Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has vowed to contest the improper conduct charge delivered by the English FA following his touchline dismissal in last Saturday’s controversial loss at Aston Villa.
Mourinho was sent to the stands after going on to the pitch following a red card being shown to his player Ramires.
“I don’t accept the charges,” Mourinho said.
Asked the basis for his defence, the Blues boss added: “I have to do it Monday, I also have to do it privately.”
Fergie lauds Wenger
Alex Ferguson spoke of his admiration for Arsenal yesterday as he congratulated old foe Arsene Wenger for reaching his 1,000th game in charge.
The pair, now friends, had an intense rivalry as managers and did not speak to each other for five years after a match at Old Trafford in October 2004 ended a record 49-match unbeaten run by Arsenal.
“I congratulate Arsene in reaching this momentous landmark,” the former United boss said.
“Over the years we enjoyed some fantastic battles and you could say we had survived and respected each other’s efforts to play good football. I always enjoy watching Arsene’s sides – Arsenal play the right way.”
Pirlo says Juventus never gave up hope
Match-winner Andrea Pirlo said Juventus never stopped believing they could reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League at the ex-pense of Fiorentina.
It was a tense encounter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi but, after home defender Gonzalo Rodri-guez was sent off in the 71st minute, Pirlo fired Juve through from a free-kick.
It was the second time in five days that the veteran playmaker had earned his side a 1-0 away victory in such a fashion – he whipped home a free-kick at Genoa last weekend.
“We knew that it was going to be a long battle,” Pirlo said.
“Despite those first few minutes when we were under pressure, we had prepared well and we believed we could do it all the way.”
Poyet sweats on Fletcher fitness
Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet is keeping his fingers crossed that striker Steven Fletcher’s season is not over.
The 26-year-old Scot limped out of last Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace with an ankle injury.
Both he and his manager are yet to discover the full extent of the damage to the same joint on which he had surgery last season, but he will play no part in today’s vital trip to Norwich.
Poyet said: “We are still assessing. I think next week, we are going to have the final decision on him.”
Ex-Brazil captain Bellini dies
Hilderaldo Luiz Bellini , the first Brazilian to lift the World Cup as captain of the triumphant 1958 side, has died in Sao Paulo aged 83. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Bellini led a side including players such as Garrincha, Mario Zagallo and a 17-year old Pele.
The Brazilians beat hosts Sweden 5-2 in the final to win the first of a record five World Cup titles.
Bellini was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in Chile four years later although he never played in that tournament. He got the last of his 51 caps at the 1966 World Cup in England.
Flanagan promised new contract
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told full-back Jon Flanagan he will be offered a new contract at the club.
The 21-year-old is in the penultimate season of his existing deal but, having established himself as a first-choice player after initially getting his opportunity due to Jose Enrique’s injury, will be around for the long term if Rodgers has his way.
“Jon Flanaghan will be given a new contract,” the Northern Irishman said.
“Come the summer he’s got another year so he will definitely be given a new deal, no question.”
Flanagan has made 14 appearances this season, all as part of Rodgers’s starting line-up.
Inter get £20m offer for striker Icardi
Reports said yesterday that Inter have been offered €20 million by a group of investors in Qatar for the signature of their young striker Mauro Icardi.
According to Tuttosport, Icardi, 21, has caught the eye of a group of Middle East investors who want to put him on the market. This type of ownership is regular in South America but less popular in Europe.
With new owner Erick Thohir eyeing a move for Edin Dzeko in summer, Inter could be tempted to let Icardi move even though the Argentine said this week that his favourite destination if he had to leave Milan would be Atletico Madrid in Spain.