Football news

France coach Didier Deschamps yesterday recalled midfielder Yoann Gourcuff for his squad to play Italy in a friendly international in Parma on November 14.

The 26-year-old midfielder has only recently battled his way back to top form with club side Lyon after being sidelined for several months with a series of injuries.

He last played for France in the 3-2 win over Israel in a friendly match on May 27, after which he was left out of then-coach Laurent Blanc’s squad for the Euro 2012 championships.

The way for Gourcoff’s return was cleared with the news from Real Madrid that striker Karim Benzema was on the injury list with a groin strain.

Confederation Cup cities named

Brazil and FIFA yesterday con-firmed that the 2013 Confedera-tions Cup dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup will be held in six host cities, as initially planned.

“The host cities for the Confederations Cup will be Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador,” the president of the local organising committee for the World Cup, Jose Maria Marin, told reporters.

“For the first time, this com-petition will be played in six cities of the same country,” he added.

Last month, FIFA said four stadiums would be enough for Brazil to stage the event.

LA Galaxy in final

Ireland captain Robbie Keane scored twice to lead Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over San Jose and into the Western Conference final of Major League Soccer’s play-offs.

The victory gave the Galaxy a 3-2 aggregate triumph in the two-match tie and kept them in the hunt for a second consecutive MLS Cup crown.

Their triumph last year gave former England captain David Beckham league titles in three different countries and he made it clear he was after a repeat.

“There’s no season that can be a success if you don’t win any silverware at the end of it,” Beckham said.

Sacked Levein taking legal advice

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein thanked his players for their “unswerving” loyalty, while confirming he is taking legal advice following his dismissal.

In a statement, Levein said: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported the team and I during my time as Scotland manager.

“Most of all I would like to thank the players for their unswerving loyalty, effort and professionalism.

“I am extremely disappointed by the process of the last week.

“I note the position as stated by the Scottish Football Association but do not concur and I am currently taking legal advice as to my options.”

Ibrahimovic gets two-game ban

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint Germain will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for their next two league games after the fiery Swedish international was handed a two-game ban in midweek.

The 31-year-old, who is the leading scorer in the league with 10 goals, was slapped with the ban by the Professional Football League’s disciplinary commission for his red card last Saturday for a rash challenge on St Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.

The suspension will see him miss this Sunday’s clash at champions Montpellier and the home match with Nice a week later.

PSG lead Marseille only on goal difference, with their bitter rivals having a game in hand.

Hearts served with winding-up order

Scottish Premier League side Hearts warned their fans the club may be entering its “final days” after confirming they had been served with a winding-up order regarding a tax bill of nearly £450,000.

In an initial response, Scottish Cup holders Hearts said they were attempting to negotiate a payment plan with the tax authority and stressed the matter was unrelated to a £1.75m HMRC bill which the Edinburgh club are challenging at a tax tribunal.

Hearts said they were “en-deavouring to agree a suitable payment plan with HMRC for the outstanding amount of £449,692.04”.

Palermo supremo eyes clear-out

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is preparing to over-haul the Serie A club’s squad in January.

Coach GianPiero Gasperini has already hinted at sweeping changes after their 4-1 defeat to Roma on Sunday, as he doubted the commitment of his players.

“In January we will make moves,” Zamparini said.

“Those players who do not have character or heart will go and in their place will arrive players more functional for the our style of football.”

Palermo built their squad to suit Giuseppe Sannino’s 4-4-2 system but the latter was sacked after three rounds and replaced by Gasperini who prefers a three-man defence.