Football news

These are taxing times if you are an Argentina fan at the Copa America.

Not only did supporters have to stomach a disappointing draw with Bolivia in the hosts’ opening match at La Plata outside the capital but many returned to the car park to find the tax man had been checking up on whose registration discs were out of date.

Dozens of drivers who went to the game on four wheels face fines totalling almost 240,000 dollarsafter the inspectors found their old documentation had expired.

The tax authorities reportedly plan to repeat the operation at Argentina’s other games.

Hamann appointed Stockport manager

Former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has been named as the manager of English non-league club Stockport.

Hamann, who played in England for Liverpool and Manchester City, has left his post as a coach at Leicester to take charge of a side who were relegated into non-league football after finishing bottom of the fourth division last season.

His arrival at Stockport follows the takeover of the north-west club by a consortium headed by businessman Tony Evans.

Hamann, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, has agreed a one-year contract to replace Ray Mathias.

Lazio recruit Marchetti and Cana

Serie A side Lazio have completed the signings of Italian international goalkeeper Federico Marchetti from Cagliari and the Albania midfielder Lorik Cana from Galatasaray.

“I have chosen Lazio because I was impressed by the project on offer. I am looking to the future now after what has been a difficult year, a real nightmare,” said Marchetti.

The keeper played for Italy at last year’s World Cup but was frozen out at Cagliari last season after having a transfer request turned down.

Marchetti will take the number one jersey at Lazio from Fernando Muslera who is set to join Galatasaray as part of the deal that will see Cana move to Serie A.

No new Werder deal for Wiese

Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has admitted the club cannot afford to offer goalkeeper Tim Wiese a new contract.

The 29-year-old’s current deal runs out next year and he maintains he wants to remain at the club.

“We have told Tim that, because of financial reasons, we can’t extend his contract at the moment,” Allofs told Bild.

Wiese has been linked in the German press with a move to Wolfsburg but he ruled out leaving Werder.

“That is absolutely not on the agenda,” he told the club website. “I have a contract at Werder until 2012, which I would like to fulfil and I can also see myself extending it again.”

Valencia to miss Venezuela clash

Ecuador midfielder Antonio Valencia is set to miss Saturday’s meeting with Venezuela after injuring his ankle in his side’s opener with Paraguay in Santa Fe, a team medical spokesman said.

“We don’t yet know (if Valencia has a chance of making the Venezuela game),” Patricio Maldonado told reporters, after a colleague earlier stated that the Manchester United winger had stepped on his foot and “almost fractured it again”.

Valencia dislocated and broke the same ankle last September during a Champions League outing.

“We have carried out tests and he’s now resting,” said Maldonado. “We are administering anti-inflammatories and a few anti-biotics.”

Stoke close in on Blues duo

Stoke are close to agreeing a fee with Birmingham for Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome but chairman Peter Coates admits personal terms may still be a stumbling block.

The Potters have been in negotiation with the Blues, relegated from the Premier League last season, for a number of weeks and the two clubs appear to have come to a valuation acceptable to both parties.

“We have made an offer and are hoping to do a deal that will satisfy both clubs,” Coates said.

“It is my understanding we were very close to a deal but then you still have to sort things out with the players. These things can take forever.

“Sometimes you think you have a deal and it doesn’t happen. As one agent once said, ‘The truth today may not be the truth tomorrow’.”

Inter, Juve signal Silvestre interest

Serie A rivals Inter and Juventus have sounded out Catania about Matias Silvestre, according to reports.

The Sicilian club have declared their readiness to cash in on the Argentine this summer and a number of Italian and foreign sides have expressed an interest.

Catania, who are demanding over €7m for the 26-year-old, rate the player very highly in terms of his ability.

“Silvestre was the best defender in Serie A behind Thiago Silva of Milan last season,” Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco said.

“We are discussing him with a number of different clubs, but one in particular. If I were interested in him then I wouldn’t let him escape.”