Soccer Capsules: Cruzeiro: Postpone Libertadores match for flu

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian football club Cruzeiro requested that the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final against Argentina's Estudiantes be postponed because of a swine flu outbreak in that country, a spokesman said Monday.

Director of football operations, Eduardo Maluf, said on Cruzeiro's Web site the request was made through Brazil's football confederation. The team postponed its Monday flight to Argentina to prepare for the match.

A swine flu outbreak in Argentina has left at least 44 people dead and led to a public health emergency being declared in the capital Buenos Aires last week.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday in La Plata, Argentina, about 55 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires.

The governing body of South American football - CONMEBOL - said Friday the match would go ahead as planned. Cruzeiro said at that time it would abide by the decision.

But Maluf said the club reconsidered over the weekend, and is asking Brazil's football confederation to ask CONMEBOL to postpone the match or receive a guarantee of its players health from Argentine and Brazilian health officials.

"We've been following in the past days the news coming from Buenos Aires," he said, citing declared health emergencies in Argentina and the canceling of other sporting events there. "They're taking positions that are leaving us very worried."

A spokesman - speaking on condition of anonymity per club rules - said the club isn't seeking to cancel the match.

"What we're asking is that the game be played on a later date, or played in a location where there isn't a danger to our players," he said.

The spokesman said the club didn't have any particular new date in mind and said Cruzeiro would be willing to play the opening leg in a third country, outside of Argentina or Brazil.

The second leg match is slated for July 15 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to determine the winner of Latin America's most important club competition.

Corinthians signs former Arsenal midfielder Edu

SAO PAULO - Former Arsenal and Valencia midfielder Edu is back with Corinthians, the Brazilian club where he began his professional career.

Edu reached a deal with Corinthians that will keep him at the club until the end of 2011, the club said on its Web site Monday.

The 31-year-old midfielder began his career with Corinthians in 1997 and moved to Arsenal in 2001. He stayed with the English club until signing with Valencia in 2005, but hadn't been playing regularly with the Spanish club, where he sustained a series of injuries.

Financial details were not officially disclosed, but local media said Edu will be Corinthians' second-highest paid player, behind veteran striker Ronaldo.

Edu was a member of Brazil's team which won the 2004 Copa America in Peru and the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany.

The Brazilian helped Arsenal win the Premier league in 2002 and 2004, and Corinthians win the Brazilian league in 1998 and 1999, as well as FIFA's club world championship in 2000.

Corinthians is Brazil's second most popular club, behind Flamengo. This year it won the traditional Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian Cup.

The four-time national champion is 10th in the 20-team Brazilian league with 11 points from eight matches. It next faces Fluminense at Pacaembu stadium on Wednesday.

Moralez's goal gives Velez Sarsfield title

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Maxi Moralez's disputed goal in the 83rd minute gave Velez Sarsfield a 1-0 victory over Huracan and the Argentine championship.

In the final game of the season on Sunday, Moralez scored into an empty net after Huracan goalkeeper Gaston Monzon was knocked to the ground by Velez's Joaquin Larrivey.

Moralez was then sent off after he picked up his second yellow card for taking off his shirt and wildly celebrating the score.

Huracan needed only a draw to claim the title, which would have been its second. It was the seventh for Velez Sarsfield, which last claimed the top spot in 2005.

Velez finished with 40 points in 19 matches, two ahead of Huracan. They were followed by Lanus (38), Colon (34), Racing Club (30), Estudiantes (29), Gimnasia and Esgrima (28). Boca Juniors, Argentina's most popular team, finished with only 22 points.

The game was stopped for 30 minutes in the first half when the field at Velez's Jose Amalfitani was pelted by rain and hail.

Huracan thought it had taken a 1-0 lead early in the match, but Eduardo Dominguez's headed goal was ruled offside. 

80,000 fans welcome Ronaldo to Real Madrid

MADRID - Cristiano Ronaldo received a rapturous welcome from 80,000 Real Madrid fans Monday, an outpouring so exuberant the soccer star had to be hustled away when spectators leaped barriers and took the field.

Ronaldo, who joined the famed club following his record transfer from Manchester United, appeared before the capacity crowd at Santiago Bernabeu wearing the same No. 9 jersey worn by Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano.

"I've achieved one of my dreams," a beaming Ronaldo said before leading fans in a cry of "Viva Madrid!" ''I want this to begin as quickly as possible so that I can show what I can do."

Real Madrid had been chasing the world player of the year since 2006. He agreed to a six-year contract in a record $131 million transfer.

Fans had begun lining up outside the stadium since early morning, hoping to glimpse the 24-year-old player. He completed a lap of honor to salute fans after performing a few juggling tricks.

Security officers failed to contain the crowd, with many teenagers jumping the barrier in search of an autograph. One fan managed to reach the stage and hug Ronaldo, who signed the young man's Madrid shirt.

"I never would have imagined that fans would have such a feeling for me," Ronaldo said in Spanish, though sometimes breaking into Portuguese. "It was impressive. A special moment for me today."

Only Diego Maradona's presentation at Napoli 25 years ago has rivaled Ronaldo's. Last week, 50,000 fans greeted Kaka at the Bernabeu.

Portugal soccer great Eusebio joined Ronaldo on stage with Di Stefano, team president Florentino Perez and Madrid's record nine European Cups.

"Today, we present the greatest symbolism of Real Madrid," Perez said.

Ronaldo scored 120 goals from 313 appearances in all competitions at Man United, where he arrived in 2003 from the Portuguese club Sporting. Ronaldo left Old Trafford having won the Champions League, three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Club World Cup in six seasons.

"All people understand my decision and respect that," Ronaldo said. "It was my dream to play in Madrid. But that's life. This is my new house and I'm going to give 100 percent for this club."

Ronaldo said there were no problems between him and Man United manager Alex Ferguson, who sold Beckham to Madrid when he felt the midfielder's celebrity had become too great.

"My relation with Ferguson was very good and will always be very good," Ronaldo said. "They are also happy, so life has to go on."

Perez has promised a return of the "galactico" era at Madrid after initiating the original one from 2000-06 with the blockbuster signings of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Figo and Brazil's Ronaldo, the last impact player to wear the No. 9 jersey.

Perez has spent $300 million on new players this summer in a bid to turn the page on a turbulent season. Former president Ramon Calderon's resigned over a vote-rigging scandal and Madrid was eclipsed by archrival Barcelona.

Madrid failed to get past the first knockout stage of Europe's top-tier competition for the fifth straight season and lost the league to Barcelona. Barcelona also won the Champions League and Copa del Rey to become the first Spanish club to win all three titles in the same season.

"If we win only the Champions I'm happy," Ronaldo said. "We need to take it step by step and later we can think about winning it."

-- Paul Logothetis

Ancelotti: I am at Chelsea to win Champions League

LONDON - With Chelsea's era of free-spending long over, Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged Monday that he must deliver the club's first Champions League title without amassing the world's best players.

Big-spending is now Real Madrid's preserve in Europe, with the Spaniards striving for supremacy by acquiring Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka as part of a €200 million outlay. Ancelotti insists he can cope without "galacticos" at Stamford Bridge.

"At the start of the season we will have a competitive team," he said. "It's not necessary to have the best players. It's important to build the best team."

The 50-year-old Italian began his first full week as manager by announcing - in passing at his first media conference - the signing of Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow in a move to strengthen the left of midfield.

Ancelotti would not say whether Alexandre Pato and Andrea Pirlo would follow him to Chelsea from AC Milan.

He also said that captain John Terry will remain at the club despite being the subject of persistent interest from wealthy Premier League rival Manchester City. But not before Ancelotti's initial response to a question over his captain's future at Chelsea sparked a mixture of confusion and astonishment.

"I don't know if he will be captain next season," he deadpanned.

There was a long pause before he added: "He will be captain next season, he is a symbol of the team. He said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him forever. Now there is a question of Manchester City, but for Terry there is no price."

Chelsea fans will have to get used to Ancelotti's style.

"I like to joke," he said. "Football is enjoyable and it should be for me and you."

The relaxed manner may be short-lived if the European Cup is not in the Chelsea trophy cabinet soon.

While Jose Mourinho won the Premier League twice, he could not get beyond the last four in Europe. His successor Avram Grant was fired despite reaching the 2008 final, and Luiz Felipe Scolari struggled to steer the Blues out of the group stage before being dumped by Roman Abramovich.

Guus Hiddink's temporary fourth-month stint in charge ended with FA Cup glory, but Chelsea was denied a Champions League final spot by a late Barcelona goal.

So Abramovich hired the man who has won the trophy twice this decade with AC Milan.

"I am here for this, to win the Champions League," Ancelotti said. "The Champions League is very difficult to win, it depends on many factors but Chelsea I think have more possibility than other teams now."

Bookmaker William Hill, though, was already offering odds of 5-1 that he won't last two years at Chelsea.

"We have to take little steps to win," Ancelotti said. "It will not be easy, but with the right work and a great enthusiasm I am sure we will create a great team."

Whether Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Andriy Shevchenko will stay with the team remains in doubt. Ancelotti suggested Shevchenko is the most likely to leave.

"Shevchenko will come in London on July 9 and will work with us in preseason and at this moment we speak with him to find the right solution for us," Ancelotti said. "Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players. If in the future a player wants to go, they have to speak with the club and we take the right decision for the player and for us."

-- Rob Harris

Everton to sign American Anton Peterlin

LIVERPOOL, England - American midfielder Anton Peterlin is poised to move from an amateur league in the United States to the Premiership with Everton.

The 22-year-old Peterlin impressed on a 10-day trial last season at the Liverpool-based club.

"Anton really impressed myself and the coaching staff with his attitude and undoubted ability," Everton manager David Moyes said Monday.

Peterlin would join from the Ventura County Fusion in California, a team in the fourth-tier Premier Development League, for a nominal fee on a one-year contract.

"I am not sure how often miracles happen, but I will not squander this opportunity," Peterlin said. "The trial period I was there was great. To play alongside some great names like Phil Neville, Tim Cahill and Tim Howard was an experience.

"Their poise on the ball was terrific and they demand the highest level out of your play every time out."

2 offers for Newcastle despite relegation

NEWCASTLE, England - Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has received at least two offers of 100 million pounds ($177 million) for the club despite being relegated from the Premier League.

The identities of the bidders were not disclosed.

Managing director Derek Llambias said Monday that "we are in the hands of lawyers and it is all ongoing."

Llambias is reported to have shown a Malaysian consortium around St. James' Park last week.

He added: "We are giving interested parties all the help that they need."

Ashley bought the club in July 2007 for 134 million pounds.

Benayoun signs new Liverpool deal until 2013

LIVERPOOL, England - Yossi Benayoun has signed a new Liverpool contract, committing him to the Premier League club until 2013.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who had two years remaining on his existing deal, agreed a two-year extension on Monday.

The Israel captain said: "Hopefully, now I can concentrate on the hard work that needs to be done and try to play better and better and win some silverware."

Benayoun scored nine goals in 42 matches last season as Liverpool finished second in the league and reached the Champions League quarterfinals.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "He has been really good for us over the last year, scoring crucial goals and getting assists, so we wanted to keep him and I'm really pleased with the extension."

Chelsea signs Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow

LONDON - Chelsea has signed midfielder Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

New manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed the signing Monday at his first news conference with the club. Chelsea did not immediately release details of his contract.

Ancelotti also said John Terry would remain captain next season, and that the defender was not for sale at any price.

Leonardo hoping for Ronaldinho revival

CARNAGO, Italy - New AC Milan coach Leonardo said Monday that his fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho can rediscover his best form in the upcoming season.

Ronaldinho failed to live up to his billing during his first season in Italy, scoring seven goals in 29 games after his move from Barcelona.

However, following Kaka's €65 million (US$92 million) move to Real Madrid, Ronaldinho is expected to become the creative force of the side.

"He's a great talent, someone who has interpreted how to play football in a different way," Leonardo told the club's Web site. "Of course he needs to take responsibility and work hard.

"He needs to engage himself, train hard and maintain concentration. He needs to do it on the pitch and if he does then at 29 years of age he can return to being an important player."

In recent seasons, AC Milan has been criticized for the advanced age of the side, and Leonardo said the team needs to follow the example of Inter Milan which has enjoyed great success after giving teenagers Davide Santon and Mario Balotelli a chance in the first team.

"It has been many years since we have been able to give a chance to young players," Leonardo said.

"Today there is space and we cannot consider a player of 18 or 19 as a baby and because of this we are looking for the best 17 and 18-year-olds. Now, we are watching them and they are good enough to play."

Kaka's departure has overshadowed Milan's close-season and fans protested over his sale on the first day of preseason training.

"I believe in this team and even without Kaka this is a strong squad," Leonardo said. "If this team is able to take all its potential on to the pitch we can be truly competitive."

Fans protest on AC Milan's return to training

CARNAGO, Italy - Angry AC Milan supporters protested the club's sale of Kaka by throwing smoke bombs and fire crackers outside the team's first pre-season training.

About 300 fans protested at Milan's training facility Monday, as new coach Leonardo held his first practice.

Milan sold Kaka to Real Madrid for €65 million (US$92 million), but has not made any major signings to replace him.

Fans held up a banner reading "Without compromise: Think of Milan first and then your own interests," along with signs criticizing club owner and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Local police was called in to help control the situation, but no arrests were made and no injuries reported.

The training session was not interrupted.

Inter stops pursuit of Deco and Carvalho

MILAN - Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti said Monday the club has called off its attempt to sign Chelsea duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho.

The Portuguese duo, both 31, had been offseason targets for Inter coach Jose Mourinho, who has worked with both in the past.

"There is no doubt that they are great players," Moratti told Corriere dello Sport. "But for the moment on that front we have stopped, because looking at the squad I don't think there is any necessity to buy."

Inter has already brought in Thiago Motta and Diego Milito from Genoa, but Mourinho wants further additions to boost his team's chances in the Champions League.

"First we have to look at and trim our squad. But it already seems competitive to me," Moratti said.

Totti hints at international return

ROME - AS Roma captain Francesco Totti has said he would be open to a return to international football ahead of Italy's defense of the World Cup next year in South Africa.

The 32 year-old Totti retired from the national team following Italy's triumph in Germany in 2006, but was quoted as saying Monday that he would be prepared to discuss the situation with coach Marcello Lippi.

"It is up to him (Lippi) to decide. I can't rule it out and if he calls me I'll talk about it," Totti told Corriere dello Sport. "He is someone that has given me a lot.

"It depends how I am mentally and physically, but lets not joke about two World Cups. At the moment I'm not at my best. After many years I'm preparing with the team and it makes me feel much younger."

Totti has struggled since the World Cup with a knee injury, but it has not stopped Roma from offering its captain a five-year contract extension.

"If I'm fine I will do everything (in preseason training), even if I have a few little things to worry about. But for now I am fine and have no problem with my knee."