Charles Green, the businessman who led the rescue of former Scottish soccer champions Rangers last year, stepped down as chief executive yesterday saying allegations about his takeover risked damaging the club.
The abrupt departure is a fresh blow to the Glasgow club, Scottish champions a record 54 times, who had to relaunch from the fourth tier in Scotland after their former parent company col-lapsed under a pile of debt.
Green faced a club inquiry into media reports he had secretly been working during his takeover with former owner Craig Whyte, who had been barred from playing any part in Scottish soccer. Whyte was the majority shareholder when Rangers went into administration in 2012.
Juniors fight
The bitter soccer rivalry between Argentina and Uru-guay turned violent when an under-17 clash between the south American heavyweights ended in an ugly brawl.
Nine-man Argentina’s provo-cative celebrations after salvaging a 3-3 draw in the South American U-17 championship in midweek sparked a clash that was replayed on the website of sports daily Ole.
Argentina coach Humberto Grondona, hardly defused the situation when he told repor-ters: “I prefer to win the World Cup and not the fair play (award).”
Rooney staying, Fergie reiterates
Alex Ferguson has dismissed speculation that Wayne Rooney will join Paris St Germain in the summer. A leading commentator in France declared earlier this week that the transfer was a “done deal”.
Ferguson has previously insisted the 27-year-old would be at Manchester United next season. And it appears that attitude has not changed.
“I don’t think there is anything in that at all,” said Ferguson.
Rooney will be part of the Manchester United squad that faces Aston Villa in a Premier League match on Monday.
Chelsea in talks over Schuerrle
Bayer Leverkusen have had talks with Chelsea over the possible transfer of 22-year-old attacking midfielder Andre Schuerrle, the Bundesliga club said yesterday, though they denied the deal was close to being finalised.
“I can confirm the talks in London,” Leverkusen spokes-man Meinolf Sprink said, confirming reports of sports director Rudi Voeller’s trip to the English capital on Thursday.
Sprink said no decision had yet been made. Voeller told Bild newspaper he had been to London for talks with Chelsea but declined to give details.
Robinho pledges future to Milan
Robinho will stay with Milan next season and would like to complete 10 years at the Serie A club, the Brazil striker said yesterday.
“I want to finish the season on a positive note, play well next season and then it will be time to renew,” Robinho said.
“I can assure you that these won’t be my last six games in a Milan shirt. I said when I arrived that I would like to stay here for 10 years.”
The 29-year-old’s contract runs out in 2014 and he appeared to want to leave in January, missing out on a move to Santos only because the Brazilian club reportedly refused to meet Milan’s asking price.
AEK relegated
AEK Athens have been relegated from the Greek top flight for the first time in their history after a Super League disciplinary committee docked them three points following a pitch invasion.
AEK fans stormed the playing area, chasing players from the field, during Sunday’s game with Panthrakikos shortly after Mav-roudis Bougaidis handed the visitors a 1-0 lead with an own goal three minutes from time.
The disciplinary committee handed AEK a points deduction and also awarded relegation rivals Panthrakikos a 3-0 win in the abandoned fixture.
It means AEK are five points adrift of safety ahead of the final game of the season this weekend against Atromitos.
Criscito with an eye on Serie A
Italy full-back Domenico Cris-cito, currently sidelined with a knee injury, is keeping tabs on the Serie A transfer market with reports saying Milan are showing interest in the former Juventus player now in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg.
“I keep a close eye on Serie A,” the 26-year-old was quoted as saying in an interview this week.
“I do miss Italy and, sooner or later, I do hope to play football in my country again. Although I don’t know when.”
Criscito said his sole ambition now is to regain full fitness.
“I don’t know anything about Milan’s interest in me. For now, I’m just concentrating on recovering from injury and getting back into action,” he said.