Football news

Sunderland have decided not to take up an option to buy on-loan midfielder Sulley Muntari on a permanent deal and confirmed the Ghana international will return to Inter.

Muntari has failed to impress since moving to Wearside in January and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will look elsewhere for rein-forcements in the summer.

The 26-year-old contributed to the Black Cats’ winner at Bolton last week but has otherwise dis-appointed and will not feature for the club again.

Bruce said: “Sulley has been a great professional in his time here and naturally we’d like to thank him for his contribution to our season and wish him all the best for the future.”

Magath donates sports car to charity

Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath has donated a sports car worth €250,000 to charity as his side prepare for today’s crunch battle to stay in the Bundesliga.

The 57-year-old indulged in some mind games with his players by confidently donating to charity a Bentley Cabrio he has been promised for keeping his team in the Germany league – even though his side could still be relegated.

“Through my waiver, I would like to make it clear that now everyone must be prepared to give everything to stay in the league,” said Magath, who has traded the car for six buses, which will be given to three different charities.

Rummenigge calls for friendlies cut

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called for a reduction in friendlies.

“There should be just qualifiers, no more friendlies. Six qualifiers per year, plus a tournament every two years and that’s it,” the former Germany international said.

However, Rummenigge, who is also president of the European Clubs Association, conceded that friendlies could be envisaged in order to prepare for a tournament.

His anger was sparked by the end-of-season calendar – the Bundesliga ends this weekend but Bayern’s internationals still have three matches to play with their national sides between the end of May and the start of June.

Butt ends poor Hong Kong stint

Nicky Butt has returned to England after a lacklustre spell with Hong Kong’s top side South China. Butt, 35, was lured out of retirement in January with the aim of propelling South China to glory in the domestic league and the regional AFC Cup.

Butt, who won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League winners medal with Manchester United, was expected to add some experience and pulling power to Hong Kong’s first division.

But earlier this month, South China were dumped out of the AFC Cup and lost the league title to arch-rivals Kitchee.

Milan apology for Gattuso rant

Serie A champions Milan have issued an official apology for Gennaro Gattuso’s decision to sing along with Rossoneri fans in an anti-Leonardo chant last week.

Gattuso took part in the derogatory chant about the former Milan coach during celebrations at the end of the match against Roma.

“As a club, I say sorry to Inter, president Massimo Moratti and Leonardo, a man I love as a friend,” Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said.

“I told Gattuso that he made a mistake. Now let’s forget about this whole incident.”

Gattuso and Leonardo had a difficult relationship last term while the Brazilian was in charge of the Milan side. Leonardo left at the end of the season and joined Inter in December.

Vieira uncertain over City future

Patrick Vieira, 34, has admitted he has no idea whether he will be around to revel in Manchester City’s achievements this season.

The veteran was a calming influence in the latter weeks of the season as City claimed a prized top-four slot and will be on the bench today for the FA Cup final.

But beyond the final two games next week, Vieira does not know where his future lies.

“I really don’t know. Anything can happen. If I am part of it next season I will be happy, if not I will be grateful to have been involved,” he said.

Should City triumph, Vieira would become one of an exclusive club that have collected five winners’ medals. The first four are a legacy from his Arsenal days.

Juventus thwarted in Benzema bid

Juventus have had a £30 million bid for French striker Karim Benzema rejected by Real Madrid, according to reports in the Italian media yesterday.

Real president Florentino Perez reportedly met with representatives from Juve in Madrid but does not want to lose the 23-year-old France international, who has scored 13 league goals and six Champions League goals this term.

Real coach Jose Mourinho, however, “doesn’t have the same ideas as his president” regarding Benzema, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Juventus are also said to be interested in Real’s defensive mid-fielder Lassana Diarra, who Mou-rinho has reportedly placed on the transfer list.