Michel Platini has taken his appeal against his ban from football to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
CAS announced yesterday that the Frenchman was challenging the suspension from football at a national and international level, which last week was reduced from eight years to six by FIFA’s Appeal Committee.
Platini and Sepp Blatter were punished in December over a two million Swiss francs “disloyal payment” made to the Frenchman by the former FIFA president.
Fans of finalists to get 40,000 tickets
This season’s two Champions League finalists will be allocated just 20,000 tickets each for the game at the San Siro.
The home of Milan and Inter has a capacity of 71,500 for the final of Europe’s premier club competition and will stage the match on Saturday, May 28.
However, supporters from the two clubs who reach the Champions League final will make up little more than half the total attendance after some tickets went on sale this week.
Le Graet keen to keep Deschamps
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet wants Didier Deschamps to remain as coach beyond this summer’s European Championship.
Deschamps is under contract until 2018 but speculation connects him with several leading clubs around Europe – including Premier League side Chelsea, for whom he played in the 1999-2000 season.
Le Graet joked: “I have talked to him about it and he doesn’t know how to spell Chelsea!
“More seriously, I extended his contract to avoid speculation on his future ahead of the Euro competition.
“Afterwards, it will be his choice. I hope he stays until 2018, and even beyond.”
Arsenal opposed to Super League
Arsenal are opposed to any split from the Premier League after British media reported yesterday that England’s big five clubs had met to discuss joining a possible European Super League.
“We are firmly opposed to any kind of breakaway,” an Arsenal spokesman said.
“We entirely support the current structure, the Premier League as it is and the Champions League as it is.”
The Sun reported that Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool had held talks with representatives of American billionaire Stephen Ross, owner of Miami Dolphins NFL franchise.
Senior executives of the five English clubs were seen leaving a meeting at London’s Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday, the newspaper said.
Messi keeps alive Argentina return
Lionel Messi has again outlined his desire to play in his native Argentina before his career ends but the Barcelona forward insists he has put no time-frame on a return.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began his career with Argentinian outfit Newell’s Old Boys before being snapped up by Barca’s academy in 2001.
While Messi has no immediate intention of leaving Spain, he does concede a move back home appeals at some stage.
“It’s something that I would still like to do. I don’t know when, but it’s a possibility,” he said.
“I haven’t set myself any goals, short or long term, but I’d like to keep playing whilst my body allows it and I have something to offer the team. When I know that it’s time, I’ll make a decision.”
Austin injured
Southampton will be without Charlie Austin for several weeks after the striker picked up a hamstring injury in Tuesday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at local rivals Bournemouth, manager Ronald Koeman has said.
Austin, who joined the club in January, was replaced on the hour by Graziano Pelle, while striker Shane Long was taken off 10 minutes later after picking up a minor knock.
“For sure Charlie has a hamstring injury, (that’s) what I heard from the doctor,” Koeman said.
“Shane got a kick on his knee and I think that’s not so bad, but I think Charlie will be out for several weeks.”
Butland in line for new contract
Jack Butland’s performances this season merit a new and im-proved contract despite the goalkeeper already committing his future to Stoke City until 2019, manager Mark Hughes said.
The 22-year-old Butland has cemented his place in the starting line-up with a string of assured displays following the departure of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea during the close season.
Butland, who has been tipped to be Joe Hart’s understudy in England’s Euro 2016 squad, has started all of the club’s Premier League games so far.
“I certainly wouldn’t be averse to it (a new and improved contract). Obviously, Jack’s just signed a long-term deal, but that was just prior to the situation we had with Asmir,” Hughes said.