Everton’s decade-long search for new investment has borne fruit with British-Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri set to take a 49.9 per cent stake subject to Premier League approval.

Everton were in talks over a £200 million sale of the club to an American consortium led by ex-San Diego Padres owner John Jay Moores and fellow entrepreneur Charles Noell but Moshiri has stolen a march on them.

His close relationship with Everton’s chairman Bill Kenwright and willingness to allow the 70-year-old to remain in a position of power at the club was a factor in clinching the deal, according to British media.

Blackpool apology

Blackpool have issued an apology to Bradford for playing the song ‘We didn’t start the fire’ on the Bloomfield Road sound system at Saturday’s League One match between the two clubs.

Bradford hold an annual memorial in tribute to the 56 supporters who died in the Bradford fire disaster in 1985 and in May last year the city staged a special Remembrance Service to mark its 30th anniversary.

Blackpool have said the choice of song at Saturday’s game was unintentional after some of Bradford’s supporters took offence at the lyrics.

Insigne robbed at gunpoint

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne was held at gunpoint and robbed as he was out with his wife late Saturday.

Insigne’s representative said: “On Saturday, at around 10.30pm Lorenzo Insigne was victim of a mugging in the Vomero area. He was shocked.

“His wife was in the car together with him but fortunately not his children.

“It was a negative experience. Lorenzo will get over it by means of football and the help of his team-mates.”

Serie A title chasers Napoli play away at Fiorentina tonight.

Rooney to skip England friendlies

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed captain Wayne Rooney would miss out on next month’s England friendly double-header as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The 30-year-old England striker was first expected to be ruled out until April after playing in the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland earlier this month when it was revealed he had damaged knee ligaments.

England travel to Germany in a friendly on March 26 before they face Holland three days later at Wembley.

Van Gaal said: “Wayne has a brace fitted now and he has to wear it for two-and-a-half weeks. After that we then have to look again… he has to be ready for us first – not the English team.”

Infantino opens FIFA museum

Gianni Infantino opened FIFA’s new museum in his first official act as president of soccer’s governing body yesterday.

The 45-year-old Swiss was elected on Friday to become only the ninth president in FIFA’s 112-year history.

FIFA said it invested 110 million Swiss francs ($110.41 million) on renovating the building with 30 million Swiss francs spent on the museum itself, which features more than 1,000 exhibits.

“This is the place where football will be lived and breathed,” said Infantino.

“Here you can catch the football virus, if you are not already a carrier. This place is only about football.”

Ronaldo backs Zidane after upset

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Zinedine Zidane a ringing endorsement as Real Madrid coach after their 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

“He’s doing a phenomenal job,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“He’s a very calm person, very optimistic and he is improving us. We must give him time.”

Atletico stunned Real with a goal by Antoine Griezmann, inflicting on Zidane his first defeat in nine matches.

“The fans are unhappy and we too,” Ronaldo added after shouts from the home crowd demanding club president Florentino Perez’s resignation.

El Shaarawy wants Azzurri berth

Stephan El Shaarawy told reporters after his two goals in Roma’s 3-1 win away to Empoli on Saturday that he had joined Roma in January to give his career a turning point as he targets Euro 2016.

The striker had a dismal six-month spell in Ligue 1 at Monaco, but has rediscovered his form since moving back to Serie A on a loan deal.

“I am very happy with my first double in a Roma jersey, but also with the performance of the team,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“After six months at Monaco I came here with the desire to show everyone what I can do.

“I knew that I couldn’t make a mistake this time. I came here to give my all, give my career a turning point and target a place at Euro 2016.”