Football news

Everton have agreed a new three-year extension to their shirt sponsorship deal with Chang.

The new contract with the Thai beer company is the biggest in the club’s history, potentially worth in excess of £12 million.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini flew to Thailand with a senior delegation from the club to meet with supporters and Chang officials, who signed the new contract yesterday.

“We consider Chang to be very much a part of the extended Everton family,” said Everton chief executive Robert Elstone.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in our time together and to have contributed to the development of young Thai footballers and the coaching infrastructure.”

Carew set for Villa return

Aston Villa striker John Carew is set to return from injury for tomorrow’s home Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The Norway international has missed Villa’s last four games with a calf injury but played an hour for the reserves against West Brom earlier in the week.

Asked whether Carew was likely to play some part against the Gunners, boss Gerard Houllier said: “Yes. He felt a bit stiff and sore at the end of the reserve game but he should be okay.”

Carew has been Villa’s leading scorer for the past three seasons.

South American blow to England

England’s 2018 bid hopes have been dealt a blow after it was reported that South America’s three FIFA members will all vote for Spain/Portugal next week.

The South American position was confirmed by their federation CONMEBOL’s general secretary Eduardo Deluca, according to reports.

It confirms Spain/Portugal’s status as the new pace-setters for the 2018 World Cup and explains why bid chief executive Miguel Angel Lopez claimed they already have as many as eight of the 22 FIFA votes in the bag.

Smith calls for reinforcements

Walter Smith has warned he needs new players in January or Rangers could struggle in the Europa League this season. The Scottish champions will parachute into the competition after a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Ibrox saw them crash out of the Champions League.

With Madjid Bougherra and Maurice Edu already out, Smith was also without Sasa Papac, who failed to recover from a head knock in time and Kyle Lafferty, who suffered a broken bone in his hand.

Nikica Jelavic – who is ineligible for the Champions League anyway – and Andy Webster are also on the casualty list, while James Beattie has just recovered from injury.

“We need a hand,” Smith said. “If we don’t get any help in the January transfer window then we could have a struggle again because we are right down to the bare bones in terms of what we have.”

Beckham lands in Australia

David Beckham flew into Australia yesterday for an exhibition game with his team LA Galaxy, but minus his pop star wife Victoria who opted to stay at home.

The former England captain said he was “honoured” to be in Australia for this weekend’s game against former A-League champions Newcastle Jets at their 26,000-capacity stadium north of Sydney.

“We’re honoured to be here, this is something the players have talked about and are excited about,” said Beckham, 35. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves but also here to perform as well and hopefully win.”

Beckham said Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Victoria, who was widely reported to be accompanying her husband, was in the United States celebrating Thanksgiving with their three children, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

Barca most popular team on Facebook

Barcelona said they have attracted over seven million fans on Facebook, making it the most popular sports club on the social networking site ahead of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Real Madrid, the team’s arch rivals in the Spanish league, are the second most popular club on the site with just over six million fans while Manchester United, which has yet to get five million fans, is in third place, Barcelona said in a statement posted on its website.

“This is further evidence that FC Barcelona is the most supported club in the world, way ahead of the opposition,” the statement said.

Revived Melo says he’s worth €35m

Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo claims he’s now “worth €35m” after laughing off claims that his €25m price tag had weighed him down in his disappointing first season with the Turin giants.

Melo has been in fine form this season and is finally living up to his reputation under new boss Luigi Del Neri.

“I have changed,” Melo told Tuttosport. “I go on the pitch and I don’t do certain things anymore, certain tackles, fights and certain mistakes.”

Asked if his €25m move had put him under extra pressure, the 27-year-old joked: “Actually no. I am now worth €35m.

“I want to win a trophy with this shirt and, if Agnelli wants me to, I would stay in black and white forever.”