Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has apologised for laughing during a minute’s silence that was held in memory of the victims of the flash floods in Liguria.
“I am ashamed of my smile during the minute’s silence,” Montolivo said.
“I didn’t realise the minute’s silence had already started and the tension ahead of the game can sometimes make you do things that you would not do otherwise.
“However, there are no excuses for that and hence, I apologise to all the people that felt offended by it.”
Ferdinand sent ‘death threat’
Police are investigating a threatening letter reportedly containing a death threat sent to QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
The Sun tabloid said the contents of the letter were so graphic that QPR officials did not show it to the defender, who is at the centre of a race row involving John Terry.
The Premier League club contacted the police after the letter was delivered by hand to their Loftus Road ground last Friday, according to the paper.
Ferdinand, 26, was the alleged victim of a racist comment made by Terry during QPR’s Premier League home match with Chelsea last month.
Romanov plans to sell Hearts
Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has revealed he is considering selling the Edinburgh club after becoming disillusioned with football.
The Lithuanian businessman confirmed he was seeking to sell up after battling against what he calls “an orchestrated campaign against him personally and, by association, the club”.
“I haven’t lost my interest in the club, but I have for football,” he said.
“I now have to consider finding a partner or selling the club.”
Agger slams ragged Liverpool
Defender Daniel Agger has warned Liverpool must raise their game if they are to avoid yet another season without Champions League football – and can start by not playing like “headless chickens”.
Agger pulled no punches in his assessment of his side’s goalless draw with Swansea at the weekend.
“Sometimes we looked like headless chickens running around after the ball,” Agger said.
“It is far from good enough. Everyone was angry and disappointed – some more than others – but that is the way it is.”
“If we play like this, we won’t do it (qualify for the Champions League),” he added.
Lopez keen on Milan move
Catania forward Maxi Lopez has claimed he would relish a move to Milan in the January transfer window.
Reports in Italy claim the Rossoneri are looking to reinforce their attack after Antonio Cassano was ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure last week.
“I am aware of these rumours,” Lopez told Corriere dello Sport.
“But I don’t know anything more than that. If the Rossoneri want me then I’m ready.
“Milan are a great club, so it’s normal that I would like to play for them.”
Cellino backs coach Ficcadenti
Cagliari president Massimo Cellino insists coach Massimo Ficcadenti’s job is safe.
The Sardinian outfit have not won a game since October 2 and lie 10th in the Serie A standings after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away to Atalanta.
“We will not sack our coach,” Cellino told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We signed young players this summer, many foreigners and we need time for them to adapt.
“This is the path we must continue on because it’s the right one.
“We must prepare for a difficult season because this is the price you pay when you renew a team as much as we have done.”
Belgian starlet to join Man. United
Highly-rated Belgian teenage playmaker Andreas Hoelgebaum Pereira will sign his first professional contract with English Premier League champions Manchester United in January according to Dutch media reports yesterday.
The 15-year-old has come through the youth system of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and had been tracked by several major European clubs including Milan, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.
“I know that PSV gave me my opportunity but Manchester United is a huge club,” he said.
“Other British clubs were interested in me but Manchester is the club which I have always dreamed of.