SOCCER SHORTS

Today's other soccer news in brief

Dates finalised for tournament

THE DATES have been confirmed for the first “Four Associations” tournament, which will take place in Dublin in 2011.

The competition between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland received the green light following a meeting between the associations in Copenhagen yesterday.

England had previously ruled themselves out of any involvement.

The tournament will be operated on a league basis with six matches to be played between the four teams. It was provisionally agreed the first two games will take place on February 8th and 9th, and the remaining four games on May 24th-28th.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said the FAI expected huge numbers of fans to travel and alongside the Uefa Europa League final hosted in Dublin in May, the tournament would be a major boost to tourism.

“Both events will make for a real festival of football and will provide a fitting celebration for Aviva Stadium,” he said.

THE PROFESSIONAL Game Match Officials Board have written to the English FA for an explanation after Brad Friedel’s red card was rescinded. Friedel was given a straight red card during Aston Villa’s 5-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday for bringing down Fernando Torres in the area when the Spaniard was through on goal.

The FA yesterday upheld Villa’s appeal and the Premier League yesterday admitted the PGMO would be writing to the FA but denied there was any “major row”.

Scully the new Limerick boss

PAT SCULLY was unveiled yesterday as Limerick’s new manager, ending a month-long search by the club to find a successor for Mike Kerley.

The former Shamrock Rovers manager’s first match in charge will be at Tolka Park tomorrow night with Limerick taking on one of the clubs Scully served as a player, Shelbourne, for the first time since his new club dramatically deprived them of promotion there on the last night of last season.

Almunia may go the British route

ARSENAL goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is considering an application for a British passport – and possibly playing for England.

The Spaniard joined the Gunners from Celta Vigo in July 2004, and under residency laws, would be eligible soon to apply to become a British citizen.

“I think, for January next year, maybe I can have the permission,” the 31-year-old said.

“Maybe I will get a passport, then after, if I get the call-up [from England], I will think about this.”

Ancelotti reiterates desire to stay put

AC MILAN coach Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated his desire to remain at the club next season despite persistent rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea this summer.

Milan have endured a difficult season and will most likely finish the campaign without a trophy for the second year running.

“If things were not to work between me and Milan as they have done in the past years, I think it would be fair for the two parties to embrace, say goodbye and remember with affection these past eight years,” said Ancelotti.

“But I don’t think that time has come because the harmony between us is complete, even though the season has certainly not been a positive one.”

Milan, who missed out on the Champions League after a fifth-place finish last term, were knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Werder Bremen in the last 32 and are 14 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with nine games left.

Drogba now considering extending Chelsea stay

DIDIER DROGBA is willing to discuss a contract extension with Chelsea. The 31-year-old’s fortunes have improved dramatically under interim coach Guus Hiddink.

The Ivory Coast international was an outcast under former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari but the frontman has been revitalised since Hiddink agreed to take charge until the summer.

Drogba’s contract expires at the end of next season. There was widespread speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid in the January transfer window, but the player’s adviser insists his client is ready to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Thierno Seydi claims Drogba is prepared to reject a host of big-money offers from across Europe to remain with the Blues. He believes the striker has rediscovered his form and passion for the club and is ready to pledge his future to them.

And, to put off any potential pre-season suitors, he would like to open talks about a new deal as soon as possible.

• PELE HAS denied alleging that Manchester City striker Robinho had taken drugs. The Brazil legend was quoted as saying Robinho and Ronaldo used recreational drugs at a private party in Sao Paolo.
  
  However, Pele insists he said no such thing. "Robinho is our son and left Santos with our supervision," he told TV Globo. "What happened was a misunderstanding because I never said anything like that, they gave him wrong information .