Soccer Capsules: Aguirre warns against overconfidence vs. U.S.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is warning his players against overconfidence in next week’s critical World Cup qualifying game against the United States at 105,000-seat Azteca Stadium.
Though Mexico is struggling to reach next year’s World Cup in South Africa, it is coming off a dominating 5-0 victory over the U.S. in the Gold Cup final — the regional championship. However, both teams were without many of its top players in that match, so Aguirre is telling his squad to forget the result.
"In Mexico we’re prone to throw ourselves on the floor after a loss and later feel very good after victories," said Aguirre, who opened training camp in Mexico City on Wednesday with 12 players. He will have 20 by Monday. The major doubt is Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, who is to arrive Monday. He’s coming off left knee surgery and is not expected to play.
"We have to find a happy balance," Aguirre added. "It’s not easy. It’s a temptation to be very up — or very down."
Mexico will be the favorite in the Aug. 12 match because of the home field advantage. The Americans have never won a match at Azteca Stadium, and the altitude of 2,250 meters (7,400 feet) is sure to bother the away team.
The Americans have only two days of training — Monday and Tuesday in Miami — and then arrive late Tuesday for Wednesday’s kickoff at 3 p.m. local time.
Mexico needs the victory more than the United States if it expects to reach next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Midway through qualifying, Costa Rica leads the North and Central America and Caribbean region with 12 points, followed by the U.S. with 10. Honduras has 7, Mexico 6, El Salvador 5 and Trinidad and Tobago with 2. The top three advance automatically to South Africa. The No. 4 teams faces the No. 5 from South America for another berth.
Aguirre warned that none of the Americans who played in the 5-0 loss in the Gold Cup final would be starting against Mexico.
"Perhaps we’ll have a similar team," added Aguirre, who has named 12 members of the Gold Cup squad for the game with the United States.
Much is expected from Aguirre, who took over Mexico in April after Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired. Aguirre led Mexico to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but left fans with a sour taste after Mexico was upset 2-0 by the United States and failed to reach the quarterfinals.
His contract wasn’t renewed, so he went to Europe and had successful stints with Spanish clubs Osasuna and Atletico de Madrid. He left the Madrid club early this year following a seven-game winless streak.
Mexico’s main doubt is Marquez. The defender said this week he’s only at "20 percent," and Aguirre acknowledged as much.
"I spoke with Rafa and we know that he’s not 100 percent," Aguirre said. "If he’s not ready on the 12th, he won’t play. I’m not wedded to any 11. I’ll put out the best 11 I have."
Superliga
Tigres win SuperLiga title
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Tigres of Mexico defeated the Chicago Fire 4-3 on penalty kicks to win the SuperLiga title on Wednesday night.
The Fire allowed the winning goal in the fifth shootout round, when goalkeeper Jon Busch guessed incorrectly and Itmar Batistas shot found the lower-left corner. That came after midfielders Mike Banner and Justin Mapp failed to get their attempts on net.
The game went directly to the shootout after a 1-all regulation tie, as the tournament doesn't call for the customary two 15-minute overtime sessions.
"When you lost on penalties, it's real hard," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "Those are the rules. What are you gonna do? You don't like losing, especially on PKs, but what are you gonna do?"
Penalty kicks have been the theme for the all three SuperLiga finals, as Pachuca took the first one in 2007 by beating Los Angeles before New England outlasted Houston last year. The tournament was created to capitalize on the rivalry between the United State and Mexico and pays out a $1 million purse.
The Fire appeared to be in control most of the game, taking 16 shots with seven on net, while Tigres only shot on goal by Batista tied the game in the 43rd minute.
Batistas score came on a brilliant individual effort, as he juked past defenders Bakary Soumare and Brandon Prideaux before hitting a curling shot that found the lower-right corner.
"We had two guys on him and we allowed him to get the shot off," Busch said. "He hit it perfect. He bent it great. Good goal. Nothing you can do about it."
Chicago scored first in the 10th minute when defender Gonzalo Segares sent a cross into the center of the box, where forward Patrick Nyarko got away from a defender and flicked a header into the back of the net.
"I think for the most part in the first half, we had things pretty good under control," Hamlett said. "We got a great goal from Patrick on a good ball by Gonzalo. We just kept very disciplined and made it hard for them.
"It's unfortunate on (Tigres goal) because it really came out of nothing. They're a very good team on the counter."
Prior to the start of the shootout, Busch was seen on the field emphatically gesturing and arguing with officials about where the tiebreaker would take place. He continued to point towards the north end, where the Fire's hardcore fans in soldout Toyota Park — known as Section 8 Chicago — are located.
Instead, he was rebuffed by referee Joel Aguilar, who is from El Salvador and on a short list of officials to be evaluated to participate in next summers World Cup in South Africa.
"We wanted it on our side of the field," Busch explained. "I figure we're at home, we should have it with our fans, but the referee was obviously wearing a Tigres jersey tonight because he wanted in front of the Tigres fans. I think that's absolutely absurd."
Exhibition
Lionel Messi scores twice in FC Barcelona 4-0 win
SEATTLE — Four years ago, Sigi Schmid was directing the United States at the FIFA under-20 world championships. His first match in the tournament came against Argentina and a budding young star named Lionel Messi, who played only a half against the Americans.
"After the game my first words to (the Argentina coach) was I thanked him very much for only playing Messi 45 minutes," Schmid said. "He was the best player in the world then, and I still think he's the best player in the world."
Blinding in his nuclear peach uniform, Messi put on a display of dominance Wednesday night for an American audience getting a chance to see arguably the world's best team. Messi scored twice in the first half and FC Barcelona continued its preseason tour of the U.S. with a 4-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC.
His first mark was a punched left-footed drive from outside the penalty box in the 21st minute that Seattle keeper Kasey Keller could only get his fingertips on.
If the first goal was good, the second only helped reinforce the argument the 22-year-old player from Argentina might be the world's best scoring talent. In one motion, Messi settled a perfectly judged pass from Xavi off his chest about 8 yards out and then used his left foot to split the legs of Keller, whose only hope was that Messi misplayed the pass.
Not Messi. He doesn't miss on those, and is already picking up on last season when he scored 38 goals in league and tournament play.
"He makes it look easy, and they're not easy goals," an awed Steve Zakuani said, a DVD of the game tucked under his arm. "I'm going to go home and watch the DVD and see what he did that I didn't do."
Many in the crowd of 66,848, the largest to see a soccer match in Seattle, craved more Messi and fellow Barca stars Thierry Henry and Xavi, but only got one half as the reigning holders of the Treble — La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles — continued its exhibition tour. FCB beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 last Saturday and will wrap up the three-match trip on Sunday against CD Chivas de Guadalajara in San Francisco.
The only downside for Barcelona came before the match when central defender Rafael Marquez tore a muscle in his left calf during training Wednesday morning and will miss 10 to 15 days. That means the Mexican captain likely won't play against the United States in a key World Cup qualifier on Aug. 12 in Mexico City.
But for 45 minutes, and even during its preseason, Barcelona's first 11 showed why the team is the current king of Europe.
Barcelona outshot Seattle 16-3, peppering Keller the entire first half with precision, creative passing leading to a constant flow of scoring attempts. Henry had scoring chances, as did emerging 18-year-old Bojan Krkic. Messi nearly netted a hat trick, but his chip shot past a charging Keller in the 39th minute kissed off the far post and stayed out.
"You see him on TV all the time. I see him every day. Of course Messi is a player at a different level," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "(He's) the best in the world, not only for his youth, but for his ability to dominate."
Jeffren Suarez scored in the 75th minute and Pedro Rodriguez in the 89th minute.
The match meant little to Seattle, which has an important MLS contest on Saturday night at Real Salt Lake. That's why regulars like Keller and Freddie Ljungberg played just the first half. Ljungberg, who missed last Sunday's MLS match at San Jose after dealing with a severe migraine during last week's MLS All-Star game, had Seattle's best scoring chance early in the match.
Barcelona reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto let a sloppy pass roll up the middle of the penalty area and right to Ljungberg's feet. The Swedish star settled the ball, but his right-footed shot went wide of the net. The Sounders, who lost to Chelsea 2-0 in another international exhibition on July 18, have just one goal in five matches.
"It was an absolute lesson, and hopefully for the fans to see how the best team in the world plays football," Keller said. "I got kicked in the Camp Nou one time, 5-1, I've seen it a couple different times before. I knew what was going to happen. Credit to them — they're the best team in the world."
-- Tim Booth
United States
U.S. remains 12th in FIFA rankings
ZURICH — The United States remained 12th in the August FIFA rankings following its 5-0 loss to Mexico in last month’s final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The Americans would have moved into the top 10 had it not been for the big defeat against its regional rival, FIFA said Wednesday.
South American champion Brazil retained the top spot, which it regained for the first time in two years last month following its 3-2 victory over the United States in the final of the Confederations Cup.
European champion Spain stayed in second, followed by the Netherlands, and Germany moved ahead of world champion Italy into fourth. The rest of the top 10 was unchanged, with Russia in sixth, followed by England, Argentina, France and Croatia.
Canada was the biggest mover, climbing 26 places to 66th. Grenada (113th) and the Netherlands Antilles (165th) had the biggest slides, each falling 25 places.
FIFA World Rankings List
ZURICH — The top 25 in FIFA's world rankings released Wednesday (previous month's ranking in parentheses):
1. Brazil (1), 1,642 points.
2. Spain (2), 1,590.
3. Netherlands (3), 1,379.
4. Germany (5) 1,195.
5. Italy (4), 1,181.
6. Russia (6), 1,161.
7. England (7), 1,135.
8. Argentina (8), 1,080.
9. France (9), 1,059.
10. Croatia (10), 1,031.
11. Greece (11), 1,001.
12. United States (12), 991.
13. Switzerland (13), 930.
14. Serbia (14), 925.
15. Denmark (15), 909.
16. Australia (16), 896.
17. Portugal (17), 881.
18. Ivory Coast (18), 874.
19. Ukraine (19), 869.
20. Paraguay (22), 856
21. Uruguay (20), 851.
22. Czech Republic (21), 850.
23. Bulgaria (23), 839.
24. Scotland (24), 837.
25. Israel (25), 822.
U.S. striker Altidore says he is joining Hull
LONDON — Jozy Altidore says he has joined Premier League club Hull subject to a work permit being granted.
The 19-year-old U.S. striker announced on Twitter that he will be introduced at a news conference Thursday.
He wrote Wednesday: "First match is against Chelsea subject to a work permit ... thanks for the support and love keep it coming."
Altidore joined Villarreal from the New York Red Bulls in June 2008. After making only two starts and four substitute appearances during the first half of the season, he was loaned to Xerez in the second division on Jan. 30.
Elsewhere
Bayern seeks to reclaim Bundesliga title
FRANKFURT — When Bayern Munich kicks off its attempt to reclaim the Bundesliga title this weekend, its best player is likely to be watching from the stands, if at all.
Franck Ribery won’t be fit for Saturday’s opener at Hoffenheim after struggling with several injuries that restricted his practice time in the buildup to the season. And if the French star had his way, he’d now be in Madrid, not Munich.
Ribery sought to find more fame and fortune at Real Madrid but the Spanish side apparently lost interest when Bayern priced its most influential player at $140 million or more. Still, the transfer period extends until the end of the month.
Bayern finished 20-7-7 in the league last season, two points behind Wolfsberg (21-7-6), and was eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals. First-year coach Juergen Klinsmann was fired with five games remaining, and now Louis van Gaal is in charge.
"Everywhere where I’d been, I’ve written history and I want to do it again," van Gaal said after arriving.
So far, he’s been dealing with problems.
Club president Franz Beckenbauer sharply criticized Ribery’s attitude and questioned his commitment. Bayern’s other leaders, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and manager Uli Hoeness, sided with Ribery and praised his dedication and professionalism.
Ribery’s desire to leave surely has not made him more popular with Bayern’s famously unforgiving fans, and the club may find it healthier to eventually make a profit by releasing an unhappy player.
Forward Lukas Podolski was allowed to leave for Cologne, defender Lucio signed with Inter Milan and midfielder Ze Roberto went to Hamburg during the offseason.
Defender Anatoly Timoshchu was brought from Zenit St. Petersburg, forward Mario Gomez from Stuttgart and Ivica Olic from Hamburg. Gomez (24 league goals) is likely to pair up with Miroslav Klose, a move that would leave Luca Toni (14 league goals) on the bench following an Achilles’ tendon injury.
Bayern’s official start of the season came last weekend in the German Cup, when it labored to beat sixth-division side Neckarelz at the same stadium where it will play Saturday.
"We had 10 matches in 4½ weeks, and that was too many," van Gaal said. "We are going to be battling hard with several clubs for the title — Schalke, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Leverkusen, Wolfsburg. We want to play attractive football and to be successful. But we have a new coach and many new players and we need time."
Armin Veh took over as coach of Wolfsburg after Felix Magath led the club to its first Bundesliga title, then went to Schalke.
Veh inherits the core of Wolfsburg’s championship team, including strikers Grafite and Edin Dzeko, who combined a for a Bundesliga record 54 goals last season.
Grafite was voted the Bundesliga player of the year. After finishing second in the league with 26 goals last season, Wolfsburg prevented Dzeko from transferring to AC Milan, then gave him a two-year contract extension through the 2012-13 season.
Boosting its roster, Wolfsburg signed forward Obafemi Martins from Newcastle.
Stuttgart, third at 19-8-7, compensated for the departure of Gomez by obtaining midfielder Alexander Hleb on a loan from Barcelona and signing Pavel Pogrebnyak from Zenit.
"Bayern is really the only team that has a claim on the title," Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel said. "Our goal is to confirm what we did last season and qualify for the Champions League."
Babbel’s team kicks off the season Friday when it visits Wolfsburg, with Babbel facing his former boss in Stuttgart, Veh.
"He got me into the business of coaching, and we never had a problem," Babbel said.
Hamburg, fifth at 19-11-4, is another team with a new coach, Bruno Labbadia, previously at Leverkusen.
Of the three promoted teams, Nuremberg appears to have a strong enough roster to remain in the top flight, while Freiburg and Mainz seem destined to struggle. Mainz even fired coach Joern Andersen on Monday, five days before its league opener, and replaced him with junior team coach Thomas Tuchel.
-- Nesha Starcevic
Bordeaux open to new Chamakh bid from Arsenal
PARIS — Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud says he could grant Marouane Chamakh his dream move to Arsenal if Gunners boss Arsene Wenger comes back with a better offer for the striker.
"It's up to Arsene to see what he wants to do," Triaud told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday. "We have always said we would listen to the player ... but not just in any way (for any amount)."
Triaud said Arsenal has so far offered a figure under €7.5 million (US$10.8 million; 6.4 million pounds) for the 25-year-old Morocco forward, who only has one year remaining on his contract.
Triaud, who also said he had apologized to Sunderland manager Steve Bruce over comments he made about the English club's interest in the striker, rates Chamakh at €15 million, but is willing to negotiate.
"What I am hoping for is to reach a gentleman's agreement," Triaud said, without saying how much Wenger should bid. "It's always been clear between Chamakh and us. If there is a team in the big four (interested in signing him) we will look at it. But on terms that are acceptable to Bordeaux."
Wenger has expressed an interest in Chamakh, who wants to join the Gunners.
Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham have also been linked with the athletic striker, whose superb heading ability and strength playing with his back to goal would help him settle quickly into the English game.
"It's always tough to work out the value of a player. Sometimes the value corresponds to the number of clubs interested in him. In this case there are several," Triaud said. "The moment a player says 'I'll go there and nowhere else', it's easier for Arsenal.
"Chamakh's dream is to join Arsenal ... and that's understandable," Triaud said. "He's grown up with our club, and we want to please him."
Chamakh's 13 league goals helped Bordeaux win the French title last season and coach Laurent Blanc wants to build his attack around him for the new campaign, which the champion will start at home to Lens on Sunday.
Chamakh came up through Bordeaux's youth ranks seven years ago and has played nearly 200 league games. He would be the club's third departure in the offseason after winger Gabriel Obertan moved to Manchester United and defender Souleymane Diawara joined Marseille.
Triaud also told The AP that he has written a letter of apology to Bruce for his previous comments about Sunderland. Triaud said last month: "What is he going to do in Sunderland? I don't want to insult them but I don't even know where they finished last season."
On Wednesday, Triaud said: "When I saw Steve Bruce's reaction ... he said he didn't understand and that we'd insulted Sunderland a bit. I sent him a little letter telling him that it was a misunderstanding and that we never said Sunderland wasn't a respectable club.
"If they took it that way, it's that we expressed ourselves badly and we apologize."
Triaud, who sent the letter on Monday, said: "It's a matter of courtesy."
-- Jerome Pugmire
Alonso completes Madrid move
MADRID, Spain — Midfielder Xabi Alonso completed his transfer to big-spending Real Madrid from Liverpool on Wednesday.
Alonso passed his routine medical to become Madrid's eighth signing in a €254 million ($365 million) spending spree since Florentino Perez returned to the club presidency in June.
Liverpool will receive a reported fee of €30 million ($43 million) for the 27-year-old Spain international, who has signed a five-year contract.
"It's a really important step in my career. I'm very happy to form part of this club and let's hope it all goes well," Alonso was quoted as saying by news agency Europa Press.
Alonso made his first appearance as a Madrid player on Wednesday at the club's training ground for a session with his new teammates. The club said he would be officially presented at an evening news conference.
The Basque midfielder will travel with the team on its two-game North American exhibition tour. Madrid plays at Toronto FC on Friday and against D.C. United on Sunday, ahead of its league opener against Deportivo La Coruna on Aug. 29 or 30.
Madrid hopes Alonso's organizational skills will help balance an offensive lineup which includes newcomers Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
The club aims to avoid the mistakes of Perez's previous presidency when — despite the presence of "galacticos" David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo — the team lacked cohesion and endured a trophy drought from 2003-06, its worst run for over 50 years.
"I will try to do what I know how, provide teammates with someone to pass to, balance the team and get the ball to move from one side to another," Alonso said.
Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano has said Alonso will be Madrid's final signing of an offseason in which it bought Ronaldo from Manchester United for a world-record fee of €94 million ($135 million), Kaka from AC Milan for €65 million ($93.5 million) and Benzema from Lyon for €35 million ($50 million).
The powerhouse is aiming to return to the top of the game after its bitter rival Barcelona enjoyed the most successful ever campaign by a Spanish club by winning the Champions League and the domestic league and cup last season.
"It's a project aimed at doing big things. I think the formula which has been adopted is a good one, with Spanish players who know each other and adding some world-class players," Alonso said.
Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez said Wednesday that Alonso asked to leave Liverpool in May and then pushed for a move by submitting a transfer request.
Alonso joined Liverpool in 2004 from Real Sociedad and helped the English club win the Champions League the following year with a goal against AC Milan in the final. At international level, he helped Spain become European champion in 2008.
At Madrid, Alonso will join former Liverpool teammates Alvaro Arbeloa, who moved to Real last week, and goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Alonso thanked the Liverpool supporters for their support.
"I'm really grateful to them. My five years there have been fantastic. It will be really difficult to match what they have given me," he said.
Liverpool, which finished runner-up to Manchester United in the Premier League last season, has agreed to sign AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani as Alonso's replacement.
Valdano declares Madrid spending over
MADRID — Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano says the big-spending club will be making no more signings this close season once the acquisition of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is completed.
After Alonso's signing, Madrid will have spent €254 million ($365 million) on eight players since Florentino Perez returned to the club presidency in June.
"The main aim was to complete the squad and there will now be no more signings," Valdano told radio station Cadena SER on Wednesday.
Alonso was due to take a medical on Wednesday before joining other signings including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
Madrid bought Ronaldo from Manchester United for a world-record fee of 94 million euros ($135 million), Kaka from AC Milan for 65 million euros ($93.5 million) and Benzema from Lyon for 35 million euros ($50 million).
The club's other newcomers are Valencia central defender Raul Albiol, Liverpool right back Alvaro Arbeloa, Almeria striker Alvaro Negredo and Getafe midfielder Esteban Granero. A ninth new Madrid player is defender Ezequiel Garay, who was signed a year ago but spent last season loaned back to Racing Santander.
"We had to do something unusual because it was necessary to complete the squad in various positions. Florentino has stayed true to his word and he has done so in a big way. No fan can reproach him for what he has done," Valdano added.
Valdano said Madrid will now seek to reduce its numbers and recoup some expenditure by offloading several players before the transfer window ends at the end of the month.
So far, the club has raised a reported €15 million ($22 million) through the sales of Javier Saviola and Javi Garcia to Benfica and Daniel Parejo to Getafe. Also expected to leave are the Dutch trio of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder, although Valdano said Tuesday new coach Manuel Pellegrini was keen to keep Sneijder
Valdano ruled out following up a previous attempt by Madrid to sign Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.
"Bayern decided not to sell and so we stood aside and withdrew," he said.
Berlusconi: Real Madrid spending 'crazy'
MILAN — AC Milan owner and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi criticized Real Madrid for "crazy" spending at a time of economic crisis.
At a news conference Wednesday at the club's training center near Milan, Berlusconi warned fans should not look at the Spanish club's costly transfer campaign as an example because similar moves could easily bankrupt a team.
"Calling (Madrid's purchases) crazy is an understatement," he was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency. "They are a sacrilege at a time like this and have nothing to do with the economic situation."
Madrid have spent €254 million ($365 million) on eight players since Florentino Perez returned to the club presidency in June. New signings include top stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, whom Milan sold for $92 million. The club completed the signing of Liverpool's Spain midfiedler Xabi Alonso on Wednesday.
Berlusconi, who owns a vast media empire, said such a spending spree clashes with the reality of sagging revenues for football clubs.
"Football has followed the market situation in terms of ticket costs and other commercial activities, this is a contradiction that hurts the finances of the teams," he said.
Milan fans have protested the sale of Brazilian star Kaka and the absence of any major signings to replace him.
So far this offseason, only defenders Onyewu Oguchi and Thiago Silva have been bought. Berlusconi said Wednesday that Milan would be looking to sign a "top scorer" to complete its offensive lineup.
He also said midfielder Andrea Pirlo would be staying at the Serie A club despite an offer from Chelsea.
Salgado proud on leaving Madrid
MADRID — Defender Michel Salgado said Wednesday he felt proud to have spent the past decade with Real Madrid, adding he would welcome the chance to return to the club in some capacity in the future.
Salgado's contract has been terminated by Madrid a year early, with the tough-tackling right back reportedly receiving €4 million ($5.75 million) in compensation.
The 33-year-old former Spanish international's chances of remaining were ended when Madrid signed Liverpool right back, Alvaro Arbeloa, one of eight new players in the club's €254 million ($365 million) spending spree this offseason.
"I feel very proud and privileged to have worn this shirt for 10 years," Salgado was quoted as saying by the Web site of sports daily Marca. "I hope this is just a "see you soon". You never know what may happen."
Newly promoted Zaragoza and Qatar team Al Rayyan have both reportedly made approaches to Salgado's agent, Gines Carvajal, about the player.
"It will be tough to put on another shirt but I feel I can still football for a few more years. Football is my life," Salgado said.
After joining Madrid from Celta Vigo in 1999, Salgado made 371 appearances in all competitions for Madrid, winning 11 titles including two Champions League and four Spanish league trophies.
Salgado is expected to make his farewell appearance in Madrid's friendly against AC Milan at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Aug. 25.
Kinnear says Newcastle wants him back as manager
LONDON — Joe Kinnear said Wednesday that he had been offered a new two-year contract as Newcastle manager, six months after he was forced to quit the former Premier League club because of health problems.
The 62-year-old Kinnear said that owner Mike Ashley, who has been trying to sell the club since it was relegated from the top division at the end of last season, asked him to return two weeks ago but that he could not do so until October because he is still recuperating from heart surgery.
Alan Shearer had been expected to continue as manager after taking charge of the last eight games of last season, but Ashley's attempts to sell the club had seemingly held up his appointment.
"I have been offered a two-year contract and it is something I am mulling over at the present time," Kinnear told the British Broadcasting Corp. "I have told Mike I am not going to go back to football for at least another three months and we will look at the situation then."
Newcastle faces challenges both on and off the pitch after being relegated in May. Just days ahead of its first match of the season in the League Championship, it has no manager and has been unable to trade players because Ashley has been unable to sell the club.
Ashley bought Newcastle for 134 million pounds (then $270 million) two years ago and paid another 110 million pounds (then $222 million) to reduce its debt, but is unpopular with fans following a string of poor decisions and coaching changes.
Kinnear was a surprise appointment in September after Kevin Keegan left the club but he seemed to be steadying a losing side until his well-known health problems resurfaced and he needed heart surgery.
Newcastle lost one of its preseason friendlies 6-1 to Leyton Orient and opens its League Championship campaign, its first since 1992-93, against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
"I told him I would refuse to go back for preseason friendlies as I was not up to it for medical reasons," Kinnear said. "I needed to take time out and reassess the situation and take it from there. But obviously in another three months the picture might be completely different."
Didier Drogba signs new Chelsea deal
LONDON — Didier Drogba became the latest Chelsea player to commit himself to the Premier League club on Wednesday by signing a new three-year deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2012.
The 31-year-old striker followed winger Florent Malouda and midfielder John Obi Mikel by agreeing new terms.
"I love the club, I feel good here and I want to continue to win titles with them," Drogba said. "I stay because I am ambitious to pick up lots more trophies, regain the Premier League title, win cups. It is for this that I have extended my time at Chelsea.
"But my number one objective is to win the Champions League. I am convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy."
Drogba, though, will miss the first three matches of this season's group stage after being punished by UEFA for a foul-mouthed rant at the referee when Chelsea was beaten in the semifinals by Barcelona last season.
The Ivory Coast international helped Chelsea win the FA Cup last season by scoring the equalizer in a 2-1 victory over Everton at Wembley. He has won a total of two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups with the club.
Liverpool reaches deal with AS Roma for Aquilani
LONDON — Liverpool acted quickly to replace Xabi Alonso on Wednesday, reaching a deal with AS Roma to sign Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
The transfer for the 25-year-old Aquilani is reported to be worth 20 million pounds ($34 million) and subject to a medical examination being completed later this week.
"Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached agreement with Roma for his transfer," manager Rafa Benitez said. "He will travel to Merseyside later this week for a medical. Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
"He has long been recognized as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both under 19 and under 21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side."
Alonso passed his medical with Real Madrid on Wednesday to complete a transfer estimated at around 30 million pounds for the Spanish international midfielder.
Sunderland signs Darren Bent from Tottenham
LONDON — Sunderland signed striker Darren Bent on a four-year deal from Tottenham on Wednesday for a club-record 10 million pounds ($17 million).
Spurs said the fee could reach the 16.5 million pounds they paid for Bent two years ago from Charlton, depending on performances.
"He's something different — he's got pace, power, he's young, he's English and he gets goals," Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
The 25-year-old player scored 25 goals in 79 appearances for Spurs, but was not required after Peter Crouch joined to link up in attack with Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Bent showed his frustration last week at the protracted nature of the move to Sunderland with a foul-mouthed message on his Twitter page, and later had to apologize for the words he used.
Portsmouth fines Nugent and Wilson 2 weeks wages
LONDON — Portsmouth have fined David Nugent and Marc Wilson two weeks' wages after what the club termed a "serious breach of discipline" on Pompey's preseason tour of Portugal.
The duo are reported to have brawled at the club's hotel in Guimaraes in the aftermath of the club's 4-0 defeat to Benfica in a friendly match last Saturday.
"David Nugent and Marc Wilson have both been disciplined for a serious breach of club discipline," Portsmouth said in a statement on Wednesday. "The matter has been dealt with internally and there will be no further comment from the club."
The pair are believed to have been warned about their future behavior by Portsmouth manager Paul Hart before being expelled from the tour.
Nugent, whose toe injury rendered him unavailable for the Benfica friendly, seemed to be poised for a more prominent role at Fratton Park this season following Peter Crouch's switch to Tottenham. He has yet to establish himself in the first team since his move from Preston in the summer of 2007.
Wilson, 21, made his debut for the club in the Carling Cup loss to Chelsea last September. He has played three Premier League games for the south coast side, including one substitute appearance.
Maradona plans to pressure Brazil in key qualifier
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Coach Diego Maradona wants his players to deny Brazil's playmakers time on the ball as Argentina looks to get its faltering World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with victory over five-time champion Brazil in a crucial qualifying match next month.
"We're going to pressure them all over the field and make Kaka and Robinho uncomfortable," Maradona said Wednesday. "We won't let them find the open spaces."
Argentina is struggling to advance to next year's World Cup finals in South Africa. The two-time World champions are fourth in the qualifying group standings, the last spot for an automatic berth.
Brazil, ranked the best side in the world by FIFA, is first.
"We're going to come out attacking," Maradona said."We know who we are playing against, and they know they have to face Argentina."
Hoping to gain an advantage, Argentina has moved the Sept. 5 match to Rosario, located about 300 kilometers (180 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires. Maradona requested the change of venue, upset over the field conditions at River Plate's stadium — Argentina's normal venue for playing qualifiers.
Before facing Brazil, Argentina plays a friendly on Aug. 12 against Russia. The team will be without striker Carlos Tevez, who has an ankle injury, and injured midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.
Brazil leads the South American qualifying group with 27 points followed by Chile (26), Paraguay (24) and Argentina (22). They are followed by Ecuador (20), Uruguay (18), Colombia (17) and Venezuela (17).
The top four advance automatically to South Africa. The fifth-place team faces a playoff with the fourth-place finisher from North and Central America and the Caribbean for another qualifying berth.
After the Brazil match, Argentina has one more home qualifier on Oct. 10 vs. Peru. Argentina has away matches on Sept. 8 in Paraguay and Oct. 13 in Uruguay.
Argentina’s soccer season put off by debt concerns
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The start of Argentina’s soccer season will be delayed to arrest the growing debts of many clubs.
Club directors ratified the decision to put off the Aug. 14 start date indefinitely on Tuesday.
Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Association, says the situation is difficult and that resources cannot meet expenses.
Negotiations on raising fees for TV rights have been frozen, and the government of President Cristina Fernandez has declined to allow Internet betting, which is currently illegal.
The global economic crisis has hurt Argentine clubs due to a reduction in transfers fees from European clubs, which many clubs depend heavily upon to meet costs.
Fans must wear masks at Brazilian soccer game
SAO PAULO — Fans planning to attend a Brazilian league match will have to wear face masks because of swine flu fears.
A state judge has ordered fans at the Santos vs. Curitiba soccer match to wear masks to avoid closing the event to the public. The match Wednesday will take place in the city of Cascavel in southern Brazil, the region where most swine flu cases have been reported in Latin America’s largest nation.
Prosecutors wanted to postpone the match, but the judge ruled it was enough to have the fans wear masks. Nearly 20,000 tickets were put on sale. The city can be fined $150,000 if the judge’s order is not obeyed.
It’s believed to be the first time a soccer match has been affected by swine flu fears in Brazil.
Man United without keeper Van der Sar for 2 months
LONDON — Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will be sidelined for up to two months after undergoing surgery on a broken finger and bone in his left hand.
The club said Wednesday that the 38-year-old Dutchman sustained the injury in a penalty shootout loss to Bayern Munich in last week's preseason game.
United will have to turn to either Tomasz Kuszczak or Ben Foster as replacement goalkeeper in the opening stages of the season.
United plays Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday, a week before it league opener against Birmingham.
Austria misses 6 regulars against Cameroon
VIENNA — Juventus goalkeeper Alexander Manninger and six regular starters will be missing from Austria's squad for next week's friendly match against Cameroon.
Manninger, who has played 33 matches for Austria, was called up for the game but told coach Dietmar Constantini he no longer wanted to play for the national side after being relegated to the bench for Austria's previous match against Serbia in June.
Defenders Martin Stranzl, Juergen Saeumel, Sebastian Proedl and Emanuel Pogatetz, as well as forwards Ekrem Dag and Marko Arnautovic were all missing due to injury.
Constantini added two newcomers to the 21-man squad announced Wednesday in Rapid Vienna midfielders Christopher Drazan and Christopher Trimmel, who scored a hattrick within six minutes in a domestic league match against Austria Kaernten on Sunday.
Austria plays Cameroon in Klagenfurt on August 12 before resuming its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against the Faeroe Islands in September.
Haan suspended in China for money waving
BEIJING — Dutch coach Arie Haan has been suspended for three Chinese Super League matches after he waved money at a referee.
Former Netherlands international Haan was reported by local media to have waved a handful of cash at the referee after a penalty was awarded against his team Chongqing Lifan in their 3-2 loss to league leaders Beijing Guoan on Sunday.
A Chinese Football Association statement said Haan had insulted the referee "in an immoral way and caused a bad influence in society." He was also fined 15,000 yuan ($2,200).
The incident highlighted the ongoing problems of the Chinese league, which is tainted by ongoing accusations of match fixing, plus on-field violence.
The suspension comes on the heels of a lifetime ban the CFA handed down to a Chinese player who chased a referee for half the field before pushing him to the ground in a provincial-level game.
Chinese football's problems have extended to women's football, with a fight breaking out earlier this week between Chinese and Australian players at the Under 19 Asian Championships. Fans in Wuhan in central China then pelted the Australians with plastic bottles as they left the field after losing 2-1.
Muslim group: Schalke anthem OK
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — A top official with a German Muslim group says he sees no problem with a decades-old anthem at Bundesliga club Schalke that mentions the Prophet Muhammad.
Schalke has asked a scholar of Islam to look into complaints sent to the club by Muslims angered by what they see as the lampooning of the Prophet Muhammad in a verse in the club's decades-old anthem.
The verse — which also caused short-lived protests in 1997 — refers to the Prophet Muhammad, who it says knew nothing about football but picked the colors blue and white, the Schalke colors.
"From our point of view, the song is neither blasphemy, nor does it constitute mockery of the prophet," Aiman Mazyek, the general secretary of Germany's Central Council of Muslims, said Wednesday on N24 television, arguing that the anthem could stay the way it is.
The prophet "lived before the invention of football," Mazyek noted, adding that it was best "to take it with humor."
Mazyek suggested that the background to the flap could be the fatal July 1 stabbing in a German courtroom of an Egyptian woman, which caused outrage in Egypt and beyond.
"Some Muslims' nerves are frayed — and then there are hotheads who try to exploit this story," he said.
The club said it has received hundreds of e-mails and letters of complaint and has contacted police and state security.
Bobby Robson buried at private funeral service
LONDON — Former England manger Bobby Robson was buried Wednesday at a private funeral service in his native northeast England.
The service at an undisclosed location was attended by Robson's widow Elsie and the couple's three sons, Andrew, Paul and Mark.
The 76-year-old Robson died last Friday after a long struggle with cancer.
"Sir Bobby Robson was laid to rest today at a private family service," a family statement said. "Lady Robson has been overwhelmed by the wonderful tributes and messages of condolence and is very grateful that the family's privacy has been respected at this sad time."
A public memorial service is set to be held later in the year.
Robson was England coach between 1982-90 and led the team to the 1990 World Cup semifinals, where it lost a penalty shootout to West Germany.
As a club coach, he won titles with Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Barcelona and lifted struggling Newcastle from last when he took over to three consecutive top-five finishes in the Premier League.
