Barcelona vice president Manel Arroyo has denied coach Gerardo Martino has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
Martino is reported to have informed close colleagues of his desire to leave the Catalan club, according to Spanish television show EsportClub.
However, Arroyo hit out at the rumours and scotched any talk of an exit for the Argentinian.
He said: “It is completely false that Martino has said to any of his coaching team that he is leaving.
“He is focused on the challenges ahead with Barcelona. All three titles are still to play for.”
Klopp avoids ban
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has avoided a touchline ban but was handed a €10,000 fine for misconduct during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Borussia M’gladbach at the weekend.
The German was sent to the stands for the eighth dismissal of his career after getting overly-agitated on the touchline.
He has avoided a ban this time, but must instead pay a fine and accept a warning for his future conduct.
The 46-year-old was banned for three Champions League matches this season after an angry confrontation with a fourth official.
Cellino fined for unpaid tax on yacht
Massimo Cellino, the president of Serie A side Cagliari who is set to take control of English club Leeds United, was fined €600,000 by an Italian court yesterday for failing to pay import duty on a yacht.
Reports said the Cagliari court also ordered the confiscation of the boat.
Cellino, 57, has a previous criminal conviction in Italy for fraud and was banned for four months last year by the Italian Football Federation after Cagliari sold tickets for a match supposed to be played behind closed doors.
The businessman’s family company Eleonora Sport Limited bought a 75 per cent stake in Championship side Leeds last month but the governing Football League has yet to sanction the takeover.
Foy sent to Hull
Referee Chris Foy, the subject of Jose Mourinho’s fury at Villa Park last weekend, is to be sent to Hull on Saturday by the Premier Lea-gue for the match with WBA.
Foy has been named referee for the KC Stadium fixture des-pite a display during Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa which provoked Mourinho’s ire.
Chelsea play fellow title hopefuls Arsenal in a game which will be refereed by Andre Marriner.
Marriner awarded Chelsea a controversial penalty in November’s draw with WBA which preserved Mourinho’s unbeaten home record in the league.
Ramires was thought by many to have dived to be awarded the spot-kick, which was converted by Eden Hazard.
Gerrard in Rodgers contract plea
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called on owners Fenway Sports Group not to waste any time in giving manager Brendan Rodgers a new contract.
The Reds boss has just over a year left on his current agreement, although there is an option for a 12-month extension.
Such has been the progress this year it seems inevitable the N. Irishman will be rewarded with a more lucrative deal.
“The manager has been a reve-lation and a breath of fresh air to this club,” Gerrard said.
“When players are in this situation with a year to go you want to keep hold of them and for me I think he deserves a very long contract here and I think he is perfect for this club.”
Owner Allamthreatens to sell
Hull owner Assem Allam has reiterated his intention to walk away from the club if his proposed name-change is unsuccessful.
On Monday, the FA’s membership committee made a “unanimous recommendation” to its council to reject the request.
The FA said a full vote would be taken as planned on April 9 and that Hull were able to respond with a new submission.
Allam said: “If the FA does not allow our plan, we will walk away, put it on the market. We would not put it into liquidation... there is a lot of money at stake. I will get my money when I sell.”
Scarves to mark Hillsborough ’89
Liverpool are calling on football fans from around the world to show their support for the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster by sending in club scarves.
A memorial service at Anfield on April 15 will commemorate the 96 fans who died as a result of a crush at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in Sheffield in 1989.
The club said Kenny Dalglish, manager of Liverpool at the time of the disaster, had written to all 92 English League clubs asking them to donate a scarf which will be laid out with those from members of the public on the pitch to form a 96.
Former Liverpool greats, including Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Jan Molby and Robbie Fowler will also be involved in a charity match at Anfield to celebrate the lives of the 96 victims on April 21.