Football news

Argentina’s FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona has apologised for his “unacceptable” attack on England, FA chairman David Bernstein revealed yesterday.

Grondona, who is also president of his country’s national association, branded the English “liars” at the FIFA Congress in Zurich in June, but has now written a letter of apology.

Bernstein told a conference in London that the FA’s relationships with FIFA and UEFA were improving, and that Grondona had re-tracted his remarks.

Grondona’s comments came after Bernstein had asked the FIFA Congress to postpone the FIFA presidential election where Sepp Blatter was elected unopposed.

Cigarini wants to be a fixture

Luca Cigarini believes he is capable of cementing his place in the Italy squad.

The uncapped midfielder was named in Cesare Prandelli’s 23-man squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers at Serbia and against Northern Ireland over the coming week.

“I’m back in the set-up and I now don’t want to lose this shirt in the future,” Cigarini said.

“I know that it will be hard to find space in the team because I have great players ahead of me like Pirlo, De Rossi and Montolivo, but I will give my all.”

The 25-year-old, who played under Prandelli at Parma, rejoined Atalanta on loan from Napoli this summer.

JVH welcomed back to PSV

PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands has welcomed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s return to the club as a “win-win situation” for the out-of-contract player.

The 32-year-old forward has been training with PSV following his release by Rapid Vienna.

Brands said: “Jan is a positive former PSV player with a great track record. Such an experienced player will help a number of our young boys. This is a win-win situation and we’ll see how this will develop.”

Vennegoor of Hesselink won three Eredivisie titles in a five-year spell at the Philips Stadion between 2001 and 2006.

Fergie backs Rooney for club record

Alex Ferguson has tipped Wayne Rooney to eclipse Bobby Charlton as Manchester United’s all-time record scorer.

Rooney is presently ninth on the list, with 156 – 93 behind Charlton, who amassed an impressive 249 before his 17-year stint with the club ended in 1973.

Ferguson can see no reason why the gap cannot be bridged.

“I do (think he can eclipse that feat),” Ferguson said.

“He is only 25 years of age, so you’d think he has at least another five years in him at the very top level.

“And if he looks after himself, he could play well into his 30s. He’s raced out of the blocks already this season and I hope he could get up to around the 30 mark.”

Bale retains award

Gareth Bale has been named Wales Footballer of the Year for the second year running.

The Tottenham winger endured an injury-hit beginning to the calendar year, following a stunning start to the 2010/11 campaign, but was rewarded for his form by winning the PFA player of the year award.

Bale, who has 30 caps to his name but has only featured for his country three times in the calendar year to date, was a star performer for Wales in last month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Montenegro and England, playing a key part in the 2-1 victory over the former with his trade-mark pace and trickery.

The Young Player of the Year Award, won by current Wales captain Aaron Ramsey in 2009 and 2010, went to 21-year-old Swansea midfielder Joe Allen.

League reject Hamburg request

Hamburg must find a new coach for their next Bundesliga match against Freiburg after a request for their current caretaker coach Rodolfo Cardoso to be given special dispensation to continue in charge was turned down.

Cardoso does not have a coaching licence and, despite sitting on the bench for their last two Bundesliga matches, he will no longer be permitted to coach the club. The German Football League (DFL) rejected Hamburg’s request for a 15-day grace period to be extended.

Hamburg can appeal the decision, but that seems unlikely anyway after their director of sport Frank Arnesen said that a “coach with a licence” would be in charge of their next game.

Arnautovic handed three-match ban

Werder Bremen striker Marko Arnautovic has been handed a three-match suspension for his red card in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Hannover.

The Austrian, who is no stranger to trouble off the field, was shown his first ever red card in German football for a dangerous tackle on Hannover’s Sergio Pinto.

However, it is the way he contested the decision with the fourth official on his way off the field that has landed him in hot water with the three-game ban and the prospect of a club fine.

“I will be discussing this with the coach,” said Bremen’s director of sport Klaus Allofs.

“We have not yet decided whether he will be fined or not.”