Football news

Newcastle’s preparations for today’s derby with Sunderland have been given a lift after confirmation that Fabricio Coloccini and goalkeeper Tim Krul have signed new contracts.

Argentine Coloccini has agreed a new four-year contract while Dutchman Krul has inked a five-year deal.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a huge boost and I hope our fans will continue with a nice smile on their face and we continue that through Sunday (today) evening,” Magpies manager Alan Pardew said.

“They’ve been absolutely terrific and deserve their new contracts.”

Del Piero again linked with MLS

Alessandro Del Piero is again being mentioned with a move to Major League Soccer and a berth in the same line-up with David Beckham at LA Galaxy.

The Juve veteran’s contract expires in June and he has already stated he will likely move abroad to finish his career elsewhere.

“He is attracted to the experience in America,” pundit Gianni Balzarini said.

“As he is a fan of the Lakers basketball team, it’s likely he will go to Los Angeles for the Galaxy.

“They would give him a huge amount of money, but obviously that is not the reason for his move to the MLS.”

City’s Silva plays through pain

Manchester City midfielder David Silva has revealed the rigors of the Premier League are playing havoc with his ankle.

The 26-year-old underwent an operation in 2008 and the joint has continued to give him problems since.

He said: “This ankle, it is something that I have had problems with for years and years. Every day, I have to look after it. It’s not 100%, but I just have to look after it.

“Playing all of these games is hard, so it is impossible, totally impossible, to be 100% all the time. It is draining, but the important thing is to focus on the end of the season.”

Wenger: award was total shock

Arsene Wenger thought it was a case of mistaken identity when he was named Manager of the Month for February.

The Gunners boss has presided over one of the most testing periods of his 15-season reign, but nevertheless guided the team through an unbeaten Premier League campaign during February, with three wins from four.

“It was a complete shock to me. I couldn’t understand that at all,” Wenger said.

“If you had read the news-papers in the last two weeks, you must say there is a mistake.

“Honesty, I thought they were speaking to somebody else behind me.”

Ribery is France’s best-paid athlete

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery was France’s best-paid sportsperson in 2011, according to a study by weekly magazine L’Equipe Mag.

Ribery’s gross annual income of €11.4 million meant that he succeeded former France team-mate Thierry Henry, who had occupied the position for the previous four years.

The 28-year-old leads the league table of French sport’s highest earners ahead of San Antonio Spurs basketball player Tony Parker (€11.2m) and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema (€11m).

New York Red Bulls striker Henry, who earned €9.2m in 2011, slipped to fourth place.

Cup date hitch

A meeting to try and thrash out a date and venue for this season’s Copa del Rey final has broken up without agreement.

Representatives from finalists Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao met with officials from the Spanish football federation to discuss a fixture which is proving tough to schedule.

It had been expected the game would be played at the Bernabeu stadium, but Real Madrid have claimed scheduled repair work makes that almost impossible.

Barcelona advocated playing the game on May 25 at the Vincente Calderon in Madrid, home to Atletico, while Athletic wanted to see the fixture take place at Sevilla’s stadium on May 20, only a day after the Champions League final.

Chelsea probe grenade incident

Chelsea have launched an investigation after a smoke grenade went off at the club’s training ground.

Players and officials from the Blues’ reserve, youth and academy teams were forced to flee the building in Cobham, Surrey, where the device went off because of thick smoke.

The club did not give any details on what stage the investigation was at or if any players were suspected of involvement.

The incident is the latest in a line of incidents at the training ground.

Last year, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole accidentally shot and wounded a work experience student with an air rifle at the training ground.