Paolo di Canio is considering his future as Swindon manager after a whirlwind week at the club.
In a statement, the Italian claimed the club – who announced a takeover subject to Football League approval on Wednesday night – sold influential winger Matt Ritchie to League One rivals Bournemouth behind his back.
“It is with great regret that I issue this statement but, unfortunately, the events of the last few days have left me with no alternative other than to consider my position,” Di Canio said.
“At this moment in time my future remains unclear.”
Becks can match Maldini – Ancelotti
Paris SG coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the arrival of David Beckham, claiming the midfielder can match the longevity of Paolo Maldini.
Speaking after Friday night’s 4-0 league win at Toulouse, Ancelotti said: “I know Beckham well. Everyone talks about his image, but I want to emphasise his quality on the pitch.
“It is true that he is not young, but he has experience.
“Paolo Maldini won the Champions League at the age of 39, so Beckham still has lots of time ahead of him.
“He can play every position in midfield. I am very happy with his arrival. I had the opportunity to coach him for six months at Milan. It was an exceptional experience.”
Ferguson denies
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson faces a FA hearing and a possible touchline ban after denying a charge of misconduct.
Ferguson was charged last week for comments he made about linesman Simon Beck after his side’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
In a TV interview after the Premier League match, Ferguson described the performance of Beck as “shocking” after the official decided not to flag for a penalty when Wayne Rooney thought he had been fouled in the opponents’ box.
Should he be found guilty, Ferguson could be banned for up to four games.
M’Vila’s France ban reduced
Yann M’Vila has a hope of playing in the next World Cup after his France ban for a night out while on international duty was reduced.
M’Vila, who signed for Russia’s Rubin Kazan last month, had appealed the French federation’s (FFF) decision to ban him from all France teams until June 30, 2014.
“Yann M’Vila’s suspension from all national teams from Nov. 12, 2012 until June 30, 2014, with a suspended period from March 1 to June 30, 2014, is now confirmed,” the FFF said in a statement.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil starts on June 12.
Hernanes facing long lay-off
Lazio are expected to be without playmaker Hernanes for the next four weeks after suffering an injury during last week’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg in Rome.
Lazio said the Brazilian was knocked unconscious on Tuesday evening after clashing heads with Luca Marrone, of Juventus, at the Olympic Stadium.
Hernanes said he had no idea what happened but after medical advice Lazio said that the 27-year-old will have to undergo more tests as doctors also ordered a four-week rest for the player.
That means Hernanes could miss the upcoming Serie A matches against Genoa, Napoli and Milan.
Juventus could win CLeague – Anelka
Juventus are strong enough to win the Champions League this season, new signing Nicolas Anelka said.
The much-travelled former France striker joined the Italians on a five-month deal last week, ending a one-year spell with China’s Shanghai Shenhua.
“It is a very difficult competition,” Anelka said, referring to the Champions League.
“When you start out you never know if you’ll be able to win it.
“I believe a team like Juventus have the players, mentality and qualities required to do so.
“We’ll give all our strength and energy to bring the trophy home.”
Juventus travel to Scotland to play Celtic in a Champions League last-16 first leg tie on February 12.
Anzhi pay €35m for Willian
Brazil playmaker Willian, one of the outstanding players of the Champions League group stage, joined wealthy Russians Anzhi Makhachkala from Shakhtar Donetsk late Friday for a fee of €35 million.
The 24-year-old has thereby sacrificed a chance to help Shakhtar progress further in the Champions League – the Uk-rainians host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 13.
Willian was hugely influential as Shakhtar went through from their Champions League group along with Juventus at the expense of holders Chelsea.