Another wildcard has entered the pack of candidates challenging Sepp Blatter for the presidency of FIFA in May’s election – Mino Raiola, a soccer agent whose clients include Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The 47-year-old Dutchman with Italian roots needs to prove five football associations support his bid and that he has been active in football for at least two of the last five years before the deadline for submitting bids expires at midnight next Friday, Jan. 29.

“I’m getting violently sick when I think that Blatter could be re-elected,” he told Daily Telegraph.

Podolski’s backing

Lukas Podolski would love to see England end their 50-year wait for a major title at Euro 2016.

The Arsenal forward, now on loan at Inter, would pick England were he to choose a winner in France at a tournament he says will be his last for Germany.

“They love football,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to play there. I would not begrudge the Brits the title. They would deserve it.”

Podolski, 29, added he will not be defending the World Cup title in Russia.

“I’ve already achieved my biggest goal of winning the World Cup. The Euro Championship will be my last major tournament.”

Chelsea stand firm over Salah

Chelsea have told Roma they will only allow winger Mohamed Salah to leave this month as part of a permanent deal worth over €15 million.

The Blues were not expecting to do any major business in January but are prepared to sell Salah, who is yet to start in the Premier League this season.

Roma had hoped to take Salah on loan but Chelsea have told the Italians they would have to make the switch permanent at the end of the campaign.

Reports said Chelsea are demanding €1m for a six-month loan spell, with an obligation to pay another €14m in the summer.

The deal would see the Blues recuperate the fee they paid Basel to sign Salah just 12 months ago.

FIFA loses three World Cup sponsors

Three major FIFA sponsors have ended their relationships with world football’s governing body, it has emerged.

Oil manufacturers Castrol, tyre and car parts business Continental and healthcare company Johnson & Johnson have each chosen not to extend deals with FIFA.

The three companies were among a group of eight businesses identified as ‘World Cup sponsors’ by FIFA, which also had six top-tier ‘partners’ at the time of the 2014 tournament.

It was confirmed in November that two of the elite group of backers, Sony and Emirates, had ended relationships with FIFA, with Moscow-based oil and gas giant Gazprom joining ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

No guarantees from De Gea agent

Agent Jorge Mendes has not ruled out David de Gea leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid because of the way situations can rapidly change in football.

United manager Louis van Gaal has recently expressed his confidence that the Spain goalkeeper will resist Real’s overtures and sign a new contract to stay at Old Trafford.

When asked about De Gea’s situation and the prospect of a switch to the Bernabeu, Mendes said: “I do not know the future, things change every five minutes.

“We all know that in football nothing is impossible.”

“David is a Manchester United player and has a contract. You have to respect that.”

De Gea, 24, is contracted to United until June 2016.

Real Madrid agree to sign Lucas Silva

Cruzeiro have agreed to sell defensive midfielder Lucas Silva to Real Madrid, the Brazilian champions said yesterday. Spanish media reported the fee would be around €15 million.

Silva, 21, is considered to be one of Brazil’s most promising young players and has represented his country at junior level.

“We have been in touch with Real Madrid since last year and we’re now discussing a fee,” Cruzeiro’s director of football Valdir Barbosa said.

“I think a deal should be complete by the start of next week.”

Silva was released from training on Thursday to have a medical with Real, reports said.

Cash-strapped team relegated in Greece

Financial strife continues to plague Greek soccer after cash-strapped Niki Volou were relegated from the Super League for financial reasons by the league’s disciplinary committee.

The struggling club, who have broken league rules by failing to pay players, have not been able to play their last five matches and are beset by a number of other administrative problems.

As a result, the team from Thessaly have been relegated from the 18-team Greek top flight and will start next season in the second tier Football League with a six-point deduction.

The club have also been ordered to pay a €10,000 fine.

OFI Crete, meanwhile, are another club struggling for survival and could be heading the same way as Niki Volou.

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