FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he was shocked at comments from former Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi who reportedly complained about the number of coloured players in Italian youth football.

“Pride and dignity is not a question of skin colour. Shocked by Arrigo Sacchi’s comments. Stop it,” Blatter said on Twitter.

“Italy has no dignity or pride, it can’t be right to see teams with 15 foreigners,” Italian media quoted Sacchi as saying.

“I’m certainly not racist and my coaching history shows that... but watching the Viareggio (youth) tournament brings me to say that there are too many coloured players, also in the youth teams.”

Haifa not pitch perfect for Coleman

Wales manager Chris Coleman has expressed concerns about the state of the Haifa pitch ahead of his side’s crunch Euro 2016 qualifier in Israel next month.

But Coleman says Wales will be ready after their experience on Andorra’s controversial artificial pitch in September and will not focus on the bare patches which exist at the Sammy Ofer Stadium.

“They’ve struggled with the grass pitch and it’s got some areas of concern,” Coleman told Press Association Sport.

“But it’s nowhere near Andorra, which was the worse pitch I’ve ever experienced in professional football.”

Laudrup confirms Japan interest

Michael Laudrup will not leave his post as head coach of Qatari champions Lekhwiya before May despite confirming the Japanese Football Association are seeking his services.

“I am aware of the interest from Japan but... we have a lot of games coming up and they have, absolutely, first priority at the moment,” the Dane told Kyodo News.

“When the season finishes in May, I will think about my future.

“It could be here in Lekhwiya or somewhere else.”

Eibar file appeal over Paez deal

Spanish side Eibar have appealed to FIFA to be granted international clearance to sign Liverpool defender Rafa Paez on loan until the end of the season.

After the clubs reached an agreement, FIFA blocked the transfer of the 20-year-old to the Primera Division side because of an administrative mistake.

A statement from Eibar read: “Sporting Club Eibar have appealed to FIFA regarding the international organisation’s decision not to grant them the transfer of Rafa Paez due to an administrative mistake that has now been corrected.

“Eibar handed all the documents from Liverpool for the transfer of Rafa Paez on January 30, within the deadline established by FIFA.”

Rooney ‘apologised’ for penalty in cup tie

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney apologised for the way he won the controversial penalty in their 3-1 win at third-tier Preston North End in the FA Cup on Monday, said Preston keeper Thorsten Stuckmann.

The England striker fell after hurdling a challenge by the onrushing Stuckmann and converted the resulting spot kick to score the final goal two minutes from time and make sure of a quarter-final tie at home to holders Arsenal.

Stuckmann has revealed that the 29-year-old admitted at the time that his fall was opportunistic.

“After the game Rooney told me: ‘Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that’,” the League One side’s keeper was quoted as saying in The Sun yesterday.

Defender Squillaci commits to Bastia

Veteran defender Sebastien Squillaci has signed a new one-year contract with Bastia, the Ligue 1 club have announced.

The former Sevilla and Arsenal defender, 34, has agreed a 12-month deal with an option for a further season.

“Sebastien Squillaci has extended his contract for another season with the club,” Bastia said on their website.

“The contract of the defender, which was due to expire in June, is extended until 2016 and could even be extended for an additional year again.”

Squillaci joined Bastia in 2013 from Arsenal.

Vazquez is staying put – Zamparini

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini insists Argentinian playmaker Franco Vazquez will not leave the Sicilian club at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old has attracted the attention of top teams in Serie A this season after scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in his 22 league appearances .

“There has not been, nor will there be, any contact between Palermo and Juventus or between our club and Napoli for Franco Vazquez,” Zamparini said in a statement.

“The Argentinian will be an important player next season.

“We find these false reports to be profoundly incorrect.

“In any case, to discourage any approaches, the player’s buy-out clause is fixed at over €25 million.”

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