Sampdoria’s bid to scrap the contract of controversial playmaker Antonio Cassano will be examined by a panel on December 3, the Italian Football League announced.
Three members of the league’s refereeing body will meet to study the possibility of reconciliation between Cassano and his employers. If an agreement is not found, a new meeting will be organised to examine the grounds for Sampdoria’s request to unilaterally cancel Cassano’s contract.
Cassano, an Italian international with 20 caps, has been frozen out by Sampdoria after publicly insulting club president Riccardo Garrone at the end of October.
The player has since apologised and asked for forgiveness.
Raul dedicates treble to his sons
Schalke 04 striker Raul said his hat-trick against Werder Bremen had doubled as birthday presents for each of his sons as the Royal Blues prepare for Wednesday’s key Champions League clash with Lyon.
Schalke are second in Group B and a home win over Lyon on Wednesday would put them in pole position to reach the Round of 16.
“Our twins Hector and Matteo just celebrated their birthday and Saturday was the birthday of my other son Hugo,” he revealed after the game.
“I set myself the aim of scoring a goal and dedicating it to them, but I think they are happy, because they each have a goal now.”
Werder boss Schaaf safe... for now
Werder Bremen say they have no plans to sack coach Thomas Schaaf, despite their 4-0 hammering by Schalke in the Bundesliga.
Club bosses held their first emergency meeting immediately after Saturday’s loss and then held a second one with the players yesterday which lasted nearly an hour with Bremen 11th in the league.
Schaaf has been coach at Bremen since 1999 and director of sport Klaus Allofs says his position is safe – for now.
“I am absolutely convinced that there is no better coach for Werder Bremen,” said Allofs.
“We need to be true to our convictions and not just have some knee-jerk reaction.”
Butt explores South China option
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt could be set to come out of retirement after accepting an offer to train with Hong Kong side South China.
Butt will arrive in the territory later this month and will feature in South China’s league game against TSW Pegasus before deciding whether to remain with the club until the end of the season.
“I wanted some time out of the game to concentrate on my next step either in or out of football.
“However I feel fit and when South China FC approached me to join them for a week’s training and a game, the prospect excited me,” the 35-year-old said.
Loew positive about Ballack’s future
Germany coach Joachim Loew said yesterday he expects veteran Michael Ballack to return to the national side in 2011 and win at least the two more caps he needs to pass the milestone of 100 appearances.
“I hope he reaches the 100-cap mark, because Michael has been an ambassador for this country for a long time,” Loew told Bild.
“He doesn’t deserve to end his career like this. Michael will fight for his chance, he is not someone who gives up easily.”
Ballack has been injured effectively for the last six months after he damaged ankle ligaments in May, which kept him out of the World Cup, but then fractured his leg in September, just three games into his comeback.
Lennon rues dropped points
Neil Lennon says his Celtic players need to learn how to hold on to a lead after Dundee United snatched a 1-1 draw with a goal deep into injury time.
The result means the Hoops trail league leaders Rangers, who defeated 10-man Kilmarnock 3-2, by three points at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
“It is galling to drop points but the gap is not insurmountable. It is only three points and our goal difference is still pretty healthy,” Lennon said.
“But the players need to learn from this. There is a mentality you have to have and you have to see games out and we didn’t do that against Dundee United.
“If you give away silly free-kicks then you are asking for the ball to be put into your box.”
Beckenbauer blasts Bayern display
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer insists the record German champions are simply not good enough to win the Bundesliga this season on Saturday’s evidence.
The Bavarians were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen and are now 14 points adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund with four games to go before the midway stage of the season.
“They made mistakes like in playschool,” lamented Beckenbauer on Sky television. “They are not good enough to win the league like this.”
Beckenbauer believes that Dortmund will win the title, with the rest of the league playing for second place behind them.