A roundup of today's other soccer news in brief
Last surviving player of 1930 final dies
FRANCISCO Varallo, the last surviving player from the first World Cup final, has died at the age of 100.
Varallo played for Argentina but was unable to prevent hosts Uruguay from claiming the Jules Rimet trophy with a 4-2 victory in 1930.
Varallo later admitted the disappointment of that setback had never left him.
In an interview with www.fifa.com to mark his 100th birthday, he said: “I achieved a lot of nice things in my career: I represented the national team and was Boca’s record goalscorer.
“However, in my whole life I’ve never felt such a bitter pain as losing that World Cup final against Uruguay in 1930.
“How I cried that day. Even now when I look back it still makes me angry.”
Varallo’s 194 goals for Boca Juniors remained a club record until it was broken earlier this year by Martin Palermo.
Bradley signs deal to stay with US
BOB Bradley has signed a new four-year extension to his contract as United States coach, ending speculation linking him with the Aston Villa job.
The 52-year-old said last week that he would be “honoured” to talk to Villa owner Randy Lerner about succeeding Martin O’Neill as manager.
However, Bradley, who took the US to round two of the 2010 World Cup, will now stay beyond the 2014 finals.
“Bob is honoured to be the US coach. He is very happy,” said Bradley’s agent.
Bradley, who replaced Bruce Arena as coach after the 2006 World Cup has won 38, lost 20 and drawn eight of his 66 games in charge.
At this year’s finals in South Africa, Bradley led his side to draws with England and Slovenia before beating Algeria 1-0 to top Group C and reach the knockout stages where they were beaten 2-1 by Ghana.
Under 21s make four changes
NOEL KING’S Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad flew out to Switzerland yesterday after having had to make four changes to their squad.
Striker Cillian Sheridan has been drafted into the senior party for their Euro 2012 qualifiers in Armenia and at home to Andorra, while Stephen Gleeson (back), James McCarthy (knee) and Aaron Doran (ankle) have all been ruled out.
Their places have been taken by Adam Rooney (Inverness), Richie Towell (Celtic), Graham Carey (Huddersfield) and Robbie Brady (Manchester United).
Rooney and Carey have 12 Under-21 caps between them, but Towell and Brady, who have represented their country at Under-19 level, are yet to do so for the older age group team.
Ireland face Switzerland on Friday before taking on Turkey next Tuesday.
Schalke swoop for Huntelaar
SCHALKE 04 made a transfer deadline-day swoop for Netherlands striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from AC Milan, Atletico Madrid midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado and Lille defender Nicolas Plestan yesterday. Huntelaar was the subject of constant media speculation after struggling to nail down a starting place in his first season at the San Siro last term following his move from Real Madrid. The transfer of Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona to Milan paved the way for Huntelaar’s switch.
VfBStuttgart have signed former Italy World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi from Juventus for one year with an option to renew, the Bundesliga club said yesterday.
Malimidfielder Seydou Keita has agreed an improved contract with Barcelona which will keep him tied until 2014. The 30-year-old's deal, which originally ran until 2012, will automatically renew each year after that dependent on the number of games played each season. His buy-out clause was set at €100 million.
Ferreira and Morientes call time
CHELSEA’S Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira has announced his retirement from international football. The 31-year-old told the Portuguese Football Federation it was a move he had taken “after deep reflection” and was motivated by “personal reasons”. Right-back Ferreira won the first of his 62 caps for his country against England in September 2002. His decision to quit follows that of Atletico Madrid winger Simao last week.
FORMERReal Madrid and Spain striker Fernando Morientes has decided to retire from professional football, the 34-year-old said yesterday. "After 17 years among the footballing elite, it's a difficult moment that I need to adjust to little by little," Morientes told Spanish radio.
Morientes said he had turned down a number of offers for his services as a player to take up work as a commentator.
Desmond believes Old Firm will join English league
DERMOT Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder, believes the Old Firm giants will join England’s Premier League because of the influence of media organisations on football.
Last year, Premier League clubs voted to reject a proposal to bring Rangers and Celtic into the English top flight.
“What will dictate them joining is the fans and the media companies,” Desmond told BBC Radio 5 live.
“The companies are directing Premier League policy and they’ll decide it’ll be a good thing if the pair joined.”
The 2009 proposal was put together by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside who suggested that the Scottish sides would be part of a two-tier Premier League.
Premier League chief executive Peter Scudamore said at the time: “As regards to Celtic and Rangers it’s a non-starter.
“So we’ve made a clear and unequivocal statement and we’re going to move on from there. No means no.
Twigg cleared to face Sligo
GARY Twigg will be available for Shamrock Rovers’ league game against Sligo Rovers this week after an FAI appeals panel overturned the two-match ban imposed on him in the wake of the recent win over title rivals Bohemians, reports Emmet Malone. Twigg was originally banned and fined for what was regarded as a provocative celebration of his goal in front of the visiting fans but both sanctions against the prolific striker were set aside yesterday.
