Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in an interview that the German Super Cup could be played in Asia from as early as next season.
“We have had discussions with the DFL (German football lea-gue),” Rummenigge said.
“It (playing the Super Cup in Asia) is now on their agenda. If the executive committee makes a decision, it could be done in theory from next year.”
The annual pre-season German Super Cup sees the winner of the Bundesliga take on the winner of the German Cup.
AFC offices theft
A Malaysian man was charged with stealing documents from the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) offices in Kuala Lumpur.
Kong Lee Toong, husband of the AFC’s former finance director Amelia Gan, pleaded not guilty to the charge in a court.
The charge comes amid an increasingly bitter battle between the governing body of Asian football and its suspended presi-dent Mohamed bin Hammam, who is being investigated by the AFC for what it calls possible corrupt activities.
The AFC had lodged a com-plaint with police over missing documents reportedly relating to a large payment made to bin Hammam in 2008.
Homophobia more likely than racism
Homophobia may now be a bigger problem in British football than racism, a report published by the government said yesterday.
The study, undertaken by a cross-party parliamentary committee, found that while anti-racism schemes had proved successful, fans were becoming increasingly aware of homophobic chants at grounds.
“Evidence is emerging that homophobia may now be a bigger problem in football than other forms of discrimination. Recent research found that 25 per cent of fans think that football is homophobic while 10 per cent think that football is racist,” the report said.
Mancini critical of goalkeeper Hart
Roberto Mancini has issued a withering response to Joe Hart’s criticism of Manchester City’s performance in the 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League.
City twice held the lead before eventually falling to Cristiano Ronaldo’s late strike at the Bernabeu. After the match, Hart said: “It’s not on. You can’t go 2-1 up and lose the game. We can only blame ourselves.”
Hart seemed to be at fault for Ronaldo’s winner and Mancini was far from pleased at hearing Hart had voiced his displeasure at his team-mates’ showing.
“Joe Hart should stay in goal and make saves. If anyone should criticise the team it should be me, not Joe Hart... I am the judge, not Joe Hart,” Mancini said.
Australian club offer for Heskey
Australian club Newcastle Jets are hoping to sign Emile Heskey (picture) for the upcoming domestic season, encouraged by Sydney FC’s luring of Alessandro Del Piero.
The Australian newspaper said Jets manager Robbie Middleby was in England to meet the 34-year-old, who is without a club after being released by Aston Villa last season.
But Middleby could face stiff competition for the powerfully-built striker, with reported interest also coming from Stoke City and Championship sides Blackpool and Ipswich Town.
The Jets already boast one former Premier League player in Michael Bridges, who used to play for Sunderland.
Cassano departure hurt Milan – Rossi
Milan’s struggle for goals is down to the absence of a player like Antonio Cassano, former Italy striker Paolo Rossi said following Tuesday’s goalless draw against Anderlecht.
Cassano left the Rossoneri this summer to join neighbouring rivals Inter in a swap deal which saw Giampaolo Pazzini go in the other direction.
“Cassano is an inventor. He had the inspiration to make the final pass,” Rossi said.
“This is missing from Milan this season because Urby Emanuel-son doesn’t really have these characteristics.”
Winger Jarvis has England ambitions
West Ham winger Matt Jarvis is targeting an England recall but knows he must first establish himself in the east Londoners’ starting line-up.
The 26-year-old made his international debut against Ghana last year but has yet to add to that single cap – something he hopes will changes after joining the Hammers from Wolves.
“You have to play well for your club and play regularly to be called up for your country and that is exactly what I want to do,” he said.
“The squad we have is very strong and everyone is fighting for a place in the team.
“I am no different and I need to prove myself if I want to be starting week in, week out.”