Soccer Capsules: Cruz Azul wins 3-0 to open Mexico Apertura
Comments 0MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cruz Azul defeated Estudiantes Tecos 3-0 in Friday's opening game of Mexico's Apertura tournament.
Javier Orozco scored twice — in the 2nd and 34th — and Angel Partida scored an own-goal late in the first half to give Cruz Azul its winning margin.
Cruz Azul is trying to win a league title for the first time in 13 years. La Maquina — The Machine in English — has been close, losing three of the past five title-deciding games.
Mexico midfielder Juarez completes Celtic transfer
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Mexico midfielder Efrain Juarez has completed his transfer to Celtic after getting a work permit to play for the Scottish club.
The 22-year-old Juarez has signed a three-year contract and is eligible to play in Celtic's Champions League qualifier against Braga next week.
Juarez moved from Mexican side Pumas.
U.S. Soccer
Honduras or U.S.? United teen Najar gets to choose
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the nation's capital, he's a shy 17-year-old who misses hanging out with friends at high school. In Central America, he's fast becoming the subject of an angst-ridden potential tug of war between Honduras and the United States.
Andy Najar is D.C. United's latest teen sensation, the lone bright spot on the worst team in MLS. The rookie midfielder who came up through the club's youth academy leads United with three goals in league play and has earned the catchy nickname "Pequeno Guerrero" — or "Little Warrior" — from coach Kurt Onalfo.
"The thing that was really revealing to me was with each minute he played in preseason, he got stronger and stronger," Onalfo said. "I remember turning to my assistant coach and saying, 'This kid is special.' Honestly I felt he could contribute later in the season, so it's happened quicker than I imagined."
United has a checkered history with young sensations, from Bobby Convey to Santino Quaranta to Freddy Adu. All have persevered through various ups and downs, but none have turned out to be the next great name leading U.S. soccer to victories at the World Cup.
Could Najar be a candidate? Well, there's a catch. He was born in Honduras but has a green card in the U.S. and will eventually be eligible for citizenship. It'll be his choice whose colors he wears on the international level.
Hence the concern back in Tegucigalpa. The Hondurans don't want to lose Najar to the Americans.
"The Gringos are near to taking away our treasure," splashed a recent headline under Najar's photo in the newspaper Diez. Several Honduran reporters are expected for Saturday's exhibition game between United and English club Portsmouth, all no doubt interested in pinning Najar on his preferred national team choice.
It's a fuss Najar could do without. The last few months have already been a whirlwind. It's a challenge enough just to adjust to life in MLS, where veterans like to joke around with him by hiding his belongings.
"It's my first year. I'm young," he said Friday through a translator. "I'm not ready to make that decision."
Besides, there's no need to rush. Eleven MLS starts is not nearly a large enough sample size to determine whether he is national team material for either country, even at the youth level. The World Cup just ended, so there's a lull before the next cycle of international competitions.
Najar came to the area four years ago to join his parents, who were seeking a better life in the U.S. His father is a painter, and Najar was a student at Edison High School in Alexandria, Va., before his rapid rise with United. He understands English but prefers to conduct interviews in Spanish and will work with a tutor to complete the work for his high school diploma, a requirement stipulated in his contract with United.
"I miss my classmates a lot," he said.
Most of his answers are short and humble. He speaks of how anything is possible through hard work, and that his dream is to play for a European club.
"My message to him is to worry about D.C. United," Onalfo said. "If you talk to Andy, he's a very grounded guy, doesn't say much. He's not thinking too much about anything else."
Onalfo delivers the same message to Najar when the Honduras-U.S. debate comes up.
"Let those other things work themselves out, if they are potential opportunities," Onalfo said. "Right now, it's just talk."
-- Joseph White
Elsewhere
France coach Blanc drops all 23 World Cup players
PARIS (AP) — France coach Laurent Blanc will drop all 23 World Cup players for his first match next month as collective punishment for the team's embarrassing fiasco in South Africa.
The French federation said Friday in a statement it had granted Blanc permission to suspend the players at the coach's request.
France was eliminated in the group stage at the World Cup, failing to win a game. The players also refused to train as a protest after Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home following an expletive-laced tirade at then-coach Raymond Domenech.
Blanc refused to speak to reporters when he left the federation's headquarters Friday.
France plays a friendly against Norway on Aug. 11 in Oslo, and Blanc is set to announce his squad Aug. 5.
France's disappointing performance in South Africa came after the team failed to win a game at the 2008 European Championship, also under Domenech.
The French team endured days of chaos at the World Cup after L'Equipe newspaper published a rant by Anelka aimed toward Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 loss against Mexico, prompting the French federation to send him home.
The next day, the entire squad refused to train in protest and captain Patrice Evra had a lively altercation with the team's fitness coach that was captured on TV.
The events caused an outcry in France, with politicians harshly criticizing the players' attitude, legislators in parliament questioning the coach and even President Nicolas Sarkozy weighing in on the mess.
Earlier Friday, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris criticized the squad for being "totally stupid" for going on strike and said he is desperate to "restore the image" that was so badly damaged in South Africa.
"Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it, and that wanted to get a message across," Lloris said in an interview with L'Equipe. "We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid."
Lloris, who has 14 international appearances and is expected to stay the No. 1 goalkeeper, accepts the players have an obligation "to make sure what happened in South Africa never happens again, that we don't self-destruct in that way ever again."
"We acted more like a team in the bus than on the pitch," the 23-year-old Lloris said.
"We all want to restore the image of Les Bleus. I'm not asking for us to win everything, just that we all make an effort, that we give everything," he added. "We need to get back to basics, respect for the jersey, for ourselves, our teammates and the institution that is the France team."
Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes handed in his resignation earlier this month and the federal council unanimously appointed Fernand Duchaussoy as caretaker president Friday.
Duchaussoy said earlier this week it would be difficult for Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema to play for France after both players were issued the preliminary charges for their alleged involvement in a sex scandal with an underage prostitute.
Duchaussoy moderated his position Friday, saying any decision would have to be made in accordance with Blanc's views on the matter, and that sometimes decisions must be made that go "against one's personal convictions."
-- Jerome Pugmire
Lloris: France 'totally stupid' for WCup strike
PARIS (AP) — France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris criticized the squad for being "totally stupid" for going on strike during a World Cup training session, and he is desperate to "restore the image" that was so badly damaged in South Africa.
France walked out of a training session shortly before being eliminated from the tournament at the group stage, prompting sharp criticism of former coach Raymond Domenech's disgraced squad from French fans and politicians.
The players refused to train in protest at the treatment of teammate Nicolas Anelka. The striker was sent home for insulting Domenech during the second group match, a 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
"Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it, and that wanted to get a message across," Lloris said on Friday in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe. "We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid."
Former France defender Lilian Thuram, now a French Football Federation council member, has called for some players, such as former captain Patrice Evra, never to play for the national team again because of their decision to strike.
"We acted more like a team in the bus than on the pitch," the 23-year-old Lloris said.
"We all want to restore the image of Les Bleus. I'm not asking for us to win everything, just that we all make an effort, that we give everything," he added. "We need to get back to basics, respect for the jersey, for ourselves, our teammates and the institution that is the France team."
France also played badly, failing to win a game at the World Cup, just like two years earlier, when Domenech's team failed to progress from the group stage at the European Championship without winning a game.
Lloris stopped short of blaming the coach, even though he did accept that France had underperformed for the last two years under Domenech.
Laurent Blanc has replaced Domenech as France coach and his first game in charge is against Norway in an exhibition in Oslo on Aug. 11, followed by a 2012 European Championship qualifier at home against Belarus on Sept. 3 at Stade de France.
Blanc may decide to drop some players for his opening game in charge to send out a strong warning.
Lloris, who has 14 international appearances and is expected to stay the No. 1 goalkeeper, accepts the players have an obligation "to make sure what happened in South Africa never happens again, that we don't self-destruct in that way ever again."
Ribery says he has no fear about future
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Franck Ribery says he is not worried about his future either in Bayern Munich or the France national team in the wake of his alleged involvement in a sex scandal with an underage prostitute.
Ribery told Bild in Friday's edition he was going through a "low point" in his life but was confident about his career.
"I am sure that I will win back the confidence of the people who now perhaps have doubts about me," Ribery said. "I am going to give them fun again. I will show them great dribbling, give them a positive feeling and score goals. Like before.
"There are moments in life that are oppressive and burdensome. This moment is one of them. I have to overcome this low point. I have no fear about my future, about my career. Neither in the national team nor in Bayern."
Ribery has been questioned in France and been issued preliminary charges. He could face three years in prison if convicted of having sex with a minor. The call girl has said Ribery was not aware she was a minor at the time.
Ribery said he would like to thank his wife for her support. The couple has two children.
The winger said he would "never forget" the support of Bayern.
Bayern president Uli Hoennes, speaking in Munich on Friday, said Ribery is being unfairly targeted and suggested his star player is being used as a scapegoat for France's miserable World Cup.
"We find the whole situation so laughable that we can't understand how a witch hunt is being conducted against him," Hoeness said. "I am sure that if France had won the World Cup, Ribery would not have been cited. He is going to give a lot of fun this season."
Struggling with injuries, Ribery had a low-key season with Bayern and missed the Champions League final loss to Inter Milan because of suspension.
Coach Louis van Gaal has said he still hasn't seen the true version of Ribery, who had groin surgery after France's elimination from the group stage of the World Cup. Bayern sent two fitness trainers to work with Ribery during his vacation.
The Bundesliga season kicks off on Aug. 20. Bayern, the defending champion, plays Wolfsburg in the opening round.
China talks of bid for World Cup in 2026
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — China's Football Association has signaled it may bid for the World Cup in 2026, raising speculation that such a move could undermine the hopes of Japan, South Korea, Qatar and even Australia, which are in the running to host the 2022 tournament.
The winning bids for 2018 and 2022 will be announced Dec. 2, with a European country expected to be chosen for the earlier year. The emergence of China as a contender for 2026 could work in favor of the U.S. bid for 2022.
"If China throws its hat in for 2026, it blows everything wide open for 2022 because in many ways China is arguably the last great footballing frontier," said Simon Chadwick, a sports marketing expert at Coventry University in England.
"From the Chinese government's perspective, bidding for the World Cup is an important thing," he said. "From FIFA's perspective, there is considerable appeal in China bidding for 2026 because I think it's a very important marketplace. I would argue China is a much more important marketplace than the (U.S.) was in 1994."
CFA head Wei Di first hinted at a bid last week after returning from the World Cup in South Africa, telling the country's leading sports newspaper, Titan Sports, that China has the venues and the rail network needed to host a big event — something he communicated to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
"Mr. Blatter told me China is becoming more and more influential and it's an irresistible trend that China will finally host a World Cup," Wei said.
He also came out in favor of the United States winning the 2022 bid and took aim at Qatar over fears that an Asian winner would jeopardize China's chances in 2026.
FIFA rules dictate that no continent can host the World Cup twice in a row.
The talk of China bidding for 2026 World Cup brought a less than supportive response from Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam, a native Qatari.
Bin Hammam said the AFC is supporting the four Asian bidders for the 2022 tournament and that he "didn't want to jeopardize their chances."
Reaction from the four bidders to the Chinese threat has been mostly mixed, with only Japan acknowledging that a Chinese bid poses challenges. Qatar and Australian football officials declined to comment.
-- Michael Casey
Eriksson's agent says client wants to join Fulham
LONDON (AP) — Sven-Goran Eriksson is interested in returning to the Premier League to become Fulham manager.
The former England coach is available after his short-term contract with Ivory Coast expired after the World Cup, and his agent said on Friday that Eriksson would relish a second stint in the English topflight.
Athole Still said Eriksson was still hurt by his dismissal from Manchester City, which fired him in June 2008 despite him overseeing an improvement from 14th to ninth place in his single season in charge.
Fulham is still looking for a successor to Roy Hodgson after Ajax refused to release Martin Jol, who was the west London team's first choice, from his contract on Thursday.
"Fulham is not the biggest club in the world, but it's a London club and a Premier League club," Still said. "It's got a wealthy chairman, who one would hope would be willing to inject funds for new players.
"Fulham is an attractive club for anyone to go to."
Still said Fulham had not made contact with him or Eriksson. Cardiff's David Jones has also been linked with the position but the English second-tier side has received no approach.
Fulham is seeking to replace Hodgson after the popular Englishman joined Liverpool on July 1. Hodgson saved Fulham from seemingly certain relegation in 2008 and guided the Cottagers to an all-time best seventh place a year later.
Fulham dipped to 12th last season but made it to only the second major final in the club's 131-year history before losing the Europa Cup finale 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in Hamburg.
Still added that Eriksson, who guided England to two World Cup quarterfinals, has "another offer from an area that is not so attractive even though the money is very good."
Eriksson could not guide Ivory Coast past the first round of this year's World Cup but was hampered by having just three months to prepare and a tough first-round group including Brazil and Portugal.
Eriksson was appointed at Manchester City following the team's high-profile takeover by Thaksin Shinawatra, but the former Thai leader was unhappy that his investment in new players did not lead to greater improvement in the side.
Shinawatra publicly announced that Eriksson would not be in charge for a second season and the team capitulated 8-1 at Middlesbrough in its final Premier League game. Victory would have clinched eighth place and matched the club's best finish since 1992.
Still told Sky Sports News that Eriksson, who won Italy's Serie A title with Lazio before spending six years in charge of England, had unfinished business in the Premier League.
"'A bad taste' is putting it mildly," Still said. "It was outrageous how he was sacked there. He did a first-class job with Manchester City. It was a personal non-compatibility with Dr. Shinawatra which caused him to be sacked.
"He should still be there."
-- Stuart Condie
Iraq's battle for football control turns sectarian
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq is close to being banned from international football again for alleged government meddling in the leadership of the Iraqi Football Association after armed men stormed into the headquarters last week waving arrest warrants.
The battle over who will lead Iraq's most popular sport after an election set for Saturday has become a window into Iraq's sectarian politics that has officials struggling to form a new government more than four months after inconclusive March elections.
The political bickering between the current Shiite prime minister and his Sunni-backed rival over who will lead the government has spilled over into Iraq's football with the government backing Shiite candidate Falah Hassan against the Sunni incumbent Hussein Saeed.
The Shiite-dominated government has long wanted to purge Iraq's sports of any officials with alleged ties to the deposed regime of Saddam Hussein.
FIFA rules say national football bodies must be independent, and as recently as last month it threatened to suspend France after President Nicolas Sarkozy made noises about reforming its own federation.
In the past two years, FIFA has suspended Iraq twice from international competition because of political interference. On Wednesday, FIFA warned that any governmental meddling in the association's electoral process is "subject to statutory measures which can include a suspension."
The warning came after men in military-style uniforms raided the federation's offices on Sunday carrying arrest warrants for several of its officials, including Saeed, who lives in Jordan.
The government has stepped up the pressure to oust the 52-year-old Saeed from the presidency, alleging the former striker for Baghdad's al-Talaba club, who's ranked 10th on FIFA's list of players with the most international caps, has ties to the former regime and is suspected of corruption.
Falah Hassan, a 60-year-old Shiite from Baghdad's slum of Sadr City and a former captain of Iraq's best team al-Zawra, is Saeed's main rival for football's top job in Iraq.
Although Falah's international career pales in comparisons with Saeed's, who comes from Baghdad's fallen Sunni elite, Falah makes a much more appealing candidate in Iraq's current political climate.
On Saturday, the two men will go head to head in the northern city of Irbil for the leadership of the federation.
Even the location of the election, chosen by FIFA, is controversial, however, with the government wanting it to be held in Baghdad, which it is trying to showcase as stable once more.
FIFA, however, deemed the capital too unsafe to send international observers and insisted it take place in the Kurdish autonomous region, which has largely been free of violence since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Tired of politics and conflict, Iraqis just want football to remain a game.
"It makes no difference where the election occurs and who is the president of the federation," said Hassan Abdul Wahab, a 22-year-old student who plays football every evening on a makeshift field along the Tigris. "The important thing is not to be banned by FIFA and have a chance to play outside Iraq."
While the national team enjoyed a memorable Asian Cup in 2007, defeating Australia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia en route to the title, the team has since struggled to beat even the weakest teams in the Middle East. This month, Iraq signed Wolfgang Sidka as the new national coach, and assigned him to defend the title next year.
In May 2008, Iraq was suspended for several days after its government disbanded all national sports bodies, but the ban was lifted when the government assured FIFA that football was excluded from the decision.
Then last November, FIFA banned Iraq from international competition after Iraq's Olympic Committee dissolved the association because of alleged financial and administrative irregularities and the repeated delaying of internal elections. The ban was lifted only in March.
-- Barbara Surk
Brazil offers coaching job to Menezes
SAO PAULO (AP) — Mano Menezes has been invited to coach the Brazilian soccer team.
Brazil was turned down earlier in the day by Muricy Ramalho, who honored his contract with club team Fluminense.
Menezes, the coach of Sao Paulo club team Corinthians, will announce his decision on Saturday, Brazil's soccer federation says.
"What determined the choice was the understanding that an immediate renovation is needed in the Brazilian national team," Teixeira said in a statement on the federation's website.
Brazil is looking to replace Dunga, who was fired days after a loss to the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in South Africa. Brazil, eliminated in the quarterfinals of the past two World Cups, will host the tournament in 2014.
Three-time Brazilian champion Ramalho told the federation he rejected the offer because Fluminense did not allow him to break his contract, which was recently extended until the end of 2012.
Menezes will have the difficult task of leading the team in the tournament which will take place in Brazil for the first time since 1950 and will add unprecedented expectations among fans in the soccer-crazy nation.
"The final goal is the 2014 World Cup," Teixeira said.
-- Tales Azzoni
Spain to face Argentina in exhibition on Sept. 7
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — World champion Spain will play an exhibition against Argentina at River Plate's stadium in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7.
Spanish federation head Angel Maria Villa made the announcement Friday.
If top players are selected, it would create a brutal travel schedule for the Barcelona base of the Spanish team and for Argentina and Barca star Lionel Messi.
Spain's first game after winning its first World Cup title will be an Aug. 11 exhibition at Mexico City, and the Spanish play their opening European Championship qualifier on Sept. 3 at Liechtenstein.
Barcelona opens its La Liga title defense Aug. 29 at Racing Santander, plays its home opener Sept. 12 against Hercules and starts European Champions League play Sept. 14 or 15.
Spain's starting lineup for the World Cup final included seven players currently on Barcelona: defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol; midfielders Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez; and forwards Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa. Spain's roster also include Barca's starting goalkeeper, Victor Valdes.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona is expected to discuss a new contract next week with Argentine federation president Julio Grondona. Argentina also plays Ireland in an exhibition on Aug. 11 in Dublin.
Mallorca optimistic on Europa League chances
PALMA DE MALLORCA, Balearic Islands (AP) — Mallorca remained optimistic it will be able to play in this season's Europa League as the Spanish club's lawyer warned that excluding the debt-ridden club could set a dangerous precedent.
UEFA excluded Mallorca from the European competition on Thursday, saying it did not receive its license in accordance with the competition's regulations.
Club lawyer Luis Huerta said on Friday the team was expecting cash injections in the coming weeks from ticket sales and sponsors.
Mallorca, which has reported debts of €60 million ($77 million), argues it already received its UEFA license from the Spanish Football Federation on May 14.
"UEFA has been careful to avoid referring to bankruptcy because the regulations say that those clubs in liquidation and with future viability in jeopardy are not liable for the renewal of their license," Huerta said. "That would be a dangerous road to take because the teams that are playing in the competition know they won't be able to fight for (European places)."
Mallorca could still make the Aug. 6 draw as it now has three days to appeal the decision. Mallorca's website said fans were planning a mass protest Tuesday over the decision.
"I'm optimistic," coach Michael Laudrup said. "I don't see the logic in this happening. I think the club will appeal, I don't think we'll be left out."
Villarreal will take Mallorca's place in the competition as it finished sixth in the Spanish standings — one spot below Mallorca.
Sandor Egervari named Hungary's new football coach
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's football federation has named Sandor Egervari as the new coach of the national team, replacing Erwin Koeman.
Egervari, who led Hungary to the bronze medal at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, will lead the national side for the first time in a friendly against England on Aug. 11 at Wembley.
The 60-year-old Egervari's appointment was announced Friday by football federation president Sandor Csanyi.
Hungary won only seven matches under Koeman since May 2008 and hasn't qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
As coach, Egervari has also won three Hungarian team championships, in 1999 and 2003 with MTK and in 2000 with Dunaferr.
FIFA threatens Sudan over government interference
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has threatened to suspend Sudan if its government does not lift a ban on several candidates standing in elections for the country's soccer association executive committee.
The Sudan Sports Commission has also imposed what FIFA calls "a prohibitive fee" that candidates must pay. FIFA said Friday that it "considers these decisions as unacceptable."
FIFA added that it would not recognize the results of an election held under such conditions and has a range of sanctions including "suspension or expulsion."
Sudan is due to host the African Nations Championship and African Confederation congress in 2011. Nigeria backed down this month after FIFA threatened to suspend it over government interference.
Villa labels Chile WCup match worst time of career
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — David Villa has called the buildup to Spain's must-win World Cup group match against Chile the worst time of his playing career.
Spain recovered from a shock opening defeat to Switzerland to beat Chile 2-1 on its way to its first World Cup triumph.
Villa says nerves were apparent within the locker room since "we knew that if we didn't get out of the group phase it would be considered a major disaster."
Spain went on to record 1-0 victories over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany and the Netherlands to become the eighth nation to lift the World Cup trophy.
Villa says the European champion's collective spirit was key as the team "never got down on itself and knew how to play its best in decisive games."
Takahara to join South Korea's Suwon
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Former Japan striker Naohiro Takahara has agreed on a move to South Korean club Suwon Bluewings from Japan's Urawa Reds.
"I will do everything I can to help my new team win," Takahara told Urawa's official website.
Takahara played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and scored 68 goals in 168 matches in the J-League first division. The 31-year-old was the J-League's top scorer in 2002 with 26 goals but has been limited match time this season. He played for German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2008 on a three-year deal.
Suwon has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League. Takahara, who appeared in 57 matches for the Japan national team scoring 23 goals, will join his new team on Saturday.
Bordeaux signs Vujadin Savic on a 5-year contract
BORDEAUX, France (AP) — Bordeaux has signed Serbian defender Vujadin Savic from Red Star Belgrade on a five-year contract.
The French club announced Friday that the 20-year-old Savic passed a medical test and that Bordeaux beat "several European clubs" to sign him for an undisclosed fee.
After spending two seasons out on loan, Savic made 14 appearances for Red Star last season. He has represented Serbia at youth level but has yet to make his senior debut.
His father, Dusan Savic, played for Lille and Cannes, scoring 65 goals in 176 league games during his spell in France. He also played for Red Star.
Bordeaux coach Jean Tigana is building his squad for the new season after replacing Laurent Blanc, who is now France coach.
Sunderland signs former Newcastle defender Bramble
SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — Sunderland has signed former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble on a three-year contract.
Bramble made a series of high-profile blunders during a five-year stint with Sunderland's local rival before rebuilding his reputation in the English Premier League with Wigan.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce coached Bramble for two seasons at Wigan and has signed the 28-year-old defender from there for an undisclosed fee.
Bruce is unconcerned by Bramble's previous connection to Newcastle and says he has "matured into a very, very good player."
Bruce also signed Lee Cattermole from Wigan a year ago and the midfielder was a first-team regular until knee and shoulder injuries disrupted his season.
Deportivo's Filipe Luis undergoes Atletico medical
MADRID (AP) — Deportivo La Coruna fullback Filipe Luis is only a medical review away from sealing his transfer to Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian fullback was in the Spanish capital on Friday to undergo the standard procedure necessary to finalize the move. The 24-year-old Filipe Luis has been Deportivo's standout player over the past two of his four seasons at the Spanish club.
He also gained his first international cap with Brazil last season but saw his chances of playing in the World Cup dashed after breaking his right ankle in January. Spanish media reports the transfer will cost over €10 million ($13 million).
Atletico finished ninth in the league last season, and won the Europa League trophy.
Vidic agrees terms on new United deal, says Gill
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United chief executive David Gill says Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic has agreed terms on a new long-term deal at the club.
Gill told Manchester United TV on Friday that "we've shaken hands on it and we're confident it will all be signed and sealed in early August."
There had been speculation Vidic wanted to move to a different league but Gill was skeptical about the origins of the rumors, saying they "didn't come out of the Manchester United camp and I'm confident they didn't come out of Nemanja's camp."
Vidic joined Man United in 2006 from Spartak Moscow for a fee of about 7 million pounds.
Uruguay striker Forlan cancels Venezuela visit
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says World Cup star Diego Forlan has had to cancel a visit to the South American country.
Chavez's justice minister announced earlier in the week that the Uruguay striker would visit on Friday But Chavez said in a speech Friday that "Forlan was going to come but he didn't have time."
Argentina coach Diego Maradona met with Chavez during a visit to Caracas this week.
Liverpool's Albert Riera signs for Olympiakos
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Spanish winger Albert Riera has joined Greek side Olympiakos, completing a move from Liverpool. The Greek club said the 28-year-old Riera signed a four-year deal Friday, but gave no financial details.
Riera had failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at Anfield and was left out of Spain's winning World Cup squad, which included Liverpool teammates Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina.
Olympiakos will play in this season's Europa League after finishing second behind Panathinaikos in the Greek league.
Aruna Dindane joins Qatar club Lekhwiya
LENS, France (AP) — Ivory Coast forward Aruna Dindane has joined Qatari club Lekhwiya from Lens on a three-year contract. The French club announced the transfer on its website Friday, without disclosing any details of the deal.
Lens loaned the 29-year-old Dindane to Portsmouth last season, where he scored eight goals in the Premier League. He previously scored 27 league goals in 102 games for Lens, and 50 in 131 for Belgian side Anderlecht.
The Doha-based Lekhwiya club also signed Bakari Kone from Marseille last season, Dindane's Ivory Coast teammate.
Hamburg signs Serbia midfielder Kacar
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Serbia midfielder Gojko Kacar has left relegated Hertha Berlin to join Hamburger SV. Hamburg says Kacar signed a five-year contract on Friday. Details were not given.
Kacar played 64 games for Hertha Berlin and scored 10 goals. His departure was expected after Hertha's relegation at the end of the last season.
Also
Bon Jovi donates seats for fans of new team
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — American rocker Jon Bon Jovi has purchased four season tickets for the new Melbourne Heart team in Australia's A-League and will donate them to fans.
Bon Jovi was announced as the football club's No. 1 international ticket holder in a statement released by the team Saturday.
The four premium memberships, valued at about $2,000, will be donated for each home game to fans who otherwise "don't have the financial means."
The Heart will play 15 home matches in its inaugural season starting next month.
Bon Jovi, whose band will tour Australia in December, was formerly a co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League — a lapsed indoor American football competition.
See archived 'Sports' stories »
We want our site to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.
E-Mail
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
FriendFeed
LinkedIn
MySpace
Copy to Clipboard
Reddit
Slashdot
StumbleUpon
Tumblr
Twitter
Yahoo! Buzz
