SOCCER SHORTS

Today's other stories in brief

Platini tells EU parliament wage cap only way to go

UEFA chief Michel Platini told the European Parliament yesterday that unless his plan of capping transfer and wage spending was introduced, Europe’s most popular and lucrative sport could “financially implode”.

The Uefa president’s comments will further widen an already major split with Europe’s leading clubs over the issue.

Earlier this month, the European Club Association (ECA) which represents 137 leading teams such as Manchester United and Real Madrid, said it did not support salary caps. The Premier League also opposes Europe-wide regulation.

But the head of European soccer’s governing body said if action were not taken the game in Europe was “in danger” from the worst financial crisis in 80 years.

“In football, as in the economy in general, the market is incapable of correcting its own excesses, and it was not the Uefa president who said so, it was Barack Obama,” Platini said in a speech at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Watmore new FA chief executive

THE FA in England have confirmed Ian Watmore is to be their new chief executive.

A three-man short-list of candidates were interviewed to become Brian Barwick’s successor yesterday, after which 50-year-old Watmore was offered the job.

Like chairman Lord Triesman, Watmore, a lifelong Arsenal fan, has a recent background in government.

However, before that he has 24 years’ of experience in the IT industry.

MICHAEL Essien hopes to be back in action for Chelsea next month after making encouraging progress in his recovery from knee ligament damage.

It was initially feared the powerful Ghana midfielder would miss the entire season after sustaining the injury in September while on international duty.

He played just two matches for Chelsea – against Wigan and Tottenham – before undergoing surgery.

O'Brien will be out for eight weeks

BOLTON’S Republic of Ireland midfielder Joey O’Brien is expected to be on the sidelines for around eight weeks following an operation on his left knee.

O’Brien has started rehabilitation after visiting surgeon Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado last Friday for surgery over the weekend to clean out the joint.

It is hoped O’Brien will again be available for selection towards the end of April.

FIFA are hopeful they will buck the global recession by selling out every match for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Ticket sales begin on Friday.

“It is our aim to sell every ticket in every stadium for every match. said David Will, chairman of Fifa’s World Cup ticketing committee From a total of three million tickets, some 740,000 will be available for purchase during a first sales phase that runs until April 15th.

Gerrard could return on Sunday

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard could make his return from a hamstring injury against Manchester City on Sunday.

The England midfielder suffered the tear in the Merseyside derby on February 4th and was initially expected to be out for three weeks – with the Champions League clash with Real Madrid thought to be his most likely target.

Now manager Rafael Benitez, whose side rely on Gerrard’s surging runs and goals from behind the striker, has opened the door for a potential return from the bench at the weekend.

The Spaniard said Gerrard had reacted well to treatment and was eager to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.

“Maybe he could be on the bench against City but we don’t know.”

Coe adds weight to World Cup bid

SEBASTIAN Coe, the driving force behind London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, will add his weight to England’s campaign to host the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup, the FA in England said yesterday. Coe has accepted an invitation to become a non-executive board member of the World Cup bidding company.

The double Olympic 1,500 metres gold medallist will remain chairman of the 2012 Games organising committee.

AC want Beckham until end of 2010

AC Milan are willing to sign David Beckham until at least the end of next season, a source at the Italian club said yesterday.

The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy until March 9th, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.

“We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30th, 2010,” an AC Milan source said.

Milan remain confident of sealing a deal for the 33-year-old by Friday despite the club director Umberto Gandini’s trip to Los Angeles being cancelled yesterday.

Gandini had been expected to leave for Los Angeles to negotiate the transfer.

“The meeting was cancelled by Los Angeles Galaxy, but this does not jeopardise anything,” the Milan source said.

Talks have been continuing despite a deadline imposed by Major League Soccer to complete the move passed last week.