Football news

Everton have become the first Premier League club in England to be granted permission to open a Free School.

Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove confirmed the news in the House of Commons, paving the way for the project to open in Liverpool in September with an initial intake of 120 pupils.

The Everton in the Community Free School, Government-funded and run by the club’s charitable arm, will use the power of sport to engage pupils aged between 14 to 19 and their wider families with an alternative learning experience.

Guti leaves Besiktas – reports

Besiktas have cancelled the contract of veteran midfielder Guti, according to reports in Turkey.

The former Real Madrid stalwart – he made over 500 appearances for the Bernabeu club in a 15-year spell before joining Besiktas in July 2010 – has been a peripheral figure for the Super Lig outfit this season.

He has played just three games and is reportedly unhappy in Istanbul.

The media claim Besiktas decided to take action after the 35-year-old failed to report for training after a three-day break.

His contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Rooney appeal hearing on Dec. 9

England striker Wayne Rooney’s appeal against his three-game ban will be heard on December 9, UEFA announced yesterday.

The ban would rule the Man. United star out of the entire pool stage of Euro 2012, though, England manager Fabio Capello has said he will still take him.

Rooney put his Euro participation in danger when he blatantly kicked Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic in their final qualifying match.

Rooney claims the ban, which would scupper his chances of featuring in the tournament should England fail to reach the second phase, was “a bit harsh”.

Rangers trial for Aluko

Former Aberdeen winger Sone Aluko has begun a week-long trial with Rangers. The 22-year-old is without a club after his Dons contract expired at the end of last season.

Nigeria international Aluko, who is the brother of England women’s international Eniola Aluko, began his career at Birmingham before loan spells at Aberdeen and Blackpool.

He made a permanent move to Pittodrie in September 2008 and made 129 appearances for the Dons, scoring 13 goals.

Aluko is the latest forward on trial at Rangers after last week’s announcement that India internationals Sunil Chetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua were set to train with the club.

Iachini takes over at Sampdoria

Serie B side Sampdoria have appointed Beppe Iachini as their new coach following the dismissal of Gianluca Atzori on Sunday.

Reports in the media said Sampdoria first offered the job to Roberto Donadoni but the former Italy coach turned down their approach.

Iachini, 47, is understood to have agreed personal terms on a deal until the end of the season, with the option also in place for an extension into 2012-13 should automatic promotion to Serie A be achieved.

Celtic face new, SPL probe

Scottish Premier League chiefs are to follow in the footsteps of UEFA by investigating allegations that Celtic fans were involved in pro-IRA chanting at the club’s ground.

UEFA announced Monday Celtic would be brought before their control and disciplinary body on December 8 to face charges of “illicit chanting” during the 3-1 Europa League victory over Rennes on November 3.

Yesterday, SPL operations officer Ian Blair said league chiefs would also be investigating claims that songs supporting the Irish Republican Army were also sung during a goalless draw with Hibernian at Celtic Park on October 29.

Capello says no to Becks’ return

David Beckham’s hopes of forcing his way into England’s squad for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine have been quashed by manager Fabio Capello.

Beckham, who has been in outstanding form for his US club side LA Galaxy this season, has never given up hope of adding to the 115 caps he has won so far for his country.

But having been ignored by Capello since last year’s World Cup it seems even his recent form is unlikely to earn him a recall.

When asked if Beckham had any chance of making England’s Euro 2012 squad Capello said: “No. I think he will only be involved in the Olympic Games.

“But I have time to decide.”