Soccer Capsules: Houston leaders OK economic zone for soccer team
HOUSTON (AP) — Groundbreaking is planned Saturday for a $60 million stadium for the Houston Dynamo after city leaders approved an economic development tax zone deal.
The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance for development, construction, operation and maintenance of the sports and entertainment facility.
The Harris County Houston Sports Authority in December approved an agreement to build the proposed soccer stadium. The venue is scheduled to open in April 2012.
The stadium would also be the site for Texas Southern University football games.
The Dynamo currently play at Robertson Stadium at the University of Houston.
Roma ready to sell to US businessman Di Benedetto
ROME (AP) — Roma says it's ready to negotiate a sale to American businessman Thomas Di Benedetto, a part owner of the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool.
Members of Roma's management have been in the United States for over a week to try to find buyers, and chose Di Benedetto's company Di Benedetto AS Roma LLC ahead of four other offers. A club announcement on Thursday said the American company "present themselves as the most competitive offer."
The two parties hope to conclude the deal within two weeks.
Di Benedetto was a partner in the Fenway Sports Group, formerly New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Red Sox, Fenway Park, Liverpool, New England Sports Network and Roush-Fenway Racing.
Report: Anelka could join Henry in MLS
PARIS (AP) — The New York Red Bulls are trying to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, according to L'Equipe newspaper on Thursday. L'Equipe said the Major League Soccer club wants Anelka to reunite with fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry, who will begin his second season with the Red Bulls in March.
"We will not comment on players currently under contract with other clubs," Red Bulls spokesman Brian Tsao said.
Anelka's brother Claude told L'Equipe the former France international has expressed an interest in moving to the United States. Anelka, 31, was under contract with Chelsea until 2012 but was facing competition from Fernando Torres, who was sold by Liverpool to Chelsea during January's transfer window.
Uruguayan F Puerari signs with Fire
CHICAGO (AP) — Uruguayan forward Gaston Puerari has been signed by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire from the Montevideo Wanderers.
The 25-year-old had eight goals in 35 league games for Montevideo the past two seasons. He was with Uruguay's Rampla Juniors in 2007 and during the 2008-09 season, interrupted by a stretch with Ecuador's Emelec in 2008. His signing was announced Thursday.
League News
Torres to make Chelsea debut against Liverpool
LONDON (AP) — Fernando Torres should make his debut for Chelsea against former club Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, just six days after leaving the Reds in a British-record transfer deal.
The Spain striker angered Liverpool fans after sealing his reported 50 million pounds ($81 million) switch to the defending English champions by saying he jumped at the chance to move to a "top-level club" after 3½ years at Anfield.
Torres said it is "destiny" that his debut for the Blues will come against Liverpool, although it remains to be seen whether Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti starts him at Stamford Bridge following his team's attacking masterclass in the 4-2 win at Sunderland on Tuesday.
"We have to test him (but) if he has no problem, he can play on Sunday against Liverpool," Ancelotti said. "I think he has no problem because he played the last game with Liverpool and played well."
Torres scored three goals in his final four matches for Liverpool, taking his season's tally to nine at club level.
Liverpool hasn't conceded in its last three matches, which have all been wins to lift the club into seventh place — lofty heights compared to earlier in the season when it languished in the relegation zone.
"If I have the chance to play (against Liverpool), I will do my best for Chelsea and hopefully I can score," Torres said.
"It is not perfect for me but we will see what happens."
Chelsea also is in good form, scoring 10 goals in consecutive victories over Blackburn, Bolton and Sunderland to retain some hope of catching leader Manchester United, which is 10 points ahead of the Blues. Chelsea is two points adrift of third-place Manchester City, which has played a game more.
Liverpool could hand a start to Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who came off the bench for his debut to score the second goal in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Stoke.
United takes its unbeaten run to Wolverhampton, which slipped to the bottom of the standings by losing 1-0 at Bolton on Wednesday.
Wayne Rooney got back among the goals with a first-half double in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday and the England striker hopes there are more to come.
"I am delighted to have scored and hopefully I can go on a run now and help the team to win games," said Rooney, who has scored four league goals this season.
"We know it's up to us where the title goes and I hope we can win it."
Arsenal, which is five points behind United in second place, travels to Newcastle and City hosts West Bromwich Albion.
Fifth-place Tottenham is at home to Bolton and will look to back up its 1-0 win at Blackburn on Wednesday that kept the team in touch with the top four.
In other games on Saturday, Stoke hosts sixth-place Sunderland, in-form Fulham travels to Villa, Everton is at home to Blackpool and second-bottom Wigan hosts Blackburn.
Sunday's other match sees Birmingham visit West Ham in a match-up between two sides battling to avoid relegation.
West Ham climbed off the foot of the table and is now 18th after a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Wednesday.
-- Steve Douglas
Barcelona goes for record 16th straight league win
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona will look to make history Saturday against Atletico Madrid when the league leader goes for a Spanish record 16th straight league win.
Barcelona tied the record of 15 straight wins set by Real Madrid 50 years ago against Hercules, a victory which also allowed it to stretch its lead over Madrid to seven points in the standings.
Madrid knows it can ill afford to drop points over the second half of the season to keep the pressure on the two-time defending champions. Jose Mourinho's side looks to rebound from last weekend's defeat at Osasuna against Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where it is 17-0 this season.
But much of Spain has already written off Madrid's title hopes with such a gap to recover, and now Barcelona can add further credence to the notion that its current team could be the best in Spanish history.
"To share 15 straight victories with Di Stefano's Real Madrid is something that makes us very proud," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "That it hasn't been done in 50 years shows just how hard it is to achieve."
While Argentine great Alfredo Di Stefano led a 1960-61 Madrid team that included Ferenc Puskas, Paco Gente and Jose Emilio Santamaria, another Argentine in Lionel Messi is leading Barcelona's charge.
"He's a phenomenon, a great player, extraordinary," Di Stefano said of Messi. "He's scored goals that look like art and with genius."
Messi has scored 37 goals in all competitions to lead a team that includes Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
With Messi at the helm, Barcelona is on course to break all kinds of league records this season such as season points total, victories in a season, goals scored and fewest conceded.
Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa should return Saturday after being rested Wednesday as Barcelona sealed a place in the Copa del Rey final with a win at Almeria. Barcelona looks to stretch its record total of domestic cups to 26 against Madrid, which hasn't won the competition since 1993.
"There's still two and a half months until then and if we start focusing on that we'll lose our way in the other competitions," Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano said Thursday.
The Catalans have won four straight times against Atletico at the Camp Nou, where the Spanish capital club last triumphed five years ago.
Madrid reached its record 37th Copa final Wednesday with a win over Sevilla and Mourinho said restoring pride in that competition may have affected league ambitions.
"We've got to forget about the Copa, which has done us a lot of harm," the Portuguese coach said. "It cost us a lot to get to this final."
While Madrid is perfect at the Bernabeu, its recent performances have suggested the team may be tired from nine games played since Jan. 10. But Emmanuel Adebayor's first goal for the Spanish giant Wednesday showed Mourinho can look to the bench for added scoring power with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Angel Di Maria looking off form of late.
Kaka has failed to impress since returning from injury, Argentina forward Di Maria looks fatigued and Ronaldo uncharacteristically hasn't scored for four games.
Madrid may also be without midfielder Sami Khedira, who left the Sevilla match with an apparent left leg injury.
Third-place Villarreal looks to maintain its best-ever season against Levante on Sunday as the "Yellow Submarine" sits only six points behind Madrid and four points ahead of fourth-place Valencia.
"We're winning and we need keep doing so," said Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi, who leads the team with 20 goals overall. "There's still a lot of league left and because of that nothing's been achieved. So to think we've already clinched our place in the Champions League is a mistake."
Brazil striker Nilmar could return after recovering from knee surgery that sidelined him in 2011.
In the rest of the 22nd round of games, it's: Athletic Bilbao vs. Sporting Gijon; Zaragoza vs. Racing Santander; Osasuna vs. Mallorca; Almeria vs. Espanyol; Getafe vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Sevilla vs. Malaga; and Valencia vs. Hercules.
-- Paul Logothetis
Schalke out to salvage season at Borussia Dortmund
BERLIN (AP) — Schalke coach Felix Magath has more than most at stake in the 137th Ruhr Derby on Friday when his side visits Borussia Dortmund to get a weekend of derbies under way in the Bundesliga.
Trust in the 57-year-old coach's ability to save Schalke's disappointing season is fast eroding following last week's loss to Hoffenheim and a number of questionable transfer deals in the winter period, and it appears patience has run out with his side languishing in 11th place.
Fans have issued an open letter accusing Magath of creating "a climate of fear" at the club and calling for an "end to the madness."
"We share these concerns and fears," the board of the Schalke Fan Club Association said.
Schalke has 25 points and Dortmund leads the table with twice as many, but Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp is still wary.
"You can be successful from a desire for victory or from fear of defeat. Schalke has a lot of advantages," Klopp said. "It's easier to surprise when expectations are low than vice versa."
Shinji Kagawa scored twice when Dortmund won 3-1 in Schalke earlier this season, but the Japan midfielder is injured for the rest of the season.
"We'll miss Shinji, no question," Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller told Kicker. "But we cannot change the situation. We have to take it as it is."
Dortmund will look to rising star Mario Goetze to provide the midfield inspiration in his place. Despite limited playing time so far, the 18-year-old German has scored four goals and provided seven assists.
"I feel good in this position," Goetze said. "I know it from my youth. I like playing here as much as I do on the wings."
In Saturday's derby, fifth-place Hannover hosts a Wolfsburg side bolstered by the acquisition of six new players in the winter break, including exciting 19-year-old Yohandry Orozco from Venezuela.
Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren can also count on Turkey international Tuncay Sanli in midfield, and former Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has arrived to replace the departed Edin Dzeko.
"Edin was without doubt a good player," the 26-year-old Helmes said. "But every player has qualities. Wolfsburg has always had good strikers and that will stay the same."
Wolfsburg is 12th, four points from safety.
In Saturday's late game, 2007 Bundesliga champion Stuttgart travels to Borussia Moenchengladbach for a relegation battle between the two bottom sides.
Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia is hopeful that Germany striker Cacau will make a return from injury.
He has also bolstered his attack with the acquisition of Japan striker Shinji Okazaki from J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse, expected to make his debut against Nuremberg on Feb. 12.
Also on Saturday, relegation struggler Cologne hosts a third-place Bayern Munich side missing Franck Ribery, Nuremberg hosts second-place Bayer Leverkusen, fourth-place Mainz hosts Werder Bremen, and Hoffenheim hosts Kaiserslautern.
There's another local derby on Sunday, when Hamburger SV hosts St. Pauli, with public viewing set up around the city so fans without a ticket can see the sold-out game.
"It is one of the most beautiful games of all," Hamburg coach Armin Veh said. "A derby at home in front of your own fans. If that does not stir your heart, then you have none."
Also Sunday, it's Freiburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt.
-- Ciaran Fahey
PSG striker Guillaume Hoarau in form again
PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau, whose confidence hit rock-bottom earlier this season after spending 11 games without scoring, is starting to silence his critics.
Hoarau's capacities to deliver at the highest level were questioned when he broke into tears after being substituted earlier this season during a game at Montpellier.
Sitting on the bench, the 26-year-old forward started to cry, with pundits questioning whether he would be mentally strong enough to bounce back.
The France forward answered with a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Martigues in the French Cup on Wednesday, hitting form again at the right time before next week's friendly against Brazil.
Hoarau is also expected to start PSG's league match at fourth-place Rennes on Saturday. PSG is in second place in the standings, four points behind leader Lille.
"The important thing was to get through. We went about things in the right manner," Hoarau said after his hat trick. "For a striker, there is nothing better than scoring a goal, although I benefited from the hard work put in by my teammates."
This season, Hoarau has often been overshadowed by Brazilian midfielder Nene, who already has 13 goals and has inspired PSG's rise to second place in the standings.
Hoarau has scored only six goals in 20 league matches but France coach Laurent Blanc has maintained his confidence in the tall forward, including him on Thursday in his squad for the Brazil match.
"This match against Brazil is like the icing on the cake," Hoarau said. "The France team needs players able to perform and I rang the bell (with my hat trick). Until now I've been left unsatisfied with France, I didn't manage to fully become part of the team."
PSG coach Antoine Kombouare, whose support to Hoarau never wavered, was pleased by the striker's best performance this season.
"He had a great match," Kombouare said. "It's very important both for him and the team. I'm really happy to see him playing good matches at the highest level again."
Against Rennes, Kombouare is likely to be without midfielder Claude Makelele, who injured his left ankle last week. Striker Peguy Luyindula is also doubtful after picking up a pelvis injury at Martigues.
Fourth-place Rennes is lagging three points behind PSG in the standings and will try to bounce back after back-to-back defeats. The club was handed an humiliating 5-1 loss by Sochaux last weekend before losing 4-3 to second-division side Reims in the French Cup.
"Rennes will be a wounded animal after conceding nine goals in two games," Kombouare said.
Unbeaten in 11 league matches, Lille plays at Auxerre on Sunday while defending champion Marseille hosts last-place Avignon.
Also Saturday, it's: Brest vs. Nancy; Caen vs. Lorient; Lens vs. Valenciennes; Montpellier vs. Saint-Etienne; and Nice vs. Sochaux.
Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has asked his players to show they are capable of defending their title this season following a disappointing scoreless draw against Monaco.
"I know it's the best attack against the worst defense, but at least the players will be awake after what happened in Monaco, where they maybe thought we had already won the game," Deschamps said. "I want them to take the three points."
-- Samuel Petrequin
Milan coach Allegri spoiled for choice in attack
ROME (AP) — AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is finding out the hard way that four into three doesn't go.
Since signing Italy striker Antonio Cassano in the transfer window, Allegri has had to juggle his attacking options by deploying two from Cassano, Alexandre Pato and Robinho alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Pato is the player most at risk of losing his starting place for Milan's trip to Genoa on Sunday, after a run of injuries and poor performances.
In Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Lazio the Brazilian made way for Cassano just after the hour and earlier in the season he complained about his relationship with Ibrahimovic.
"There is no problem with Pato," Allegri said. "I took him off because the defense was closing him down quickly and Cassano works better in tight spaces."
Milan is unbeaten in its six league games since the start of 2011 with three wins and three draws and is five points clear at the top of Serie A in pursuit of its 18th Italian championship.
The addition of Cassano, Mark Van Bommel, Urby Emanuelson and Nicola Legrottaglie during the transfer window has added greater depth to the squad, while a number of players are likely to return from injury and suspension in the next few weeks.
"The next match will be tricky, however we will have two or three players back and this is very important for us," Allegri said. "I hope that (Kevin-Prince) Boateng, (Gennaro) Gattuso, (Clarence) Seedorf, Van Bommel and (Andrea) Pirlo will be back."
Second-place Napoli missed a chance to close the gap on Milan in midweek by slumping to a 2-0 loss to Chievo Verona.
New signing Giuseppe Mascara is likely to be included in the squad for the home fixture with Cesena and is confident that he can help Walter Mazzarri's side recover immediately.
"I saw the match but I'm sure it is just a hiccup," Mascara said. "It is difficult playing every three days but we have to be confident in ourselves.
"We are fighting for something very important, but I have found a very unified group of players."
Defending champion Inter Milan hosts last year's runner-up AS Roma, which is without suspended France center back Philippe Mexes.
Inter coach Leonardo meanwhile has a similar problem to his AC Milan counterpart. Giampaolo Pazzini scored twice on his Inter debut last weekend and Samuel Eto'o took his league tally to 13 in the 3-2 victory over Palermo.
The Brazilian can also turn to last year's leading scorer Diego Milito and Goran Pandev up front as he tries to close the gap on Inter's city rival.
"Of course we look at the table, but we aren't obsessed with it," Leonardo said. "We have still got a lot of matches until it is over and we know how hard it is to win just one game.
"We are just thinking about getting into a place where we can challenge and then we will see."
Fiorentina is boosted by Adrian Mutu's return to the squad for its fixture at Parma. The Romania striker was suspended after walking out on the team in early January.
Sinisa Mihajlovic's team beat Genoa on Wednesday to relieve the pressure on its beleaguered coach, after fans had protested outside the stadium following defeat to Lazio at the weekend, but Fiorentina is still without a win on the road since early Feb. 2010.
"These three points are massive and it is an important win," Mihajlovic said after the victory. "The guys gave everything — heart and determination — and this is how they should play."
On Saturday, it's: Udinese vs. Sampdoria; Cagliari vs. Juventus.
Also Sunday, it's: Bologna vs. Catania; Brescia vs. Bari; Lazio vs. Chievo Verona; and Lecce vs. Palermo.
-- Jeremy Inson
Inter Milan beats Bari 3-0, up to 3rd in Serie A
ROME (AP) — Inter Milan moved up to third in the Serie A following a 3-0 win over Bari on Thursday. Inter was seven points behind leader AC Milan, with a game in hand.
The only game on Thursday was a bland affair until midway through the second half when Houssine Kharja produced a rare moment of inspiration for his first goal since arriving on loan from Genoa at the end of the transfer window.
Giampaolo Pazzini then scored his third in two games since signing from Sampdoria, and just before the final whistle Wesley Sneijder was left unmarked for the third.
"It isn't easy, but the three goals I have scored in two games has helped us win twice," Pazzini said. "We had a good first half and tried to keep the tempo high. We lacked a bit of rhythm, but improved in the second half."
Bari had the best chance of the first half when Sergio Almiron forced Inter 'keeper Julio Cesar into a sprawling save with a powerful free kick.
After the break neither side improved, though Alessandro Parisi made Cesar pull off another save and Sneijder blasted over from close range.
Inter took the lead in the 70th and gave the game some spark. The Moroccan played a return pass with Samuel Eto'o and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal past Jean-Francois Gillet.
Three minutes later Parisi went close again, but Cesar pushed his powerful volley away for a corner. With 10 minutes remaining Cesar again came to Inter's rescue by stopping Alessandro Gazzi's effort.
In injury time Pazzini cut in from the left and lashed a shot past Gillet and then Sneijder had time and space to score his first league goal of the season.
Argentina beats Chile 3-2 in U20s
AREQUIPA, Peru (AP) — Argentina came from a goal down to defeat Chile 3-2 on Thursday in the second round of South American qualiyfing for the Under-20 World Cup.
Brazil, the tournament favorite, stayed unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over Colombia while the day's other match saw Ecuador draw 1-1 with Uruguay.
Bryan Carrasco gave Chile a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, but Argentina broke the match open with second-half goals from Facundo Ferreyra, Juan Manuel Iturbe and Nicolas Tagliafico. Felipe Gallegos scored late for Chile.
Argentina was poor in the first half, but got a boost when Ferreyra converted a disputed penalty in the 50th. Iturbe scored in the 62nd, beating several defenders in a solo run from midfield and then slotting home from 10 meters. Tagliafico took advantage of a defensive lapse in the 73rd before Gallegos scored a consolation for Chile in stoppage time.
Argentina's victory set up Sunday's match against archrival Brazil.
Brazil wasted little time, taking a 1-0 lead in the third minute on Casemiro's header. Colombia had plenty of chances to equalize but Mauricio made sure of the win in the 89th.
Edson Montano's 60th-minute goal gave Ecuador a 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Camilo Mayada put Uruguay up 1-0 in the 17th.
Brazil has a perfect six points from two second-round games, and Ecuador and Uruguay have picked up four points. Argentina has three and Chile and Colombia bvoth have lost their first two matches.
All six teams in the second round play each other once with the top four advancing to the U20 World Cup later this year in Colombia. The top two advance to the 2012 London Olympics.
-- Juan Zamorano
Elsewhere
Premier League faces European broadcasting dispute
BRUSSELS (AP) — Consumers in Europe should be able to use the cheapest satellite decoder available to watch soccer games, even if that sidesteps exclusive national broadcasting agreements, the top adviser to the European Union's highest court said Thursday.
If followed by a full ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the coming months, the decision could have a huge impact on how the rights of England's Premier League are sold in the rest of Europe and how it creates revenue for the world's richest soccer league.
"Our initial view is that it is not compatible with the existing body of EU case law and would damage the interests of broadcasters and viewers of Premier League football across the EU," the Premier League said in a statement.
The case pits the Premier League against companies that import Greek decoders into Britain to see the games at a cheaper price.
"It could set off an earthquake in sports rights marketing," said Peter Duvinage, a German legal expert. "The possible economic impact is tough to assess for now."
Advocate General to the Court of Justice Juliane Kokott said divvying up Europe into national markets for separately priced broadcast agreements "constitutes a serious impairment of the freedom to provide services."
The full court often, but not always, follows the advocate general's advice. A ruling is expected this year.
For years, the 27-nation EU has been working to turn the territory of its member states into on open market unburdened by commercial frontiers that hurt continentwide trade in the past.
Kokott sees the practice of selling rights on a country-by-country base and keeping cheaper alternatives out of other member states as a blatant infringement on that principle.
The court said there was no reason to charge more, or less, in any particular states to watch the same soccer game.
Currently, the court says, the Premier League forces broadcasters to encrypt their signal so it cannot be seen outside their broadcast area. Viewers have to buy decoders to watch the games.
Companies have exported such decoders to more expensive markets, making it possible to view games at cheaper rates. The Premier League started court proceedings against the practice and targeted a local landlady of a pub who used a Greek decoder to show the games. The local court dealing with it asked the EU high court for an interpretation.
The Conservatives in the European Parliament sided with the Premier League.
"These are national football leagues that are being broadcast, and they should be subjected to national territorial rights agreements," MEP Emma McClarkin said.
-- Raf Casert
Dalglish: Carroll is worth the money
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish criticized the negative reaction to the club's purchase of Andy Carroll, predicting Thursday that the striker will live up to the tag of being the eighth most expensive player in football history.
Eyebrows were raised across the sport with Liverpool's 35 million pound ($56 million) signing of Carroll, who has played just 41 times in the Premier League and once for England. Established international stars such as David Villa, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko have moved clubs for less.
Dalglish, however, said he is confident the 22-year-old striker, who joined on Monday from Newcastle and wouldn't be recognized in many countries outside England, will prove his worth.
"The price might be a bit more than what some people think it should be but every single person has got to justify their wages and their costs," Dalglish said. "I'm sure he can do that for us.
"I'd like to reassure Andy we are more upbeat about Andy coming than I think yourselves (the media) are, because every question seems to have negativity in it. We don't see any reason whatsoever to be negative in any way shape or form."
Carroll, who was officially presented as a Liverpool player on Thursday along with Luis Suarez, is currently out with thigh injury and isn't expected to return to action for another two or three weeks.
When he does make his debut, Carroll said he will not be daunted by the price tag and by taking over the No. 9 jersey left by Fernando Torres, who moved to Chelsea on Monday for a British-record fee of 50 million pounds ($81 million).
"It was a lot of money but I'm sure I can do what I need to do to prove the money was worth it," Carroll said. "I'm here to score goals and create chances for the team, and that's what I can do.
"Time will tell. Obviously Torres was a great player but I need to concentrate on my own game and play my football."
Suarez made his debut for Liverpool on Wednesday, coming off the bench to score the second goal in the team's 2-0 win over Stoke at Anfield.
Evra left out of France squad
PARIS (AP) — France coach Laurent Blanc has decided against recalling Manchester United defender Patrice Evra for next week's friendly match against Brazil at Stade de France, but says the decision is based purely on form.
Evra has completed a five-game ban for his part in France's training ground strike at the last World Cup, but Blanc chose Barcelona's Eric Abidal and Arsenal's Gael Clichy. Clichy's club teammate Laurent Koscielny received a first callup.
French sports minister Chantal Jouanno recently said Evra should not play for France again because of his behavior as captain in South Africa.
"It is a sporting choice, and only a sporting choice," Blanc said Thursday, citing Abidal's excellent recent form for Barca. "There is a lot of competition for places in that position."
Blanc also said Clichy "was on the right track" to becoming the solid and consistent defender he is looking for, rather than just an attacking threat down the left flank. Blanc had been sharply critical of Clichy before the friendly against England in November, but says he has improved since.
Koscielny's good recent form prompted the call up, Blanc said, adding that Koscielny gives France an added goal threat because of his heading ability. He scored the winner in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Everton with a header from a corner.
Evra has been in good form this season for United, which leads the Premier League and has yet to lose a league game.
"The door is not closed for anyone," Blanc said, when asked if Evra could return in the future. "Patrice Evra's suspension is over, so he is available again. It's perhaps the position where we probably have the most competition, players who are playing in very, very big clubs."
Jouanno said the World Cup rebels put France to shame and had stained the national jersey. Evra, France's captain at the time, led the squad to boycott a training session in support of their teammate Nicolas Anelka, who had been sent home for insulting former coach Raymond Domenech.
The strike took place in front of the nation's press, prompting outrage among fans and politicians back home.
"There are values and the French federation should defend them," Jouanno said last week, recalling the episode. "I have nothing against Evra, but as a France player — and above all as the captain — he didn't defend the values of sport. It would be a huge mistake to forget what happened."
Blanc, however, said the page has been turned and he did not accept such trenchant views.
"You should always be wary of having such marked views. I am not inclined to this way of thinking," he said. "We all know their behavior — and not just Patrice Evra, but the 23 players who were there — was bad. But the suspensions have been served."
Blanc says he hopes to talk to Jouanno soon.
"I know she has been trying to reach me, we haven't been able to talk together yet," Blanc said. "God knows, I meet a people in the road who have a lot of views which are not necessarily the same as mine. We're in a democracy."
Blanc kept faith with Yoann Gourcuff, even though the playmaker has been in poor form for Lyon since joining from Bordeaux, and called up Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby even though he has hardly played in the last two months.
Blanc said it was important to support Gourcuff, whose confidence has been low since the World Cup.
Diaby as a straight swap for his club teammate Samir Nasri, who is injured. Forward Jeremy Menez is also back in the squad after some fine recent performances for AS Roma.
"Everyone wants to play against Brazil, there will be some who are satisfied, some who are disappointed," Blanc said. "It shows that they want to be part of the project we are building."
France has won its last three 2012 European Championship qualifying matches and sits top of its qualifying group. Blanc hopes the Brazil match will give further signs that his team is progressing.
"Brazil is one of the two best teams in the world, so it will be very difficult," Blanc said.
Blanc has still not decided on who his long-term captain will be, with no guarantees that Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra will keep the armband over the next few months.
-- Jerome Pugmire
Ronaldinho thrilled by Flamengo debut in Brazil
SAO PAULO (AP) — Ronaldinho left the field struggling for words to describe his emotions after his debut for Flamengo and return to Brazilian soccer.
The 30-year-old forward helped Flamengo defeat Nova Iguacu 1-0 at a packed Engenhao stadium in the Rio de Janeiro state championship on Wednesday, marking his return to Brazilian soccer after 10 seasons in Europe.
"It was unforgettable," Ronaldinho said. "I have no words. One of the greatest thrills of my life. I have to thank everybody at Flamengo for welcoming me with open arms."
More than 40,000 fans at the Engenhao prepared a big party for the two-time world player of the year, who was cheered nearly every time he touched the ball.
Supporters put on Ronaldinho masks, showed banners celebrating the playmaker, and held up cards with "Welcome R10" in Flamengo's colors — red, black and white.
When the match ended, the crowd chanted Ronaldinho's name and gave him a standing ovation. The player went to midfield to thank the fans, bowing toward them.
"I'll never forget," the former Barcelona star said. "It was perfect."
Tickets for the match were sold out in just two days. In Ronaldinho's official introduction on Jan. 12, nearly 20,000 fans packed the training stadium to welcome him.
Wearing the No. 10 jersey made famous by Zico, Ronaldinho didn't have a great performance on Wednesday but was able to create some dangerous scoring opportunities for his teammates. Substitute striker Wanderley scored the winner from close range in the 86th minute, giving Flamengo its fifth straight win to start the season.
Ronaldinho biggest scoring chance was a free kick shot that was saved by Nova Iguacu goalkeeper Diogo near the end of the first half.
"I would have liked to play better than I did," said Ronaldinho, the team's newest captain. "But we reached our goal, which was to win."
It was Ronaldinho's first match since leaving Milan last year. He missed Flamengo's first four matches to improve his physical conditioning and adapt to his teammates.
"It was a long time without playing," he said. "I still have to regain rhythm."
Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo praised Ronaldinho's debut but said he expects the player to improve considerably throughout the season.
"He played well for his first match," the former Brazil and Real Madrid coach said.
Ronaldinho came back to Brazil to try to revamp his career and return to the national team for the 2014 World Cup, which will take place in his native country.
He helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup. In the 2006 tournament, Brazil was eliminated by eventual runner-up France in the quarterfinals.
Ronaldinho was not asked to play at the World Cup in South Africa last year, but new coach Mano Menezes said he plans to use Ronaldinho if he plays well with Flamengo.
-- Tales Azzoni
Fans turn against Ronaldo after Corinthians lose
SAO PAULO (AP) — The love affair between Corinthians fans and Ronaldo is apparently coming to an end, and the player's career may be, too.
Corinthians was eliminated from the preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores after a 2-0 loss to Deportes Tolima on Wednesday in Colombia, and fans are blaming Ronaldo's poor performances for the disappointment.
"Enough, Ronaldo," fans wrote on the wall of the club's headquarters in Brazil early Thursday, also calling him a "marketing boy."
Wednesday's result leaves the Brazilian club with little to play for the rest of the year, and may prompt Ronaldo to halt his career ahead of time. He had already said he wouldn't play past 2011, and has not dismissed stopping earlier depending on his physical condition and the team's results.
"I'm still a little stunned," the visibly out-of-shape Ronaldo said as he left the field on Wednesday, as some fans jeered him from the stands. "It's a loss we will have to carry with us the rest of the year. It's a shame."
Ronaldo was the team's biggest star and the fans' greatest idol after arriving in 2009 following a series of knee injuries, helping the club win the Brazilian Cup and the Sao Paulo state championship.
But as he struggled to remain fit and Corinthians failed to stay competitive, fans began losing their patience with the 34-year-old player.
"All of our fans are sad, but we have to try to keep our heads high," Ronaldo said. "Let's wait a few days and then we can try to analyze what happened."
Ronaldo already played sparingly in 2010 and could be seeing even less playing time this year without Corinthians participating in major tournaments.
Brazil's second most popular club behind Flamengo, Corinthians has only two chances to win titles in 2011, in the Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian league. Because it was in the Copa Libertadores, it will not participate in the Brazilian Cup and in the Copa Sudamericana.
Veteran left back Roberto Carlos, who didn't play Wednesday because of pain in his thigh, also was criticized by fans, who also damaged some cars parked at the team's headquarters.
Ronaldo said the field's poor conditions in Colombia contributed to the team's weak performance in Colombia, but acknowledged that the team "didn't play well."
Corinthians failed to score goals in the two-leg series against Deportes Tolima. The team's had drawn the first leg 0-0 last week in Sao Paulo.
It was the first time a Brazilian club failed to advance from the preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores, which is the only significant title Corinthians is yet to win in more than 100 years of history.
"Night of Terror," read a front-page headline in the Diario de S. Paulo newspaper.
"Nightmare without end," said the Jornal da Tarde daily.
Corinthians was already under a lot of pressure from its fans after not winning any titles last year, when it was commemorating its centenary.
Coach Tite was in danger of losing his job even though Wednesday's result marked only his first loss in 14 matches with the four-time national champions, who drew the other seven matches and won six under his command.
Team president Andres Sanchez, also heavily pressured by fans, said Tite will stay for now.
Corinthians needs to rebound fast because on Sunday it will face rival Palmeiras, which leads the Sao Paulo state tournament under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
-- Tales Azzoni
Qatar drops football coach Metsu
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar fired charismatic football coach Bruno Metsu on Thursday because of the team's Asian Cup quarterfinal loss to Japan.
The desert nation, which will host the World Cup in 2022, was widely expected to hire a big-name coach who will be tasked with overhauling a side ranked 90th in the FIFA world rankings. A replacement for Metsu, who had a contract through 2014, was to be named in the next week.
Metsu has struggled since taking over in 2008 from Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati. The team missed out on the 2010 World Cup and last year fell in the quarterfinal stage at the Gulf Cup, which sent its ranking tumbling to 114th — its worst ever.
The country improved to 90th after its Asian Cup performance but it was not enough to save the job of Metsu, a Frenchman who guided Senegal to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Qatar was praised for overcoming an opening loss to Uzbekistan to reach the quarterfinals but Metsu also angered fans after his team squandered a 2-1 lead against 10-man Japan.
"We thank him for his efforts. But we feel this is a time to move on so we mutually agreed to end the contract," Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani said.
Metsu said it was difficult to build a team with so few prospects in a country of 1.6 million.
"It is not easy to build a strong team when there is a small player base in the country," Metsu said. "But Qatar football is looking better because they now have a 12-team league and that means more players and improved infrastructure of football in the country."
Before taking over the Qatar national team, Metsu coached in the country's professional football league.
Metsu is the latest coach to be fired by Qatar after failing to impress at the Asian Cup. In 2004, Qatar fired Phillipe Troussier during the Asian Cup in China.
Quaresma returns for Portugal against Argentina
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Besiktas winger Ricardo Quaresma is back in the Portugal squad for next week's friendly against Argentina.
The former Inter Milan player has been unavailable with a knee injury since Paulo Bento took over as Portugal coach in September.
"He's a skilful player and he's in good form so it's no surprise I've called him up," Bento said when he anounced his 20-man squad Thursday.
Portugal is without Real Madrid defender Pepe, who is recovering from a muscle injury, while Brazilian-born striker Liedson was left out.
Liedson, who is due to play his last game for Sporting Lisbon next weekend before moving back to Brazil with Corinthians, was kept out by Hugo Almeida, Quaresma's teammate in Turkey, and fellow Sporting Lisbon forward Helder Postiga.
"We have to establish some stability in the team, create an identity, and we're happy with how Almeida and Postiga have been playing and their attitude," Bento said.
Bento has revived Portugal's fortunes since he replaced Carlos Queiroz, racking up three straight wins including a 4-0 triumph over world champion Spain in a friendly match.
Queiroz was fired whilst under suspension for misconduct after Portugal took only one point from its first two qualifying games for the 2012 European Championship.
Portugal and Argentina meet in Geneva on Wednesday.
Hitzfeld recalls Dzemaili to Switzerland squad
BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Midfielder Blerim Dzemaili was selected in the Switzerland squad Thursday for the first time in almost two years to face Malta in a friendly.
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said the Parma player was rewarded for his form and consistency after recovering from injuries.
"Dzemaili is a quality player who has always been in my thoughts," said Hitzfeld, who awarded the 24-year-old player the last of his 10 caps in April 2009.
Hitzfeld said he picked an experienced 18-man squad traveling to Valetta for next Wednesday's match because there is no time to experiment before a crucial 2012 European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria on March 26.
"We absolutely must impose ourselves on Bulgaria to maintain our chances of qualifying," the veteran coach said.
Switzerland already has lost Group G matches against Montenegro and England, and trails both in the five-team pool,
Estudiantes coach Sabella confirms resignation
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Alejandro Sabella stepped down as Estudiantes coach on Thursday, a day after tendering his resignation.
"I'm going, I'm going," he said on Thursday as he drove away from Estudiantes' training site after informing club officials of his decision.
Sabella's exit could be a blow for the Argentine club, which was the defending Apertura champion and won the Copa Libertadores title under Sabella only 18 months ago.
Sabella has not spoken publicly about his decision, but he was known to be unhappy with club officials for not making offseason signings for the team, which was led by midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron. Sabella has said he wanted help at striker and on defense.
Estudiantes has just a just a week to get organized and find a coach. The club plays the first match of the new Clausura on Feb. 11 against Newell's Old Boys.
Arsenal keeper Fabianski to miss rest of season
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder problem.
Wenger says the 25-year-old Poland international will undergo an operation in Germany to cure an injury that has kept him out for the past month. Wenger says Fabianski "has decided after having seen a few specialists that he will have surgery ... it means his season is over."
Fabianski had established himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper, playing 20 games this season after displacing Manuel Almunia.
With Almunia recently back from a long-term injury absence, Wenger will have choose whether to give the jersey to the Spanish player or Polish youngster Wojciech Szczesny.
Fax breakdown nixes planned German transfer
BERLIN (AP) — The German Bundesliga has rejected a request to approve the planned transfer of Hamburg's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to Cologne after a broken fax connection caused the clubs to miss Monday's deadline.
The league said Thursday that it turned down the request from Cologne. It said transfer deadlines "are binding for all clubs" and help protect the integrity of competitions.
The contract between Choupo-Moting and struggling Cologne arrived at the DFL 12 minutes after the winter transfer window closed.
Choupo-Moting picked Cologne over West Bromwich Albion with a half-hour to spare. But when his father and agent tried to fax the contract, the connection broke down.
Neville: I was becoming a passenger at United
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Gary Neville says he decided to quit football when he realized he was becoming "a passenger" in Manchester United's team. The former England defender announced on Wednesday he was retiring with immediate effect, ending a career in which he won the Champions League and eight Premier League titles among other trophies.
Neville, speaking to United's in-house TV channel, says it was his much-criticized performance in a Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion last month that convinced him to quit.
Neville says "after that game on New Year's Day, I felt I'd reached the end."
Neville added on Thursday "there was always a period where I felt I was contributing. Once you've lost that ... you don't want to be a passenger."
Fowler angered by Torres departure from Liverpool
PERTH, Australia (AP) — Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler has dispayed his anger with Fernando Torres for leaving the club by mockingly wearing one of the Spaniard's No. 9 jerseys.
Fowler, who plays for the Perth Glory in Australia's A-League, donned the shirt Friday as part of a fundraiser for Queensland state flood victims, saying "there is nothing wrong with the front of the shirt, it is the name on the back."
Fowler, who scored 183 goals in 367 games for Liverpool, added: "it is quite apt to wear it for a worthy cause as it is something myself or any other Liverpool fan wouldn't be seen in."
Torres is set to make his Chelsea debut Sunday against his former teammates at Stamford Bridge.
Israel promises a safe Euro U21 tournament in 2013
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Israeli organizers of the 2013 Under-21 European Championship have promised UEFA the safest possible tournament. Ori Shilo, chief executive of Israel's football federation, says the country's skill and experience in dealing with security issues makes it "probably the best and most safe place to host a sports event."
When Middle East tension grew in 2002-03, UEFA ordered Israel's national and club teams to play international home matches abroad for safety reasons. Shilo reassured UEFA members before the qualifying groups were drawn Thursday, one week after Israel got hosting rights.
The eight-nation final tournament is scheduled June 2013. Matches will be played in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya and Petah Tikva.
Popovic to be assistant coach at Crystal Palace
SYDNEY (AP) — Tony Popovic will become an assistant coach with his former English club Crystal Palace at the end of the current A-League season next month.
Popovic played 123 matches for the London club between 2001 and 2006 and became club captain. He returned to Australia in 2007, joining Sydney where he was installed as captain. After 19 appearances, he retired and became an assistant coach with the club; a position he has held since.
Sydney vice chairman Scott Barlow said Popovic "is highly regarded around the world and has been a great asset to our club."
Socceroo stalwart Skoko to retire
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Former Australia international and European club veteran Josip Skoko will retire at the completion of the current A-League season.
The 35-year-old Melbourne Heart midfielder, who had 51 appearances for the Socceroos, said Thursday a long-term ankle injury forced him to quit.
Skoko was part of Australia's 2006 World Cup squad and 2000 Olympics team and played in three World Cup qualifying campaigns.
He played three seasons with Wigan in the English Premier League and had a spell at Stoke, amidst a long European career with Hajduk Split, Genk and Genclerbirligi.
Corinthians fans damage players' cars after loss
SAO PAULO (AP) — Fans from the Brazilian soccer club Corinthians stormed the team's training center and smashed the car windows of several players following the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores. The fans threw rocks at the luxury cars early Thursday, shortly after the team lost to 2-0 to Deportes Tolima in Colombia.
Other fans demonstrated at the airport, but the team left through a back exit with a police escort. Protest messages were painted on the walls of the team's headquarters, some against star striker Ronaldo.
Corinthians has been under pressure from its fans since last year, when it failed to win any titles while celebrating its centenary. The Copa Libertadores is the only major championship the team is yet to win.
Asian Cup fans to receive refunds
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Asian Cup organizers will give full refunds to fans who were denied entry to the Asian Cup final. The Qatar Local Organizing Committee announced a refund process on Thursday while apologizing to fans who missed out on the Japan-Australia final when gates were closed early for security reasons.
Those fans who missed out were advised to go to the website at www.afcasiancup.com and click on the tickets link for refund details. Refunds were expected to be completed by the end of April. Qatar is the host of the 2022 World Cup.
