Football news

Former Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi yesterday apologised for his behaviour after hitting one of his own players during Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw against Novara.

The 51-year-old attacked Fio-rentina midfielder Adem Ljajic in the dugout after the player’s apparent dissent at being substituted just 32 minutes into the match. As a result, Rossi was dismissed by the Serie A club.

“It’s difficult to be here today,” Rossi told reporters.

“I apologise for the episode. I have made a mistake and I will pay for it.”

Rossi said he was provoked by Ljajic but admitted he should not have acted the way he did.

Rooney tops poll

Wayne Rooney’s stunning overhead kick in the Manchester derby in February 2011 has been voted as the greatest goal in the 20 seasons of the Premier League in a ballot of more than 300,000 football fans.

Supporters from around the world voted in the ballot, with Rooney’s effort gaining 26 per cent of the total votes cast.

Dennis Bergkamp’s magnificent turn and finish against Newcastle for Arsenal in March 2002 was the second most popular with 19 per cent and Thierry Henry’s volley for Arsenal against Manchester United in 2000 was third on 15 per cent.

Kagawa decision after cup final

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa will decide whether to extend his contract with the German champions or sign for an English Premier League club after the German Cup final on May 12.

Kagawa, who has won two consecutive Bundesliga titles since joining Dortmund for just €350,000 from Japan’s second division, has impressed enough to become a transfer target for a number of leading European clubs.

The attacking midfielder’s contract runs out in 2013 and the 23-year-old has already stated a desire to one day ply his trade in England.

Arsenal’s Wenger joins 900 club

Arsene Wenger, 62, takes charge of his 900th game as Arsenal manager against Norwich this afternoon looking for the victory that will keep his side on course for Champions League qualification.

The long-serving Arsenal was unaware of the landmark when pointed out by reporters.

“Yes (I am surprised) because I don’t know where the other 899 have gone,” he said.

“You always have so much focus on the next one that you forget the games that are behind you.

“It is impressive, 900 games, but basically what is important for me is to win the next one.”

Capello eyes managerial return

Former England manager Fabio Capello wants to get back into soccer with a leading Premier League club, the Italian said yesterday.

“England would be very interesting for me because I know the teams and players very well,” the 65-year-old said.

“I want to manage a team that wants to win something, if possible. It has to be interesting, based on the value of the team, not money.

“I don’t work for money,” added Capello, who quit the England job in February after the Football Association removed defender John Terry as national captain against the Italian’s wishes.

Van Persie relaxed over contract talks

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie insisted he had no concerns about his Gunners’ future.

There has been speculation as to whether Arsenal, set for a seventh successive year without a trophy, can hang on to the talented 28-year-old who has been attracting envious glances from Europe’s leading clubs.

But Van Persie was adamant he would be entering contract negotiations with Arsenal as planned once this season was finished.

He said: “We haven’t set a date but I will have a meeting with the boss like we did before now. Arsenal is an unbelievable club... the player I am today is because of Arsenal.”

No Shanghai move for Drogba

Nicolas Anelka yesterday hinted that his former team-mate at Chelsea, Didier Drogba, would not be joining him at the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in summer.

Anelka, player-coach of Shenhua, previously expressed hopes that the 34-year-old forward could join him in a lucrative move to Shanghai.

“Even if Didier Drogba finally chooses to stay with Chelsea, that can only prove Drogba himself wanted to stay and Chelsea also wanted to keep him,” Anelka said.

“If Drogba cannot come to Shanghai, then there are no regrets because the world still has many other fine players,” Anelka added.