A round-up of other soccer news in brief...
Guardiola facing new drug-use exam
THE Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) are to reopen the case against Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola over alleged drug use during his time as a player at Brescia.
Guardiola was fined and suspended for four months in 2001 for alleged nandrolone use and his sentence was upheld by the appeal court of the Italian football federation (FIGC).
The 38-year-old was later cleared on appeal of all charges by the Brescia court, but Italy’s anti-doping prosecutor has now persuaded CONI to re-examine the case.
A statement on the CONI website, www.coni.it, read: “On Tuesday September 15th, Guardiola’s case will be examined, based on the appeal from the anti-doping prosecutor’s office against the decision reached by the FIGC’s court of federal justice, when they sat on May 8th, 2009.”
Ferguson accepts a change of tactics needed at United
ALEX Ferguson intends to tweak Manchester United’s tactics following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
Ferguson said: “Obviously Cristiano is a big loss in terms of the goals he gave us. But we will just have to find the goals from somewhere else and our tactics will adjust accordingly.”
Ferguson is now opting to use Wayne Rooney as a central striker, rather than playing him out wide, alongside either Michael Owen or Dimitar Berbatov.
Beyond the three main strikers, Ferguson is demanding an increased yield from midfield. He said: “Usually you look to score about 100 goals in all competitions, so we are aiming for that again. If we are going to win the league again or do well in Europe we certainly need players to step up.
“Going back a few years, we could always guarantee goals from Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. Those goals from midfield have dried up a little in recent years, so we have to address that.”
Portsmouth finalise Finnan move
FULL-BACK Steve Finnan has joined Portsmouth on a one-year deal after terminating his contract at Espanyol.
The Republic of Ireland international never settled at the Barcelona club during an injury-plagued season and was keen to return to the English Premier League, where he played previously for Fulham and Liverpool.
Portsmouth, who also confirmed the signing of former Blackburn midfielder Aaron Mokoena on a three-year-deal, needed to fill the void created by Glen Johnson’s move to Liverpool and were quick to offer him a deal which includes an extension clause.
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart told the club’s official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: “It whetted my appetite to think that we could get a player of Steve’s calibre here.
“He’s really looking forward to coming here and we’re looking forward to seeing him play.”
No deal for Alonso brokered yet
XABI Alonso is due to fly back to Spain with Liverpool today as the negotiations over his possible transfer drag on.
Liverpool are playing in a friendly against Espanyol on Sunday to open the Barcelona club’s new stadium and at the moment Alonso is expected to be in the travelling party.
A final decision is likely to be taken after the squad’s training this morning ahead of an afternoon flight to Spain.
But with both Liverpool and prospective buyers Real Madrid digging their heels in over the fee for the 27-year-old international, a final decision on the deal is now not expected until Monday.
Alonso handed in a transfer request earlier this week, and reports in Italy claim that AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani has been lined up as Alonso’s replacement at Anfield.
Mutu to pay €17.17m as appeal fails
ROMANIA striker Adrian Mutu has failed in his bid to overturn an order to pay Chelsea €17.17 million in damages after his appeal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday.
Now playing for Fiorentina in Italy, Mutu was fired by the English club five years ago following a positive test for cocaine and was instructed to pay the sum by Fifa last year but took his case to sport’s highest tribunal.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today dismissed the appeal filed by the Romanian football player, Adrian Mutu, against the decision rendered by the Fifa Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) on May 7th, 2008 in which he was ordered to pay €17,173,990 in compensation . . . for breach of contract,” CAS said in a statement yesterday.
Mutu last year said the decision was inhumane and said his offence did not justify such a huge sum.
Everton harden line on Lescott
EVERTON are bracing themselves for another Manchester City bid for Joleon Lescott but insist they will not sell the England international even for €35 million.
Everton have turned down bids of €17.5million and €21m from City and there is thought to be a €26m offer on the table. But sources at Goodison Park are making it clear their attitude has hardened over the issue to the extent even a €35m bid would be rejected.
