Football news

Alberto Aquilani said he has no bitterness towards Juventus who did not take up the option to sign him permanently after last sea-son’s loan move from Liverpool.

The midfielder joined Milan in summer after Juve showed no interest to retain his services.

“I have absolutely no bitterness towards Juve because they are the side who brought me back to Italy,” Aquilani said.

“Juve have changed a lot compared to last season. Many of the players who started for the team now no longer even find space on the bench. There has been a huge transformation.”

Tax probe over footballer ‘perks’

English Premier League footballers and their clubs are being investigated by the taxman over “secret perks” enjoyed by players and their families.

Investigators from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have interviewed finance directors at Britain’s richest clubs to find out about players’ benefits, according to reports.

HMRC refused to confirm the investigation but it was reported they have been asking for details of free holidays, luxury accommodation and other gifts.

The information will be checked against tax returns to see whether players could be liable for any unpaid tax or if clubs may have to make additional National Insurance contributions.

Platini against video technology

UEFA president Michel Platini has insisted video technology “is not for football”.

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has suggested technology could be introduced in time for the 2014 World Cup as his organisation continues testing possible systems. But Platini reaffirmed his opposition to technology in an interview with France’s L’Equipe Mag.

“Video is not for football. Human adjudication is better,” he said.

“Football became popular thanks to its human values. If that becomes a commercial value, it will lose all its popularity.”

Torres form a concern to Spain

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has spoken of his concern about Fernando Torres’s struggles ahead of the European Championships.

Torres was a key member of the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 but the 27-year-old’s chances of going to Ukraine and Poland this summer could be hit by his lack of success at Chelsea over the last 12 months .

Del Bosque said: “It’s a concern. He isn’t playing much... here are five months to go to the Euro finals, in which everything can turn around.

“But if the situation doesn’t change it’s going to be difficult for him.”

Castaignos likely to go on loan

A host of clubs in Serie A will be after the signature of Dutch striker Luc Castaignos who has been unable to break into Inter’s first-team plans so far this season.

Among the latest to be linked with the 19-year-old Castaignos are Bologna with the other candidates including Cesena, Novara and Parma.

Castaignos joined Inter from Feyenoord in summer but has struggled to find much playing time at San Siro. Reports said coach Claudio Ranieri thinks the player is not mature enough yet, so he’ll be sent out to a smaller Serie A side to gain experience.

Givet boost with Rovers return

Former France defender Gael Givet will give another boost to relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers as he looks set to return to the starting line-up in the Premier League clash with Stoke today.

The 30-year-old – a Champions League finalist with Monaco in 2004 – had sat out the previous four games, including Saturday’s stunning 3-2 victory over Manchester United, after being forced to undergo a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

Givet, who has been at Rovers since joining from Marseille in 2009, was given the all-clear and has been included in the squad for the match with Stoke.

Leeds boss vows to make changes

Simon Grayson warned his Leeds players he is ready to wield the axe after a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.

Grayson has come under fire in recent weeks as Leeds slipped away from the play-off places and the embarrassment at Oakwell prompted a furious response from the Leeds boss.

“When you play for Leeds United you have to earn the right to wear the shirt. Too many of them didn’t do that and that’s embarrassing.

“A lot of stuff is going to have to happen over the next couple of days.

“Any footballer can have a poor day at the office, but unless someone chops your legs off, you can run around... one or two might not play for the club again.”