SOCCER SHORTS:TRANSFER NEWS: YANN M'VILA has admitted he would love to join Arsenal.
The Rennes midfielder has long been linked with the Gunners, who reportedly watched him during last night’s Ligue 1 draw with Lyon.
The 21-year-old, who Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is said to have been close to signing last summer, also said he would happily join Inter Milan or Real Madrid.
But the €22-million-rated France star suggested a team managed by one of his compatriots would have an advantage.
“Inter, Arsenal, Real . . . I will take the fun everywhere! These are great clubs. If the coach calls you and tells you he wants you to make you play, especially a French coach,” he told Canal+.
M’Vila has three years remaining on his Rennes contract but manager Frederic Antonetti has already admitted the player was likely to leave this summer.
“Yann M’Vila won’t be a Rennes player next season,” he told Radio Monte Carlo last month.
Goal line disputes trigger linesmen call from AC Milan
SERIE A:AC MILAN want Serie A to implement Uefa's system of using extra linesmen behind the goals after being on the wrong end of two goal-line disputes in the space of a few weeks.
The club’s chief executive, Adriano Galliano, has written to the Italian FA asking for the system to be used at least until soccer’s ruling body Fifa decides whether or not to accept goal line technology.
Leaders Milan were denied a clear goal against title rivals Juventus when officials failed to spot Sulley Muntari’s header had crossed the line. Milan were leading 1-0 at the time but eventually drew 1-1. On Saturday, there was another less clear-cut case involving a Robinho shot which was cleared off the line by a Catania defender.
Aston Villa captain begins treatment
STILIYAN PETROV:ASTON VILLA captain Stiliyan Petrov was in London yesterday to begin treatment for acute leukaemia, initially embarking on a course of steroids in addition to other medication that will prepare him for chemotherapy.
The diagnosis of Petrov’s illness was publicly announced on Friday, sparking a wave of sympathy and encouraging messages towards the Bulgarian.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter was among the latest to show support when he tweeted: “Very sad to hear about Stiliyan Petrov’s illness. Wish him strength in his fight to win this battle.
“Support shown at Villa Park by both sets of fans another sign of all that is good in football. #getwellstan.”
Petrov was in a positive frame of mind before starting treatment according to former Celtic team mate John Hartson. Hartson, who overcame testicular cancer in 2009, said he believed the 32-year-old Bulgaria midfielder’s fitness would help him in his struggle with the disease.
Rangers boss told of ‘security risk’
SCOTTISH LEAGUE:RANGERS OWNER Craig Whyte said he has been taking "extra precautions" after being warned by police over his safety.
Officers believe the London-based businessman could be in danger of being targeted by disgruntled Gers fans for his part in the collapse of the administration-hit Ibrox club, whose future remains clouded in uncertainty.
“I have had security advice from the police. You would have to be living in a different planet to think that there is not an increased security risk for me. I have been briefed by police and have been taking extra precautions,” said Whyte. “I am not overly concerned. Most people are understanding of the situation. I have been demonised for problems at the club from years ago.”
After being hailed as a hero when he took the ailing Ibrox club over from David Murray last May for £1, Whyte became the villain when Rangers entered administration on February 14th concerning alleged non-payment of £9 million in PAYE and VAT taxes.
Van der Vaart says it’s now pressure time for Arsenal
PREMIER LEAGUE:RAFAEL VAN der Vaart has suggested it is Arsenal's turn to feel the pressure after the race for Champions League qualification took another twist, writes DAVID HYTNER.
The Dutch international scored in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 home win over Swansea City on Sunday, which meant his team exploited Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers the previous day. Tottenham, in fourth place, are level on points with Arsenal and behind only on goal difference.
“It was important, the match on Saturday . . . away at QPR,” said Van der Vaart. “QPR played really well and it helped us . . . so it was an important win for us.
“We were a little bit low on confidence, but we showed against Swansea that we’re still there and we want to be in the top three. There’s still a long way to go but confidence is back.
“Arsenal kept on winning. They came back and I think we lost in two weeks 10 points. So it was quite hard . . . I said a few weeks ago that we’re going to stay in third place. We will see.”
Guardian Service
