Football news

Park Ji-sung believes QPR are getting better every game and have a good chance of beating the drop.

The London side looked destined for relegation after winning just twice in 27 games, but back-to-back victories have brought with them a new confidence.

Next up is a trip to fellow strugglers Aston Villa and former Manchester United midfielder Park believes the bottom-placed side can continue their forward momentum.

“There is four points difference now and we all know that the upcoming matches are really im-portant,” the South Korean said.

“Our performances in the last two matches have been good, so we have a good chance of getting out of it.”

Lotito: UEFA appeal a waste of time

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has described his club’s appeal of a UEFA stadium ban as a “waste of time” after it was rejected.

UEFA last month ordered the Italians to play their next two home European matches behind closed doors after the club was charged over racist behaviour and insufficient organisation.

“It was a waste of time... everything we did to explain ourselves did nothing. The motivations we still do not know,” Lotito said.

“Nothing has been served by coming here. There have been four days spent on the appeal, plus expenses, but it is the story of a death foretold.”

ISL report due within weeks

The man behind FIFA’s investigation into the ISL affair hopes to have a preliminary report ready within a couple of weeks.

Lawyer Michael Garcia has been looking into events surrounding the rights agency – which went bust in 2001 – that potentially implicate senior football figures in a bribery scandal.

Garcia said: “I’ve got to examine it like I would examine whatever else might raise the question: ‘Have there been violations in the conduct of these people?’

“A timetable has been established. There’s a meeting of the executive committee on 20 and 21 March. My goal is to have at least sent a preliminary report by then.”

Mikel hails Benitez impact

John Obi Mikel has praised manager Rafael Benitez for turning Chelsea’s fortunes around in the FA Cup clash at Man. United.

When United went 2-0 ahead after 11 minutes, the holders were facing quarter-final elimination but the Blues responded with second-half goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires to force a replay.

“It wasn’t anything the players had to say,” said Mikel.

“It was the manager. The manager just said we had to go back out there and put things right. There was no anger.

“We just had a normal chat. It was about finding the determination – and we found it from nowhere.”

Wilshere out for three weeks

Jack Wilshere has sustained an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for the next three weeks, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed.

The 21-year-old has endured an unfortunate run with injuries, missing the whole of last season.

Wilshere is out of today’s Champion League clash at Bayern Munich and Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Swansea and England’s World Cup qualifying double-header against San Marino and Montenegro.

“Jack Wilshere is out. He has an inflamed ankle. He will be out for three weeks and will not be available for Munich, Swansea and for England,” Wenger said.

Dunfermline get timely help

Alex Ferguson, who spent three years playing for Scottish league team Dunfermline Athletic in the 1960s, has offered to send a full Manchester United team to play his old club who face a winding up order from the taxman because of unpaid debts.

Ferguson, who scored 66 goals for Dunfermline in 89 league appearances between 1964 and 1967, was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2007, and learned of their desperate plight last month after a visit from his former Pars team-mate Roy Barry.

The match with United is planned to take place at Dunfermline’s East End Park ground in the summer, presuming Dunfermline ride out their immediate financial problems.

Gerrard targets Euro qualification

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes they have to produce a perfect finish to the season if they are to sneak into Champions League qualification.

The sixth-placed Reds are seven points adrift of Chelsea, current occupiers of fourth spot and with a match in hand.

Gerrard said: “Liverpool don’t belong in seventh, eighth or ninth in the table. We want to push for the European places.

“Hopefully, it’s not too late but we will need to produce the perfect finish to sneak in the back door.

“The top five places are the target. All we can control is our performances and hopefully we will finish strong.”