McLeish to keep job at Birmingham

LONDON (AFP)– Birmingham City have said that Alex McLeish will stay on as manager despite failing to prevent his side from being relegated from the Premier League on Sunday.

The drop for the Blues came when they lost 2-1 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on the last day of the season joining West Ham United and Blackpool into the Championship for next season.

Birmingham's acting chairman Peter Pannu told the club's official website that McLeish's job is"safe".

But the Scot has been told the board expect him to lead the team back to the top flight at the first attempt next season.

Birmingham will play in the Europa League next season after their win in the League Cup three months ago.

"The board will take stock of what went wrong this season despite Carson Yeung's promised injection of£40million in funds - not £80m as the media wrongly assumed," Pannu added.

"The board will closely discuss and implement appropriate procedures to ensure a speedy return to the top flight.

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Schalke's wunderkind impresses Germany's Loew

BERLIN (AFP)– Schalke 04 goal-scorer Julian Draxler was barely old enough to join his team-mates for a celebration beer after winning the German Cup final, but the wunderkind has impressed national coach Joachim Loew.

The 17-year-old netted Schalke's opening goal in the 5-0 demolition of second division Duisburg in Saturday's German Cup final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

He first grabbed the limelight in January when he came off the bench to score Schalke's winner in the 3-2 victory over Nuremberg in the quarter-finals.

In Berlin's cup final, he unleashed an unstoppable volley from just outside the penalty area in the 18th minute which put his team on the path to their fifth cup title, but the teenager was taking it all in his stride.

"It's a mega-cool feeling," he said with the winners medal around his neck.

"One or two years ago, I was watching games like this on the television and seeing players lift the trophy. Now I have had it in my hands.

"Beer is allowed (in Germany) from 16, right?," he asked with a cheeky grin.

"Even if not, I've definitely had one or two."

Draxler will only turn 18 in September and having played for Germany's Under-18 side, Loew now has him on his radar.

"He has attracted our attention in the last six months," he said.

"He is a great talent and has a good opportunity to impress with Schalke.

"He is a player who plays with a cheeky and carefree style. We are excited about him."

There was outcry in Germany when Draxler, having become one of the youngest players to play in the Bundesliga, quit high-school under the advice of former Schalke boss Felix Magath.

Since February, he has been combining football training with studying for his Abitur -- Germany's university entrance exams -- at Gesamtschule Berger Feld, in the shadow of Schalke's Veltins Arena stadium.

Both Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil are former pupils.

"It's a kind of character building," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said of Draxler's balancing act.

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Kashiwa keep J-League lead

TOKYO (AFP)– Kashiwa Reysol, who returned to the J-League top flight this season, held defending champions Nagoya Grampus to a scoreless draw on Saturday to hold onto the top spot.

"I had expected to have a tough game today. I felt that Grampus had a strong will to improve. We managed to shut out the first half but allowed them to create chances," said Kashiwa's Brazilian coach Nelsinho.

"We were able to make several chances by picking up rebounds in the second half. Our midfielders played calmly and we could play 50-50 in the end," he added.

Kashiwa now have now 16 points from five wins, one draw and one defeat, standing two points clear of Yokohama Marinos and three points above Vissel Kobe.

They were followed by Jubilo Iwata, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Vegalta Sendai and Gamba Osaka on 12 points.

Yokohama overwhelmed Ventforet Kofu 4-0, while Kobe beat Hiroshima 1-0. Iwata also trounced bottom placers Avispa Fukuoka 4-1.

Brazilian striker Adriano scored his second goal of the day with only two minutes left on the clock to give Gamba Osaka a 2-1 win over Albirex Niigata.

In other games, former Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds stormed back from two goals down to draw with seven-time champions Kashima Antlers 2-2.

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Ferguson's football addiction keeps him working

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)– Sir Alex Ferguson admits that his addiction to Manchester United and football will keep him from slipping quietly into retirement.

Ferguson, who steered United to a record 19th league title last weekend and whose side tackle Barcelona in the Champions League final next weekend, fears stepping off the treadmill.

"I have no plans to retire, I must say that and (my wife) Cathy is delighted. She would have thrown me out," he told MUTV.

"The salient point is that whilst my health is good, carry on. You hear many stories of people who come off the treadmill and their system breaks down. I don't want that happening to me."

Ferguson, whose team bring the curtain down on thier league season at home to Blackpool on Sunday, believes United have been unfairly criticised this campaign.

"If we are not scoring 10 goals every game, we have our critics. The expectation is high. But it is high from us too, and the fans. They want to see their best," he added.

"Yes, you could criticise a lot of our away performances. They have been disappointing. But our home form has been fantastic. We have scored more goals than anyone else. It is hard to criticise that kind of form."

United also have the Champions League final to look forward to with Ferguson aiming to lift the trophy for a third time in his career following a late, late victory against Bayern Munich in 1999 and the 2008 triumph over Chelsea via a penalty shootout.

He admits he already has an idea of his side to face Barcelona on May 28 at Wembley.

Ferguson said:"We have the nucleus of a team in place. There are others that deserve a place. But we can only pick 11. That is the horrible part of being a manager. It is absolute agony.

"It is something you don't relish at all. I have to pick a team and I have to leave some very good players out.

"Hopefully those who have all played a part in the European campaign will feel satisfaction at the end of the night and we win the cup."

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S. Africa, Morocco want to host Club World Cup

JOHANNESBURG (AFP)– Another chapter in the football boardroom battles between South Africa and Morocco is looming with both countries wanting to host the 2013 and 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.

Iran and the United Arab Emirates, who staged the last two editions of the annual end-of-year tournament, are the other challengers to follow 2011 and 2012 hosts Japan.

"It is important that competitions like the Club World Cup come to Africa," stressed South Africa Football Association vice-president Danny Jordaan in the wake of his country successfully staging the 2010 World Cup.

The four aspirant hosts must submit a definitive bid by the end of September and the successful candidate will be named on October 21 after a meeting of executives from world football governing body FIFA.

A Club World Cup has seven fixtures with a play-off involving the host nation champions followed by two quarter-finals and the South American and European champions enter at the semi-finals stage.

South Africa have an embarrassment of venue riches with 10 World Cup venues to choose from while Morocco have been busy expanding the number of stadia and upgrading others ahead of hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The boardroom battles between South Africa and Morocco began a decade ago when they emerged as the heavyweight contenders in an Africa-only contest to put on the 2010 World Cup.

Africa had never hosted the most watched sport event in the world and after the controversial 12-11 defeat of South Africa by Germany for the 2006 rights, FIFA decided the next tournament must be on the'dark continent'.

South Africa defeated Morocco 14-10 while Egypt did not receive a single vote and -- freezing evening conditions in some locations apart -- South Africa put on a near-flawless spectacle despite a deluge of pre-tournament media pessimism.

The countries from the south west and north west of the continent came face to face again this year as they sought hosting rights to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco won this time after a meeting of African governing body CAF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa received the consolation prize of being awarded the right to stage the 2017 Cup of Nations.

Africa would appear to have a strong case in the Club World Cup contest as by the end of next year, Japan will have staged the tournament six times and the UAE twice with Brazil (2000) the sole non-Asian host.

Club World Cup champions include Corinthians, Internacional and Sao Paulo of Brazil, Inter Milan and AC Milan of Italy, Barcelona of Spain and Manchester United of England.

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Silva, Van Bommel and Roma extend Milan contracts

ROME (AFP)– Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva has signed a contract extension at AC Milan that will keep him at the club for another five years.

The 26-year-old joined Milan in 2009 from Fluminense in his homeland after previous unsuccessful spells in Europe with Porto and Dynamo Moscow.

Dutch veteran Mark van Bommel and third-choice goalkeeper Flavio Roma also signed extensions keeping them at the club until the end of next season.

But former Holland midfielder Clarence Seedorf said he is unsure about his future following his meeting with club bosses.

Seedorf is out of contract with Milan at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Brazil.

He was one of nine players (including Van Bommel and Roma) whose contracts were running out this season with whom Milan have planned meetings to discuss their futures.

"The meeting went well, I don't know if I'll stay at Milan but it was a good meeting, very friendly," said Seedorf.

"We'll get together again next week because we want to finish the season with a win and then talk.

"Even if we don't continue our working relationship that will be fine, I've always had a good relationship with the club."

Other veterans including captain Massimo Ambrosini, Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo are also set to discuss new deals in the coming days.

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FA warns Ferguson over future conduct

LONDON (AFP)– Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was on Monday warned by the Football Association (FA) as to his future conduct in relation to recent comments about referee Howard Webb.

Ferguson was charged with improper conduct, relating to his pre-match media comments made about Webb ahead of Manchester United's key Premier League encounter with Chelsea last on May 8.

Ferguson is not believed to have offered a significant response to the charge.

And on Monday he has learned he will face no punishment, beyond a gentle reminder not to do it again.

"A Regulatory Commission has today warned Sir Alex Ferguson as to his future conduct," said an FA statement.

"Ferguson was charged with improper conduct, relating to his pre-match media comments made about match official Howard Webb on May 6, 2011.

"The chairman of the commission made the following statement following the hearing:'This rule was brought in at the start of the 2009/10 season and this was reiterated formally to all Clubs again on 21 October 2010.

'This is a clear breach of the rule and it is the first time such a matter has been placed in front of a Commission."

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Ajax drops championship trophy during victory tour

AMSTERDAM– Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg usually has a safe pair of hands, but he managed to drop the Dutch league's trophy from the top of a bus as the team took a triumphal ride through Amsterdam.

Amateur video taken Sunday shows the trophy fall backward off the bus, apparently after colliding with overhead tram wires. It was handed back by a fan, to the applause of onlookers.

The incident resembles one from last month when Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos dropped Spain's Copa del Rey trophy, which was crushed beneath the team's bus.

Ajax sealed its 30th league championship with a 3-1 win over Twente on Sunday.

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Loew hints again Ballack's Germany days are over

BERLIN (AFP)– Germany coach Joachim Loew has dropped yet another clear hint that Michael Ballack has no future in the national side and says he has told his former captain where he stands.

Ballack, 34, has not played for Germany since March 2010 after suffering back-to-back injuries last year.

With Germany top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group, Loew has repeatedly said he will not select Ballack again for the national side until his former captain is regularly impressing in the Bundesliga.

A crop of talented midfielders like Dortmund's Mario Goetze, Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid's Sami Khedira have forced their way into the side with consistent form while Ballack has been far from impressive.

He has struggled to win a place in the Bayer Leverkusen team this season and in his absence Germany finished third at the 2010 World Cup with their young side using their midfield pace to play some attractive football.

"As a coach, my duty is to reflect on what our selections might look like in one, two or three years time, in addition to guaranteeing immediate success," Loew told the weekly German magazine Focus, set to be published here on Monday.

"Michael knows what I think of his situation."

Ballack has been left out of the squad to face Uruguay in a friendly at the end of May, as well as Euro 2012 qualifiers against Austria and Azerbaijan in early June.

Loew says he met Ballack in March, without revealing the details of the conversation, but pundits and the press here seem to think the ex-Chelsea star will win his 99th -- and final -- cap in the friendly with Brazil in August.

After suffering an ankle injury in May 2010, Ballack picked up a knee injury in September after only three games back and has only played 17 league games this season.

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Altintop closes in on Real Madrid transfer

MADRID (AFP)– Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop's switch from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid is set to be completed on Monday, the Spanish sport daily Marca reported on Saturday.

"It is expected that his signing with Real Madrid will be officially announced on Monday," wrote Marca, without citing a source.

Another sport daily, As, also reported that Altintop's deal was nearing completion and said his arrival was"at the express request of (Real coach Jose) Mourinho".

Altintop, currently sidelined with a back problem, has only played 63 games for Bayern in an injury-plagued four-year spell but will arrive on a free transfer because his contract at the German giants is due to expire.

The arrival of 28-year-old Altintop follows that of his 22-year-old international team-mate Nuri Sahin, who completed a 10 million euros ($14m) move to Real from German champions Borussia Dortmund last week.

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Dalglish gets Liverpool manager job

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP)– Kenny Dalglish was on Thursday appointed permanent manager of Liverpool, having previously been in caretaker charge, after signing a three-year contract, the club announced.

Dalglish has breathed new life into the English Premier League side since he replaced Roy Hodgson as Liverpool manager on a temporary basis in January and the Reds could finish the season as high as fifth place.

Meanwhile, coach Steve Clarke, who arrived not long after Dalglish in January, has also signed a three-year contract.

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'Sleazeball'FIFA members slammed by British press

LONDON (AFP)– Fresh corruption allegations against football's governing body FIFA attracted wide coverage in British press on Wednesday, with reports branding officials"sleazeballs" and"rotten to the core."

FIFA has been rocked by new allegations of graft after a British parliamentary committee heard testimony about bribes being offered during the races for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The Times reported the story on its front page under the headline"The Dirty Game", while an editorial reflected that a"culture of tolerating corruption has permeated one of the most important international sporting bodies."

The Times called on Britain to take a lead in rooting out corruption in football's corridors of power.

"This must end, at least as far as Britain is concerned, right now," the editorial stated.

"Even if the home nations host no other shindig this millennium, we should lead in confronting the betrayal of sporting ideals that allowing such practice represents."

The Daily Mirror carried reports on the latest allegations in both its news and sports pages with headlines ranging from"Cup for Sale" and"Rotten to the Core."

The Mirror's chief sports writer Oliver Holt commented that the scandal should not come as a surprise as under the stewardship of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the organisation had"become a byword for rampant greed and venality."

"(FIFA) staggers from one scandal to another, from one embarrassment to the next, relying on fear to prevent others speaking out," Holt remarked.

The Daily Mail meanwhile criticised the failure of English officials to blow the whistle sooner after being confronted by demands from FIFA voters.

Lord David Triesman had told parliament on Tuesday that four FIFA executive committee members had requested favours ranging from a knighthood to funding for development projects.

"It stinks. FIFA stink, but England's bid stinks too. Who were these men that knew this behaviour was going on, yet said nothing?," the paper's chief sports writer Martin Samuel commented.

An editorial in The Sun headlined"Sleazeballs" meanwhile asked:"Has there ever been a sleazier sporting organisation than FIFA?

"If the World Cup can only be hosted through bribery and corruption, England are well out of it ... so long as FIFA is in charge, the World Cup will not be worth winning."

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FIFA members'demanded cash and honours': Triesman

LONDON (AFP)– FIFA was rocked by new allegations of corruption on Tuesday, with England's 2018 World Cup bid chairman accusing senior officials of demanding cash and honours in return for votes.

In explosive testimony before a parliamentary select committee, Lord David Triesman spoke at length on the story behind England's disastrous World Cup campaign, which ended in a humiliating defeat in Zurich last December.

Triesman highlighted incidents involving four officials that took place in the years leading to the Zurich vote which had given him cause for concern.

He revealed that Jack Warner, the influential head of the North and Central American federation CONCACAF, had demanded to be paid directly around£2.5 million (4m dollars) for construction of schools in Trinidad.

"He was concerned he had nothing he could regard as his legacy, he had in mind some kind of school of educational establishment," Triesman revealed.

Triesman, who had met Warner along with England 2018 deputy chairman Sir Dave Richards, said the request was rejected immediately.

"I said immediately the proposition was out of the question. Sir Dave said'You must be joking Jack. You're probably talking about£2.5 million.

"Jack nodded at that. He said that the money could be channelled through him and he would guarantee the funds would be appropriately spent."

In a second incident involving Warner, Triesman revealed how the Trinidadian offical had contacted him following the devastating Haiti earthquake in January 2010 which claimed the lives of more than 300,000 people.

Triesman said Warner had suggested that"somebody could make a donation" to secure rights to broadcast the 2010 World Cup in Haiti on giant television screens in order to lift the spirits of the shattered nation.

"He said£500,000 sent to him he could secure those rights," Triesman said."I said that would be out of the question. Sometime later it was put to me that he was the owner of those rights."

In another incident, Triesman revealed that Paraguayan Nicolas Leoz, the head of the South American federation CONMEMBOL, had requested a knighthood during a meeting in Asuncion in November 2009.

"I said it was completely impossible, we didn't operate like that. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away," Triesman said.

The same month, Triesman and English bid members met Brazilian official Ricardo Teixeira on the sidelines of a England-Brazil friendly in Doha.

After remarking to Teixeira that he was happy to have heard positive sentiment about England's bid from former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Teixeira had replied:"Lula is nothing, you come and tell me what you have for me."

"I thought it was a surprising way of putting it and a shocking way of putting it," Triesman said.

The fourth official named by Triesman was Thailand's Worawi Makudi, who had demanded to be awarded broadcasting rights of a possible friendly match between England and Thailand in Bangkok that had been pencilled in for 2011.

"It wasn't something we could or should organise," Triesman said.

England were knocked out in the second round of the World Cup ballot last December, mustering just two of 22 votes. Russia later went on to win with 13 votes.

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Ideye leads African goal charge in weekend football

PARIS (AFP)– Young Nigerian striker Brown Ideye was the most successful African in the top European football leagues at the weekend with a brace for French club Sochaux.

Ideye, who played in his homeland and Switzerland before joining the club from the eastern France industrial city, struck the first and last goals in a 4-0 win at Bordeaux that boosted hopes of a Europa League slot next season.

Nigerian Peter Odemwingie of West Bromwich Albion and Ivorian Yaya Toure of Manchester City scored in England, but their clubs lost at Wolves and Everton respectively in the Premiership.

ENGLAND

PETER ODEMWINGIE (West Brom)

The Nigerian striker maintained his rich vein of scoring form, netting his 15th goal of the season from the penalty spot. But it was not enough to prevent the Baggies from slipping to a 3-1 defeat against Wolves in the Black Country derby.

YAYA TOURE (Man City)

The Ivorian midfielder took his tally to 10 goals for the season at Goodison Park, but it was a disappointing afternoon for Manchester City as their bid to secure fourth place suffered a setback in a 2-1 defeat by Everton.

DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea)

The veteran striker was restored to the centre of Chelsea's attack as the Blues attempted to score a decisive victory over Manchester United in the title race. But Drogba endured a frustrating afternoon, picking up a second-half booking and finishing goalless as United ran out 2-1 winners.

FRANCE

BROWN IDEYE, RYAD BOUDEBOUZ (Sochaux)

Striker Ideye scored a double in Sochaux's 4-0 success at Bordeaux which could seal his side's Europa League berth. The Nigerian broke the deadlock in the ninth minute and then out-paced Bordeaux right-back Mathieu Chalme before teeing up Franco-Algerian midfielder Ryad Boudebouz for their third in the 22nd minute. Ideye claimed the fourth goal on the half-hour mark following a header from Marvin Martin's cross.

SOULEYMANE DIAWARA (Marseille)

A foul by Senegalese defender Diawara on Argentine striker Lisandro allowed Lyon to open the scoring after 25 minutes at their Gerland Stadium. Lisandro stepped up and netted the penalty and the hosts won 3-2.

YOUSSOUF HADJI (Nancy)

Moroccan striker Hadji wasted third-bottom Nancy's best chance of sharing the points with an effort that went wide in injury time, allowing visiting Lille to scrape a 1-0 victory and move four points ahead.

FOUED KADIR (Valenciennes)

Algerian midfielder Kadir opened the scoring for Valenciennes in their 2-0 success over Rennes which gave his side their first home win in three months and lifted them to 12th, four points above the drop zone.

GERMANY

ISAAC VORSAH (Hoffenheim)

The Ghana defender played the full 90 minutes of his side's 2-1 win at Nuremburg as they came from behind to beat the hosts for a victory which leaves them eighth in the Bundesliga.

PAPISS CISSE (Freiburg)

The Senegal striker had a terrible Saturday as his side suffered a shock 2-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Borussia Moenchengladbach which leaves them eighth in the table and outside the European berths for next season. To make matters worse, Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez netted a hat-trick which virtually guarantees he will finish as the season's top scorer. Gomez has 27 league goals, five more than Cisse.

ADIL CHIHI (Cologne)

The Morocco striker netted his first goal of the season for Cologne to help them to a 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23-year-old has played 10 league matches this season and the victory guarantees Cologne's Bundesliga survival.

SPAIN

DEREK BOATENG (Getafe)

Getafe picked up three vital points with a 2-0 win over Almeria and Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng played an important role in breaking Almeria?s play and launching attacks. The win saw Almeria relegated while Getafe moved clear of the bottom three.

PIERRE WEBO (Mallorca)

Mallorca drew 0-0 with high-flying Villarreal in a slow-moving game of few chances for either side. Cameroonian striker Webo had little service in attack and only one real chance with a header from close range at the start of the second half which goalkeeper Diego Lopez parried.

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Henry scores as NY Red Bulls draw with Galaxy

LOS ANGELES (AFP)– French star Thierry Henry scored early for New York and US striker Landon Donovan equalized for Los Angeles in a showdown of Major League Soccer conference leaders that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Saturday's matchup featured the US league's two best-known global stars, Red Bulls striker Henry and English midfielder David Beckham of the Galaxy.

Henry opened the scoring in the fourth minute but Donovan equalized for the Galaxy in the 41st minute.

Donovan nearly put Los Angeles ahead moments later after a pass from Beckham but the American's effort was cleared off the line by a New York defender.

"Got one, should have had another," Donovan said."In all, a fair result."

The Eastern Conference leader Red Bulls saw a four-match win streak snapped, moving to 4-1 with three drawn, while the Western Conference pace-setting Galaxy moved to 4-2 with four drawn.

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French football federation denies Blanc resignation

PARIS (AFP)– French football chiefs on Saturday denied a report that national coach Laurent Blanc had tendered his resignation amid a controversial race row.

Blanc and suspended national technical director (DTN) Francois Blaquart are under investigation after the Mediapart website released a transcript of a meeting last November in which French officials allegedly discussed introducing quotas on the number of dual-nationality players at youth training centres.

Blanc, who took over as coach from Raymond Domenech after Les Bleus disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa last year, is set to be interviewed by French football federation (FFF) officials on his return from holiday in Italy on Monday.

On Saturday the FFF denied a report in Ouest France newspaper claiming that Blanc had resigned from his post.

"I've spoken to him on the telephone," the FFF's chief press officer Philippe Tournon told AFP.

"We spoke about him coming to Paris for the hearing and about what could happen afterwards. But at no time did we speak about that (resignation)," he added.

A spokesman for the FFF added:"The French football federation formally denies any report which claims Laurent Blanc has tendered his resignation."

The Mediapart report has caused huge controversy in France this week, causing a split among the multi-racial France team which won the World Cup in 1998.

Late Friday Blaquart said it was possible that Blanc may not have heard him use the word'quotas' and was therefore potentially unaware that the issue had been discussed at the meeting last November.

"I could understand, as it (the word quota) was only used once -- in an extremely clumsy manner, I admit -- if Laurent didn't hear it," said Blaquart.

"It was a very, very passionate discussion that only lasted 20 minutes during a meeting of three hours."

He added:"I'm not proud and I even feel great shame to see these terms come out and get attached to my name, to Laurent's name and to the names of the others involved, of course."

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Hammers preparing to lose England stars

LONDON (AFP)– West Ham bosses have admitted they expect to lose several of their England internationals if they are relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers sit bottom of the table, three points from safety with only three games remaining.

Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, as well as goalkeeper Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all figure in the national set-up.

And Hammers co-owner David Gold admitted it would be"unfair" and"unrealistic" to expect them to play their football in the second tier Championship.

Gold told BBC's Football Focus:"It's unfair to tell a player to forego your potential England career to come down and play in the Championship."

He added:"It's unrealistic to ask an England player to come down and play in the Championship.

"It impacts on his career. Would I try (to prevent it)? Of course, I would try but you would have a one in 10 chance."

The 74-year-old's admission may cause controversy, especially as it comes after co-owner David Sullivan opted not to attend the Hammers' 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday because of their miserable away form.

Gold, who has recently been in hospital after contracting cholangitis - an infection of the common bile duct - and septicaemia, was ready to take his share of responsibility if the club are relegated.

He said:"Do I blame myself? There is no doubt you end up blaming yourself.

"You go over the decisions you have made and yes, you have to take the blame. At the time you think you have done the best job.

"When the (January transfer) window closed I thought we had done enough."

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Real Madrid to sign Dortmund's Nuri Sahin - report

MADRID (AFP)– Real Madrid are poised to sign Turkish international Nuri Sahin from Borussia Dortmund, a Spanish sports daily reported Thursday.

A deal to transfer the 22-year-old midfielder"is well underway," the daily Marca said.

"This weekend I will speak with the managers of Borussia and we will make a decision," Sahin said on his Facebook page, Marca reported.

Another sports daily, AS, said Dortmund values the German-born player at 20 million euros.

Marca also reported that Real are close to signing Spanish striker Jose Maria Callejon from Espanyol of Barcelona for five million euros.

The transfer of the 24-year-old is"is practically done" and will be confirmed by the two clubs at the end of the season."

Callejon played for Real Madrid's B side before joining Espanyol in 2008.

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Barcelona coach Guardiola praises team

BARCELONA (AFP)– Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised his team for reaching the Champions League final and believes it is a victory for their style of attacking football against bitter rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalan side came through with a 3-1 aggregate victory after two stormy matches.

It was always going to be an extremely difficult task for Real to turn around their 2-0 defeat at home but they started with the intention to attack.

It was in the second half when they looked most dangerous, though, that Barca went ahead through Pedro Rodriguez. Real kept going and equalised through Marcelo but it was only a consolation.

"Football is coming home and I would like to congratulate my players for reaching the final," said Guardiola, who was a player in the 1992 side which won Barca's first ever European Cup at the legendary Wembley stadium.

"Of course it is the new Wembley and so it is not going to be as special going back there. It is a chance for us to show our way of football, to keep hold of the ball and move it around as quickly as possible."

Barca could now play Manchester United who hold a 2-0 lead over Schalke going into their return leg and it would be a repeat of the 2009 final.

"We will be watching the game tomorrow (Wednesday) but it looks like it will be Manchester who go through.

"Manchester continue to be in the final stages of the competitions and reach the final. But we have the same desire, we will look to find their weak point and then attack," explained Guardiola.

The Barca trainer refused to comment on the contentious decision by the referee to rule out a goal for Real's Gonzalo Higuain due to a supposed foul by Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Everyone is free to think what they want and analyse it. You cannot say one person is right or another. We feel like we have eliminated an excellent side and one of the keys to our success is our humility. The players keep going and working hard," he added.

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka remained adamant that the contest was decided in the first leg by the dismissal of Pepe.

The harsh red card for a foul on Dani Alves led to an angry reaction from coach Jose Mourinho who was sent to the stands and was also banned from the touch line at the Nou Camp.

Up until that point the scoreline was 0-0 but then Leo Messi went on to score two goals for Barca.

UEFA are now considering taking action against Mourinho for his criticism of Barcelona and the suggestion that the governing body favours them.

"The team has shown that it can compete and whenever we have had eleven against eleven we have done well. Last week we were level until we had a player sent off," said Karanka.

"Everyone has seen the game and they can make their own decisions. We have talked after the match and I have congratulated the team but once again speaking for everyone we are indignant.

"After what happened at the Bernabeu everything was more or less decided as the coach (Jose Mourinho) pointed out. He said it was impossible for us to go through and it has been."

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My players are role models not cheats: Guardiola

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP)– Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hit back at accusations of cheating from Real Madrid ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Nou Camp by describing his players as exemplary.

In the press conference ahead of the game, Real assistant coach Aitor Karanka claimed that UEFA's decision not to sanction Barcelona over their action in the first leg - which Barca won 2-0 - will overshadow the game.

With so much at stake on top of the fierce rivalry, the tension led to a poor match at the Bernabeu which will be remembered by the unsporting behaviour of both sides.

However, Real are angry at the way that only their club has been punished with Pepe and Sergio Ramos suspended and Jose Mourinho banned from the touchline.

They sent an official complaint to UEFA asking for action against six Barca players and coach Pep Guardiola for instigating their foul play. The petition though was thrown out.

"Madrid cannot decide who plays or doesn't, that is down to UEFA. My players go out to play football, I know them very well and they are professionals," said Guardiola.

"They love sport and I have no doubt that some can make errors but they are an example for Barca and for the national team.

"Here young players are taught the right values and in the game on Tuesday 14 of these youth products will be in the squad to play. They can think that we are wrong but we think differently."

A brace from Lionel Messi gave them the win in the first leg but at the weekend they lost 2-1 away at struggling Real Sociedad.

Although they remain eight points clear at the top of the table with Real also losing, Guardiola feels it is a warning that they cannot afford to make mistakes.

"After what happened I know that we have to be worried about Madrid. We will attack but we need to be careful as Madrid have fantastic players," said Guardiola.

"It is amazing to be where we are in the league and the Champions League. Madrid may not be happy with the sanctions and there is a judiciary where they can appeal. That is not our job we don't give suspensions we only enjoy playing football.

"We are prepared for everything and we know that there are going to be difficult moments in the game."

Midfielder Xavi Hernandez labeled as ridiculous Mourinho's claim that the team should be punished for a lack of fair play.

"It is not my job to criticise Mourinho. We try and talk about football and I have the feeling that he doesn't do it very often.

"I find it sad that he talks about things which have nothing to do with this sport. Mourinho is a controversial coach and uses his tactics to get ahead.

"The complaints to UEFA are pathetic because Barcelona have behaved well in all their matches. UEFA have turned down the petition obviously."

Xavi believes his side deserve their lead.

"Football came out on top in the end. Madrid have another type of football," he said.

"I think we like to play in an attacking and attractive way, not enclosing ourselves in defence but creating goal scoring chances.

"Hopefully we will now face a side which will try and play football and we will try and beat them doing this.

"They will probably come forward more because in the past they have attempted to play us on the counter-attack."

Xavi has his sights set on the final at Wembley where Barcelona won their first European Cup in 1992 against Sampdoria.

"I watched that game on the television at home because my parents wouldn't let me go. I would have liked to have been there and see our first victory but to go there again after beating our eternal rival would be something special," he added.

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Boorish Mourinho's tactics'shameful': Hitzfeld

BERLIN (AFP)– The tactics of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid against Barcelona last week came under more fire Monday from Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, twice a Champions League-winning manager with Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

UEFA on Thursday announced it had launched a disciplinary inquiry into events surrounding Wednesday's unruly Champions League semi-final tie between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

One of the incidents being investigated is Mourinho's post-match outburst in which the Portuguese coach suggested referees always showed favouritism to Barcelona, who won 2-0 in Madrid to take a huge step towards the final.

"Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work," Hitzfeld wrote in German football magazine Kicker.

"Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real, it's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club."

Hitzfeld, just one of only three coaches to have won the Champions League with two different clubs -- along with Mourinho and Ernst Happel, did not hide his disdain for the Portuguese coach.

"I've met him at UEFA meetings and his behaviour is faithful to his image: arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor.

"Barca should make him pay on the pitch," he said in reference to Tuesday's return leg of the semi-final.

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Mazzarri not yet celebrating Champions League

ROME (AFP)– Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri refused to get carried away by his team's victory over Genoa that moved them to within five points of a place in next season's Champions League group stages.

Having been embroiled in the title race until two weeks ago when they lost twice in a row, Napoli have now accepted that they won't be crowned Italian champions at the season's end.

But they are still playing for a first ever qualification for the Champions League since the European Cup changed format.

Third place will ensure they go straight into the group stages whereas fourth would require them to play a qualifying round first.

Marek Hamsik struck seven minutes from time to defeat Genoa 1-0 in Naples on Saturday to give Napoli an eight point lead over fourth placed Lazio.

But Mazzarri says he won't break out the champagne until third place is mathematically secured.

"It's a victory that means a lot because we came into it off the back of two straight defeats and that hadn't happened before," said Mazzarri.

"There was a time during the game when we weren't as serene as normal, we could feel those two defeats and I'm happy mostly because we've bounced back."

But Mazzarri wasn't going to put the cart before the horse.

"Nothing's happened, there's another nine points to play for and until our final position is mathematically certain you can't talk about anything," he added, although he did suggest that he would need to strengthen his team in the summer if they do make it into the Champions League.

"At this level there are players and teams with great stature, tradition and expertise.

"It's a very high level and we all saw how the Italian teams struggled this year.

"You need a lot to do the competition justice so that you don't get embarrassed."

Despite the recent speculation surrounding Mazzarri's future -- with Juventus among reported suitors -- the coach refused to commit himself to the club.

"I'll wait until the end of the season to talk with the club and at the end you'll know," he told reporters.

"Right now I'm not thinking about it, I'm concentrating on the next game against Lecce.

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Malouda pleads for new Chelsea deal

LONDON (AFP)– Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda has urged the club to offer him an extension to his contract amid speculation the French international could be sold in the summer, it was reported on Saturday.

Malouda's current deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2013 but the 30-year-old is keen to add another year to the contract, saying he wants to emulate the longevity of Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs.

"I just want to feel I am important at the club," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"Sometimes I don't feel so when I see in the media that the club are thinking of selling me, and I know I'm doing great.

"I want to be the Ryan Giggs of Chelsea! I want to extend my contract by one year until 2014. The club have been saying that because I am over 30, I have to wait until the last year of my contract to speak about an extension. Questions come into my mind. Do the club want me to stay?

"I am waiting for a signal from the club. I am much appreciated by the coach. But I need support from the club as well."

Chelsea have only a faint hope of overhauling United in the title race and face a trophyless season, one year after winning a Premier League and FA Cup double.

Despite the disappointing campaign, Malouda has dismissed suggestions that manager Carlo Ancelotti should be fired.

"It's unfair," Malouda said of the speculation surrounding Ancelotti.

"He's one of the greatest managers. He's good tactically. He's brought stability to the club, won the double at the first attempt.

"Because we are now out of three competitions and six points behind United, people outside are saying Chelsea should change everything. But all the big clubs have stability.

"Everybody seems to want to put pressure on Ancelotti but he's really cool. He knows the squad support him. That's the most important thing for him.

"I want Ancelotti to stay. Players come and go but the manager is the key. We can win the Champions League under him one day."

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France football manager Blanc denies'race quota'

BORDEAUX (AFP)– France manager Laurent Blanc has denied any knowledge of a controversial alleged proposal by the French Football Federation (FFF) to limit the number of black and arab players by introducing discriminatory quotas.

Reports that French football chiefs, including Blanc, had discussed and approved the introduction of a ceiling on non-whites emerged Thursday via Mediapart.

The influential website claimed:"For the top brass in French football, the issue is settled: there are too many blacks, too many Arabs and not enough white players in French football.

Speaking at a press conference here Friday Blanc categorically dismissed Mediapart's assertions, the 1998 French World Cup winning defender denying that such a policy existed.

Raymond Domenech's successor, speaking publicly for the first time since the report surfaced, said he had"never heard mention of such a project".

He added:"Since around 15 years the playing policy has been discriminatory for a certain number of players, athletic and physical criteria being essential.

"Today, small players are penalised, that's discrimination," he explained, in a reference to youngsters coming through football training centres.

"What upsets me most is to add'colour' to this. When one accuses me of this type of discimination, that annoys me.

"Diversity exists, on the street as in football," Blanc said.

On Thursday a report by Mediapart claimed:"Some top officials at the French football federation's National Development Programme (DTN), including national team coach Laurent Blanc, secretly approved at the start of 2011 the principle of unofficial discriminatory quotas in training centres and schools around the country."

Mediapart added that following a meeting in January, when those involved were told to keep the proposals secret, directives to apply the measures were sent to the numerous training centres around the country.

"According to internal sources at the FFF, who have been shocked by the proposals, instructions were sent to the different managers of training schools, notably the National French Institute at Clairefontaine," added the report.

"The figure of 30 percent was even evoked by the Technical Director during a DTN meeting on January 18, 2011."

The French Football Federation has also denied the Mediapart report.

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Bin Hammam denies'vote-buying'in FIFA race

LONDON (AFP)– FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam on Thursday denied trying to buy votes with financial aid in his campaign to unseat world football supremo Sepp Blatter.

Bin Hammam, in London to meet with senior members of the English FA ahead of the June 1 election, has vowed to double the current financial support paid annually to FIFA members to $500,000.

However the 61-year-old head of the Asian Football Confederation rejected suggestions that the generous increase in money for development projects were a form of vote-buying.

"People want to hear what the candidate is going to help them with," Bin Hammam said.

"The need for the funds is essential for national associations - they need to have development projects, national teams, youth teams, facilities and it all costs money," Bin Hammam said.

"This is not an improper act - people should know what I'm planning."

Bin Hammam's pledges to increase disbursements have been followed by similar pledges from FIFA president Blatter. The 75-year-old Swiss incumbent responded with a vow to set aside more than $1 billion over four years.

Bin Hammam meanwhile said he was"well placed" in his bid to dethrone Blatter, indicating he had received widespread support since declaring his candidacy.

"I have had a lot of support since declaring my manifesto and I think I am well placed," the Qatari said.

"I said when I announce my candidacy that my chances were 50-50 and although I would not change that figure I am feeling confident."

The FA has said it will decide on who to support in the FIFA election on May 19 but Bin Hammam said he would not seek to exploit ill-feeling towards FIFA caused by England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

"I will not try to misuse this - I am more interested in explaining myself and my manifesto," Bin Hammam said.

"I have a good relationship with the FA and the Premier League and I hope every member association will give me the opportunity to present my vision for the future."

Bin Hammam also said he hoped the final weeks of the election campaign would not be marred by personal attacks.

"I hope it will remain a fair-play one. I'm only interested in doing what I can to promote myself, to speak about my business, my manifesto."

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Clinical Stoke deepen Wolves'league drop fears

STOKE, United Kingdom (AFP)– FA Cup finalists Stoke's fine run of form has continued as they dealt a huge blow to Wolves' prospects of staying in the Premier League with a 3-0 win.

Goals by Trinidadian international Kenwyne Jones, Ryan Shawcross and the outstanding Jermaine Pennant easily saw off a woeful Wolves side, who are second from bottom a point adrift of safety with four matches remaining.

The hosts took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark as Jones headed home from a great cross by Pennant, who had beaten a couple of weak challenges down the right flank.

Jones, a record signing for Stoke last August for£8million, wasted a better chance eight minutes later as Shawcross found him with a brilliant long pass but unmolested he shot well wide with just goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to beat.

Stoke, though, suffered a potential hammerblow in terms of their FA Cup final hopes when winger Matthew Etherington - man of the match in their semi-final demolition of Bolton - had to go off after suffering what looked like a hamstring injury on the half hour mark.

Etherington's injury follows those suffered by striker Ricardo Fuller (ruptured Achilles) and defender Danny Higginbotham (knee), with both of them already ruled out of the FA Cup final clash with Manchester City.

"It (Etherington's injury) is a massive disappointment for us. We won't know the extent until tomorrow when he has a scan," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

"But we will do our damnedest to make sure (he is ready) as he has 17-18 days yet. The first week is very important as we will get it sorted out.

"Then he will have 10 days after that to get it as strong as he possibly can to play in the final.

"Having lost Ricardo and Danny it is a massive blow because we haven't got the resources of Manchester City. It would have been tough enough with our best players."

Stoke doubled their lead before half-time as Shawcross bundled the ball past Hennessey from a corner - cruel luck on the Welsh international goalkeeper as he had pulled off a superb double save in giving away the corner.

Wolves, though, could find no answers in the second-half either as they produced a listless performance worthy more of a side in mid-table security than fighting for its Premier League survival.

It was no surprise when Stoke added a third in the 51st minute as the outstanding Pennant scored striking the ball home from a Jon Walters cross.

Pennant was to exit later to a deserved standing ovation as the match petered out.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was bemused by the poor performance but swore that they would fight for every point in their remaining matches.

"That's as poor as we have played here. They were better than us. They stopped us playing.

"It is a difficult time when you are in the bottom three and playing against a good side who have just got to Wembley.

"Playing for Premier League survival should be enough to motivate us. We will play better in the remaining four games."

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Getafe president confirms sale to Dubai group

GETAFE, Spain (AFP)– Getafe president Angel Torres on Monday confirmed the sale to the Spanish top flight club to Royal Emirates Group, which is chaired by a member of Dubai's ruling Al-Maktoum family.

"The decision to sell the club is because, logically, the more years that you are in the first division, the greater the risk of getting into debt. It is difficult to compete in this league," he told a news conference.

"Each year that you are in the first division you get into more debt, we could not put more money, the banks were not lending to us, so we had to go out and look for investors," he added.

Getafe, founded in 1945, has only been in Spain's top flight since the 2004-05 season.

The club finished sixth last season but are languishing in 14th place in the 20-club league this term, four points above the relegation zone.

Torres said he managed to negotiate an increase in the club's annual budget to 65 million euros from the current 45 million euros with the new owners so as to be able to recruit new players.

He said the club's name and symbol would remain the same and the jobs of the 140 people who depend directly on the club would be maintained.

Royal Emirates Group announced Thursday it had signed a deal to buy the club for between 70 and 90 million euros.

It said the"purchase contract" was signed in Dubai by Torres and its managing director, Kaiser Rafiq.

But the finality of the deal was cast into doubt on Friday when Torres told reporters at Madrid airport on his return from Dubai that Getafe had"not yet been sold".

"First I have to inform the board of all the things that were done, then I will give a news conference."

Two other Spanish clubs have been bought by Gulf-based buyers over the past year.

Qatari billionaire Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani bought Malaga in May 2010 for 25 million euros.

And Bahrain-based Indian tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed bought debt-hit Racing Santander in January for a reported 30-40 million euros. Its players said Tuesday that they are still waiting for promised back-pay from last season.

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Mancini wants City to focus on top four fight

BLACKBURN, United Kingdom (AFP)– Roberto Mancini has ordered his Manchester City players to forget next month's FA Cup final and concentrate on securing a Champions League spot.

City moved to within 90 minutes of winning their first major silverware for 35 years after Yaya Toure's goal sank Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.

Mancini's men face Stoke in the showpiece final on May 14.

But before then City have four crucial Premier League games against Blackburn on Monday, then West Ham, Everton and Tottenham, which will go a long way to deciding whether they clinch a top-four finish.

Holding off Tottenham's challenge for the fourth and final Champions League place is as vital to Mancini as winning the FA Cup because the club's wealthy owners made that the number one target before the season.

And the Italian has made it perfectly clear that he expects his players to fully focus on the Premier League and not allow their minds to drift towards Wembley.

"I think if we win three or four of our remaining six games we have a good chance and don't have to depend on other teams," Mancini said."If we have the right focus and concentration we will do it.

"It is impossible to think about the FA Cup final now, because we have four very important games before then and it is important to think about them.

"What is important now is to focus on the next four games in the Premier League, and after that think of the final. The win over United is the past.

"Our next two games are against Blackburn and West Ham, two teams who are fighting against relegation and that makes these games very, very dangerous.

"If we think we can go to Blackburn and play at 50 per cent, we might as well stay at home.

"But if we keep the same concentration and focus and realise we can only win if we play at 200 per cent, that will be better."

City are without their main goal threat Carlos Tevez as he recovers from a hamstring problem, while defenders Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng are also nursing injuries.

Blackburn need the points as much as City after an alarming slump in form left them in a relegation fight.

They are without a win in nine league games, but Rovers manager Steve Kean is confident his side can finish the season with a flourish and win over the supporters who continue to question his surprise appointment.

"I do understand the concerns but we are talking about very fine margins," said Kean, who has managed just three league wins in 16 attempts since replacing Sam Allardyce in December.

"I understand the frustrations of the fans, we are frustrated ourselves because we feel as though we have been good enough in a number of those games to just edge it.

"For whatever reason we have drawn or lost. What I would like to say is we are sharing the frustration.

"We are frustrated as well because we would have liked to have beaten Blackpool and Birmingham.

"Hopefully the fans stick with us because we'd like to create an atmosphere in the next two games that's a little bit like we had against Liverpool. The place was bouncing that night, magnificent.

"But it's our job to make sure they see that from us as a team. We don't sit back and dictate, we go and get after a team, show we mean business."

Blackburn hope to welcome back Junior Hoilett after a hamstring strain, but midfielder Keith Andrews is still injured while striker Roque Santa Cruz, who is on loan from City, is ineligible.

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Wenger confident Nasri and Clichy will stay

LONDON (AFP)– Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal have started negotiations with French internationals Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy to extend their contracts with the Premier League club.

Nasri and Clichy are moving towards the final year of their current deals and Wenger is determined to keep both players at the Emirates Stadium even though they have been linked with moves to clubs in Italy and Spain.

Wenger wants to build his team around the likes of Nasri, Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere as he tries to improve a squad that once again looks set to finish without a trophy.

"We are talking to Nasri and his agent already and we have the same situation with Clichy. We have agreed to speak about it during the summer," Wenger said.

"The players have the opportunity here to do it in their own way, with their own philosophy, with their own togetherness.

"When you sign a contract for four or five years, you are committed through your contract to win trophies with the club where you sign.

"It is in no contract that if you do not win a trophy the first year, you can leave."

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Kashima routed as J-League football reopens

TOKYO (AFP)– Japan's disrupted J-League resumed on Saturday after it was forced to halt matches by last month's quake and tsunami, with disaster-hit Vegalta Sendai claiming a narrow victory over Kawasaki Frontale.

But fellow quake victims and seven-time champions Kashima Antlers suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Yokohama Marinos, with Shohei Ogura scoring as early as the third minute and the final blow an own goal by Japan international defender Daiki Iwamasa.

Sendai beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 in a tense match with defender Jiro Kamata hitting home the decider with just three minutes left on the clock.

"My team got the momentum with the support of the spectators," said Sendai coach Makoto Teguramori.

"I think the feelings of the whole country for our team in the northern coastal area, in the disaster area, got into that winning goal and gave us a win. We really got off to a good start. We want to keep the momentum."

Kashima have had to shift their home games to Tokyo's National Stadium because of damage to their own stadium caused by the 9.0-magnitude quake on March 11.

Their Brazilian coach Oswaldo Oliveira was suspended for one game after the the opener on March 6, and assistant coach Ryosuke Okuno worked in his place Saturday.

"I was very disappointed that we couldn't give a win to our supporters who had expected us to win today. Our players are a bit nervous recently and rush too much," said Okuno.

"We couldn't play our normal game. It's really disappointing. We must do our best day by day looking forward to our next game."

Kashiwa Reysol took top spot in the table with two straight wins after beating Omiya Ardija 1-0 thanks to a lone goal by Brazilian Reandro Domingues, who struck home a rebound off goalkeeper Takashi Kitano in the 55th minute.

In other games, Shimizu S-Pulse secured their first win of the season, beating Avispa Fukuoka 1-0 with forward Genki Omae scoring a direct free kick from 17 metres in the 80th minute.

Vissel Kobe failed to keep the lead set by Yoshito Okubo as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ventforet Kofu.

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West Ham's Parker wins football writers award

LONDON (AFP)– West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been voted Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers Association.

Parker topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham defender Gareth Bale, who was last week named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle player has been in fine form for the Hammers this year, earning a recall to the England squad despite having to cope with the death of his father.

He will receive his trophy at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 12.

Football Writers Association chairman Steve Bates said:"Scott Parker has been so consistent this season with his performances in a West Ham team battling for Premier League survival and as such has forced himself back into the England national set-up.

"He has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up at the end of the season.

"In what was one of the tightest votes of recent seasons, Scott is certainly a worthy winner and follows in the footsteps of a long line of superb footballers who have been given this prestigious honour."

He is the first West Ham player to win this honour since Bobby Moore in 1964.

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Aston Villa manager Houllier in hospital

LONDON (AFP)– Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is recovering in hospital after being taken ill on Wednesday night.

The 63-year-old Frenchman is said to be in a comfortable condition and was well enough to speak to the Premier League club's chief executive Paul Faulkner.

But he could be kept in hospital for a few days and assistant boss Gary McAllister is likely to be in charge for Saturday's home clash with Stoke.

McAllister was also expected to take charge of training on Thursday.

Villa made no immediate comment but were set to release a statement later Thursday on Houllier's condition.

Houllier had open heart surgery in October 2001 while he was managing Liverpool, after suffering severe chest pains during a match against Leeds.

When he took the position at Villa, Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job.

He said he had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed an 11-hour operation on the Frenchman, and was given a clean bill of health.

He has had a rocky ride this season with some Villa supporters calling for him to be sacked, but results have improved in recent weeks and Villa have climbed into the top half of the Premier League.

Current Liverpool boss Kenny Daglish revealed that his club's former doctor was at the hospital with Houllier.

"Of course our thoughts are with him," Dalglish said."We don't know too much about it and there is no point in us being speculative but your health is more important than anything, so we wish him well.

"Doc (Mark) Waller is there, who was the club doctor here when Gerard fell ill in 2001, so he's got a good guy beside him and I'm sure the people there will do everything they can to help."

Tony Pulis, manager of FA Cup finalists Stoke, also sent Houllier his best wishes ahead of Stoke's visit to Villa Park this weekend and admitted the pressure of leading a top Premier League club can get to anyone.

"Everyone in football will wish Gerard a swift recovery, we hope he is well. I don't know how bad it is but I am sure he will get well looked after," Pulis said.

"Pressure is part of the job, you get used to it. Irrespective of what medical care you get, nothing stops you from getting excited on the touchline or carrying the pressure on your shoulders if things aren't going too well.

"If it's just happened, Gerard will have the team prepared and Gary McAllister works closely with Gerard so there shouldn't be too much disruption for them."

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FIFA'needs evolution not revolution': Blatter

PARIS (AFP)– Sepp Blatter set out his manifesto for re-election as FIFA president on Wednesday by emphasising the need for"stability, continuity and reliability" in the role.

In a letter sent to all 208 FIFA member nations and seen by AFP, Blatter also promised to provide more than $1 billion in development projects over the next four years.

The 75-year-old Swiss, who is seeking a fourth term in office, is standing against 61-year-old Mohammed bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Confederation, in the June 1 election.

"FIFA is my life, football is my life. I have all the motivation, experience, ideas and energy needed to complete my mission," wrote Blatter.

"I have decided to stand for my fourth and final term as president because in these uncertain times FIFA needs stability to secure all that we have achieved so far and to make essential changes to our beautiful game."

Bin Hammam has vowed to make FIFA more transparent if elected, in the wake of criticism surrounding the process by which Russia and Qatar were respectively awarded the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Blatter, however, has pointed to his successes as FIFA chief, including an increase in FIFA revenue since he took office in 1998 and the investment of $1.6 billion in projects such as the Goal! campaign.

He also highlights the success of the 49 global football tournaments to have taken part during his tenure, as well as the first men's World Cup"on African soil" in South Africa last year.

"In these challenging times FIFA needs first of all stability, continuity and reliability," wrote Blatter.

"We do not need revolution within FIFA but the continuous evolution and improvement of our game and our organisation."

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Woman in Ferdinand stalker case detained

LONDON (AFP)– A woman found guilty of stalking Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand was detained on Tuesday after she fled a court hearing before her conviction, authorities.

Susanne Ibru, 38, was convicted by Macclesfield magistrates on Monday after a one-day trial where she was accused of harassing Ferdinand outside his home on three occasions between February and June last year.

Ibru, who conducted her own defence and cross-examined Ferdinand in the witness box, left the court before District Judge Nicholas Sanders gave his guilty verdict.

Sanders later issued a warrant for Ibru to be brought back to court for sentencing, saying it was"quite clear" that she was guilty.

"Mr Ferdinand is a high-profile footballer and whilst there will always be occasions where he is exposed to public and press scrutiny, the fact is that when he is in the privacy of his own home with his family he has a right to expect to be left alone," Sanders said.

Ibru was detained in Warrington, Cheshire early Tuesday police said.

The court heard that Ibru, from Peckham, south London had made a 400-mile round trip to Ferdinand's home in Cheshire on three occasions last year.

Ferdinand told the court he was upset by the visits from the woman, whom he had never met.

"At first I was angry and upset but then disturbed, really, because I have got a young family and this was not the time or the place to be coming to speak to me," the player said.

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Alves urges Guardiola to stay at Barcelona

MADRID (AFP)– Barcelona defender Dani Alves said on Monday he hopes Pep Guardiola will stay on as coach of the Spanish champions after his contract with the club expires at the end of next season.

Guardiola, 40, hinted he may leave the club in an interview with Italian television channel Rai this month, saying:"I think my time is ending here in Barcelona."

"Next year will be my fourth consecutive as Barca coach. A club like this must have a lot of courage to keep a coach for all this time because players tire of coaches and vice versa," he added.

But in an interview published on Monday in daily newspaper El Mundo, Alves said he and the rest of the squad want him to stay on.

"We follow him with our eyes shut. He is very intelligent, he always knows what he is doing. To not follow Guardiola would be foolish. Since we are not foolish we will follow him until he gets tired of us," he said.

"Everyone has their cycle and one day his will come to an end. We hope his cycle will last for a very long time because we can't imagine Barca without Guardiola," the 27-year-old Brazilian international added.

Guardiola, who spent most of his playing career at Barcelona, coached Barcelona's B team before taking control of the first-team squad in June 2008 from Dutchman Frank Rijkaard.

The former Spanish international midfielder has won eight trophies, including successive La Liga titles and the 2009 Champions League, since taking over Barcelona's senior team.

Barcelona held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, leaving them eight points ahead and well placed to clinch their second straight league title.

The two sides will meet again on Wednesday in the King's Cup final at Valencia's Mestalla stadium, with Real coach Jose Mourinho aiming to win his first trophy with the club.

Barcelona and Real will also face off twice in the Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg at the Bernabeu on April 27 and the return leg on May 3 at Camp Nou.

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Ferdinand blasts Balotelli after Wembley taunt

LONDON (AFP)– Rio Ferdinand has blasted Mario Balotelli for taunting Manchester United fans after Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley.

Balotelli infuriated Ferdinand and his team-mates after the final whistle on Saturday as he waved the badge on his shirt in the direction of United supporters in celebration of City's progress to the final.

The City striker also winked sarcastically at Ferdinand as the players left the field and the pair had to be separated by their team-mates.

Ferdinand, writing on micro-blogging website Twitter, said:"If you score a goal and give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that but at the final whistle (you should) go to your own fans and enjoy it, not opposing fans.

"If I offended anyone, I apologise, emotions obviously running high."

The defeat ended United's bid for the treble but Ferdinand wants his team-mates to bounce back by winning the Premier League and Champions League.

"Disappointed we didn't get the win we were looking for," he said."Now let's go and win some silverware."

Ferdinand did have something to celebrate after his wife gave birth to his first daughter just hours before kick-off.

The England defender left United's hotel on Friday to make the 200-mile journey back home to Cheshire.

He was just in time to be at wife Rebecca's side for the birth before racing back to London for the match.

"We had a baby girl named Tia Ferdinand!" he said."Want to thank the ambulance service and all the Wythenshawe Hospital staff for helping my baby arrive safely."

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'Gladbach coach targets three wins from four

BERLIN (AFP)– Bundesliga bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach can still avoid relegation by winning three of their last four league games, insists coach Lucien Favre.

The five-time German champions -- whose last league title was in 1977 -- edged closer to the drop on Friday night with a 1-0 defeat at Mainz thanks to a late goal from Andre Schuerrle after'Gladbach striker Mike Hanke was sent off in the second-half.

"We can still avoid the descent into the second division, we must win three of our last four games," said Swiss Favre, who took charge in mid-February with his side bottom of the table -- where they have been since November 20.

They are four points from safety with seven points separating the league's bottom five teams.

But'Gladbach -- European Cup finalists in 1977 and two-time UEFA Cup winners -- have their work cut out in their bid to avoid the drop: on consecutive weekends they face league leaders Borussia Dortmund next Saturday, Hanover, Freiburg and Hamburg, all of whom are in the top eight.

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Ferguson gives a boost to City's Mancini

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)– Sir Alex Ferguson believes it's now only matter of time before mega-rich Manchester City realise their potential and are challenging on a regular basis for silverware.

The Manchester United manager has seen his side dominate for over two decades during his trophy-laden spell in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Since their Abu-Dhabi-based takeover three years ago, neighbours City have signalled their intent recruiting the likes of Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko with the promise of further big-name arrivals to follow.

Ferguson believes that the blue half of Manchester will soon be challenging amid their revolution that sees them bidding to end a 35-year-wait for a trophy.

"It's obvious with the money they've invested they have got big plans," said Ferguson.

"There's no question about that. There's nothing wrong with that. You try and do the best with what you've got.

"They have a strong squad and their position at the moment is fair. This is where they wanted to be, in the Champions League next season and they have a good chance of that.

"It's between five of them, with Tottenham probably in the same position. It's between those two.

"You would expect Chelsea, Arsenal and ourselves to be in there. So no doubt there's been a definite improvement there."

Opposite number Roberto Mancini is under pressure to deliver for Manchester City as they look to break their barren run and fill their trophy cabinet.

Ferguson can empathise with the Italian, having only kick-started 20 years of dominance at Manchester United with their FA Cup Final win over Crystal Palace in 1990.

Ferguson explained:"It was a big moment for us, but we were confident. It was a fantastic final, one of the better ones, 3-3 in a cup final and we won the replay.

"But winning the first trophy at any level is important. I've experienced that of winning the first trophy in Aberdeen, St Mirren and here."

Manchester United remain in contention for the treble with the veteran Scot warning his side are peaking at the right time as they look to edge themselves over the finishing line.

"We have got momentum at the moment. We are winning games at this point of the season, the consistency of the team is good.

"We are playing well and as I've said we have a great determination of our players that has given us a good chance.

"We are fighting for very corner which is a great attitude to have at this time of the season."

Meanwhile, Owen Hargreaves could have played his last game for Manchester United after Ferguson revealed the midfielder is unlikely to return before the end of the season.

The injury-hit Hargreaves has endured chronic injury problems since his arrival from Bayern Munich in 2007.

A key member of the Premier League and Champions League-winning squads during his debut season, he had to battle through a tendinitis problem in both knees, which eventually required surgery.

Hargreaves, 30, lasted just five minutes of a surprise start against Wolves at Old Trafford this season before pulling his hamstring.

Now the England midfielder has sustained a shoulder injury which Ferguson does not believe he will recover from. Hargreaves' contract expires in the summer and there must now be major question marks over him ever playing for club again.

Ferguson added:"It's a shoulder injury. It has just brought his season to an end.

"He has just carried bad luck all the time he has been here. I am pretty sure he won't be playing this season.

"His contract is up at the end of the season but I don't know what is going to happen."

"(United chief executive) David Gill had a discussion with the boy last week. But no more than that. We have to make a decision."

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Domenech case adjourned until 2012

PARIS (AFP)– Lawyers for ex-France coach Raymond Domenech and the French Football Federation (FFF) exchanged strong words on Thursday after the case between the two parties was postponed until January 13, 2012.

Domenech, sacked for misconduct after France's dismal display at last year's World Cup in South Africa, is seeking 2.9 million euros in compensation.

His former employers at the FFF, meanwhile, are seeking to reclaim World Cup bonuses that Domenech refuses to yield.

Thursday's conciliation hearing reached no conclusions and the case will now be heard at an employment tribunal early next year.

Lawyers for the two parties expressed their disappointment after the meeting.

"On the misconduct charge, the conciliation hearing did not allow us to learn much," FFF lawyer Elisabeth Angles d'Auriac told AFP.

"But in the case of the bonuses, which has nothing to do with the misconduct charge, the demands made for sums to be paid are confirmation of the provocative behaviour of Raymond Domenech."

Domenech's camp was quick to respond, with his lawyer, Jean-Yves Connesson, accusing the FFF of erring in their bid to recover bonuses and image rights payments related to the 2010 World Cup.

"The only argument raised by the FFF is an interview with (France World Cup captain) Patrice Evra announcing that the squad would give up their bonuses on June 22, after the last France match (at the World Cup)," said Connesson.

"We've not quite arrived at a legal aberration in this case, but that takes the biscuit!

"The federation is creating the principle of renunication by proxy. It's like me speaking on behalf of an employee and declaring that he's giving up his bonuses. It's not on."

Domenech, dressed in a black suit and a white shirt, was present at the 45-minute hearing in Paris but he left without speaking to reporters.

The 59-year-old led France to a runners-up finish at the 2006 World Cup in Germany but the rest of his tenure, which began in 2004, became synonymous with failure.

After a group-stage exit at the 2008 European Championship, France were eliminated at the same stage of last year's World Cup with only a single point and a single goal to their credit.

Their showing in South Africa was overshadowed by a training ground strike by the players, who were protesting after Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka was excluded from the squad for clashing with Domenech.

The FFF were particularly aggrieved that Domenech read out the players' statement to the media explaining why they had elected to go on strike.

He was also criticised for refusing to shake hands with South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France's final group game.

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Real Madrid announce China pre-season tour

MADRID (AFP)– Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that they will play two pre-season friendly matches in China next August.

In a statement on their website, Real revealed they will play Guangzhou Evergrande in Guangzhou on August 3 before tackling Tianjin Teda in Tianjin three days later.

It will be the nine-time European champions' first tour to Asia since 2005, when they also visited China.

"This is more than just a typical pre-season tour for us," said Emilio Butragueno, the former Real forward who is now their director of institutional relations.

"We have more than 100 million fans in China and it is a great opportunity for us to get out here to meet with the fans and thank them for their support."

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Man U, Barca poised to reach Champions League semis

PARIS (AFP)– Both are heading for domestic glory - but it is dreams of continental crowns which are intruding on the minds of Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola as they bid to steer their teams into the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.

Both Manchester United and Barcelona have one foot in the last four after contrasting first legs - yet both coaches are warning their teams they must take nothing for granted after drawing first blood.

Barca, eight points clear in La Liga, thrashed Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 at the Nou Camp so their passage appears assured - but Guardiola has counselled that injuries and complacency mean they must tread carefully in the return.

Sir Alex meanwhile is only too aware that a 1-0 advantage over Chelsea - even if garnered away from home - does not mean he and his troops can start plotting a potential rematch of a 2009 final lost to the Catalan club.

United, sitting on a seven-point lead over Arsenal in the Premier League - though the Gunners have a game in hand - appear set for domestic glory. A 19th title, and 12th for their long-serving manager, would be an English record, taking the Red Devils ahead of Liverpool.

But while United are heading for a hat-trick of Premier League crowns, Ferguson also wants his own Champions League treble after 1999 and 2008 - the second coming at Chelsea's expense.

After Wayne Rooney secured a first win at Stamford Bridge in almost a decade United are cast in the role of favourites - but their manager says they must concentrate on ramming home their advantage.

Ferguson rang the changes for Saturday's win over Fulham but complained afterwards that"we were a bit casual and lackadaisical."

He conceded that"at this stage of the season winning is the name of the game" - a philosophy which applies equally to the Chelsea return, even if a draw would suffice.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti must hope his misfiring£50 million striker Fernando Torres can break his duck at Old Trafford after 648 goalless minutes since arriving from Liverpool.

Ancelotti benched Torres for Saturday's win over Wigan but has the luxury of having experienced alternatives in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Chelsea captain John Terry, whose missed penalty in Moscow cost the Londoners a first European crown in Moscow three seasons ago, insists one goal will open the floodgates for the Spaniard.

"It's just a case of getting that first goal, getting that off your shoulders, and then you can move on," he said.

Ancelotti was being coy ahead of the game regarding his choice of strike force for a game which could now make or break the Blues' season.

"Maybe he will score the most important goal of our season at Old Trafford, who knows. But I do not know who is in the side yet," Ancelotti remarked.

Chelsea did triumph in the league at Old Trafford last season 2-1 and a repeat would send them through - but the impetus appears to be with their rivals, particularly given that only twice in Champions League history has a team prevailed in a knockout tie after losing a first leg match at home.

Awaiting the winners will likely be German surprise package Schalke 04, who thumped holders Inter Milan 5-2 at San Siro in their first leg.

Inter's looming demise with the architect of their win, Jose Mourinho, having moved on to plot Real Madrid's re-ascent to the European summit, will be a boon to Barcelona, meanwhile, as they seek to send Shakhtar packing - before moving on to a probable match-up against Real.

The Italians knocked the Catalan club out in last year's semis, preventing Guardiola's"blaugrana" from potentially becoming the first side to reclaim the trophy since the Champions League format was introduced 19 seasons ago.

AC Milan were the last club to win the European Cup back to back in 1990.

Barca call up Thiago Alcantara, Andreu Fontas and Jonathan dos Santos with Eric Abidal, Carles Puyol and Bojan Krkic all injured, while midfield star Andres Iniesta is suspended.

Striker Pedro insisted Sunday that"we will not change the way we play" despite the first-leg lead.

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I.Coast's Eboue gets off the mark for Arsenal

PARIS (AFP)– African players' review following weekend matches in Europe:

ENGLAND

EMMANUEL EBOUE (Arsenal)

The Ivory Coast defender scored his first goal this season to help Arsenal beat Blackpool 3-1 at Bloomfield Road on Sunday. Eboue ran onto Andrei Arshavin's pass and smashed in a powerful strike that gave Richard Kingson no chance. It was his first Premier League goal since he scored against Blackburn in March 2009.

DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea)

The Ivory Coast striker has now scored just once in his last 13 apperances after being held without a goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over Wigan at Stamford Bridge. Drogba started ahead of Fernando Torres but struggled to make an impact in the 90 minutes, leaving Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti with a tough call as he decided whether to play both forwards against Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

JOHN OBI MIKEL (Chelsea)

The Nigeria midfielder was substituted at half-time after a lacklustre display in his side's 1-0 win over Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. With Chelsea struggling to breakdown the league's bottom club, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti sent on Yossi Benayoun in place of Mikel and Chelsea eventually found a winner through Florent Malouda.

PETER ODEMWINGIE (West Brom)

The Nigeria striker scored his 11th goal of the season as Albion secured a crucial 3-2 victory at Sunderland on Saturday. With Albion trailing 1-0, Odemwingie struck in the 29th minute with a cool finish from Jonas Olsson's cross and then provided assists for Youssuf Mulumbu and Peter Scharner's goals in a win that lifts Roy Hodgson's team clear of the relegation zone.

YOUSSUF MULUMBU (West Brom)

The Congo midfielder bagged his side's second goal in their 3-2 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Mulumbu scored in the 54th minute from Peter Odemwingie's pass to equalise for the visitors, who eventually took the points thanks to Paul Scharner's winner.

ASAMOAH GYAN (Sunderland)

The Ghana striker's barren run without a goal for Sunderland stretched to five matches after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion. Gyan scored in Ghana's recent 1-1 draw against England at Wembley, but his last club goal came back in February in a loss to Tottenham.

FRANCE

GERVINHO (Lille)

Lille were badly hit by the sending off of Ivorian striker Gervinho after 37 minutes for a foul on Monaco's Adriano, as the ten-man French league leaders fell 1-0 at the Riveria side to just their fourth defeat of the season.

BENJAMIN MOUKANDJO (Monaco)

Benjamin Moukandjo played a key role in Monaco's 1-0 success over Lille. An early effort from the 22-year-old Cameroonian striker was deflected out but he helped set up South Korea's Park Chu Young to score after 12 minutes in a crucial victory which ensured his team move out of the relegation zone.

DENNIS OLIECH, KAMEL CHAFNI (Auxerre)

Kenyan striker Dennis Oliech netted the equaliser to put relegation candidates Auxerre 1-1 with visiting Saint Etienne after a pass from Moroccan midfielder Kamel Chafni from the right wing after 42 minutes. The game finished 2-2 as Auxerre remain third from bottom.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint Etienne)

Gabon international striker Aubameyang scored his first goal for European hopefuls Saint-Etienne and their second of the night in a 2-2 draw at Auxerre following a pass from Emmanuel Riviere.

SPAIN

SEYDOU KEITA (Barcelona)

After Almeria took the lead in the second half, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was forced to bring on some more familiar faces, like Keita, and the team began to create a greater threat eventually winning 3-1. In the mid-week Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk he produced a solid performance and scored the fourth goal in the 5-1 win.

CARLOS KAMENI (Espanyol)

Espanyol'keeper Carlos Kameni had little to do in a scoreless draw against Hercules but he was solid when he needed to be and the only worrying moment for Espanyol was when he blocked a Javier Portillo shot and knocked it back into play and was lucky to pick up the rebound.

ITALY

KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (AC Milan)

A now permanent fixture in the Milan first team, the Ghana midfielder produced a critical contribution to the league leaders' 2-1 win at Fiorentina. Boateng escaped down the right onto a Zlatan Ibarhimovic through-ball to send an inch perfect cross for Pato, who slotted the winning goal. Boateng was substituted late on with Milan leading 2-0.

SAMUEL ETO'O (Inter Milan)

The Cameroon captain had a quiet game in the 2-0 win over Chievo and was even sacrificed before the end of the game. He had had few chances and no notable shots on goal at that stage but it still seemed likely that coach Leonardo had replaced him to give him a breather with a view to resting him ahead of Wednesday's Champions League second leg clash away to Schalke 04.

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Udinese)

The Ghana midfielder was involved in the most controversial moment of his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Roma that hit their Champions League qualification hopes. Asamoah jumped up to challenge for a ball that gently brushed his arm before going in. It was disallowed for a handball, however television replays clearly showed that Asamoah's handball was due to being fouled by Simone Perrotta. Not only did Udinese have a potential winner chalked off and they were denied a penalty, but Roma went straight up the other end and scored the winner with the last kick of the match.

GERMANY

DIDIER YA KONAN (Hanover 96)

Ivory Coast striker Didier Ya Konan netted his 13th league goal of the season after converting a penalty at the end of the first-half in Hanover's 2-0 win at home to ten-man Mainz which put his side third in the German league.

PAPISS DEMBA CISSE (Freiburg)

Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse netted a second-half penalty to claim his 20th goal in his 27th league match of the season on Saturday to become the Bundesliga's top-scorer. The 25-year-old has scored in each of his last three games and his side went on to enjoy a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim which leaves them eighth in the table.

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