Nani: Portugal winger Nani has been told to put aside thoughts of his 25.5-million-euro move to Man. United for 24 hours and concentrate instead on helping his country defeat Belgium today. While welcoming this week's news of Nani's move from Sporting to United, Portugal coach Felipe Scolari said the absence of United's Ronaldo through suspension for the Euro 2008 qualifier meant Nani's role was even more important. "I have spoken to him and told him he must use this move as a positive thing and not to get caught up by the whole media attention," Scolari said.
Valencia: Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores believes his side's league campaign has suffered this season because they have overtaken Real Madrid and Barcelona as the main supplier of players for the national team. "One of the heaviest burdens we have had to bear this season is that we have become the team that provides most players for the national side," Sanchez Flores said. Valencia have supplied six players for the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Liechtenstein, while Barcelona have provided three and Real Madrid two.
Pizarro joins Chelsea: Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro joined Chelsea on a free transfer yesterday. The Peru international became the London club's second signing of the close season after Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell moved to Stamford Bridge on another free transfer last month. Pizarro spent almost six years with Bayern after joining from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen in July 2001.
Milosevic: Serbia striker Savo Milosevic told reporters he would be leaving Osasuna at the end of the season after the Primera Liga club decided against extending his contract. The 33-year-old, who has played for Partizan Belgrade, Aston Villa, Real Zaragoza, Parma, Espanyol and Celta Vigo during his career, said he planned to continue playing for another two years.
Charged: Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone and Sampdoria general manager Giuseppe Marotta will go before a court over accusations of false accounting. The charges are related to the transfers of reserve players Ikechukwu Kalu and Luca Antonini in 2003, ANSA said.
Sydney: FIFA will hold its 2008 annual congress in Sydney in May next year, Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced yesterday. Sydney will also stage this year's Asian Football Confederation awards ceremony in November, FFA chairman Frank Lowy announced in a statement.
UEFA U-21 qualifiers: Italy vs Albania 4-0; Ukraine vs Turkey 1-2; Moldova vs N. Ireland 0-0; France vs Romania 1-1; Holland vs Poland 1-0.