Football news

Spain’s 23-man World Cup-winning squad was given a prestigious award on Friday but only coach Vicente del Bosque and ten players attended the glittering ceremony broadcast live on television.

The coaches of Real Madrid and Barcelona initially barred their Spanish internationals from attending the ceremony in Oviedo because it comes on the eve of league matches.

But in the end Real coach Jose Mourinho relented and allowed Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos to attend while Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola allowed Xavi Hernandez to make the trip.

There were five Real players and eight from Barcelona, in total in the Spain squad which won the World Cup in South Africa.

Osman and Hibbert stick with Toffees

Everton have received a double lift with both Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert agreeing new deals at Goodison Park. The pair have signed two-year extensions to their current contracts, committing them to the club until 2014.

The news will be particularly welcome for 29-year-old Osman after it was earlier revealed that he is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Midfielder Osman and defender Hibbert, 29, have clocked up more than 500 appearances between them in an Everton shirt.

Adebayor commits to Manchester City

Emmanuel Adebayor has said he is determined to battle on for his place at Man. City despite admitting that he has had strong words with manager Roberto Mancini.

The 26-year-old was on top form in midweek scoring all of his side’s goals as they beat Lech Poznan 3-1 in the Europa League, but that was a rare start for him.

That has led to suggestions he could be on his way out in January, but Adebayor said: “I am committed to the club and the fight to win things and the City fans should know that.

“I have had a row with the manager and so has Carlos Tevez. The reason we row is we are all so passionate at this club.”

Copenhagen take action on Pinto

Copenhagen have reported Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto to UEFA over what they claim was an incident of unsporting behaviour during their midweek Champions League clash.

A statement on the club’s official website, www.fck.dk, alleges Pinto imitated referee Stephane Lannoy’s whistle during the contest at the Nou Camp in a bid to trick striker Cesar Santin into thinking he was offside.

Copenhagen went on to suffer a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Spanish champions, and on Friday they hit out at what they claim was a conscious act by Pinto.

“FC Copenhagen have condemned the incident, which goes against every principle of fair play,” a statement said.

Pinto was making his Champions League debut in the match.

Cagliari’s Marchetti takes club to court

Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, frozen out by his club since summer, will take legal action in a bid to break free from his contract.

Marchetti, who had shown interest in leaving Cagliari after playing for Italy in the World Cup in South Africa, has accused Cagliari of ‘bullying’ at the place of work.

Marchetti is also reportedly seeking damages for the six months he has spent on the sidelines at the peak of his career, as the club rejected bids from other clubs in summer.

“If anyone deserves money in damages then it is me, as I had to buy another goalkeeper,” Massimo Cellino, the Cagliari president, told reporters.

Afellay heading for Eindhoven exit

Ibrahim Afellay will not sign a new contract with PSV Eindhoven when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

PSV are now likely to cash in on the 24-year-old, who has spent his whole career to date at PSV, in the January transfer window and the news could spark a bidding row between Inter and Juventus.

A PSV statement said: “PSV and Afellay have jointly concluded that, for several reasons, it is unrealistic to have his current contract extended.”

The midfielder scored his first international goals with a brace in the 4-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Sweden in Amsterdam last week.

Life at Arsenal is just fab, says Cesc

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has reaffirmed his commitment to the Gunners cause and would love to lead them to victory over his boyhood club Barcelona in next year’s Champions League final at Wembley.

The 23-year-old playmaker’s future was one of the great talking points of the summer, with Barcelona making no secret of their desire to take him back to his homeland.

Fabregas said: “I have strong feelings for Barca but my first priority now is Arsenal.

“What happened didn’t damage my reputation at the club. It will be spectacular to repeat the Champions League final of 2006 in a stadium like Wembley. And, of course, to defeat Barca.”