Football news

Parma suffered a blow to their chan­ces of winning points early in the campaign to avoid getting involved in the relegation scrap when striker Sebastian Giovinco suffered a thigh strain and will be out for a month.

Giovinco was replaced at half-time during the midweek 1-1 draw at Lecce and tests have now confirmed the damage. Parma medics said there is inflammation of the thigh muscle.

“Giovinco should be back in a month’s time but more tests are needed to ascertain the length of the recovery process,” Parma said on their website.

The former Juventus player has already begun rehabilitation. He had been Parma’s most in-form player so far this season.

Ferguson’s fears for Rooney

Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney’s performances are suffering because the striker is struggling to deal with the attention he is receiving from the media.

The Man. United forward has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after allegations regarding his private life appeared in tabloid newspapers and has been a long way from replicating the form that saw him score 34 goals last season.

“I don’t believe he has a confidence problem but the boy is starting to realise finally, without any question, what kind of focus is on him as a human being,” Ferguson said.

“He is realising what it means to be at the centre of media attention for non-football-related questions. He would like to keep playing with freedom, but the siege of the tabloids can wear out anyone.”

Bayern confident Van Gaal will stay

Bayern Munich are confident that coach Louis van Gaal will prolong his contract with the German giants beyond June and through to 2012, club president Uli Hoeness said.

“I don’t believe that there’s a lot to talk about. I can tell you that it’s virtually certain that he will stay,” Hoeness said.

Van Gaal, 59, pulled off the double of Bundesliga and German Cup success in his first season at the helm and also guided the team to the Champions League final where they were beaten 2-0 by Inter.

Matthaeus wants Berbatov rethink

New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus, 48, would like Dimitar Berbatov back on board to lead the team’s charge.

Matthaeus said he planned to hold talks with Manchester United striker Berbatov in a bid to try and persuade Bulgaria’s best player to rethink his decision to retire from international football.

He said: “I plan to start talks with Berbatov. He is still welcome in the Bulgarian national team. As a Bulgarian player he should be proud to play for his country.”

Berbatov announced his international retirement in May, explaining at the time that he had become “discouraged” by his performances for his country.

Blades hope for new investment

Sheffield United hope to announce a major investment deal “in the next six weeks” that could see a Malaysian businessman join chairman Kevin McCabe as a partner on the board.

Chief executive Trevor Birch has confirmed the financial package will not be a takeover, but if the deal is completed the money invested will be handed to manager Gary Speed for team strengthening.

“We are progressing and have a potential investor in Malaysia who we are talking to,” Birch said.

“Hopefully there will be some resolution in the next six weeks or so.”

United are sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority and have Malta striker Daniel Bogdanovic on their books.

Wenger getting used to high life

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger returns to the dug-out today for the Premier League clash against West Brom but he has not ruled out watching from the stands in the future.

The 60-year-old Frenchman was given a one-match touchline ban by the FA following his clash with the fourth official at Sunderland last Saturday when his side conceded a stoppage-time equaliser.

He served the suspension during the midweek League Cup victory over North London rivals Tottenham and enjoyed the vantage point at White Hart Lane.

“I had a fantastic view up there,” he said.

“Why not? When I arrived here I had the first half up there and the second half down. I was thinking about it.”

FIFA powerless over banner

FIFA and UEFA insist they cannot take action against the Russian Football Union (RFU) for the failure to punish Lokomotiv Moscow for displaying a racist banner.

Lokomotiv fans celebrated Peter Odemwingie’s sale in the transfer window with a banner showing a banana and the message: “Thanks West Brom”.

FIFA explained: “Only the competition organiser can issue sanctions. If it was a league match, the Russian FA would be responsible.”

The RFU’s disciplinary body held a board meeting on August 25, but opted not to fine Lokomotiv and the Russian Football Union’s director general Alexei Sorokin insisted the banner was not racist.