Football news

European clubs have freed up eight Japanese players for a charity match aimed at raising funds and morale in the earthquake-devastated nation, football officials said.

The Japan FA said it also expected four others, including World Cup star and CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, to be released for the March 29 event in Osaka between the Blue Samurai and a J-League select squad.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni in an earlier message said he hoped that the all-star match will “help the whole of Japan take the first step toward its reconstruction.”

“This match may be held in an unusual setting but we will fight all-out as always by keeping our motivation high,” said the former Milan boss who guided Japan to a record fourth Asian Cup in January.

Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo, and Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe are among the eight confirmed to play for Japan.

Football is like marriage – Matthaus

West Germany’s 1990 World Cup winning captain Lotthar Matthaus equated football to being married in an interview with Bild yesterday to celebrate his 50th birthday which he celebrates tomorrow.

Matthaus, who is presently Bulgaria coach, admitted that it was bizarre that he as a man who had been married four times already should make such a comparison.

“Marriage is like a football match,” said Matthaus, who is looking at a fourth divorce as he is separated from his fourth wife, 22-year-old Liliana.

“In a couple like on the pitch, one never knows what will be the outcome. It is imperative to fight and to give one’s best, but it depends also a lot on one’s team-mate.”

Schalke, Magath mend their fences

Champions League quarter-finalists Schalke 04 and former coach Felix Magath put an end to their threats of legal action yesterday.

Schalke 04 cleared Magath in a statement over accusations by club president Clemens Toennies that he had organised transfers without the permission of the board of directors.

However, Schalke did not clarify whether they were going to pay 57-year-old Magath compensation for sacking him on Wednesday which could be as much as €12 million .

Magath was sacked because of his transfer policy and his authoritarian treatment of the squad.

Cabaye replaces injured Diaby

France coach Laurent Blanc has called Yohan Cabaye into his squad to face Luxembourg and Croatia because of an injury to Abou Diaby.

The Arsenal midfielder has been forced to withdraw from facing Luxembourg in a Euro 2012 qualifier on March 25 and for the friendly against Croatia in Paris four days later because of a groin injury.

Cabaye, who plays for Lille, has been called up in his place, the French FA confirmed this evening, and is in line to win his third cap if he features.

Mourinho praises friend Redknapp

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has lauded Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp for his success at White Hart Lane and is looking forward to congrat-ulating his friend in person after seeing the two clubs paired together in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Madrid completed a 4-1 aggregate victory over Lyon on Wednesday to progress to the last eight of the competition for the first time in seven years, and their reward in Friday’s draw was a clash with Spurs.

“I’m very happy to play them, not because I think it’s going to be easy – because I don’t think it will be – but because I get to go back to London, to an English stadium and I get to see Harry and I can congratulate him for the great job he’s done,” he said.

“Martin Jol started the good work and Harry has continued it in amazing ways. I’m so happy for that. He’s a friend, one of the few really good friends I made in England.”

Brazil’s Ronaldo hails Scottish fans

Brazil legend Ronaldo will be guest of honour when his former team face Scotland in London today week.

The former Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid striker, who holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup matches, will fly in for the friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium weeks after retiring from playing following an unsuccessful spell with Brazilian side Corinthians.

He said: “One of my favourite footballing memories is of the opening game of the 1998 World Cup in Paris against Scotland and the fantastic Scottish fans, so I am very excited to be experiencing a Scotland-Brazil match once again.”

Balotelli apologises for red card

Mario Balotelli has apologised to his Manchester City team-mates for his red card in Thursday night’s Europa League encounter with Dynamo Kiev at Eastlands.

Manager Roberto Mancini branded Balotelli “stupid” for the dismissal, for planting his studs into the chest and thigh of Dynamo defender Goran Popov.

Mancini felt the 36th-minute dismissal cost his side their chance of reaching the last eight and yesterday Balotelli has expressed his regret.

“I am very sorry to my team-mates in particular that I got sent off so early in such an important game,” said Balotelli.