Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has accused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra of manufacturing the handshake incident with Luis Suarez during last month’s game at Old Trafford which further inflamed the race row between the two players.
Johnson said: “Evra was clever at Old Trafford.
“Luis didn’t shake his hand because Evra’s hand was down there. What else is Luis supposed to do? Would you go to shake someone’s hand if their hand is way down there by their side? Course not.
“But then, because Luis didn’t do it, Evra has pulled him back by his arm as he walked on, as if to say to everybody: ‘Look, I wanted to shake his hand and he didn’t...’”
Defoe targets England recall
Jermain Defoe set his sights on a return to the England squad after his two goals in a 3-1 fifth round replay win over third tier Stevenage helped Tottenham Hotspur into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
“It’s at the back of my mind, that’s only normal with a tournament in the summer,” said Defoe of the European Championships.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing for Tottenham then we’ll see what happens.
“Everyone wants to get a run in the team. But it’s difficult, we have a big squad.
“The manager knows that when called upon I’ll be ready.”
Mancini confirms Van Persie interest
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in Arsenal’s Robin van Persie but believes the prolific Dutch striker will ultimately extend his contract with the Gunners.
Van Persie’s contract with Arsenal expires in 2013 and a number of clubs have been alerted to the possibility of a shock summer move because he has ruled out discussing his future until then.
“I think Van Persie at this moment is one of the best strikers in Europe with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and with Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli. I think he is a fantastic striker, but I think he will remain with Arsenal.”
Fined for swearing
Mainz’s Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan has been fined €6,000 by the German Football Federation (DFB) for swearing at rival fans during a German league match.
The DFB found him guilty of unsporting behaviour for shouting “Shit Kaiserslautern!” at visiting fans after scoring the opening goal against them just two minutes into Mainz’s 4-0 home victory on February 25.
Zidan has already said he will not appeal the decision by the DFB’s disciplinary committee and apologised for his actions to both Kaiserslautern boss Stefan Kuntz and the fans immediately after the incident.
Podolski to join Arsenal – report
Germany forward Lukas Podolski is to quit Cologne at the end of the season to join Arsenal for €13 million, Bild said yesterday.
The German club made no confirmation of the claim but Bild, which is generally well-informed, said he had accepted terms with the English Premier League side.
Podolski, 26, has agreed terms on a four-year deal that will see him earn an annual salary of some seven million euros, the newspaper said.
The Gunners’ injured centre-back Per Mertesacker told German Sky Sports News on Wednesday that Podolski has been getting the low-down on life at the Premier League side through an exchange of text messages with him.
Spurs suffer Dawson blow
Tottenham’s hopes of securing a third-place finish in the Premier League suffered a blow on Wednesday when captain Michael Dawson was ruled out for the rest of the season with suspected knee and ankle ligament damage.
Dawson fell awkwardly on his left leg following an aerial challenge with Chris Beardsley in Spurs’ 3-1 FA Cup win over Stevenage and looks destined to sit out the rest of the campaign.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said: “Michael has gone to hospital. It was his ankle and his knee. He has a pretty bad injury there.
“Looking at his injury it would be a miracle to think he is not (out for the season).”
Palombo surprised by Inter switch
Angelo Palombo has admitted his surprise at his last-minute move to Inter during the January transfer window.
The midfielder joined the Nerazzurri from Sampdoria just six months after pledging his future to the Genoa-based outfit following their shock relegation from the Serie A.
“I would never have thought of joining Inter,” the 30-year-old told Inter Channel. “The call from president Massimo Moratti came in the last few hours of the transfer window.
“Playing for Inter provides me with a great opportunity and it is an important test for myself as a player,” the Italy midfielder added.