Soccer Shorts

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Balotelli has no intention of changing his shirt

MANCHESTER CITY striker Mario Balotelli has responded to speculation over his future by insisting he has no intention of leaving the club.

It seemed City boss Roberto Mancini had lost patience with the controversial forward after his sending off in the defeat at Arsenal nine days ago, saying he would “probably” try to sell him this summer.

Speaking in Gazzetta dello Sport, Balotelli said: “My future? “Why do you always talk of Inter and Milan for me? I’m at City and I have no intention of changing shirt.

“Now I am just thinking about winning the title because I am sure that United will make mistakes.”

Balotelli is taking inspiration from an unlikely source – Carlos Tevez. “My point of reference is Tevez,” said Balotelli.

“When I came here, training was, for me, about having a good time.

“Instead I’m learning from him to always give the maximum every day.”

Hennessey to miss end of the season

WOLVES GOALKEEPER Wayne Hennessey has been ruled out of action for the rest of the season with a torn cruciate ligament.

Hennessey is set to be sidelined for three to four months although the bulk of that time will be taken up with the close season.

But the Wales number one will be unavailable for bottom-placed Wolves’ final four games in their uphill battle to stave off relegation from the Premier League.

It remains to be seen whether Hennessey has played his last game for Wolves should they be relegated after a three-season spell in the top flight. He is one of the players who is set to attract attention from other Premier League clubs after a fine season.

Hennessey has played 58 consecutive Premier League games since regaining his place from Marcus Hahnemann midway through the 2010-2011 season. Dorus de Vries, signed last summer from Swansea as a replacement for Hahnemann, is poised to make his league debut in Sunday’s home clash with title-chasing Manchester City.

Dowd to referee FA Cup final on May 5th

PHIL DOWD was yesterday appointed referee for this season’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

The 49-year-old will take charge of the Wembley showpiece for the first time in his career on Saturday, May 5th (kick-off 5.15pm).

The former miner from Staffordshire was also the man in the middle for this season’s Community Shield, as well as the 2010 League Cup final.

Dowd, who has been refereeing for 28 years, said: “I was honoured and privileged when I found out.

“You obviously hope as a referee that you might one day be considered for the FA Cup final, so it will certainly be the highlight of my career so far.”

Muamba could be back playing within six months

BOLTON MIDFIELDER Fabrice Muamba could be back playing football within six months, according to a leading heart expert.

Muamba was discharged from the London Chest Hospital on Monday, almost a month to the day after he was rushed there having suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane during Wanderers’ FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. His heart was unable to beat independently for 78 minutes.

Dr Richard Cooke, a consultant cardiologist at London Bridge Hospital, believes it may not be too long before the 24-year-old is seen in full action again.

“It would seem highly likely that he would have had a defibrillator put in,” said Cooke.

“There are some footballers who do play with them and have had a similar history, so as long as he makes a full neurological recovery from a heart perspective, there is no reason why he couldn’t resume his professional football career.”

Trial ends after rowdy first session

THE TRIAL of 61 men over the death of 74 soccer fans in Egypt’s worst stadium disaster was adjourned yesterday after a rowdy first session that was suspended briefly when dozens of defendants hurled abuse at the judge.

Judge Abdel Magid Mahmoud walked out as the defendants jumped on benches in the courtroom’s steel cage and waved their fists at the bench, denying any role in the deaths and demanding that the true culprits be punished. “Either we get justice for them or we die ourselves!” the defendants yelled.

The judge returned when calm was restored and set May 5th for the next session to give the court time to call witnesses, prepare documents requested by lawyers and summon more of the accused to stand trial.

Many of those killed on the night of February 1st were crushed when panicked fans tried to escape from the stadium after a post-match pitch invasion by supporters of local side al-Masry. Others fell or were thrown from terraces, witnesses said.