Cologne boss Frank Schaefer has condemned supporters who made death threats against his team in the wake of their 4-1 defeat at Wolfsburg on Sunday. A group of fans left a banner at the club’s training ground yesterday which read: “If you go down we’ll kill you.”
The Wolfsburg defeat left Cologne just three points above their opponents, who are third from bottom of the Bundesliga, with three games to go.
Schaefer, who leaves his post at the end of the season, admitted he was shocked.
He said: “That has nothing to do with football, nothing to do with criticism. It is below the belt and destructive.”
Abused Gibson quits twitter
Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson was forced to cancel his newly-created Twitter account after just two hours when he was subjected to a tirade of abuse.
The 23-year-old, born in Northern Ireland but has won 16 caps for the Republic of Ireland, was also targeted for his controversial switch of national allegiance.
Some of the messages posted on his Twitter page included: “Darron Gibson is on Twitter, a traitor to his country”.
Another one said: “You are an abysmal excuse for a footballer... what Fergie sees in you I do not know.”
Moratti backs under-fire Leonardo
Inter president Massimo Moratti has backed under-fire manager Leonardo and denied rumours Jose Mourinho was set to return to the club.
Reports in the Italian media this week have suggested Brazilian Leonardo will leave in summer with Inter on the verge of relinquishing the Serie A title to city rivals Milan.
Moratti has, however, denied the claims and, after Real Madrid boss Mourinho also ruled himself out of a return, has pledged to keep faith with Leonardo next season.
“The rumours? They are done by the media and papers,” Moratti said.
“My desire and Leonardo’s is to continue together, now and in the future.”
Giovinco to stay at Parma
Italy international Sebastian Giovinco is expected to remain at Parma next season, his agent re-vealed yesterday.
The nippy midfielder is currently on loan with the Gialloblu from Juventus. Parma have the option to sign a 50 per cent stake in him in the next transfer window.
“We’ll see what happens with regard to Giovinco,” Claudio Pasqualin told reporters.
“We are talking to Juventus about it, but I do believe that Parma want to take up their option to sign him.
“I can say that Sebastian will, in all probability, stay with Parma for next season too.”
Neymar undecided over future
Neymar claims that only God knows where he will be playing football next season.
The highly-rated Brazilian has scored 61 goals in 123 appearances for Santos since making his debut in 2009 and has been linked with a £25 million move to Chelsea or Inter.
Neymar, 19, has recently expressed his wish to play in Europe but has now admitted he is uncertain about where he will be next term.
“I do not know what the future holds,” Neymar said.
“It is in the hands of God but it’s nice to know my work is appreciated. I don’t know what will happen in June. I’m only focused on working hard to be called up for the Copa America.”
Napoli enter race to sign Piro
Napoli have reportedly joined Juventus in the chase to sign Andrea Pirlo from Milan in summer. The veteran midfielder may quit the Rossoneri on a free transfer should he not renew his contract at the San Siro.
Juventus have publicly ad-mitted that they would be in-terested in signing Pirlo at the end of the season, but they seemingly have competition.
According to reports, Napoli, too, are very keen on the 31-year-old Italian international.
Pirlo’s agent Tulio Tinti is under-stood to have already had pre-liminary talks with Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon.
Dawson desperate for CL spot
Michael Dawson is desperate for Tottenham to play in the Champions League again next season and knows his side must pick themselves up from dropping points against West Bromwich Albion when they play Chelsea at the weekend.
Dawson suffered the agony of watching his team-mates take part in six enthralling group stage matches in the Champions League while he was sidelined with an ankle ligament injury. He hopes to enjoy a full season in Europe’s top club competition next year.
“We want to be in there again next season,” the defender said.
“We qualified for it last year and that’s our aim this year. It will be hard but we won’t give up. There is still a long way to go in the chase and we have to keep fighting until the end.”