Football news

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said he would support moves to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during winter, but warned that such an action would be difficult to implement.

Fears that the searing heat that prevails in the Gulf emirate in the traditional World Cup months of June and July would make it dangerous for players and fans alike, quickly followed FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Blatter said: “It is important to play when the climate is appropriate and I’m thinking about the footballers, not only the fans but the actors.

“Personally I think it would be better that it is played in the winter ... but it’s not easy to realise.”

Bayern’s Van Gaal eyes swansong

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal said that the next contract he signs will be his last before he retires, and that he won’t necessarily stay with the German champions.

“After 2012 I will only sign one more contract, either extending with Bayern, with a national team or at Ajax Amsterdam as general manager,” the Dutchman said.

And Van Gaal made clear that he won’t be swayed by any juicy pay offers.

“I’m not working for the money any more,” he said.

“I am just doing it for fun... I have a very nice life. A lovely wife, two beautiful children – and I have won lots of titles.”

Savage talks about Wales return

Derby captain Robbie Savage is ready to end his international retirement and play for Wales again under new boss Gary Speed. The 36-year-old midfielder quit playing for his country in 2005 following a fall-out with then boss John Toshack.

Speed, who won 85 caps for Wales, left Sheffield United to take the job and is keen to persuade a number of experienced players out of international retirement, including Ryan Giggs, Simon Davies and Savage.

“I have said I am available and if Gary thinks it’s the right thing for me to come back, then I will do,” Savage said.

“I am a passionate Welshman and I loved playing for them.”

Zamora recovery up and running

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora took another step this week on his long road to recovery by running for the first time since breaking his leg.

Zamora has been out for more than three months and remains on target for a February return, according to manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes said: “Bobby went out there and was running on the pitch for the first time.

“He’s done a lot of work in the gym but obviously, it’s very, very early days for him in terms of building up his confidence and getting his body back to where it was before.”

Fulham have missed Zamora badly since his September injury and are outside the Premier League bottom three on goal difference.

Abramovich to run for parliament

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich intends to a run for re-election to the local parliament of Chukotka, an Arctic region he has represented for the past decade.

Abramovich, who was ranked as Russia’s fourth-richest man with a fortune of 11.2 billion dollars by Forbes magazine, now serves as chairman of the chamber.

Reputed to be one of Russia’s most influential power-brokers in the late 1990s, Abramovich represented the region in Russia’s State Duma lower house of parliament from 2001 to 2008.

Abramovich, 44, made his fortune in the turbulent early years of post-Soviet Russia by trading oil, eventually acquiring the Sibneft oil company and expanding into other businesses.

Almunia to choose his future

Arsene Wenger maintains it will be Manuel Almunia’s decision whether the veteran goalkeeper decides to stay and fight for his place as Arsenal number one.

The 33-year-old has not played since the defeat against West Brom on September 25.

Malaga and Atletico Madrid are both reported to be interested in moving for Almunia in a £1 million deal next month.

Almunia remains coy about his own future, but Wenger maintains the challenge is there should the veteran shot-stopper want to meet it head on.

“I will listen to Manuel only,” the Arsenal manager maintained.

“We are in a fantastic job, but the core of our job is to fight to be competitive and to fight for your place.”

Ancelotti adamant he’s going nowhere

Carlo Ancelotti insisted he had no intention of quitting Chelsea at the end of the season.

The future of under-pressure Blues boss Ancelotti has been the subject of fevered speculation, with reports linking him with a return to Italy with Roma. But the 51-year-old declared yesterday he would honour his contract, which expires in 2012.

“I’ll stay in London at least until 2012,” he told Corriere dello Sport.

Ancelotti also rubbished suggestions of a dressing-room rift at Stamford Bridge in the wake of the club’s worst run in the Premier League for more than a decade.

“There aren’t problems in the dressing room, the relationships are good,” he said.

“Everything depends on the results that haven’t arrived because of too many misfortunes.”