Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has dismissed the latest rumours linking striker Mario Balotelli with a move to Milan.
The noises coming out of Italy tend to vary but after suggestions Milan had been priced out of a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, there are now reports he could move on loan.
But Mancini said: “It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn’t have any requests about Mario.”
Mancini has maintained this firm line on the possibility of Balotelli leaving the Etihad Stadium, even after a training-ground bust-up with the player earlier this month.
Barca-Real semi
Barcelona set up a King’s Cup semi-final against Real Madrid after battling to a 4-2 second leg win over a stubborn Malaga at the Rosaleda late Thursday.
The La Liga leaders progressed 6-4 on aggregate, with goals from Pedro, Gerard Pique and late strikes from Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi putting them through after Malaga had twice drawn level.
The 2011 cup winners Real host the first leg at the Bernabeu next week after Jose Mourinho’s side beat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate, despite having two players sent off in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the Mestalla.
Man. City youth in trouble over deaths
Police have charged a Manchester City youth player with causing the deaths of a brother and sister by careless or inconsiderate driving.
Courtney Meppen-Walter, 18, was arrested last September after his Mercedes was involved in a crash with a Nissan Micra in Manchester.
The Nissan driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister, front seat passenger Ravel Kaur, 37, from Cheetham Hill, died.
Ms Kaur’s two sons, aged 16 and 17, were sitting in the back of the vehicle and are said to be making a recovery from the collision.
City defender Meppen-Walter has represented England at Under-17 level.
FIFA to review WCup bid claims
Allegations surrounding the controversial 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding campaigns will be subjected to a “thorough review”, FIFA’s ethics investigator has stated.
A number of allegations have been made, including by former England 2018 bid leader Lord Triesman, plus claims about 2022 hosts Qatar who have always denied any wrongdoing.
Russia was awarded the 2018 tournament.
Ethics investigator Michael J. Garcia has previously said he would look into the claims and this was reiterated yesterday.
The ethics committee will also report in March on its investigation into the payment of kickbacks to FIFA members by now-defunct marketing partner ISL.
Manchester United agree Zaha deal
Manchester United agreed a fee to buy exciting forward Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace yesterday with manager Alex Ferguson investing in young potential rather than a big name for his first signing of the transfer window.
The Ivory Coast-born 20-year-old, who left west Africa as a four-year-old, will be immediately loaned back to Crystal Palace for the remainder of this season before joining the Premier League leaders in July.
The British media have widely reported the deal to be worth £15 million.
FA charges Chelsea’s Hazard
Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was charged with violent conduct by the FA yesterday after this week’s bizarre clash with a ballboy who prevented him from re-trieving the ball.
The Belgian was sent off in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg at Swansea City after kicking the teenager while trying to get the ball as the ballboy laid on top of it. The player subsequently apologised.
Hazard received an automatic three-match ban for his 78th-minute red card but could now face a longer suspension. He has until Tuesday to respond to the charge.
Schalke send Escudero on loan
Schalke defender Sergio Escudero has been loaned out to Spanish side Getafe until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club said yesterday.
Escudero, who had joined together with fellow Spaniards Raul and Jose Jurado in 2010, has failed to hold down a starting spot since then and has not featured in a league game this season.
His contract runs out in 2014.
“Sergio Escudero will not play for Schalke in the second half of the season. He will be loaned out to Getafe until June 30,” the club said.
Schalke are fifth in the Bundesliga after a slump in form late last year and have also advanced to the Champions League Round of 16.