Football news

Prosecutors in Poland have opened an inquiry into the sale of T-shirts with anti-Semitic slogans from a kiosk near the stadium of Widzew Lodz, reports said yesterday.

The incident comes as Poland and Ukraine prepare to jointly host the Euro 2012 championships which kick off on June 7.

The 25-year-old stall holder and a 36-year-old woman have been arrested and charged with the offence of “insulting a group of people on the grounds of their nationality or ethnic origins.”

They face up to three years’ jail if convicted. The man was also charged with manufacturing the T-shirts.

Celtic’s Lennon reveals CL dream

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes he can bring the Scottish champions a Champions League title nearly 50 years after the ‘Lisbon Lions’ won the European Cup.

The 40-year-old Northern Irishman admitted such a dream would be impossible to achieve immediately but feels it can be done in the future.

“My ambition is to win the Champions League,” Lennon told a number of newspapers yesterday.

“Here or anywhere, that’s my ambition. I never reached those heights as a player and I may not reach those heights as a manager – but that’s what I’m aiming for.

“Is it possible to win it here? Yes, definitely.”

Trevor Francis ‘recovering well’

Former England striker Trevor Francis is recovering well after suffering a heart attack on Friday, his old club Birmingham have announced.

Francis is in a stable condition in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital after undergoing surgery and could be well enough to return home within the next week.

A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed Francis’ condition was stable.

Francis starred for Birming-ham from 1970 to 1979 before becoming Britain’s first £1million player when he joined Nottingham Forest. He later managed the St Andrews outfit between 1996 and 2001.

‘You haven’t seen the real Forlan’

Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan wants to stay at Inter and prove he belongs at San Siro despite a frustrating first season.

“I want to stay at Inter. You haven’t seen the real Forlan yet,” the 32-year-old told Sky Sports.

“I wouldn’t want to leave Inter like this. I like challenges and I wouldn’t want to leave when the team are not in a good position.”

The player of the tournament at the 2010 World Cup, added: “I have had difficult moments like this in my career. I need to work hard to change things.”

Abidal ‘on track’ after transplant

Eric Abidal’s recovery is “on track” following his liver transplant last week, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The 32-year-old Abidal, underwent the operation on Tuesday, just over a year after having a tumour removed from his liver in March 2011.

“Everything’s going well,” Guardiola told reporters.

“The information we have is that everything is on track and he’s not given us any scares. That’s the best news.”

Abidal’s cousin donated part of his liver in a rare procedure that allows the waiting time to be reduced for the patient.

Wenger renews call for video help

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has renewed his call for referees to be allowed to use video technology to make immediate decisions on controversial incidents in Premier League matches.

The Frenchman is shocked by the amount of recent blunders and he believes it is essential that the game’s administrators bring in video assistance, not just to rule if the ball has crossed the line, but also to debate other crucial incidents.

“Last weekend was a very, very bad weekend. The football authorities on a global scale have to sit together and see how we can improve,” Wenger said.

“There are some immediate decisions to make but as well it is time for us to help the referees. To all be united and have a less conservative approach and finally opt for video.”

Hands off Klopp

Borussia Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke has warned that coach Jurgen Klopp is not going anywhere for at least the next four years.

Klopp led Dortmund to the title last season and the Westphalians are well on course to successfully defend their Bundesliga trophy.

The former Mainz coach recently signed a new contract until 2016.

“We will be sticking to our agreements,” Watzke told Bild.

“We have sworn an oath as friends. Klopp would not be available even for the Germany job, and we did discuss every eventuality during negotiations.

“Until 2016, there is nobody who can separate us.”