Football news

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri yesterday denied making disparaging remarks about his looming departure from the club, claiming that comments attributed to him on Facebook were fake.

Nasri, who is expected to leave the club for Manchester City later this month, was reported to have expressed his “anger and bitterness” at his transfer from Arsenal in a post on the social networking site.

However, the France international responded to the reports on his official Twitter feed yesterday, revealing he does not have a Facebook account.

“Just to make things clear, i dont have a facebook so i never said i was leaving with bitterness the guy who said that use a fake account,” Nasri wrote.

Egypt cancel Brazil friendly

Egypt have cancelled their friendly with Brazil, due to take place next month, due to security worries, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced.

“Brazil’s friendly against Egypt, scheduled for September 6, has been cancelled,” the CBF explained on their website.

“The CBF have been informed that the Egyptian Federation wished to cancel the match for security reasons.”

The CBF also said that they will now try to arrange a friendly match against different opponents for the same date.

Winger Vela loaned to Real Sociedad

Spanish side Real Sociedad have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Arsenal to take Mexican international winger Carlos Vela on a one-year loan.

“Real Sociedad have reached an agreement in principle with Arsenal that will see Carlos Vela join on loan for one season,” read a statement on the Basque club’s website.

“The deal depends on Carlos Vela passing a medical.”

Vela, 22 and who impressed at the World Cup last year, has been on Arsenal’s books since 2005, but has spent long spells away on loan, including sojourns with Spanish sides Salamanca and Osasuna.

Dzeko eyes Aguero partnership

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is excited by the prospect of playing alongside club record signing Sergio Aguero.

Aguero, the £38 million summer buy from Atletico Madrid, came off the bench to score twice and set up another goal in a sensational debut appearance on Monday as City beat Swansea 4-0.

“It’s amazing for a new player to come on for the last 30 minutes and score two goals,” Dzeko said.

“I am very happy for him, but I am also happy for City in getting a player like him – he can only help us in the future. And he is not even 100% fit yet.

“In the next games he can only get better and better.”

Raul says no to Blackburn Rovers

Former Spain striker Raul has rejected a move to Blackburn Rovers, according to Schalke general manager Horst Heldt.

The Bundesliga side received an official inquiry from Blackburn about the 34-year-old, according to a statement on the Gelsen-kirchen club’s website.

But Heldt told www.schalke04.de: “Raul told us that he wants to stay with Schalke 04 and asked us to reject Blackburn Rovers. We have already done so.

“We are pleased that Raul wants to continue to contribute to all our sporting success.”

Heldt added: “Our coach Ralf Rangnick, my (board) colleague Peter Peters and I have always stressed that we do not want him to leave.”

Moratti rules out Sneijder transfer

Wesley Sneijder will remain at Inter this summer according to president Massimo Moratti, who described the Dutch playmaker as “untouchable”.

Sneijder has been linked with a move to Manchester United and revealed at the weekend he could be sold for the right price after “unofficial talks” had begun.

“There has never been any kind of talks about Wes,” Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It doesn’t matter whether (Samuel) Eto’o stays put or leaves the club.

“Sneijder was untouchable before the situation with Eto’o and he has become even more so now Eto’o could leave (to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala).

“Sneijder is going nowhere.”

Bates hits out at Leeds ‘morons’

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has labelled those fans who protested against his chair-manship at the weekend as “morons” and told them he “ain’t going anywhere”.

Around 300 disgruntled Leeds supporters gathered in the Elland Road car park ahead of Saturday’s home defeat to Middlesbrough in protest at the club’s lack of investment in team strengthening over the summer.

Bates said in the programme notes for Tuesday’s home game with Hull: “I’m saying I’m unimpressed by the demonstrations of a few morons on Saturday and ain’t going anywhere soon.

“Some fans may not like me, or agree with me, but you’re stuck with me.”