A round-up of other soccer news in brief
Assou-Ekotto and fan to meet over clash
TOTTENHAM’S Benoit Assou-Ekotto is set to meet the supporter he clashed with after Saturday’s defeat to Wolves to bring an “amicable” end to the matter.
Assou-Ekotto confronted the supporter next to the tunnel at White Hart Lane moments after the final whistle of the 1-0 defeat and had to be pulled away by Spurs assistant boss Joe Jordan, who then led the 25-year-old Cameroon international down the tunnel.
Police said on Sunday they were investigating “an allegation of assault” in relation to the incident, while the Football Association were awaiting reports from the game before deciding whether to investigate.
However, a statement from Tottenham last night read: “The club takes the conduct of our supporters and players, and the relationship between them, very seriously. “We understand that the supporter has now withdrawn the complaint and that he and Benoit are due to speak this week to bring an amicable end to the matter.”
Larsson gets coaching job
HENRIK Larsson was yesterday appointed coach of Swedish second division side Landskrona Bois.
The 38-year-old former Celtic and Barcelona striker retired in October after finishing his career with home-town club Helsingborg.
“I am very flattered by this offer, given that I don’t have any bigger experience as a coach. I look forward to it and we’ll see where I can take this.” Larsson, said.
Worthington eyes Wednesday job
NORTHERN Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has declared his interest in the vacant Sheffield Wednesday job.
Worthington spent over a decade at Hillsborough as a player and, with his Irish Football Association contract due to expire at the turn of the year, he is considering his options. Negotiations with Northern Ireland are ongoing but an agreement currently looks far from assured.
No official contact has yet been made by the Owls, with the likes of Darren Ferguson and Steve Cotterill also thought to be in the frame, but Worthington would welcome talks with his former employers.
“Let’s be honest about this, in two weeks’ time I will be out of work and I have to weigh up my options,” Worthington said. “I spent 11 great years at Sheffield Wednesday as a player and the club means a lot to me. If the opportunity arose to speak to them, then I would have to listen to what they have to say.”
Former Juventus director jailed
FORMER Juventus director Antonio Giraudo has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in Italys 2006 soccer match-fixing scandal. Giraudo, already banned from football by a 2006 sports tribunal, has been found guilty of sporting fraud and conspiracy in the criminal trial linked to the affair.
Juventus were demoted to the second division in 2006 as a result of the scandal, which involved clubs procuring favourable referees for matches. Referees Tiziano Pieri and Paolo Dondarini have been sentenced to 28 months and two years in prison respectively while Tullio Lanese, the former head of the referees’ union, was jailed for two years. Seven referees and assistants, who also opted for a fast track trial, have been acquitted.
Journalists' union attacks Mourinho
INTER Milan coach Jose Mourinho has been accused of “physical and verbal aggression” towards a journalist after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Atalanta.
The Italian Sport Union of Journalists (USSI) condemned Mourinho’s alleged actions against Corriere dello Sport journalist Andrea Ramazzotti.
A statement from the USSI urged Inter president Massimo Moratti and the country’s governing sporting bodies to investigate.
It read: “The physical and verbal aggression of Inter coach Jose Mourinho towards our colleague Andrea Ramazzotti marks one of the lowest and alarming moments in the relations between soccer and sporting press.
“Mourinho was already cited, prior to the Champions League game with Rubin Kazan, for his uneducated and disrespectful tone that he used towards certain colleagues.
“It asks president Moratti to intervene energetically so that a member of his club (Mourinho) adapts to the great tradition of civility of the club and of the Moratti family.”
Gattuso signs new Milan deal
GENNARO Gattuso has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract at AC Milan, the club have announced.
Gattuso has been linked with moves to the English Premier League in recent weeks as he was said to be unhappy with his first-team opportunities after battling injury.
But the club said yesterday he would be remaining in Milan for the next three years.
“Milan announce that the footballer Rino Gattuso has extended his contract with the club until June 30th, 2012,” said a statement on the club’s website.
Gattuso, who turns 32 next month, has spent the last decade with Milan after spells with Perugia, Rangers and Salernitana early in his career.
He also has 70 caps for Italy and was a member of the World Cup winning squad in 2006.
Flood set to leave Celtic on loan
WILLO Flood is set to leave Celtic on loan next month after admitting his dream move to Parkhead has failed to work out.
And Flood (24) believes that could pave the way for a summer switch as he bids to kick-start a career that has stalled for the past year.
Irish midfielder Flood joined boyhood idols Celtic in January – after spending 18 months on loan at Dundee United from Cardiff – but has started just two games since then.
He has not featured at all since September and said: “I think it’s fair to say that me moving to Celtic has not gone according to plan.
“At the time, it was the chance of a lifetime and the chance to join a club like Celtic, where you could win things and play in the Champions League. It was not something I could turn down, but it hasn’t turned out the way I wanted it. I’m not involved, I’m not featuring and at this stage of my career I need to be playing regularly.” Flood added: “It’s best that I go out on loan, at least, and see what happens then.”
