SOCCER SHORTS

A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Premier League receive deposits from broadcasters

THE PREMIER League is believed to have received deposits from pay TV broadcasters Sky and Setanta guaranteeing the packages they won in a €1.813 billion auction for live TV rights from 2010. This is despite uncertainty about the shape of the latter's business when the contract begins.

The seven-figure deposits are believed to be worth between three per cent and five per cent of the total value of the contracts. Setanta plans to complain to domestic and European regulators after it managed to win only one package of 23 matches from 2010, halving its live Premier League coverage. Sky will have 115 live games from 2010.

Analysts believe the loss of the matches will make it more difficult to retain subscribers, and insiders have conceded that it is being forced to look into reshaping the business as a result. Setanta executives were left shocked at the outcome of the auction, after submitting bids that were around 20 per cent lower than the €438 million they currently pay for the two packages.

Balderton Capital, one of its major shareholders, has vowed to "lobby every single group" after missing out on the rights and failing to persuade the Premier League and Sky to reopen the auction process or sub-license the matches.

Media regulator Ofcom is conducting an ongoing review of the pay TV marketplace, while the European Commission will reopen negotiations with the Premier League later this year.

Nesta to have more surgery

INJURY-PLAGUED AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta will undergo another back operation today in an attempt to save his career.

The former Italy international has not played this season having managed 29 league games last term and just 14 the season before with continuing niggles.

Milan had hoped a rehabilitation stint in the United States had cured his back problems but he broke down again last week.

Rooney may return against Fulham

WAYNE ROONEY is set to make his Manchester United return this week after five weeks out of action with a hamstring injury. The England striker’s comeback could be as soon as Fulham’s visit to Old Trafford tomorrow night.

“Wayne should be ready for Saturday’s game against Blackburn, we’re quite confident of that,” manager Alex Ferguson told MUTV. “He may have a slight chance of being fit for the bench on Wednesday.”

Rooney has been absent since limping off after scoring an early winner in the 1-0 victory against Wigan on January 14th.

Rooney also missed England’s 2-0 friendly defeat against European champions Spain.

United have put together seven consecutive wins in all competitions without the forward, progressing in both cups and moving from two points behind Liverpool in Premier League to two points clear of their rivals.

Company increases stake in Arsenal

AN INVESTMENT firm co-owned by billionaire Alisher Usmanov have increased their stake in Arsenal to 25 per cent.

Red and White Holdings first invested in Arsenal two years ago.

The company owned around 24 per cent before making their latest move, which was confirmed in a statement from Arsenal Holdings PLC yesterday. If the stake was to reach 30 per cent, the company could launch a formal takeover bid.

Arsenal’s board of directors have remained steadfast in their determination not to sell out for some time.

Their “lockdown” agreement means no director can sell their holding before April and thereafter must give each other first option. However, the situation changed in December when Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was forced off the board, and her 15.9 per cent holding was freed from the agreement.

Beckham keen to seal move

DAVID BECKHAM is ready to use his famed determination to seal a permanent move to AC Milan despite Los Angeles Galaxy saying the transfer is dead.

The England midfielder, on loan at Milan until March 9th, desperately wants to stay with the Serie A club and increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.

Major League Soccer said a deal had to be done by last Friday but Milan and Beckham’s advisers have virtually ignored the deadline and are confident the transfer can still take place.

“Up to March 9th, I think there is time to find a solution, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said after Sunday’s 2-1 derby defeat by leaders Inter Milan.

Talks will take place this week but the two parties are poles part when it comes to a valuation. Beckham could buy out his Galaxy contract or use a get-out clause.

Beckham is a very rich man but how much he would have to pay is confidential.

Rodwell agrees five-year deal

TEENAGE MIDFIELDER Jack Rodwell (17) has agreed a new five-year deal with Everton and is likely to sign his contract by the weekend. Rodwell scored his first goal for the club in Sunday's 3-1 FA Cup victory at home to Aston Villa and has made 13 first-team appearances this season.

- Serbia youngster Darko Lazovic has been tipped to join Tottenham after a trial at White Hart Lane last month. The 18-year-old playmaker, who has made his senior international debut, is at FK Borac Cacak.