Football news

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has hit out at UEFA over ticket prices for the Champions League final that he fears will exclude many of the club’s fans.

Tickets for the final between Bayern and Chelsea, to be played at Bayern’s Allianz Arena on May 19, will cost between €370 and €3,500 according to a policy put in place by European football’s ruling body.

Bayern believe that policy will prevent many of their fans from attending.

“We have to speak to UEFA about this again because, at the end of the day, football is a sport that belongs to the people,” Hoeness said.

Di Matteo tests defensive options

Roberto Di Matteo revealed Chelsea would begin training with two rookie centre-backs in case David Luiz and Gary Cahill did not recover for the Champions League final.

Captain John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are both suspended for next Saturday’s Champions League final, while Luiz and Cahill will remain in a race against time to recover from their hamstring injuries.

“We’ll practise different solutions, just in case,” he said.

“At the moment, we have the other two centre-halves training but I’m trying other solutions as well.”

Parker could miss Euro 2012

Harry Redknapp believes midfielder Scott Parker’s participation at Euro 2012 could be in doubt due to an Achilles injury.

The influential midfielder has been left out of the Tottenham starting XI for their last three matches and it is unlikely he will be selected for today’s season finale against Fulham.

Redknapp said: “He’s had a problem with his Achilles, I hope it’s not going to get worse. It isn’t getting any better. It’s a long-term concern.

“The way he is at the moment, he is struggling for fitness. After tomorrow he will have some injections in it and we’ll see if that can clear it up.”

Montella tipped for Roma job

Eusebio Di Francesco is confident Vincenzo Montella “is the right man” to replace Luis Enrique as coach of Roma next season.

Montella, the Catania coach, has been linked with a return to the capital after a positive spell in charge last season.

“I know Montella well and he has done great things at Catania,” Di Francesco said.

“He is the right man for the job, has the right character and knows how to communicate with the players. His experience in Sicily has certainly helped him to grow.

“He is the ideal candidate for Roma, who have decided to focus on young tacticians.”

Lavezzi to snub Inter for PSG

Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi is set to turn down an approach from Serie A giants Inter to complete a move to French Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain, reports in Italy said yesterday.

The Napoli striker is said to be on his way out at the end of the season after the Partenopei are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League.

Inter have been heavily linked with the Argentine, but are unwilling to pay the €31m buy-out clause on his contract in pure cash terms, aiming to include players as part of an exchange deal.

However, according to Tuttosport PSG have stumped up the money and agreed terms with Lavezzi too for a five-year contract worth €5m per season plus performance-related bonuses.

Olympic dream over for Ronaldinho

Brazilian star Ronaldinho is almost certain to miss out on a place in his country’s squad for this summer’s Olympic tournament after being left out of the list for the upcoming friendlies.

The 32-year-old former Barcelona man had hoped to play a part in Brazil’s bid for Olympic gold in London but instead has paid the price for his inconsistent recent form with club side Flamengo.

“Supporters need to understand that sometimes they think one man can be the solution to all of Brazilian football’s problems and it does not work out like that,” said Mano Menezes.

“Now is the time to look at younger options.”

Reims, Troyes promoted to Ligue 1

Reims and Troyes were both promoted to France’s Ligue 1 championship from the second-tier Ligue 2 on Friday.

Second-place Reims defeated Amiens 2-0 and third-place Troyes won by the same scoreline at Monaco, with fourth-place Clermont’s 3-1 loss at Guingamp guaranteeing that neither side can be overhauled. They will join Ligue 2 champions Bastia in next season’s French top flight.

Reims are one of French football’s sleeping giants, having won six Ligue 1 titles and been beaten by Real Madrid in the first ever European Cup final in Paris in 1956.