Football news

Bastian Schweinsteiger said the decision of his Bayern Munich team-mate Philipp Lahm to extend his contract will not influence his own decision on whether he stays.

Real Madrid are rumoured to be chasing Schweinsteiger and Bayern are keen for their playmaker to sign an extension to his contract which expires in 2012. Last week, defender Lahm signed a contract extension until 2015.

“The fact Philip has decided to extend his contract plays no role in my decision. I will not let me put myself under pressure,” Schweinsteiger said.

Match suspended by tear-gas mishap

A Czech league game was suspended for 20 minutes on Saturday after players and spectators were inadvertently tear-gassed by the police.

The incident occurred 17 minutes into a game between Banik Ostrava and league leaders Viktoria Pilsen. The agency said a group of Ostrava fans boycotting home games and watching the match from a bank outside the stadium clashed with police, who used tear gas to disperse them.

But a gust of wind blew the gas onto the pitch and the players had to be escorted off the field, with the score at 0-0. The game resumed with Viktoria Pilsen winning 2-0.

Maradona to visit Iran – report

Diego Maradona plans to visit Iran two years after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed him as “His Excellency” for his support of the Islamic republic, a report said.

“Maradona showed interest in visiting Iran some two years ago, but due to his engagement as Argentina’s coach, he could not come,” the ILNA news agency quoted the head of Iran’s football federation Ali Kafashian as saying.

“But recently some people who were arranging his visit said that they are on it and we said fine and so the necessary paperwork has started.”

In 2007, Maradona gifted one of his football shirts to the “Iranian nation,” on which he wrote a slogan expressing his support and affection for the country.

Lennon not satisfied with record goals

Neil Lennon says his side still haven’t reached the standards he expects despite watching his Celtic side rack up a record 9-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday.

Despite his obvious joy of watching his side set a new SPL record score, surpassing the Hoops’ own previous record of 8-1 against Dunfermline in 2006, Lennon says his side can get better.

“We are a long way off from where I want to be yet but the result shows there has been a big improvement in the squad,” Lennon said.

“It was a brilliant performance but we know we have a difficult game on Wednesday against Hearts. We’ve a big week coming up so there’s no room for complacency.”

Tevez hurt by untrue accusations

Carlos Tevez is battling to be fit for Wednesday’s derby after flatly rejecting speculation that he has been seeing a psychiatrist in an effort to overcome depression.

The Manchester City striker returned from Argentina last week after treatment to recover from a dead leg.

Tevez also took the time to see his two young daughters, who have returned to their homeland with their mother following the ending of their relationship.

“There is not a shred of truth in it. Carlos is very hurt by these accusations,” a spokesman said.

“Of course he misses his daughters but to suggest there is more to it than that is simply not true.”

Houllier hits out at ‘stupid’ Carew

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier launched a scathing attack on John Carew as their war of words intensified after a 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Carew has taken offence at Houllier’s remarks about the Norway striker’s decision to delay announcing where his future lies.

“If he wants me to fight for a contract, he should speak to me directly and not through the media,” Carew said.

Houllier responded again by labelling his striker “stupid”.

“I was told about his comments... I think he is stupid. How can he say that? I didn’t lack respect to him or anybody,” Houllier said.

AFC Wimbledon handed grudge match

AFC Wimbledon could face a grudge match against Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup second round.

AFC Wimbledon are a Conference Premier club who were set up in 2002 by Wimbledon fans angered at the decision of their team to move to Milton Keynes and changed their name.

AFC supporters consider their breakaway side to be the real continuation of the Wimbledon team that famously won the FA Cup final against Liverpool in 1988.

If they can overcome Ebbsfleet in a first round replay, and Milton Keynes get the better of Stevenage, they will have the home meeting they crave.