Malaga are confident their appeal against a UEFA ban from continental competition over delays in payments to creditors will be successful, club director general Vicente Casado said.
UEFA said in December that Malaga had been sanctioned “due to the presence of significant overdue payable balances”.
The governing body also ordered the club to prove by the end of this month “that it has no overdue payables towards football clubs or towards employees and/or tax authorities”.
Malaga appealed the decision at the CAS and Casado said the hearing would likely take place on May 14.
“We are very optimistic. We have met with our obligations and we will prove it,” he said.
Bocanegra backing for Klinsmann
US defender Carlos Bocanegra, left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, has backed coach Juergen Klins-mann after reports of discontent within the dressing room.
A report cited unnamed players questioning Klinsmann’s ability and approach to the job.
“During the last 18 months Juergen has introduced a lot of new ideas to the team and has a vision of how he wants to grow the programme,” Bocanegra wrote on his Facebook page.
“Every coach around the world has his own style and methods. He has always been up front with players about where they stand and where he sees them going.”
Leeds investment
The Dubai-based owner of Leeds United said yesterday it was seeking new investment in the club it bought three months ago but denied that it planned to sell up completely.
“To clarify and as previously stated, GFH Capital is looking for investment in part of its share in the club, not its entirety,” the owners said in a statement.
The statement contrasts with comments from Gulf Finance House, the parent company of GFH Capital, which said in its annual financial report that it was looking to sell its stake at Leeds.
Katidis banned for Nazi salute
AEK Athens have suspended Giorgos Katidis for the rest of the season after the 20-year-old midfielder made a Nazi salute to fans during a game at the weekend.
The former captain of his country’s U-19 side had already been banned from all international teams for life by the Greek fede-ration for making the gesture after scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over Veria on Saturday.
“AEK have decided to leave the player out of the squad until the end of the 2012-13 season thus imposing the worst possible punishment (we can),” the club said.
On Monday, Katidis asked to be dropped from AEK’s first team and called his actions “totally unacceptable”.
Xavi doubtful for Finland qualifier
Spain playmaker Xavi is a major doubt for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier at home to Finland after he missed training this week due to a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona midfielder has been sidelined several times by muscle problems in recent months and was absent for the La Liga leaders’ 3-1 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
The Spanish football federation said Xavi had undergone tests on Tuesday and would work alone before rejoining his team-mates.
Coach Vicente del Bosque is unlikely to risk him against Finland in Gijon in the hope he is fit for Tuesday’s crunch clash against France in Paris.
Neville relishing U-21 challenge
Phil Neville is looking forward to experiencing tournament football from “the other side” after it was confirmed he will be joining the England U-21 coaching staff for this summer’s European Cham-pionship in Israel.
In February 2012, the 36-year-old worked with coaches Brian Eastick and John Peacock for the Euro 2013 qualifier against Belgium – a 4-0 victory – while boss Stuart Pearce looked after the senior side for one match.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with the England U-21 players,” Neville said.
“I had a little taste of this and it was probably the best three days I have had – it was a real eye-opener. Those three days told me that coaching is what I really want to do.”
Sanchez agent to meet Juve chief
The agent of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez is expected to meet Juventus officials before the end of this month, according to reports in Italy.
Fernando Felicevich is set to hold talks with Juventus director general Beppe Marotta, who played a key role in the signing of Vidal in 2011, ahead of this summer’s transfer market.
There are rumours that the Serie A champions will make enquiries about Barcelona winger Sanchez. Although the former Udinese man is not thought to be at the top of the club’s wish-list, he is a possible target.
Juve had expressed an interest in the Chilean before he moved to Spain in 2011.