One of the 33 miners who was rescued last week in Chile, former footballer Franklin Lobos, has thanked Barcelona star David Villa for his support during the miners’ ordeal underground.
Villa, whose father and grandfather were miners, sent two signed Barcelona jerseys to the trapped miners last month.
“I have his jersey at the moment. That important people, such important clubs, showed concern for us, I don’t know how we can repay that in any way,” Lobos told Spanish news radio Cadena Ser.
“I want to thank Barcelona and Villa for the concern they showed.
“Villa was in permanent contact with my daughter,” he added.
Two Milan fans detained in Spain
Two Milan fans were detained, and several others were injured, in Spain on Tuesday night on the sidelines of Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over the Italian side for clashing with police, Spanish media reported.
The clashes began when a Milan fan struck a policeman with the pole of a flag near Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the online edition of sports daily AS reported.
That triggered a fight between a group of Milan fans and police.
Over 2,500 Milan fans attended Tuesday’s match, of which 200 were identified as ultras.
Blanc calls for Diarra leniency
France coach Laurent Blanc has called for Alou Diarra to be treated with leniency, as the Bordeaux captain awaits punishment for pushing a referee in a league game at the weekend.
“I hope the punishment takes into account that Alou Diarra is really a good boy,” Blanc said.
“It’s unfortunate for him. Knowing him, he must be angry with himself.
“He realised straight away that he’d made a huge mistake.”
Diarra was sent off in Bordeaux’s 1-0 win at Auxerre on Saturday after reacting to a yellow card shown to him by referee Wilfried Bien by shoving the official in the chest.
Nancy striker Youssouf Hadji was handed a six-month ban, subsequently reduced, after committing a similar offence last season.
Bayern were lucky, says coach Van Gaal
Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal conceded his team were fortunate to beat Cluj on Tuesday as two own goals helped move the Bavarians to within touching distance of a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League.
A Mario Gomez strike sealed a 3-2 win for the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena which preserves their perfect record in Group E and means a draw in Romania in a fortnight should be enough to see them through to the last 16.
“We were fortunate. But then it is always difficult against opponents who stick 10 men behind the ball.
“We did not concede many chances, but we did not create many either,” Van Gaal said.
Rijkaard leaves Galatasaray
Galatasaray have confirmed coach Frank Rijkaard has left the club by mutual consent.
The Dutchman, who left Barcelona in summer 2008, was appointed Bulent Korkmaz’s successor at the Gala helm on a two-year contract in June 2009, and guided the Istanbul club to a third-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last term.
But a club statement yesterday said: “As of October 20, 2010, coach Frank Rijkaard and assistant coach Johan Neeskens have left the club by mutual consent.”
Galatasaray have had a disappointing start to the season, with fans calling for Rijkaard’s exit after a second successive league defeat – 4-2 at home to Ankaragucu.
Cairo dismisses Torino sale talk
Torino president Urbano Cairo has rejected rumours that he is about to sell the club either to Emirates or Red Bull.
Earlier this week, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that both companies were interested in buying the Serie B club.
“I have never seen an Arab,” Cairo said, referring to Emirates chief executive Ahmed Al Maktoum.
“This is the latest soap opera aimed at destabilising our club. But it’s an episode of no consequence because I am going forward my way.”
Cairo also rejected links with Red Bull.
“I have never heard from an Austrian. I have not received any offer in the most absolute manner,” he concluded.
Juventus linked with Maxi Lopez bid
Juventus are closely monitoring the performances of Catania striker Maxi Lopez.
Beppe Marotta is said to be planning Juve’s strategy for the January transfer window and thinks the team could do with an extra striker, even though a right-back and a central defender are perhaps Luigi Del Neri’s greater priorities.
Earlier this week, Catania chief executive Pietro Lo Monaco said he had no intention of parting with Maxi Lopez before June but reports suggest that he is open to offers if the price is right.
Maxi Lopez was a revelation last season, scoring 11 goals in 17 games for Catania following his transfer from Gremio in January. However, he has only netted once in the 2010/11 campaign.