Two human rights groups have asked FIFA to withdraw Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa from the race to become president of Asian football, accusing the Bahraini royal of human rights breaches.
In a letter to Sepp Blatter, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said Sheikh Salman, the head of the Bahrain FA, was not fit for the role.
“Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa is involved in human rights violations with the assistance of his office and consultants against players, administrators, referees and clubs who participated in democracy protests,” the two groups wrote.
FA counts cost of fixture clashes
English football has lost £1.1m in UEFA payments for playing domestic matches on the same night as European games.
UEFA insists domestic matches should not take place on the same nights as Champions League games but fixture congestion has led to that rule being broken in England in recent years.
As a result, the FA has agreed to pay £42,000 and that a further £1.1m of solidarity payments that have been withheld by UEFA be distributed to other European countries.
Nacho Novo wants Ibrox return
Spanish striker Nacho Novo has revealed he wants to return to Rangers next season.
The fans’ favourite – who left Ibrox in 2010 – is out of contract with Spain’s Huesca. A transfer embargo means Gers boss Ally McCoist can only register free agents in summer.
Novo, 34, will be back at Ibrox for a legends game against Manchester United on May 6 and hopes to persuade McCoist to hand him a deal.
He said: “I can’t wait to play for the fans again. I have always been close to them. I am leaving Huesca at the end of the season and I want to come back to Rangers... for me, it is my home.”
Bale will stay for Champions League
Andre Villas-Boas has been assured by Tottenham that Gareth Bale will remain at White Hart Lane next year if the club qualify for the Champions League.
Villas-Boas has often made positive noises about the chances of keeping Bale at Tottenham but last week, for the first time, he said he had received a concrete assurance that the forward will remain at Spurs so long as they make the top four.
“I think so. That’s the information that I have from the club,” the Tottenham manager said when asked whether Bale would stay if his team qualify.
“The club is committed to keeping the best assets. That’s the only way that we can ensure that we are in the top four every year. Gareth is part of Spurs’ project.”
Juventus linked with Nani move
Reports in the UK yesterday said that Italy champions Juventus will be making a bid to sign Nani from Manchester United this summer.
Juve have already been linked with a move for the Portuguese winger before but this time they are reported to have upped their offer to £12 million.
According to The Sun, Juve’s interest in Nani has been peaked yet again with a proposal to double his salary to £130,000 per week, although this would not fit in with their wage structure.
Nani, 26, has made only six Premier League starts for Manchester United this season and looks on his way out after rejecting a renewal to his contract which expires next year.
Ferguson ready to spend big
Alex Ferguson has admitted he would be willing to spend big if it meant luring the right man to Manchester United this summer.
United broke their own rules last year by splashing out £24m on a 29-year-old with minimal resale value who had only one year left on his contract.
Yet the arrival of Robin van Persie proved to be the masterstroke which allowed United to reclaim the Premier League title.
Ferguson said: “I don’t think we need to rebuild at all. We possibly need two players.
“It depends. If a player came along who met our criteria we would push the boat out and get him, irrespective of how many players we have.”
Suarez will return stronger – Rodgers
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez will return from his 10-match ban a better person after a FA Independent Regulatory Commission highlighted the striker’s failure to grasp the seriousness of his bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
After reading the panel’s report, the Uruguay international de-cided not to appeal his lengthy sanction which will rule him out of football until late September at the earliest.
“We can’t hide our disappointment at the outcome of this situation but we have to move on and support Luis in his decision,” Rodgers said.
“He will be missed but we will have the opportunity to welcome a better person and player when he returns.”