Football news

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has assured Milan fans he will stay at the club next season. The Sweden striker has no intention of leaving in summer despite reports this week linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Ibrahimovic said: “As I said six months ago, I am happy here.

“I have a contract and I don’t have any other thoughts.

“I am determined to end this season well with the Milan colours and then with my national team. Milan has given me back a smile and the will to play... Milan is my future.”

McDermott hails Royals’ promotion

A jubilant Reading manager Brian McDermott celebrated his “best moment in football” as the Royals sealed promotion with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest late Tuesday.

A Mikele Leigertwood goal 10 minutes from time earned Reading a return ticket to the Premier League four years after they were relegated.

“This is my best moment in football,” McDermott said.

“I don’t know how I am supposed to be. I had the worst summer last season after losing the play-off final against Swansea but this will be a good summer.”

Del Piero ‘scared’

Alessandro Del Piero has revealed that the prospect of leaving Juve this summer after 20 years at the club “scares him”.

The 37-year-old’s contract expires this summer and the club will not offer him a new deal.

“From June 30, I am without a contract,” Del Piero said.

“I don’t know how to imagine my future, it’s going to be a big change and it scares me a little bit. But the way I approach this is as I did when I played the video games I liked as a child, that is to overcome a new level.

“Would I have wanted to end my career with the Juve colours? It was my dream.”

Muamba tipped for return

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba could be back playing football within six months, according to a leading heart expert.

Muamba was discharged from hospital on Tuesday almost a month to the day after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane.

Dr Richard Cooke believes it may not be too long before the 24-year-old is seen in full action again.

“It would seem highly likely that he would have had a defi-brillator put in,” Cooke said.

“There are some who do play with them and have had a similar history, so as long as he makes a recovery, from a heart perspective there is no reason why he couldn’t resume his career.

“I would not be surprised if he was back playing football in six months.”

Del Bosque extends contract

Vicente del Bosque has renewed his contract as Spain coach which could see him remain in the post until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His contract had been due to expire after Euro 2012.

“I’ve renewed my contract as coach. I’ve renewed my contract with the federation,” Del Bosque said, without providing further details.

The former Real Madrid coach, who led the national team to glory at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, did not disclose the length of his new deal but contracts with the Spanish Football Federation tend to have durations of two years.

Real players have boots stolen at Allianz Arena

Real Madrid suffered a nasty surprise in the build-up to their Champions League semi-final clash at Bayern Munich on Tuesday as three of their players had their boots stolen.

Just before kick-off at the Allianz Arena, a thief stole six pairs of boots and some shirts from Real’s dressing room.

Marca reported that Ronaldo had three pairs of boots stolen while a total of three pairs belonging to either Mesut Ozil or Karim Benzema were also pinched.

Real have already complained to UEFA.

Referee Rafati breaks his silence

German referee Babak Rafati has broken his silence over his reasons for attempting to commit suicide last November, just hours before he was due to officiate a match between Cologne and Mainz.

The 41-year-old was discovered in the bathtub of his hotel room in Cologne by his assistant referees on November 19 last year, having slit his own wrists.

After his condition stabilised, Rafati was treated for depression but while he will not return to refereeing in the Bundesliga, he revealed that he has made a full recovery.

“I am healthy again,” he told daily Bild, 151 days after his suicide attempt.

“I was in a seemingly hopeless situation. It was a stroke of luck that I got help in time.

“I am glad that I survived from this ordeal.”