A total of 16 people were arrested during clashes as Poland’s Legia Warsaw drew 2-2 with Latvian club Metalurgs in a Europa League match, police said yesterday.
Those detained included travelling Legia fans and local residents in Liepaja, the Baltic port city where Metalurgs are based.
“I think this is the lesser evil that we could have expected related to this match,” said regional police chief Normunds Grubis.
Latvian police had been braced for trouble at Thursday’s first leg, second qualifying round match after Lithuania arrested 13 Poles bound for the game.
Police said around 1,500 Poles travelled to the match, including between 200 and 300 hooligans.
Valencia close in on Gago
Valencia have confirmed they have agreed a fee with Real Madrid for midfielder Fernando Gago.
The 26-year-old Argentina international arrived in Valencia on Thursday evening after the fee, in the region of €3.5million, and personal terms were agreed.
Gago initially made a strong impression after joining Madrid for more than €20m from Boca Juniors in January 2006, helping the club to Primera Division titles in 2007 and 2008.
But he fell down the pecking order following the arrivals of Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Nuri Sahin, and spent last season on loan at Roma.
Wigan put £10m tag on Moses
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has told Chelsea to come up with £10 million or forget signing Victor Moses.
Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo this week admitted his interest in Latics midfielder Moses amid reports of an impasse over the valuation of the player.
Whelan told ESPN: “They need to pay the brass up front – we don’t want any part-exchange deals they have offered.
“Victor is one of the most exciting young talents around, so little wonder Chelsea want him.
“They know the price for Moses. We are looking to reach £10m.”
Milan pondering Matri loan move
Milan are reportedly keen to sign Alessandro Matri on loan from Juventus with an option to make his move permanent.
Matri, a product of the Rossoneri’s youth system, is being linked with a move away from Juventus this summer amid reports that the Italian champions are in the market for other forwards.
With Milan looking to fill the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure to Paris SG, Sky Sport Italia reported that the Rossoneri are preparing to offer a loan deal for the 27-year-old with a set fee then in place to make Matri’s transfer permanent in the summer.
Rodgers rules out Carroll loan
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists there is no chance of Andy Carroll (picture) leaving the club on loan, but admits the Reds will consider any offers they receive for the striker.
The Anfield club are understood to have turned down a bid from the England international’s former club Newcastle to re-sign him on a season-long loan earlier this month.
Rodgers told Sky Sports News: “I’ve spoken openly and honestly with Andy in terms of where he is at, but I have done the same with all of the players.
“There is talk of him going on loan, but there is absolutely no way I would be looking to loan a player like that, especially after the investment the club have paid.”
Ferguson confirms Van Persie bid
Alex Ferguson yesterday confirmed Manchester United had made a bid for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.
Reports in England said that United failed to meet the Gunners’ valuation of Van Persie, with Manchester City and Juventus having also fallen short.
Ferguson told MUTV: “Arsenal have given out the fact that we’ve made a bid for him.
“We try to keep business as close as possible to us until the moment we conclude a deal. There’s no point talking about something that might not happen.
“There are other clubs interested in the player. We’ve shown an interest and that’s where we’re at at the moment.”
‘Sing anthem or don’t play’
The former head of the German football federation Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder said national team players should sing the national anthem or risk not been picked.
“The coach (Joachim Loew) has to make singing the national anthem compulsory,” he told Bild.
“He (Loew) has always said that he can’t force them to. But I think it’s possible. He should say to a player that he has to sing otherwise he will not be picked.”
The former DFB president cited the Euro 2012 semi-final as an example, noting that “the Italians (who won 2-1) sang with gusto and played with the same passion. And us? It was almost shameful”.