Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is to appeal his one-month ban for insulting anti-doping officials.
The former Manchester United assistant manager was last week suspended for Portugal’s first two Euro 2012 qualifiers on September 3 and 7 for insulting anti-doping officials who had turned up to test his players at a pre-World Cup training camp in May.
Rui Patricio, Queiroz’s lawyer, said the appeal had been lodged because the coach “has done nothing wrong”.
Queiroz is also the target of a fresh disciplinary inquiry after turning his ire on a high ranking Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) official.
Pulis frustrated by no-show Begovic
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is to hold talks with Asmir Begovic after the Bosnian goalkeeper refused to play in the Potters’ League Cup win over Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
Begovic, who has been linked with a move to champions Chelsea, was due to play against Shrewsbury but Pulis, speaking after his side’s 2-1 victory on Tuesday, revealed: “He said he did not want to play.
“I find that very disappointing. We pay his wages and he has a responsibility to the club. We have a lot of supporters who idolise this club and love it.
“We have a management team and people around who have been here a long time. They respect the club and like it as much as the supporters do. To do what he has done is totally disrespectful.”
Lahm wants new Bayern deal
Philipp Lahm wants to commit his long-term future to Bayern Munich.
The 26-year-old, who captained Germany at the World Cup in the absence of the injured Michael Ballack, is under contract at the Allianz Arena until 2012.
But Lahm, one of the most highly-rated full-backs in Europe, is keen to extend his stay.
“There will definitely be talks about my contract this season,” he told the Bild newspaper. “I assume that the club will approach me.
“I can imagine signing for the long term, because as a player in the coming years at Bayern you will play for international titles.”
Silvestre on brink of Bremen move
Werder Bremen are closing in on the signing of former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving the Gunners in the summer.
“We are in promising talks, it looks like Silvestre is coming to us,” Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs told Kicker.
The German side are in need of defensive reinforcements, having lost 4-1 to Hoffenheim in their opening game of the Bundesliga season last weekend.
Silvestre spent nine years at Old Trafford between 1999 and 2008 after signing from Inter. The former France international joined Arsenal in 2008 but left the club this summer.
Robinho targets European move
Robinho has told Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini he wants to play in either Italy or Spain.
The Brazil international, who went out on loan to Santos last season, looks increasingly likely to leave Eastlands.
Turkish side Fenerbahce are apparently keen to secure the former Real Madrid forward’s services and there is also interest from elsewhere.
Mancini said: “Robinho has two or three options. When he chooses we will then know where he wants to go. I have spoken with Robinho and he can stay if he works well and trains well.
“I have a good relationship with him. But I think he wants to play in Italy or Spain.”
Huntelaar says no to Schalke – report
Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has rejected a move to Bundesliga side Schalke, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
La Gazzetta claimed that Huntelaar told Schalke coach Felix Magath over the phone that he had no desire to leave the San Siro. Huntelaar’s agent Arnold Osterveer denied that his client had spoken to Magath.
For his part, Huntelaar said: “I am playing here. I have not really had a chance to play as a striker, because last season I was almost always used on the wing.
“Allegri seems like a very capable coach to me and I like him because he is similar to the coaches that I had in Holland. I am happy and I am not leaving.”
Friedrich set for surgery
Wolfsburg’s new German international signing Arne Friedrich revealed yesterday he will undergo surgery on a herniated disc which will rule him out of action for up to three months.
Friedrich, a member of Germany’s World Cup team which finished third in South Africa, has been suffering from back problems since receiving a knock in training in early August.
“We have tried to cure the pain, but everything indicates that only surgery will indefinitely resolve the problem,” said Friedrich.
The 31-year-old joined the 2009 Bundesliga champions last month for two million euros after spending most of his career with relegated Hertha Berlin.