QPR’s volatile captain Joey Barton received a 12-match ban from the Football Association yesterday after being found guilty of two counts of violent conduct.
The 29-year-old – who has been in trouble on several occasions throughout his career both on and off the pitch – had eight matches added to the four-game suspension he had picked up already for being sent off in the final game of the season against champions Manchester City.
Barton, who also faces an internal enquiry by QPR into his behaviour, was shown a red card for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then kicked Sergio Aguero before appearing to attempt to headbutt City captain Vincent Kompany.
Spain striker Villa loses fitness race
All-time Spanish record goal-scorer David Villa has lost his race to be fit for next month’s Euro 2012, it was announced on the Spanish Football Federation’s website.
The 30-year-old, scorer of 51 goals in 82 internationals, had been a major doubt since breaking his tibia at last December’s World Club Championship.
“David Villa cannot definitely be on the list for Euro 2012,” read a statement on the RFEF website.
“After not getting in the final practice and development desired, Villa spoke with (coach Vicente) Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa’s wish to be with the team, that his physical state was ‘not as good’ as would be desirable.”
Drogba’s China talks ‘on track’
Shanghai Shenhua’s talks with Didier Drogba are continuing “just as planned”, a report said yesterday, raising expectations the striker will move to China after announcing his departure from Chelsea.
Shenhua, bankrolled by colourful video-game mogul Zhu Jun, signed Drogba’s ex-Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka in December and they have been in talks with the Ivory Coast international since at least January.
“As of now, Shenhua’s negotiations with Drogba are continuing just as planned,” Zhu said.
New Paris ground gets thumbs down
A senior French local govern-ment official yesterday dis-missed a plan by Paris SG’s Qatari owners to knock down the historic Parc des Princes and build a new stadium in its place, calling it unworkable.
“In our opinion, this proposal seems impossible,” said Jean Vuillermoz, who holds the sports portfolio for Paris.
“We’ve discussed it and the mayor said it would be impossible to destroy a monument which is part of Paris,” he said.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on Tuesday said that it was his “dream” to have a 60,000-seater stadium on the same site.
No tempting offers for Cavani
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed he has yet to receive a tempting offer for Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguay striker is a reported target of several top European clubs, including Manchester City, after another excellent campaign with the Serie A outfit.
“If we receive a mega offer for Cavani then I will not be able to hold back,” De Laurentiis told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“For now, no club has offered me the money I’m asking for.”
Napoli slapped a €100-million price tag on Cavani last year and the 25-year-old was strongly linked with Inter, Chelsea and Paris SG.
Hazard suitors await decision
Eden Hazard’s agent claims an agreement has been reached with all parties interested in the Belgium international.
The 21-year-old Lille playmaker has been closely linked with a summer transfer to Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Hazard’s agent John Bico says terms have already been agreed with all suitors, saying in the Daily Telegraph: “We are no longer in the negotiations stage.
“We have reached agreement with all parties. There will be no higher bid.
“Eden Hazard has already said he wants it to be fixed before June 2.
“He will decide after the games against Montenegro and England, then go on holiday with peace of mind.”
Inter to open Indonesia schools
Inter will open football schools in Indonesia, the club said in the capital Jakarta yesterday, following a trend started by Arsenal and Liverpool.
“We are planning to build several football schools here,” club chief executive Ernesto Paolillo told reporters.
“Indonesia is very important for us because the country has a lot of Inter fans.”
Local media showed images of the team arriving at the airport in Jakarta, where throngs of fans greeted them.
The club claims to have 15 million fans in the country of 240 million people.