Football news

New Sampdoria striker Federico Macheda tasted victory on his debut as the out-of-form club won 2-1 at home over Roma. The 19-year-old, who joined Samp on loan from Manchester United on Saturday, came on as a second-half substitute.

He said: “I’m delighted with my debut although the most important thing is that we came out triumphant. All of my team-mates have done a great job, I’ve seen a great team spirit and when I came in I did my best.”

Macheda’s first appearance with Samp would have been even more enjoyable had he scored but the teenager headed wide just seconds after entering the pitch.

‘Changed’ Ribery looks to future

Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery vowed yesterday to bounce back after a disastrous 2010, which saw him embroiled in scandal off the pitch and underperforming on it.

Speaking to Kicker, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder said he was “very happy” to put his annus horribilis behind him.

“It was a very hard year with many difficulties. But now a new one is starting,” Ribery said.

“I will not be making again the mistakes I made in 2010. I learned a lot in 2010 and changed a few things,” he said, citing, “the events of the World Cup, my injuries and my private life.”

Hirsch resigns from FIFA commission

A prominent member of the FIFA ethics commission has resigned his post in protest at what he perceives to be a lack of determination to stamp out corruption.

German lawyer Gubter Hirsch revealed his decision to stand down in a letter to ethics commission president Claudio Sulser.

The 67-year-old said: “The events of the past few weeks have raised and strengthened the impression that responsible persons in FIFA have no real interest in playing an active role in resolving, punishing and avoiding violations against ethic regulations of FIFA.”

Corruption within FIFA was ex-posed last year and led to the suspensions of EXCO members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii from any football activity.

Babel charged over Webb tweet

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Babel was charged with improper conduct by the FA yesterday after posting a mocked-up photo of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt on Twitter.

The picture appeared on the forward’s official page on Twitter just hours after United beat Liverpool 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday – a match refereed by Webb.

Webb angered Liverpool by awarding United a first-minute penalty from which Ryan Giggs scored before sending-off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

As well as the photo, Babel wrote: “And they call him one of the best referees? That’s a joke. SMH (shaking my head).”

Henry training with Arsenal

Arsenal great Thierry Henry has returned to training with the Premier League side in a bid to maintain fitness ahead of the start of the Major League Soccer season in the US.

Henry, who plays for the New York Red Bulls in MLS, scored 226 goals for Arsenal in a successful spell with the London club between 1999 and 2007.

The 33-year-old France forward left Arsenal to join Barcelona in 2007 before signing for New York in July last year.

“Thierry Henry is back at Arsenal,” a statement on Arsenal’s official website read.

“The Gunners legend returned to London Colney on Monday to train with Arsene Wenger’s squad. The short-term arrangement will help Henry maintain his fitness ahead of the new MLS campaign, which begins in March.”

Bullets sent to Celtic’s Lennon

Packages containing bullets addressed to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and player Niall McGinn were intercepted by postal staff in Northern Ireland before they reached the Glasgow club.

Police said officers were called to the Mallusk postal office in Country Antrim on January 5 after workers reported suspicions about two items of mail. The packages were removed and police are investigating the incident.

Lennon is a former N. Ireland international while winger McGinn currently represents the province.

Lennon, a Catholic from the mainly Protestant British-controlled province of N. Ireland, cut short his international career in 2002 after receiving a death threat.

Clarke joins ’Pool as first team coach

Liverpool have appointed former Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle assistant manager Steve Clarke as first team coach. Clarke, who played over 500 games for St Mirren and Chelsea, is the first addition to new manager Kenny Dalglish’s backroom staff following the departure of Roy Hodgson on Saturday.

“Steve is a great addition to our team and I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring him into the club,” the Scot told liverpoolfc.tv.

The appointment of the well-respected Clarke will go some way to silencing the critics who claimed Dalglish, who has not managed for more than a decade, had been out for too long and was not equipped to deal with the modern-day demands of the game.