Martins: Striker Obafemi Martins will not be allowed to shuttle between games for Inter and Nigeria during the African Nations Cup, Nigerian FA chairman Ibrahim Galadima said yesterday. Martins, a key figure in the Nigerian squad, has indicated his desire to shuttle between Egypt, where the Nations Cup will be held between January 20 and February 10, and Italy so he can still play for his club during the continental tournament.
Wenger: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he was tempted to sign England striker Michael Owen from Real Madrid during the close season. Wenger was also chasing Brazilian forward Julio Baptista at the time and selected him as his number one target ahead of Owen, who eventually joined Newcastle in a 16-million-pound transfer. Arsenal, fifth in the Premier League, travel to 11th-place Newcastle today. "I was tempted," Wenger said, when asked about Owen. "But I knew I had Van Persie, I had Reyes, I had Quincy, players who can come out and score goals."
Mutu: Juventus striker Adrian Mutu wants to buy his former Romanian club Arges Pitesti. "I'm ready to offer 1.5 million euros in order to have 51 per cent of Fotbal Club Arges Pitesti shares," Mutu said. "A final decision will be taken next week," added the player, who started with Pitesti before moving to Dinamo Bucharest in 1999. Arges Pitesti owe more than 1 million euros to the state.
Gascoigne: A man who alleged he had been attacked by former England player Paul Gascoigne earlier this week said yesterday he did not want to press charges, police announced. Gascoigne, 38, once one of England's finest players, was arrested on Monday on suspicion he had assaulted a photographer in the northwestern city of Liverpool. The arrest marked the end of a bad few days for Gascoigne who has increasingly found himself on the front pages of newspapers for his drinking exploits. Earlier on Monday non-league club Kettering Town sacked him as manager, less than two months after he was appointed.
Soccer Violence: Twenty fans were arrested by police in Naples after violence sparked by Napoli's Italian Cup defeat by Roma, police said yesterday. Napoli were beaten 3-0 in Thursday's first leg. After the final whistle home fans clashed with police, setting fire to at least two police cars and attempting to attack a police station.
Zenden: Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden is to undergo knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, the European champions said yesterday. Zenden will fly to the US for surgery next Wednesday on the cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Dutch international was injured against Real Betis in a Champions League game at Anfield on November 23. It was then thought he would be out of action for about two weeks.
In England: The Championship - Stoke vs Leicester 3-2.