimistic about becoming a Real Madrid player after learning of the Spanish club’s interest in him.

The Germany international tur­ned down a new contract offer with Bremen and has only 12 months left to run on his current deal.

Therefore, Bremen are likely to consider offers for him this summer rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next year, but they have already turned down an offer from Real.

However, the player now has his heart set on a move to Spain.

“When you have such an opportunity like this, then you want to take it,” he said.

“It is any footballer’s dream to play for the biggest teams in Europe.”

Maradona linked to Villa job

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona would not rule out coming to England to take over Aston Villa, according to a newspaper report yesterday.

Maradona is currently out of work after being sacked as Argentina manager last month, while Villa are currently manager-less following Martin O’Neill’s exit last week.

A report in the Sunday Mercury quoted Maradona’s representative, Walter Soriano, as saying Maradona is currently poring over several options that could bring him to England.

“I think Diego would be very open to the idea of coming to England and managing Aston Villa,” Soriano said.

“He is very attracted to English football and the way of life in your country and I know he would be very willing to move there.”

Rio ‘nowhere near fitness’ – Ferguson

Defender Rio Ferdinand is still a month away from returning to action, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Last month, Ferguson said that the 31-year-old would not be back in action for six weeks. That estimation now looks to have been slightly optimistic.

Ferguson said: “Rio is nowhere near, no. He’s doing little bits of jogging and things like that but I think he’s a month away.

“We always anticipated it would take time. It’s a knee ligament and, although it wasn’t what you’d call a serious one, it was a hard one. You have to take time with knee ligaments.”