Football news

Debt-ridden Birmingham City have raised $6.3 million through a new share issue in Hong Kong.

A total of 6.43 per cent of Birmingham International Holdings, the club’s parent company, was sold, raising HK$49 million ($6.3 million), the firm said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The sale saw the overall stake held by the club’s biggest shareholder, Hong Kong-based tycoon Carson Yeung, fall from 24.9 per cent to 23.3 per cent. The statement said the shares were sold to people “not connected” to the club.

Hong Kong-listed Birmingham International Holdings disclosed in statements to the bourse in March that it has debts amounting to HK$348 million.

Kezman blasts ‘stupid’ competition

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, who now plies his trade in Hong Kong, has rubbished one of Asia’s top club competitions as “stupid” and “the worst tournament I have played in”.

The 32-year-old launched the scathing attack after his South Chinaside, where ex-England international Nicky Butt also turns out, tumbled out of the AFC Cup on Tuesday after losing 4-2 at Persipura Jayapura, of Indonesia.

“This is an unfair competition as the home side can have a great advantage,” the Serbian, who once played for Atletico Madrid and Paris SG, said. “In fact, it is the worst tournament I have played in.”

Time running out for Tevez

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted it will be impossible for Carlos Tevez to play in the FA Cup final if he cannot play some part in Tuesday’s Premier League encounter with Tottenham.

Tevez has been out with a hamstring injury for almost four weeks and is virtually certain to miss tomorrow’s trip to Everton.

The South American is desperate to play against Stoke at Wembley but has so far managed to do only light training.

“It is very difficult for him to play against Everton and if he doesn’t play against Tottenham, it will be impossible for Carlos to play in the final,” said Mancini.

Spurs sweat on duo’s fitness

Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are extremely doubtful for Tottenham’s Premier League game against Blackpool tomorrow and could even miss Tuesday’s trip to Manchester City.

Both sat out last weekend’s highly-controversial defeat at Chelsea after coming off in the previous Saturday’s draw with West Brom.

Midfielder Huddlestone is struggling with bruising on the ankle which went under the knife earlier this season, an operation which ruled him out for six months.

Left-back Assou-Ekotto was forced from the field in the early stages against the Baggies with a hamstring injury.

Eto’o keen on new Inter deal

Samuel Eto’o is looking to extend his contract with Inter, Il Corriere dello Sport reported.

The Cameroonian forward’s contract runs until June 2014 but according to the report, Eto’o is keen to spend the rest of his career with Inter.

Eto’o moved to Inter in the summer of 2009 as part of a player-plus-cash deal which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic join Barcelona.

Reports have suggested that the forward is Inter’s highest earner as he gets a reported salary of around €8m a season.

Eto’o is a player who seemingly dislikes changing clubs too often as he spent four years at Mallorca and five at Barcelona.

Trezeguet wants to join Napoli

David Trezeguet is seeking to quit Spanish club Hercules and wants to join Napoli, the ex-Juventus forward’s agent has announced.

“I am going out to Alicante now to convince the president (of Hercules) to release him,” agent Antonio Caliendo was quoted as saying.

“There is no reason for him (Trezeguet) to stay at Hercules any more. I have already said he’d like to return to Italy and play for a club in the south.

“There is a great chance that, if there is a choice, he will pick with his heart rather than out of economic interest.”

“He’d be very happy to play at the San Paolo and it’s something David has considered carefully,” he added.

Fans rail at United tickets price hike

Manchester United have been accused of ignoring their own fans following confirmation ticket prices for next season will rise by £1 per game.

A top-price season ticket at Old Trafford will now cost £950 for a 19-match Premier League home programme, with Champions League and FA Cup ties on top.

“Fans have seen prices rise 55% in the seasons since the Glazers took over,” Duncan Drasdo, the chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) said.

“At a time when the club has been enjoying continued commercial success – something they seem more than happy to crow about – along with more than £100 million cash sitting in the bank unspent, they want to take yet more from ordinary supporters, many of whom are struggling in difficult economic conditions.”