Football news

Chelsea have accepted an apology from the Football Association of Malaysia over anti-Semitic abuse that targeted Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun during a pre-season match.

The London club had lodged an official complaint after Benayoun was barracked during a game in Kuala Lumpur on July 21, the first leg of Chelsea’s Asian tour.

“We appreciate the prompt attention the Malaysian FA has given our complaint,” Chelsea said.

“Chelsea FC is committed to eradicating all discriminatory behaviour from the game, and urges the MFA to take appropriate steps to stamp out this type of behaviour in future. The club and Yossi accept the apology, and the matter is now closed.”

Pele seeks end to Teixeira spat

Pele said that he wanted a swift end to the spat between World Cup organising committee president Ricardo Teixeira and British media.

The feud started after Teixeira was accused of accepting payments from collapsed FIFA marketing company ISL.

“No English press – they’re corrupt,” huffed Teixeira after British reporters tried to buttonhole him in Rio ahead of yesterday’s World Cup preliminary draw.

Pele later told reporters it was time to draw a line under the issue.

“This is not good for Brazil,” Pele said. “There is always confusion or misunderstandings with him (Teixeira). I hope that from now on we could for work the good of the World Cup.”

UEFA reduce Mourinho ban

UEFA have reduced a ban imposed on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for comments made about referees in last season’s Champions League following an appeal hearing on Friday.

The Portuguese was initially handed a ban of four matches, plus one suspended for three years, as well as a fine of €50,000 after he was sent from the bench during Real’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first-leg on April 27.

However, after a six-hour hearing at UEFA headquarters, the fine remains in place, but the suspension has been reduced to three matches, plus two suspended.

Villa seal deal for N’Zogbia

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish finally signed Charles N’Zogbia on Friday after the France winger completed his transfer from Wigan.

McLeish had come close to signing N’Zogbia last year when he was in charge at Birmingham, only for the deal to fall through at the 11th hour when the 25-year-old opted to stay with the Latics.

The Scot tried again following his move to Villa in pre-season, but was rebuffed as Wigan fought to hold onto their prized asset.

However, an offer of around £9.5 million ($15.6 million) persuaded Wigan to sell and Villa confirmed that N’Zogbia had signed a five-year contract after passing a medical.

Gerrard out until September

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be out of action until September after going into hospital yesterday for treatment on an infection related to his groin injury.

Gerrard is expected to spend several days in hospital while he is given antibiotics to cure the infection before returning to the club’s Melwood training ground to continue his rehabilitation.

The England midfielder hasn’t played for Kenny Dalglish’s side since March when he had surgery in a bid to cure a recurring groin problem.

Gerrard has missed all of Liverpool’s pre-season programme, with the infection further slowing an already difficult recovery after the operation.

The 30-year-old will now be ruled out of Liverpool’s opening three Premier League fixtures against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton.

Paraguay coach Martino quits

The Argentine coach of the Paraguayan national team, Gerardo Martino, stepped down on Friday after four years in the role.

The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) have named Francisco ‘Chiqui’ Arce, who represented the team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, as his replacement.

Martino enjoyed a successful 72-match reign at the helm after being appointed in 2007.

He led them to the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup in South Africa, where they narrowly lost to eventual winners Spain, and then oversaw their run to the final of the recent Copa America, which they lost to Uruguay.

Paraguay made it to the final in Argentina without winning a game, although they did eliminate Brazil on penalties in the last eight.

West Brom sign goalkeeper Foster

West Bromwich Albion have signed Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster on loan for the forthcoming season with fellow stopper Boaz Myhill going in the opposite direction.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson moved for former Manchester United star Foster following the sale of Scott Carson to Turkish club Bursaspor.

Foster will not return to Birmingham during the season as the deal prevents both clubs from recalling their keepers during the loan.

Hodgson said: “We are very, very happy that the deal to bring Ben from Birmingham has gone through.

“He was always the goalkeeper that we targeted as our number one choice for the season.”