Football news

Australia should not spend any more money on World Cup bids until FIFA’s corruption investigation has been completed, independent senator Nick Xenophon has urged.

The country splashed out £30m in an attempt to win staging rights for the 2022 tournament only to lose out to a Qatar bid which has been dogged by allegations of bribery.

In a statement titled ‘Red Card for FIFA’, Xenophon called for Australia to refrain from using any more taxpayers’ money to fund bids.

He said: “You wonder whether we should continue to invest in bids for events we’ll never even be in the running to win. Until the investigation into FIFA has been completed, Australia must hold off spending any more taxpayers’ money on any future World Cup bids.”

Kezman ends Hong Kong stint

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman has quit Hong Kong’s top side South China after a “fantastic” four-month spell at the club.

The 32-year-old announced his departure after scoring an extra-time winner on Sunday to hand South China a 2-1 win over Wo Foo Tai Po in the Hong Kong FA Cup.

“I can go home with a nice feeling and another cup title added to my record,” he was quoted as saying, adding that it had been “a fantastic four months” in Hong Kong.

Kezman said he had received offers from clubs in the US and some Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar.

Evra wants to face Barca again

Patrice Evra wants to chance to tackle Barcelona again in the Champions League final.

After suffering their second defeat on such an occasion in three years at Wembley on Saturday, Manchester United could be forgiven for wanting to avoid the Catalans for a little while. However, rather than be fearful, Evra is already steeling himself for the challenge of a re-match 12 months from now.

“United never die. I want to come back to the final and play against Barca again. We had a good season. Not a great season because we didn’t win on Saturday,” he said.

“But we have still won the league and we are going to win the league again next year, and make sure we win the Champions League as well.”

Cup win gives Trap confidence

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni believes his side’s Carling Nations Cup performances prove they can beat anyone. The Republic claimed their first trophy in 25 years late Sunday as they beat Scotland 1-0 in Dublin in the final match of the four-nations tournament.

It completed a perfect campaign for Trapattoni’s men, who em-phatically beat Wales and Northern Ireland in their other matches.

Trapattoni said: “We are very satisfied. We tried three or four options and these options played very well.”

Ireland face Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Skopje next Saturday.

Juventus show interest in Inler

Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta is scheduled to meet his Udinese counterparts these coming days to discuss the possible transfer of Gokhan Inler.

This will be a complicated matter to handle for Marotta as Udinese have already concluded nego-tiations with Napoli on the Swiss international’s transfer.

However, it seems that Inler’s wife is against the idea of living in Naples and would prefer to stay in the north.

According to reports in the Italian media, Udinese want €18m for Inler but Juve are only pre-pared to pay €15m.

It’s very likely that players will be included in an exchange deal, such as Frederik Sorensen, Manuel Giandonato, Albin Ekdal and Davide Lanzafame.

Vaughan considers Sunderland option

Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan has revealed Sunderland have shown interest in signing him.

Vaughan is out of contract this summer and likely to move on following the Seasiders’ relegation from the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has been offered a new deal at Bloomfield Road but, like midfield partner Charlie Adam, he is keen to stay in the top flight.

The Wales international said: “I’m not sure what Charlie is going to do next season and it’s down to the club if they decide to accept any bids for him.

“It’s out of his hands and for myself I’m just talking to Blackpool and one or two other clubs. Sunderland is a possibility but I am leaving everything to my agent.”

Monaco lose status after 35 years

Monaco were relegated from the French top division for the first time in 35 years after losing 2-0 at home to Olympique Lyon on the final day of the Ligue 1 season late Sunday.

Third-bottom going into the game at Stade Louis II, Monaco needed a positive result to stand any chance of avoiding the drop but fell to second-half goals by Pape Diakhate and Lisandro Lopez.

French champions in 2000 and Champions League finalists in 2004, Monaco – who sacked coach Guy Lacombe back in January and replaced him with Laurent Banide – will play in the second tier next season for the first time since 1977.