Soccer Shorts

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

Ranieri still blue about Chelsea exit

JUVENTUS manager Claudio Ranieri has admitted he is still feeling bitter about his exit from Chelsea.

Ranieri guided Juventus back into the Champions League following a successful campaign last season and is now looking forward to steering the club back to the top of Serie A following the match-fixing disgrace that saw them relegated two years ago.

But Ranieri, who was sacked in 2004 to make way for the arrival of Jose Mourinho, said: "Am I bitter? Yes. Before Roman Abramovich came to Chelsea, I was doing my job. I carried on doing it for him and I wanted to continue. At the end I knew the players and supporters were with me even if the club was not."

Ranieri said he would be excited about the prospect of facing Chelsea in the Champions League this season.

"I would love to play Chelsea," he said. "I want to take Juventus to Stamford Bridge."

Evra ready to contest FA charges

MANCHESTER United defender Patrice Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell have both denied the charges levelled against them by the English FA over their part in the row at Stamford Bridge last season.

Evra and Bethell were involved in an angry confrontation during United's warm-down following their 2-1 league defeat.

Following a lengthy investigation by the FA, both men were charged with improper conduct, while Bethell was also charged with using abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality/race.

Both Evra and Bethell have requested personal hearings.

Alonso move now unlikely

STEVEN Gerrard's thigh injury will almost certainly scupper any thoughts Liverpool had of selling Xabi Alonso to raise money for a Gareth Barry deal.

The Anfield skipper returned from Oslo having picked up the injury in the 4-1 win over Valerenga and had a scan and further medical tests yesterday.

Boss Rafael Benitez believes it is "touch and go" whether Gerrard will be fit in time for next Wednesday's Champions League third qualifying round, first leg fixture away to Standard Liege.

If Gerrard is not fit for that match then Alonso is likely to have to play, with fellow midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas away at the Olympics. And once Alonso becomes cup-tied in the Champions League his value will drop significantly as the player is unlikely to want to consider a move to a club outside the Champions League elite.

Argentina adamant Messi will remain at Games

ARGENTINA forward Lionel Messi could still feature in the Olympics despite his club Barcelona winning the right to prevent him from doing so.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) ruled that Barcelona, Schalke and Werder Bremen were permitted to recall their players from the Games and Barcelona later said they will now decide the player's fate.

However, the 21-year-old is still in Beijing with the Argentina squad and Argentina coach Sergio Batista was adamant his star player would feature in the opening game against Ivory Coast in Shanghai. Fifa, who had ruled that clubs must release players aged 23 or under said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the CAS's decision and the world body appealed to the clubs to let the players take part in the Games.

QPR deny Dowie destined for exit

QPR have brushed off reports claiming manager Iain Dowie is on the verge of being sacked following a row with the club's hierarchy.

Rumours suggested Dowie, who was only appointed in May, had clashed with co-owner Flavio Briatore over the recruitment policy at Loftus Road.

But the club have responded to the speculation by insisting there is "categorically no truth in the rumours".

QPR have signed Real Madrid starlet Daniel Parejo, Argentinian youngster Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma and Italian playmaker Samuel Di Carmine on loan deals.

Ljungberg a free agent

WEST HAM United have reached an agreement to terminate Fredrik Ljungberg's contract with immediate effect.

The midfielder has been linked with moves to Italian side Roma and Olympiakos earlier this summer.

The London club have now agreed to end the 31-year-old's contract to allow him to consider his future.