Inter midfielder Felipe Melo has been released from hospital after undergoing medical tests following a head injury during Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Genoa, the club said.
“Felipe Melo is fine and has already been discharged after overnight observation in hospital,” the club said on their Twitter feed.
The 32-year-old Brazilian clashed with team-mate Gary Medel in the first half and was replaced by Marcelo Brozovic.
Inter went on to win the game thanks to Adem Ljajic’s second-half goal and top Serie A with 33 points.
Betting suspended on Monk to be sacked
A leading bookmaker suspended betting on the next Premier League manager to be sacked amid a rush of wagers yesterday that Garry Monk would be dismissed by Swansea City.
“Monk was ¼ to be the next manager to go, yet that did not dissuade punters desperate to back the Swansea manager,” said a spokesman for William Hill.
A 3-0 home defeat by surprise leaders Leicester City on Saturday was the Welsh club’s fourth loss in five games and left them in 15th position. They are now one point above the relegation places.
Vieira earmarked as future City boss
Former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira is being groomed as a future City manager, the club’s football administration officer Brian Marwood said yesterday.
Vieira, 39, took up his first managerial appointment in November, signing a three-year contract in the United States with sister club New York City.
“It was important that we could find the next development stage for Patrick and it was still part of the group,” Marwood told Sky Sports News.
“Hopefully, at some point, he’ll come back and manage Manchester City, That’s the ambition for him and that’s the ambition for us.”
Stoke can attract more stars – Hughes
Xherdan Shaqiri’s impressive performance in Stoke City’s dismantling of Manchester City has left manager Mark Hughes optimistic his side will attract more top talent from Europe in the coming transfer windows.
Midfielder Shaqiri, signed for a record £12 million from Inter in the close season, starred in Stoke’s 2-0 win, setting up both goals for Marko Arnautovic, while Bojan Krkic, formerly of Barcelona, also impressed.
“Top players want to come and play in the Premier League and the top four or five teams can only sign so many,” Hughes said.
“So there’s exceptional players out there that you can bring in. We offer a lot. We offer stability and, if they play well enough, game time and continuity on a daily basis.”
Stankovic plays down Icardi rumours
Inter manager Dejan Stankovic played down speculation striker Mauro Icardi could be transferred; and backed his captain, saying he is working hard and will soon get back to scoring ways.
“I hear transfer rumours for the January window but I can absolutely deny all that,” Stankovic told Italian television channel Rai 2.
Icardi has scored four goals this season.
“He’s only been on the bench twice out of 15 matches – that’s part of the game,” Stankovic said.
“Strikers go through tough periods. I’m really pleased because Inter are on top even without him scoring regularly, so imagine how we’d be doing if he was.”
Timbers win MLS Cup
The Portland Timbers scored two quick goals then held on to clinch the Major League Soccer Cup final with a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew in Ohio on Sunday.
Midfielder Diego Valeri gave Portland the lead after just 27 seconds thanks to a howler from Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark and a Rod Wallace header doubled their lead in the seventh minute.
Another goalkeeping blunder, this time by Portland’s Adam Kwarasey, gifted Crew striker Kei Kamara a goal in the 18th minute but the home side failed to find the equaliser.
Gillette terminates Brazil sponsorship
Gillette ended its sponsorship of Brazil’s national team in June, just days after the former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was arrested as part of a US-led investigation into corruption, a spokesman for the organisation confirmed.
The shaving brand, owned by Proctor & Gamble Co., sponsored Brazil’s friendly matches and staged photo opportunities at which players, including Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Chelsea’s Oscar, shaved their faces in front of fans and media.
Prosecutors accused Jose Maria Marin, who headed Brazil’s preparations to host the 2014 World Cup, of racketeering, fraud and other crimes.
Last week, his successor, Marco Polo Del Nero, and his predecessor, Ricardo Teixeira, were among other global executives indicted on similar charges by US prosecutors.