SOCCER SHORTS:ARSENAL expect defender Johan Djourou to be out for the rest of the season despite suggestions to the contrary from Switzerland.
The Swiss FA posted a statement on their official website suggesting a more positive prognosis than Arsène Wenger’s initial post-match comments after Djourou suffered a dislocated shoulder in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester United.
However, that article – which even went as far as to suggest the defender could feature in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria on March 26th – has since been removed.
It is understood the 24-year-old will now have further scans with Arsenal’s medical team and is expected to undergo corrective surgery later this week.
The confirmation of Djourou’s absence is another blow as Wenger looks to salvage a faltering season. Arsenal will head to West Brom with Sebastian Squillaci set to partner Laurent Koscielny in a pairing which so far has proved less than effective.
Furious Barcelona deny allegations
BARCELONA are satisfied that reports linking them to doping practices have nothing to do with bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The Catalan giants are considering legal action against radio station Cadena Cope for insinuations made during a broadcast on Sunday night and have been contacted by Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, who insisted no one at Real had anything to do with Cadena Cope’s report.
Toni Freixa, a spokesman for the Barcelona board said: “The president of Madrid has already contacted us to say that the club has nothing to do with this information. (Barcelona president Sandro) Rosell has no reason to disbelieve him.
“These reports are a serious blow to the reputation of Barcelona . . .”
The club said: “FC Barcelona is demanding an immediate rectification and wishes to let it be known that its legal department is studying possible legal action to defend the club’s honour. . .”
Barton included in Irish U-21 squad
LESS than six months after he withdrew from the Northern Ireland squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Italy and the Faroe Islands on the basis he wanted to preserve his eligibility for England, Preston North End midfielder Adam Barton was yesterday named by Noel King in his Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for Friday week's friendly encounter with Portugal, reports Emmet Malone.
However 19-year-old Derby striker Conor Daly, who has played for both Ireland and the United States at different age levels over the last year, has been omitted from the panel for the game in Agueda after having apparently decided that his international future lies with the Americans.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-21 SQUAD:McLoughlin (Stockport), Quirke (Coventry), Towell (Hibernian), Duffy (Everton), Gunning (Motherwell), O'Connor (Ipswich), Kiernan (Wycombe), McCrory (Dagenham Redbridge), Barton (Preston), Connolly (Bolton), Henderson (Arsenal), Devitt (Hull), Scannell (Crystal Palace), Clifford (Chelsea), Collins (Shrewsbury), Mason (Plymouth), Madden (Carlisle).
Fulham post losses of €19.45 million
FULHAM chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed remains fully committed to the Premier League club despite the Cottagers posting a €19.45 million loss for the last financial year.
Under former boss Roy Hodgson, the west London side reached the final of the Europa League, which helped bring in an additional revenue of around €14.4million.
However, overall losses went up by €11.5 million, mainly because of increased wages and new contracts.
Flamboyant Egyptian Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, has been in charge of Fulham since 1997.
Al-Fayed has already bankrolled Fulham’s rise through the divisions to the tune of more than €184 million on an unsecured, interest-free basis.
The 78-year-old said in a statement: “I remain committed to making investment funds available to achieve our goals both on and off the pitch.”
Clubs suspend Japan's J League
JAPAN’S J League has been suspended indefinitely following last week’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The first and second division clubs held an emergency meeting at the J League’s headquarters in Tokyo yesterday and ruled out matches scheduled for April 2nd and 3rd, reports said.
On Monday, the J League postponed all March fixtures but said it was hopeful of restarting the season at the start of next month.
Since then, fears of radiation leaks from a nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture have grown as the country struggles to come to terms with Friday’s 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami that has estimated to have claimed at least 10,000 lives.
With radiation leaks reaching as far as the greater Tokyo region, many clubs cancelled training sessions yesterday.
Loew extends deal until 2014
GERMANY coach Joachim Loew surprisingly extended his contract with the national team until 2014 yesterday only months after signing a new deal until 2012.
Apart from Loew, the federation also extended the contracts of assistant coach Hansi Flick, team manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke.
Loew has guided Germany to 43 wins and 11 draws in the 63 games as manager.
Liverpool stall on talks with Dalglish
LIVERPOOL’S principal owner John W Henry has confirmed the club have not yet offered a new contract to manager Kenny Dalglish.
The Reds legend stepped into the managerial hot-seat at Anfield to replace Roy Hodgson in January, initially agreeing a deal until the end of the season.
Dalglish’s tenure thus far has been a successful one and reports had suggested a two-year deal was already in place.
But Henry denies an agreement has been reached, insisting discussions have yet to begin – although he has intimated the club’s owners are ready to enter into talks over a long-term contract.
“The only discussion we’ve had has been with Kenny and that was solely concerning when we should begin discussions,” said Henry.
“I wouldn’t anticipate any further comments until such discussions have commenced and we have something to announce. Any reports until then are purely speculation.”
