Former Argentina defender Gabriel Milito has announced his decision to retire at the end of the current season.
The 31-year-old, the brother of Inter striker Diego Milito, has played in the Spanish league for Barcelona and Real Zaragoza but is currently captain of Argentine side Independiente.
In recent weeks Milito had suffered from a groin injury, which prevented him from training. It was the latest in a long line of injuries to have marred his career.
Admitting he didn’t feel “mentally or physically as he wanted to be”, Milito said he would retire in the coming weeks.
Redknapp blasts Spurs’ exit talk
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp dismissed speculation that he has resigned from the Premier League side with a year left on his contract as “scandalous”.
Negotiations over a new deal have stalled since the start of the year when the 65-year-old was linked with the then vacant England manager’s job.
But he has insisted that his relationship with chairman Daniel Levy is not on the rocks.
“No, I haven’t resigned, and I have no idea why it is being said that I have resigned,” he said.
“This is an outrage; an absolute liberty for people to be putting around this kind of rumour.”
Zubizarreta pens new Barca deal
Barcelona have agreed a one-year contract extension with sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.
The 50-year-old Zubizarreta, whose previous deal was due to expire next summer, is now tied to the Primera Liga club until June 30, 2014. There is also a clause in the agreement that would see the contract extended for an additional two years.
Former Barca and Spain goalkeeper Zubizarreta became sporting director at the Nou Camp in July 2010 after replacing fellow Basque Txiki Begiristain.
Barzagli nearing full fitness
Italy are confident injured Andrea Barzagli will recover in time to feature against Ireland on Monday.
The Juventus defender has been sidelined since June 1 with a calf injury.
Doctors expected Barzagli to miss the group stages of the European Championship but the 31-year-old is set to recover sooner than expected.
“Andrea is doing well and we are satisfied with his condition,” Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said.
“He will not be ready for the game against Croatia (today) but we already knew that.
“Our aim is to have him fit in order to be available for selection for the (final Group C) game against Ireland. We hope we can do that as things are going better than planned.”
Di Matteo handed Blues job full-time
Chelsea yesterday evening appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their permanent manager and first-team coach on a two-year contract.
Di Matteo, 42, who took over from Andreas Villas-Boas in March on an interim basis, led Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title and FA Cup glory last season.
The former Chelsea and Italy midfielder said: “I’m obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach.
“We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club. Our aim is to continue building on that and I’m already planning and looking forward to the squad’s return for pre-season.”
Inter undecided over Maicon
Inter have yet to make a decision on whether to keep defender Maicon, 30, or sell him to one of the many clubs interested in his signature.
The Brazil international is a wanted man on the transfer market, and Inter could cash in on a player who has one year left on his contract.
Maicon has been strongly linked with Paris SG, while he is also a reported target of Bar-celona, Real Madrid and Euro champions Chelsea.
“We first have to decide if we want to sell Maicon,” Inter president Massimo Moratti said.
“Only then can we evaluate what to do. PSG are nevertheless building a superb team.”
Lyon striker denies rape accusations
Lyon’s French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis yesterday denied involvement in an alleged rape, and confirmed that he has not been arrested by police.
“I formally deny the accusations that have been made against me and, contrary to what has been written, I absolutely did not spend the night in police custody. Thanks for all your support,” Gomis wrote on his Facebook page and also on Twitter.
Earlier, a police official in Lyon told AFP that two Lyon players were the subject of an investigation into the rape of a 38-year-old woman.