Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski yesterday denied hitting a teenage supporter who had made an offensive gesture to the striker for signing with rivals Bayern Munich.
The teenager filed a complaint with police saying Lewandowski, who this month agreed to join treble winners Bayern next season, had punched him on the forehead on Thursday.
“I want to clearly state that I never used violence against people who violated my private sphere,” the Pole said.
The teenager has admitted to making an offensive gesture as the player drove by in his car near his home in Dortmund.
West Ham interest in Borriello
Unsettled Roma striker Marco Borriello could be on his way out of the Serie A before the transfer deadline is over next week as struggling Premier League club West Ham are said to be interested in taking him on board for the rest of the season.
Reports in the Italian media yesterday confirmed talks were underway and Borriello, formerly of Milan, is in line for a medical in London shortly.
This week, West Ham were also mentioned with a move for Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino but it seems that the Hammers are more keen to conclude negotations with Borriello first.
Essien heading to Milan
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is on his way to Milan for a medical, the Serie A club said yesterday.
“Just turned 31 and with a CV including domestic title and Champions League wins as well as victory with the Ghana national side, Michael Essien is expected in the city this evening,” the club said.
Reports said Essien was due to sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until June next year.
Essien, 31, has been at Chelsea since 2005, during which time the club have won the Champions League, the Premier League title twice and the FA Cup four times.
Fergie’s UEFA role
Alex Ferguson has been ap-pointed as UEFA’s coaching ambassador.
UEFA president Michel Platini announced that the former Manchester United manager will work for the European governing body following an executive committee meeting in Nyon, yesterday.
Ferguson retired as United boss in May after winning his 13th league title with the club.
Platini told a news conference: “Sir Alex will be chairman of the forum of elite coaches that meet every year. He will also be a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the Euro Championship.”
Ferguson said: “It is an honour and a privilege to accept this role as ambassador for UEFA.”
Capello signs on until 2018
Head coach Fabio Capello (picture) has committed his future to the Russian national team until the end of the 2018 World Cup.
The 67-year-old Italian replaced Dick Advocaat in the role in July 2012 and supervised qualification for the 2014 World Cup finals as Russia finished top of Group F, one point ahead of Portugal.
Russia will host the summer finals in four years’ time and, with the country therefore qualifying automatically, former England manager Capello will be able to start planning for the World Cup once the 2016 European Championships in France are over.
Falcao clings to World Cup dream
Colombia star Radamel Falcao is not ready to give up on his World Cup dream despite suffering a serious knee injury that has placed his participation in Brazil in major doubt.
Monaco have not said how long Falcao is likely to be absent for, only that doctors would “make every effort to allow Radamel Falcao to recover as quickly as possible.”
Falcao admitted on Twitter yesterday that the injury was a devastating blow for him but at the same time he is not yet ready to accept his chances of making the finals are over.
He wrote: “I’m not going to deny that my sadness is huge but I’m clinging to the smallest hope, and that’s enough to think that my World Cup dream is still alive.
“God makes possible the im-probable... I believe in Him.”
Napoli let Vargas join Valencia
Napoli confirmed yesterday that they have concluded talks with La Liga club Valencia over the loan transfer of striker Eduardo Vargas until the end of the current season.
Chile international Vargas will initially move to the Mestalla on a six-month deal.
However, the transfer could be made permanent if he impresses during his short stay in the Spanish league even though Napoli may want to give the striker another chance next season.
Vargas, 24, failed to make an impact at Napoli this season and did not manage a single appearance for the southern club in the Serie A.