Wales’s crunch Euro 2016 qualifier with Belgium this summer has been declared a 33,000 sell-out.
The top two sides in Group B meet at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 12 with Wales in their best position to qualify for a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup finals.
Belgium and Wales both have 11 points from five games with Marc Wilmots’ side on top spot because of a superior goal difference.
There had been speculation that Wales would play Belgium at the 74,500 capacity Millennium Stadium. But that was never going to happen as UEFA rules prevent the venue being changed within 120 days of the scheduled date.
Inter target Toure
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is a dream target for Inter, according to general director Marco Fassone.
The Serie A club are keen to sign the 31-year-old this summer, a player Inter coach Roberto Mancini knows well having guided him from 2010 until 2013 at the Premier League club.
Reports claim Inter are prepared to submit an offer of €60m for the Ivory Coast international, who is under contract with the Blues outfit until June 2017.
“Who doesn’t dream of having a player like him? Toure would give our midfield line something that we are lacking,” Fassone said.
“But his wages and City’s asking price might be a big obstacle.”
China’s drinks king denies Milan plans
The billionaire chairman of Chinese drinks maker Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co has knocked back reports he is planning a bid for struggling Milan.
Zong Qinghou, worth an estimated $19 billion, said reports in the Italian media that he was planning to purchase up to 75 per cent of the Italian team were “sheer fiction”.
“We have no intention of getting into the soccer sphere, and have not made any contact with AC Milan,” Zong said.
Messi’s injured foot improves – Barca
Lionel Messi’s injured foot has improved, his club Barcelona said, suggesting the Argentina forward will be fit for tomorrow’s La Liga trip to Celta Vigo.
The leading scorer in Spain’s top flight with 32 goals did not feature in either of Argentina’s friendlies during the international break after sustaining a blow to his right foot in last month’s clash against Real Madrid.
After arriving back in the Catalan capital on Thursday, Messi and international team-mate Javier Mascherano did some light running.
“The inflammation of Messi’s foot has improved and the player will attempt to join the rest of his team-mates this weekend,” Barca said.
Van Marwijk back to help old club
Former Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has agreed to take on an advisory role with relegation-threatened Go Ahead Eagles Deventer, the Dutch championship side said.
Van Marwijk, who guided Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, and his former assistant Rene Eijkelkamp will help new coach Dennis Demmers as the club attempts to stop a run of five successive losses.
The club, who are second from bottom in the Dutch league, play at SC Cambuur in their first game under Demmers tomorrow.
“I will regularly visit the club to offer a helping hand. I began here and I’ve been a supporter ever since,” the 62-year-old Van Marwijk said.
Morocco ban overturned by CAS
Morocco can play in 2017 and 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld “in large part” an appeal against Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctions.
“The suspension of the next two editions of the Africa Cup is annulled and the fine imposed to the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football is reduced to $50,000,” CAS said.
CAF had barred Morocco from the 2015 edition, after the country refused to host the competition citing Ebola virus fears, and suspended them from the 2017 and 2019 editions while also imposing a fine of $1 million.
Ramsey says race could affect future
Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey says being black could affect his chances of getting another job if he leaves the London club.
Ramsey, who is the only black manager in the Premier League, has a contract until the end of the season having joined QPR as a coach in November before taking over as boss from Harry Redknapp in February.
“I think if it doesn’t work out for me here, as any manager of any race, you’re always in a position where it’s going to be difficult to get another job,” he told reporters.
“When you get sacked you don’t always walk into another job.
“But as a black man it’s always going to be difficult anyway.”