FIFA president Sepp Blatter has asked Iran to end its ban on women watching football matches.
“When I travelled to Iran in 2013, I was not only confronted with huge popular enthusiasm from football but also a law forbidding women from attending football matches,” he said.
“I raised the topic at my meeting with the President of Iran Hassan Rouhani, and came away with the impression that this intolerable situation could change over the medium term.
“However, nothing has happened. A collective “stadium ban” still applies to women in Iran, despite the existence of a thriving women’s football organisation.”
Rodgers keeping Mario on his toes
Mario Balotelli’s agent claims manager Brendan Rodgers is pushing the Liverpool striker further than anyone has before in his career.
The 24-year-old has worked under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini but it appears Rodgers is the one who has pushed striker furthest out of his comfort zone.
Agent Mino Raiola said: “Mario has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including the discipline of running without the ball. This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He’ll come out even stronger.”
Balotelli has started only once since November 8.
Spurs for Sydney
Tottenham will face Sydney FC in a friendly at the ANZ Stadium on May 30.
Spurs were invited by the New South Wales government and Destination South Wales to take part in a week of sporting events in the city.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “We all appreciate the fantastic support we receive across the world and the commitment that people in different time zones make to watch games live on TV, so to bring the team to them is a great way to say thank you.”
Schalke’s Di Matteo pleads for patience
Roberto Di Matteo is beginning to realise just how high the expectations are in Schalke.
Criticism has been levelled at the former Chelsea manager in the wake of last weekend’s 3-0 defeat in the local derby with Borussia Dortmund.
The main gripe the fans have is with the dull, defensive football they claim Di Matteo has Schalke playing as the Royal Blues slipped out of the top four.
“You’ve got to try to remain objective,” he said.
“Three weeks ago, we were third. When I came here, we were 11th. Of course, questions are being asked now but we have got to try not to make everything out to be bad.”
Suarez to make Anfield return
Luis Suarez will return to Anfield later this month along with a host of former Liverpool stars and other international names for a unique charity match.
The game, organised by the Liverpool FC Foundation, will see Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher each captain a side they have selected.
Players who have already confirmed their availability for the March 29 fixture include Suarez, who left for Barcelona in a £75 million deal last summer, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Xabi Alonso, Thierry Henry, John Terry and Didier Drogba, to name a few.
Proceeds raised from the event will help fund Liverpool FC Foundation’s community programmes.
League extend Cellino ban
Massimo Cellino’s period of disqualification as owner of Leeds has been extended to May 3 by the Football League.
The Italian businessman was barred by the Football League’s board from being owner and a director of the Championship club in December after it ruled his conviction for tax evasion was a “dishonest act”.
Cellino and Leeds were also hit by a further misconduct charge for failing to supply the Italian court judgement to the Football League when it first became available. League officials were forced to apply to the court in Cagliari for the written reasons.
Those disciplinary proceedings have now resulted in Cellino’s extended ban.
Van Gaal denies rift with Giggs
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he is angered by questions about his working relationship with assistant manager Ryan Giggs.
Giggs’s lack of reaction to United’s winner at Newcastle was captured on television.
United have been stuttering in the league and Van Gaal does not need the distraction over Giggs. Asked about their relationship, Van Gaal answered sarcastically before saying he was irritated by the questions.
He told a news conference: “No. We have a very bad relationship. I cannot answer that. I want to have those rumours.”
He then added: “I am very irritated at this question because everyone can see we have a very good relationship. We work very hard together. I take my measures against the media. I am not pleased.”