Soccer Capsules: Guadalajara coach proud of performance in final
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Although Guadalajara left Brazil disappointed after coming up short in its bid to become the first Mexican club to win the Copa Libertadores, coach Jose Luis Real was pleased with his team's performance.
Guadalajara was finding a lot of positives from the 3-2 defeat that gave Brazil's Internacional its second title in the Latin American club championship on Wednesday.
Real said his players showed poise and improved greatly from the 2-1 first-leg loss at home last week, giving the team a significant chance to triumph at Beira-Rio Stadium. He said details and silly mistakes kept the team from doing it.
Guadalajara, known as Chivas, led 1-0 at halftime, but allowed second-half goals that led to a 5-3 aggregate defeat.
"The result leaves a bitter taste. We wanted to win," Real said. "But this group has a great future. They played hard and left all on the field. We leave with our heads high."
Chivas was only the second Mexican club to make it to the final since Mexican clubs were invited for the first time in 1998. Cruz Azul was the other finalist, losing to Boca Juniors in 2001.
Chivas struggled in the first leg at home and players were eager to rebound with a decent performance in the return match in Brazil. Many felt it was a matter of pride to erase the poor performance in front of Chivas' fans.
"We played much better this time, these players deserve a lot of credit," Real said. "We made innocent mistakes in the second half and it cost us. We lost to a very good team."
Midfielder Marco Fabian De la Mora put the Mexican side ahead in the 43rd to level the aggregate, but Internacional picked up the pace in the second half and scored three goals to end Chivas' hopes.
"We were very focused, playing with a lot of intensity," striker Omar Bravo said. "But they took advantage of 10 or 15 minutes in which we lacked attention."
Real said Chivas fans should be proud of the team's campaign in the Copa Libertadores.
"We can't talk about failure, that didn't happen," Real said. "Now we have to work hard to keep improving so we can win the title next time. This group has a great mentality."
Chivas received a first-round bye as compensation for being forced to pull out of the 2009 tournament because of the swine flu outbreak which put off opponents from traveling to Mexico.
Chivas' focus returns to the local Apertura, in which it is fifth in the six-team Group 1 with four points from two matches.
Police: Inter fan killed in title celebration
SAO PAULO (AP) — Police say an Internacional fan was shot to death as supporters celebrated the team's Copa Libertadores title.
The 29-year-old student was shot in the neck, police said on Thursday, after an altercation as fans celebrated in the city of Gravatai in the early hours.
The Lance sports newspaper said authorities weren't clear what prompted the fight or whether fans from rival team Gremio were involved.
The daily reported that two other people sustained minor injuries and five suspects were detained for interrogation.
Internacional won its second Copa Libertadores title by beating Mexico's Guadalajara 3-2 in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre on Wednesday. It had won the first leg 2-1 in Mexico last week.
U.S. Soccer
Only Beckham earns more in MLS than Henry, Marquez
NEW YORK (AP) — David Beckham tops Major League Soccer's salary list followed by recent arrivals Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez.
Beckham, who hasn't played for the Los Angeles Galaxy this season because of a torn Achilles' tendon, tops the league at $6.5 million, according to the latest MLS Players Union salary list on Thursday.
Henry and Marquez, who joined the New York Red Bulls from Barcelona following the World Cup, are the league's second- and third-highest paid players.
Henry, a World Cup and European champion with France and a Champions League winner with Barcelona, will earn $5.6 million in guaranteed compensation this year. Marquez, who captained Mexico in South Africa, will earn $5.54 million.
Wizards F Bunbury fined, suspended by MLS
NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas City Wizards forward Teal Bunbury has been fined $250 and suspended for a game by MLS because of what should have been a red-card offense against San Jose.
Bunbury wasn't even called for fouling Earthquakes defender Tim Ward. Major League Soccer's disciplinary committee reviewed the play that was missed by game officials in the 47th minute and decided that Bunbury endangered Ward's safety.
Bunbury miss the Wizards' next league game, Aug. 21 against the New England Revolution.
Chivas USA to play match at Padres' ballpark
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Chivas USA and Chivas de Guadalajara of the Mexican first division will play a match at Petco Park in San Diego.
Chivas USA announced on Thursday the "ChivaClasico" matchup at the home of the San Diego Padres on Sept 14. Last year, the teams played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., where the Mexican team won 2-0.
This year's match will be Chivas de Guadalajara's second of the year on U.S. soil. The club will visit the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 1.
League News
Mancini puts full squad into action for first time
LONDON (AP) — Roberto Mancini has finally assembled the squad he wants at Manchester City and will put it into Premier League action for the first time against Liverpool on Monday.
Former Inter Milan coach Mancini guided City to fifth place last season with the squad he inherited but says the signings of James Milner and Mario Balotelli over the past week will be his last in the summer transfer window.
With Chelsea at Wigan and Manchester United at Fulham after winning starts, City could give a league debut to both Milner and Balotelli against visiting Liverpool. With four more high-profile new signings in his squad, Mancini will have few excuses if City does not win its first home game of the season.
"The last thing he said to me was, 'Be ready for the next game'" Milner said. "And then he said, 'Be ready to win the Premier League.'
"That's my ultimate aim. That's what I want to do and why I'm here."
City was mostly undone last season by dropping points in the first half of the campaign, so a strong start this time is crucial. City was dominated last weekend by Tottenham, the team that edged it to fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying berth, but escaped with a 0-0 draw.
Liverpool almost beat Arsenal before a last-minute own-goal by goalkeeper Pepe Reina handed the Gunners a 1-1 draw, but midfielder Joe Cole will be suspended after a red card on his debut, giving Mancini an opportunity to select a more attacking lineup.
With home advantage and without the dangerous Cole to mark, Mancini is unlikely to play three defensive midfielders as he did last weekend. Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong could continue in central midfield but Milner could replace Gareth Barry.
"He is a good young player, who can play in every position in the middle and out wide," Mancini said.
New signings Aleksander Kolarov and Jerome Boateng will miss the match after picking up injuries against Spurs. Leftback Kolarov damaged ankle ligaments and could be out for six weeks, while central defender Boateng is likely to be on the sidelines for two weeks because of a deep cut on the inside of his knee.
But Mancini's biggest test could be off the field, as he tries to keep all of his highly paid stars happy.
Craig Bellamy has already left on loan after being told he will not be in City's 25-man Premier League squad and other big names are reportedly disaffected.
Goalkeeper Shay Given has been linked with Arsenal and Fulham after Mancini selected Joe Hart to face Tottenham and again for a midweek Europa League match, while Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho are also being linked with other clubs.
Arsenal hosts Blackpool in a fixture that looks a lot trickier after the unheralded newcomer won its Premier League debut 4-0 at Wigan.
Arsenal will still be favorite to win despite the absence of midfielder Samir Nasri following minor knee surgery, but Blackpool showed it can pass the ball as well as many topflight sides.
Also Saturday, Birmingham hosts Blackburn, Everton hosts Wolverhampton, Stoke hosts Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion hosts Sunderland, West Ham hosts Bolton and Wigan hosts Chelsea.
After routing West Brom 6-0 in its opening match, Chelsea heads to a team it beat 8-0 on the final day of last season.
United has a tougher match Sunday after a 3-0 opening win over Newcastle on Monday. Fulham drew its opener 0-0 at Bolton and beat United 3-0 in last season's corresponding fixture.
Newcastle hosts Aston Villa in Sunday's other game.
Early season League Championship co-leaders Millwall face Leeds at Elland Road in Saturday's biggest second-tier match, while Queens Park Rangers hosts Scunthorpe and Nottingham Forest is at Reading.
-- Stuart Condie
Inter Milan to begin life after Mourinho
ROME (AP) — Inter Milan wants to pick up right where it left off in Saturday's Italian Super Cup against AS Roma — even without Jose Mourinho.
Last season, Inter became the first Italian side to win a treble with the Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League titles. It could have been four titles if Inter hadn't lost last year's Super Cup to Lazio.
The traditional curtain raiser for the Italian season at Milan's San Siro stadium will mark Inter's first official match since Mourinho bid a teary farewell at the Champions League final in May before taking charge of Real Madrid.
"We realize we can stay at the same level of last season, but it's going to require the right mentality, a little luck and the warmth of our fans," said new coach Rafa Benitez, who ended a six-year run at Liverpool to take over Inter.
While it may be new to Benitez, Roma is the most familiar opponent Inter could face.
The two sides have met 23 times over the last six seasons between Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup, with Inter winning 11, Roma six and six draws. The last time they met in the Super Cup, in 2008, Inter won 6-5 on penalties.
"There's no argument that we have dominated in Italy the last few years," Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso said.
Cambiasso is raring to get the season started after being left out of Argentina's World Cup squad. Many other Inter players did make it to South Africa and have only recently started training again after their post-World Cup vacations.
"Compared to last year, the problem is that the entire team didn't start training together at the same time," Cambiasso said. "But we're still motivated and sufficiently prepared to go for the win."
Diego Milito scored nearly all the key goals for Inter last season — including both strikes in Inter's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, just a few weeks after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Roma in the Italian Cup final.
Milito appears slightly behind schedule in his preparations after the World Cup, despite starting only once for Argentina. With Mario Balotelli recently transferred to Manchester City, that could put more pressure on Samuel Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder.
Sneijder led the Netherlands to the World Cup final, then took a break for his wedding but appears ready to go again, as evidenced by his goal that helped Inter win the preseason TIM tournament last week.
"To tell the truth, with three weeks of vacation there's really not enough time to lose your form," Sneijder said.
The Super Cup usually pits the previous season's Serie A winner against the Italian Cup champion, but since Inter won both last season Roma was selected as the opponent since it was runner-up in both competitions.
With Luca Toni having left to Genoa, Roma was excited about acquiring former Inter forward Adriano from Flamengo to join captain Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic in attack. But the excitement has waned somewhat following a 5-1 loss to Olympiakos in a preseason friendly last weekend.
"We've got to rediscover the real Roma, with determination and humility, like last season," coach Claudio Ranieri said. "I want to see what we can do in a real game. It's not going to be a friendly with Inter."
Still trying to get back to his ideal playing weight, Adriano will likely start on the bench in what could be his first game in Italy since he left Inter in 2008.
Inter's new 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Coutinho should also start on the bench.
Inter next faces Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup on Aug. 27, then is scheduled to open its Serie A campaign three days later against Bologna. Roma faces Cesena in its first Serie A game on Aug. 28.
-- Andrew Dampf
Marseille, Bordeaux look to overcome poor starts
PARIS (AP) — Title contenders Marseille and Bordeaux are under pressure after both lost their opening two matches in the French league to fall into the relegation zone.
Marseille hopes to bounce back against Lorient on Saturday while Bordeaux will be chasing its first victory at Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
"We need time," Marseille forward Brandao told the club's website. "We are going to win if we put in the work. We are all hungry and all want to win. We made mistakes in our last match but it will be different against Lorient."
Marseille's attack has been weakened by the departures of Spain forward Fernando Morientes, Ivory Coast international Bakari Kone, Mamadou Samassa and Senegal striker Mamadou Niang — the top scorer in the French league last season.
That situation improved on Thursday, however, when the club signed France striker Loic Remy from Nice.
The defending champion is also engaged in a dispute with midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who has refused to train with the squad in an attempt to force a transfer.
"There was some turmoil but that's no excuse," midfielder Fabrice Abriel said. "We must be above that and play at our level."
Marseille is trying to bring in further attacking reinforcements after giving up its pursuit of Sevilla's Brazil forward Luis Fabiano.
"I was hoping to get a proven international forward like Fabiano but when you know the figures, I'm not going to tell the club to buy him at any cost," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said.
Remy, who scored 14 league goals last season, has joined on a five-year deal and Marseille also hopes to add France striker Andre-Pierre Gignac to its squad.
Toulouse has confirmed interest from Marseille in signing Gignac but it has received no financial offer yet. The deadline for deals is Aug. 31.
Bordeaux, meanwhile, has scored only one goal in two matches as the 2009 champion struggles to cope with the departure of Morocco forward Marouane Chamakh to English club Arsenal.
New Bordeaux coach Jean Tigana was not happy with the shape in which Laurent Blanc left the squad before taking charge of the France national team.
"We got again into the bad habits of last season," Tigana said. "I was not at the club (last season) but I'm getting back a delicate legacy. There's a psychological problem. The players can't set their minds free. We must find a solution and it's up to me to bring it."
Tigana was referring to last season's disappointing finish: Bordeaux led the league at the winter break with an eight-point cushion but collapsed in the second half of the campaign to finish sixth.
Toulouse tops the standings with six points and will play promoted Arles-Avignon on Saturday.
Arles-Avignon, which lost its first two league matches this season, has signed Greek internationals Angelos Charisteas and Angelos Basinas, both on free transfers.
Basinas, a defensive midfielder, arrives from Portsmouth while Charisteas is a forward who played last season at Bayer Leverkusen, on loan from Nuremberg.
"Our goal is to win 10 or 11 matches to get 30 or 33 points and reach safety," Arles-Avignon coach Michel Estevan said. "Now we know it will be difficult."
Toulouse will miss midfielder Moussa Sissoko who picked up a thigh injury against Bordeaux last weekend.
Also on Saturday it's: Lens vs. Monaco, Lyon vs. Brest, Nice vs. Nancy, Rennes vs. Saint-Etienne, and Auxerre vs. Valenciennes.
On Sunday, Montpellier faces Caen and Sochaux hosts Lille.
-- Trung Latieule
Panathinaikos to kick off season against Xanthi
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Defending champion Panathinaikos kicks off the Greek league season against Xanthi next week with two new French signings joining star striker Djibril Cisse.
Defender Jean-Alain Boumsong and forward Sidney Govou both signed in the summer from Lyon to boost Nikos Nioplias' squad ahead of the new season.
Fellow France international Cisse scored 23 goals last season to lead Panathinaikos to its first league title in six years.
Rival Olympiakos, which had won the championship each of the previous five years, was six points adrift and its preparations for the new season have been far from perfect.
An embarrassing exit from the Europa League at the hands of Maccabi Tel Aviv led to the sacking of German coach Ewald Lienen after just 52 days at the helm, with Ernesto Valverde returning to the club he led to the domestic double in 2009.
However, Olympiakos has been strengthened by the signing of Spanish winger Albert Riera for a reported €20 million ($26 million) from Liverpool, and Villarreal striker David Fuster is poised to join him by the end of the week.
"I agreed to join Olympiakos only because Valverde is the coach," Fuster told reporters. "It doesn't matter that we will not play in any European tournament. We'll fight for both Greek titles, the league and the Greek Cup."
Olympiakos, which begins the season at Iraklis, also looks set to beat Panathinaikos to the loan signing of Liverpool's Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth.
PAOK Thessaloniki and AEK Athens, who are also expected to be title contenders this season, both open against newly promoted sides.
PAOK hosts Panseriakos, while AEK travels to the island of Corfu to face Kerkyra, which has returned to the top division for only the second time in its 41-year history.
Dusan Bajevic has kept his job as AEK coach despite the opposition of a group of hardcore fans of the club, who recently attacked and slightly injured Bajevic at the end of a friendly game.
The season starts on Aug. 27.
World Cup
FIFA wraps up Russia visit to assess World Cup bid
MOSCOW (AP) — FIFA wrapped up a four-day visit to Russia to assess its potential to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, and warned on Thursday that construction of stadiums and infrastructure must begin immediately if the bid is successful.
Except for the proposed venue for the final, Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, Russia is vowing to construct all facilities from scratch. That includes up to 10 new stadiums as well as upgrades of airports and roads.
The inspection committee arrived Monday and visited the four potential host cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Sochi.
The committee head Harold Mayne-Nicholls said Thursday the visit had been "excellent" but that "work would need to start immediately" if Russia wins, "to guarantee that everything will be in place right in time."
The world soccer governing body will announce the winner of the bid on Dec. 2.
For the 2018 or 2022 World Cup there are bids from England and the United States, as well as joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands, and Spain and Portugal. Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar are applying for 2022 only.
The inspection team has already visited Japan, South Korea, Australia and Belgium-Netherlands. England is next on the itinerary, beginning on Monday.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told FIFA on Tuesday that Russia will waive visa requirements for participants if it wins hosting rights, an idea the delegation warmly received.
Russia has axed visa requirements for sports events before, allowing Manchester United and Chelsea fans at the 2008 Champions League final to show their tickets at passport control.
Putin also said the construction of world-class soccer stadiums will go ahead regardless of whether Russia is granted hosting rights, co-funded out of state coffers and private investment.
FIFA, meanwhile, also said the 2014 Sochi Games and the World University Games in Kazan in 2013 would prove ideal testing grounds for holding major sporting events.
"It would be the perfect opportunity for your country to prove to the world once again your organization skills on such a scale," Mayne-Nicholls said.
The delegation also pointed out improved government sports programs. About 1,000 artificial soccer fields were built around the country to encourage more youngsters to take up the game. Another goal is to increase the number of participants in indoor soccer or Futsal to 320,000.
"The implementation of these programs as well as the inauguration of a student league should guarantee for the next years that football stays by far the No. 1 sport in Russia. This kind of legacy is exactly what FIFA is looking for," Mayne-Nicholls said.
-- David Nowak
Elsewhere
Santos says 18-year-old sensation Neymar staying
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian striker Neymar signed a five-year deal with his domestic club Santos on Thursday, spurring a reported offer to play for Chelsea in the Premier League.
The deal was announced during a press conference attended by Neymar and Santos' president Luis Alvaro. The 18-year-old sensation sidestepped Chelsea's reported initial offer of €20 million ($26 million) and will instead keep his $1.2 million per year deal with Santos.
Alvaro said that as of December 1, the buyout clause for Neymar's contract was jumping to €45 million ($58 million) from €35 million ($45 million).
"The final decision always rests with the player," Neymar told reporters. "My father always will want what is best for me. I talked to him and decided to stay. Money alone does not bring happiness. I'm happy here and I want to continue being so."
Everyone from football legend Pele — whose club was Santos — to Brazil's new national side coach Mano Menezes to the nation's Sports Minister Orlando Silva worked for the past few weeks to convince Neymar to stay in Brazil and hone his game.
The young striker hinted to reporters last week what his decision would be — and how long he was likely to remain with Santos.
"I'm only 18-year-old — I'm really young to leave," he said last week. "I want to stay until at least the (2011) Copa Libertadores."
Neymar, who became known as the new Robinho when he appeared in Santos' senior squad, is one of Brazil's most talked-about youngsters in recent years. Along with playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, he helped Santos win this year's Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian Cup.
Former national team coach Dunga opted not to take the youngster to the World Cup in South Africa. But he scored a goal in Brazil's victory against the United States in New Jersey on Aug. 10.
Pele had said Neymar would not easily adapt to the style of play in the English league and would be better off staying in Brazil for the time being.
Chelsea's initial offer reportedly reached €20 million ($26 million), but Santos said it would not sell Neymar unless the €35 million ($45 million) buyout clause on his contract was paid.
Alvaro praise Neymar's "courageous decision" and said it was the dawn of a new era, for Brazil's best players to not automatically head to Europe's richer leagues.
"We've built a different possibility," said Alvaro. "We no longer accept the idea that we're an underdeveloped nation always at the mercy of the powerful European clubs."
Alvaro said Santos would begin an international marketing campaign on behalf of Neymar and try to make the young star the first player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award while at a non-European club.
"What we presented to Neymar's representatives ... is something that will part the waters of Brazilian football," Alvaro said. "It's a consistent design that takes into account various aspects of a player's career — including a broad international outlook."
Neymar said he is looking forward to thinking about playing instead of contractual negotiations.
"It was a complicated decision, very difficult," he said. "But God gave us the wisdom and power to make the best decision. Now it's time to only think about Santos and winning more titles."
-- Bradley Brooks
D'Alessandro wants to stay with Internacional
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Amid celebrating his first Copa Libertadores title early Thursday, midfielder Andres D'Alessandro said he'd like to stay with Internacional to play in the Club World Cup in December for the first time.
But the Argentine doesn't rule out a transfer if a good offer arrives before then.
D'Alessandro was key in Internacional's 5-3 aggregate victory against Guadalajara in the final of the Latin American club championship. Internacional won 3-2 in front of its fans on Wednesday to secure its second title.
"Now all I'm thinking about is the Club World Cup," D'Alessandro said. "My goal is to stay so I can play in Abu Dhabi. I've never played in that tournament so I want to stay."
Internacional had already guaranteed a spot in this year's Club World Cup in Dubai against the other continental champions just by reaching the Copa Libertadores final. Mexican clubs are part of the North and Central American region and can't represent South America at the tournament.
The Copa Libertadores title also put Internacional in the Recopa Sudamericana, against the champion of the Copa Sudamericana, which is under way.
Although former River Plate playmaker D'Alessandro guarantees he wants to stay, he won't ignore any offers.
"Right now I'm focused with Internacional," he said. "But if an offer arrives, we are going to talk about it."
There have been reports recently of a possible return to Argentina, but the skillful left-footer hasn't confirmed any negotiations so far.
D'Alessandro's recent performances with Internacional also raised new rumors of a possible return to the national team, but he says he is not worrying about that.
"I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "I just want to enjoy this moment right now."
Nicknamed "El Cabezon," D'Alessandro held his 2-year-old son during the press conference following Wednesday's match and said he brought several fans from Argentina to watch him at Beira-Rio Stadium.
"It's special to have so many friends that I don't get to see that often here with me," he said.
D'Alessandro is one of the three Argentine players in Internacional's squad, along with defensive midfielder Pablo Guinazu and reserve goalkeeper Roberto "Pato" Abbondanzieri, who became only the third player to win the competition with clubs from different countries. He had already won three titles with Boca Juniors — in 2000, 2001 and 2003.
D'Alessandro previously played for Wolfsburg in Germany, Portsmouth in England and Zaragoza in Spain.
-- Tales Azzoni
Portugal suspends coach Queiroz for 1 month
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Portuguese Football Federation suspended national coach Carlos Queiroz for one month on Thursday after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of misconduct.
Queiroz was ordered to pay €1,000 ($1,280) after the committee ruled he insulted an anti-doping team sent to test the Portugal squad ahead of the World Cup, and that his aggressive behavior disrupted their work, the federation said in a statement.
Queiroz will not be available for 2012 European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus on Sept. 3 and Norway four days later.
Queiroz, whose has spent two years as Portugal coach, fought the charges. Last week, Manchester United coach and former colleague Alex Ferguson testified on Queiroz's behalf as a character witness.
The decision came after Queiroz guided Portugal through a disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa, where it went out in the second round against eventual champion Spain.
Queiroz complained last month he was being subjected to a "public lynching" as details of the inquiry into the incident that happened in May were leaked to the media.
Officials sent to carry out routine tests on Portugal players said Queiroz harassed and intimidated them and used foul language, according to media reports.
Disrupting doping tests is punishable by law, either with a fine of up to €10,000 ($12,800) or a suspension of up to four years.
Queiroz has previously said he was angry that the unannounced early morning tests had disturbed the players. None of them tested positive.
The Portuguese Sports Institute, which oversees doping tests, opened an inquiry into Queiroz's conduct, which it sent to the secretary of state for sport, who then forwarded its findings to the federation for action.
Queiroz, who has two years remaining on his contract, leads Portugal into Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in Group H, which also includes Denmark and Iceland.
Jelavic to join Rangers from Rapid Vienna
VIENNA (AP) — Rapid Vienna is shipping suspended striker Nikica Jelavic to Scottish champion Rangers for refusing to play a Europa League match on Thursday.
Rapid president Rudolf Edlinger called Jelavic's decision a betrayal, and sanctioned him by suspending him for the game late Thursday against English side Aston Villa. As further punishment, Rapid was considering selecting Jelavic in the starting 11 so he wouldn't be able to represent Rangers in the Champions League.
Rangers said the 24-year-old Croatia international would arrive at the club on Friday to conclude personal terms and undergo a medical before being confirmed as its third summer signing, subject to him being granted a work permit.
Edlinger, during a hastily called news conference in Vienna's Hanappi Stadium, described Jelavic's move as "a slap in the face" and said his stance was unacceptable.
"He betrayed thousands of fans, the whole Rapid family," Edlinger said. "He no longer has any business here."
According to Edlinger, Jelavic assured board officials of his commitment to Rapid on Monday, and "therefore today's decision hurts us even more."
He added that Rapid will try to sign a replacement by the end of August when the transfer window closes.
Negotiations between Rangers and Rapid broke down last week after the Scottish side failed to agree on an individual contract with the Croatian player.
On Monday, Rangers officials tried to approach Rapid again only to be snubbed due to the upcoming tie against Aston Villa in the fourth round of Europa League qualification. However, Rapid's stance changed in the wake of Jelavic's refusal to play, and the transfer to Rangers is set to be finalized.
The Bosnian-born Jelavic joined Rapid from Zulte Waregem in 2008, initially on loan. He scored 43 times in 95 competitive matches for the Austrian club.
Rangers said on Thursday the club had signed Slovakia winger Vladimir Weiss on a one-year loan from English side Manchester City.
Weiss, who played for his country in the World Cup earlier this summer, was sent on loan to Bolton last season and would have found first-team opportunities hard to come by this year too after City's heavy spending in the transfer window.
-- Rafael Gurbisz
Marseille signs forward Remy from Nice
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Marseille signed France international Loic Remy from Nice on a five-year deal on Thursday.
Remy passed a medical in the afternoon before signing his contract with the French defending champion.
"He's a young international with a great potential," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said. "He has the ability to play in every attacking position. I expect him to play well and score goals. His pace and power make him dangerous for defenses."
The 23-year-old forward has scored 25 goals for Nice in the past two seasons.
"The Champions League tilted the balance," Remy said of his decision. "That's something I was looking forward to."
Remy also drew interest from Hoffenheim but, unlike Marseille, the German club did not qualify for this season's Champions League.
"Things went very fast from the moment the Marseille management came to Nice yesterday," Remy said.
Marseille reached an agreement in principle with Nice on Wednesday evening.
The addition of Remy comes as a relief for Marseille, whose attack has been weakened this summer by the departures of Fernando Morientes, Bakari Kone, Mamadou Samassa and Senegal forward Mamadou Niang, the top striker in the French league last season.
"I expect a complete change compared to what I've known in Nice," Remy said, "in terms of fans' expectations and pressure."
Nice finished 15th in the French league last season.
Frimpong to miss up to 9 months with knee injury
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has been ruled out for six to nine months after injuring his knee in training.
The 18-year-old Frimpong damaged cruciate ligaments on Wednesday and could miss all of the season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Thursday.
"That is a massive blow. A cartilage is three to four weeks but a cruciate like the one Frimpong did yesterday is six to nine months," Wenger told the club's online TV channel.
News of Frimpong's injury comes a day after fellow midfielder Samir Nasri underwent knee surgery. The France international is set to be out of action for a "matter of weeks," according to the Premier League club.
Defensive midfielder Frimpong, who was born in Ghana but has played for England youth teams, has come through the ranks at the north London club and was expected to be used by Wenger in the Arsenal first team this season.
He played a prominent role in the Gunners' preseason matches but was not part of the squad in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Frimpong sustained the injury in reserve-team training in Dublin, where the squad is taking part in a friendly tournament.
"I rate him highly and I still have a lot of faith in him but we will miss him," Wenger added.
Antic remains Serbia coach despite poor World Cup
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Radomir Antic will remain the Serbia coach despite poor World Cup results, a major pay cut and a FIFA suspension.
Serbia Football Association president Tomislav Karadzic said on Thursday that keeping Antic "is not the best solution, but we have no better candidate."
Antic has reportedly accepted halving his €100,000 ($128,000) monthly salary by about 50 percent, which was the main condition set by the association for him to remain at the job.
FIFA has suspended Antic for four matches for "inappropriate behavior" against a referee after the World Cup match against Australia which Serbia lost 2-1, leading to its elimination after the group stage. Serbia beat Germany 1-0 but lost to Ghana 1-0.
This means Antic won't be able to lead Serbia from the bench against the Faroe Islands, Slovenia, Estonia and Italy in the first four qualifying matches for the 2012 European Championship.
"We don't want to keep our finger on the trigger against Antic, but it will be very difficult in the qualifications," Karadzic said. "He knows the team, and has the system ... we don't think anyone else could do a better job."
Antic, 62, is the only foreign coach who has led Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Sevilla says Arsenal made offer for Squillaci
SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Sevilla has received an offer from Premier League side Arsenal for France defender Sebastien Squillaci.
Sevilla assistant sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo says the Spanish club left Squillaci out of its team for Wednesday's Champions League playoff against Braga following a bid by the north London club.
Sevilla says in a statement that Squillaci's "future is in the air."
The 30-year-old Squillaci was a member of France's 23-man World Cup squad and made one appearance in South Africa.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said last month that he wanted to buy a new central defender to compete with Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou and new signing Laurent Koscielny.
Cruzeiro signs Argentine midfielder Prediger
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian club Cruzeiro says it has signed Argentine midfielder Leonardo Sebastian Prediger on a one-year loan from FC Porto.
The 24-year-old Prediger was with the Portuguese club since 2009 but this year had been playing on loan with Boca Juniors in Argentina.
Details of the loan with Cruzeiro were not released, but the club said on Thursday it has an option to acquire the player after the loan contract ends.
Prediger is joining countrymen Ernesto Farias and Walter Damian Montillo.
A two-time Copa Libertadores champion, Cruzeiro also said it signed Brazilian midfielder Pablo on a one-year loan from Zaragoza in Spain, where the 21-year-old also played for Malaga and Gimnastic de Tarragona.
Ronaldo hints he may retire at end of year
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Ronaldo says his playing days could be over by the end of 2010.
The 33-year-old striker who has scored more World Cup goals than any other told Brazil's Globo TV that he wants to end this year on a high note, "then decide afterward whether to continue next year."
Ronaldo has not played for his club Corinthians for more than 100 days because of injuries, and his lingering weight problem has returned with his lack of training.
He says that the end of his career is "getting closer each day" but that he wants to make one "last sacrifice to end the year well."
In the interview on Wednesday, Ronaldo says that he does not want to make a big deal about his exit from professional football. Rather, he will simply end a match and announce "that's it."
Reports: Krasic transfers to Juventus
TURIN, Italy (AP) — Serbia winger Milos Krasic appears set to join Juventus on a €15 million ($19.25 million) transfer from CSKA Moscow.
The Gazzetta dello Sport and the ANSA news agency report on Thursday that the two clubs have reached an agreement and that Krasic will be in Turin on Friday for medical tests and to sign off on the deal.
Krasic was not named to CSKA's squad for Thursday's Europa League match versus Anorthosis Famagusta, which would have prevented him from playing for another club in Europe this season.
At €15 million, Krasic would rank second among the most expensive transfers in Italy during the current market window, behind only the €15.5 million Juventus paid Bari for center back Leonardo Bonucci.
Wales recalls defenders for Euro 2012 qualifier
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales recalled defenders James Collins and Danny Gabbidon on Thursday for next month's European Championship qualifier against Montenegro.
Aston Villa's Collins sat out Wales' last match because of a calf injury and missed the previous game to attend the birth of his child. Gabbidon has not played since April but had groin surgery after last season and was an unused substitute for West Ham in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Gareth Bale, Darcy Blake, David Edwards, Andy Dorman, Simon Church and Ched Evans are the other players in the 25-man squad who did not take part in last week's 5-1 friendly win over Luxembourg.
Wales plays Montenegro in the teams' opening Euro 2012 qualifier on Sept. 3 in Podgorica.
Sevilla signs Escude to 2-year extension
SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Sevilla defender Julien Escude has signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish club until 2013.
Escude, who has made 13 appearances for France, has been a regular for Sevilla since his arrival from Ajax in 2006.
The 31-year-old Escude helped Sevilla to win back-to-back UEFA Cups in 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2006 European Supercup.
Sevilla says the player's buyout clause is set at €18 million ($23.2 million).
Benfica gets Atletico striker Salvio on loan
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Atletico Madrid striker Eduardo Salvio has joined Portuguese club Benfica on loan. The Argentina striker will play the upcoming season before returning to the Spanish league club on June 30.
Salvio joined Atletico in the January transfer window but failed to make an impact behind strikers Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.
The 20-year-old played in Atletico's Europa League final win over Fulham.
The decision meant Diego Costa took the third striker's spot in Atletico's team for its European Supercup match against Inter Milan on Aug. 27.
Wolfsburg gives up attempt to sign Diego
WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — Wolfsburg's general manager says the club has given up on signing Brazilian playmaker Diego from Juventus.
Dieter Hoeness said Thursday that "we closed the book ourselves" on the deal although there was no problem between Wolfsburg and Diego, who moved to Turin last year from Bundesliga rival Werder Bremen.
Hoeness said negotiations with Juventus were difficult — "first Diego was offered, and then declared not for sale. We want to end this to-and-fro now."
Wolfsburg, the 2009 champion, has been the Bundesliga's biggest preseason spender, with an estimated outlay of €23.4 million ($30 million).
Hinkel ruled out for up to 9 months through injury
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Celtic says defender Andreas Hinkel will be out of action for up to nine months after injuring his right knee in training.
The Scottish club said Thursday the 28-year-old Germany international required surgery after scans confirmed he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Hinkel, who joined Celtic from Spanish side Sevilla in 2008, is set to be sidelined for the rest of the season, which only began in Scotland last weekend.
