Football news

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter yesterday admitted he was “hurt” by the outrage sparked by his controversial comments about racism in football as he struggled to draw a line under the row.

Blatter last week said victims of on-pitch racial taunts should simply shake hands with their abusers, in remarks that were roundly condemned and prompted calls for his resignation.

“In my activities as FIFA president nothing surprises me, but I was very much hurt by these comments because it touched me in my conscience,” Blatter said.

“There is no tolerance for racism, I have been interpreted as such and I have made apologies.”

Dortmund loss fired us – Kroos

Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos said the hurt of losing at home to champions Borussia Dortmund made them determined to beat Villarreal and book their place in the Champions League’s knock-out phase.

After Napoli beat Manchester City 2-1 to go second in the table, Bayern, who beat Villarreal 3-1, have won the group regardless of their last game away to the Premier League leaders.

“We wanted to respond immediately after the defeat against Dortmund,” said Kroos.

“We were really not happy after that match.”

City chances at 30% – Mancini

Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini put his team’s chances of progressing to the Champions League knock-out rounds at just 30 per cent following their 2-1 defeat at Napoli.

City must beat Bayern Munich at home in two weeks to have any chance of going through but if Napoli win away to Villarreal, they will definitely be into the last 16.

“I would say Napoli have a 70 per cent chance and we have a 30 per cent chance,” said Mancini.

“It’s not down to us and that’s the problem. It’s important to play our game against Bayern but our life won’t finish if we don’t go through.”

Rooney doubtful for Magpies visit

Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Wayne Rooney ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle.

Rooney sustained a hip injury in the win at Swansea last weekend which ruled him out of Tuesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Benfica at Old Trafford, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be available for the Magpies’ visit to the stadium on Saturday.

Asked about the England striker’s condition, United boss Alex Ferguson said: “He wasn’t fit for Benfica, so we need to wait to see what he is like over the next few days.”

Beckham considers Serie A option

David Beckham has not excluded the possibility of a return to Italian football when his contract with LA Galaxy expires in December.

“I’ve received offers from a variety of places, including Serie A,” the former England captain told La Gazzetta dello Sport yesterday.

“I really enjoyed myself over there and I love Italy as a country and not just for its football.

“Italy is a possibility.”

Beckham, 36, spent two loan stints with Milan in 2009 and 2010. He has also been linked with moves to Paris SG and Tottenham Hotspur.

Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea

England midfielder Frank Lampard may be nearing the end of his current Chelsea contract but that hasn’t stopped him from saying he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old, who made his name at rival London side West Ham, the club of his father Frank senior, has fewer than two years left on his existing Chelsea deal.

Lampard told the London Evening Standard: “As it stands, I have this season and next season and I would love to extend that.

“As long as the club want me, I will be here.

“Whatever anyone says about me going anywhere else, I will be here, without a doubt.”

No Juventus snub from Ogbonna

The agent Angelo Ogbonna has strongly refuted reports sug-gesting that the Torino centre-half said he would never contemplate joining bitter rivals Juventus.

Stories emerged this week attributing such a comment to the young defender but Giovanni Branchini told Tutto Juve that his client could be open to a move to Juventus in the future.

“Everything is possible in football,” Branchini said.

“The only thing that I am sure about is that Angelo didn’t say: ‘I will never join Juve’ as was reported.

“Ogbonna is too intelligent for that and even if he did think that then he wouldn’t be so foolish to say it out loud.”