Football news

Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has been targeted by German giants Bayern Munich.

Bild reported Bayern have been closely watching the 25-year-old who has won 34 caps for Slovenia and is worth approximately seven million euros.

He has a contract with Italian side Udinese until June 2012, but Bayern have made no secret they are looking for a goalkeeper with veteran Hans-Joerg Butt, 35, currently in goal for the Munich side.

Handanovic's agent believes a formal offer will be made by Bayern soon.

"I think an official offer will be submitted by Bayern Munich later this month, the transfer could then be made in the summer," said Federico Pastorello.

Probe assault claim against McGregor

Strathclyde police have confirmed that they were investigating allegations that Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor sexually assaulted a young woman.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm we have received a complaint which is being investigated."

McGregor, who has also played for Scotland, has denied the claim and described it as "vile lie" aimed at blackmailing him.

The 27-year-old, who been with Rangers for 11 years, lost his place in George Burley's Scotland side after a late-night drinking session during last year's doomed World Cup campaign.

Premier League diverts Pompey's TV cash

Portsmouth's seven million pounds' share of the latest television revenue payments is to be diverted to clubs they owe money to, the Premier League ruled.

The league's board have spent two days considering what action to take over Pompey's creditors and detailed their decision in a statement.

However, there was no mention of lifting the transfer embargo imposed on the club in October.

Portsmouth have owed money to several clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham, Italy's Udinese and Stade Rennes and Racing Lens in France.

Bundesliga sets attendance record

German fans flocked to stadiums to set a Bundesliga attendance record for the first half of the season. The 153 matches had an average attendance of 42,115 fans, a five per cent rise on the same period last season, it said.

"The Bundesliga remains a magnet for fans," said DFL managing director Christian Mueller.

"With more than 42,000 spectators per game, the Bundesliga remains the strongest league in the world in terms of spectators."

The second-tier competition (Bundesliga 2) saw a slight dip, recording an average of 15,052 spectators per match in the first part of the season, 217 fewer than the previous year.

Torres wants 'Pool to sign classy players

Injured Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has called on the club's American owners to improve the struggling team by bringing in top quality players.

His plea to owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett follows a humiliating home defeat by Reading in an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday. Torres is out of action for six weeks after tearing knee cartilage in that match.

"It's now the owners' turn. They have to sign players so that this does not happen again," Torres said.

"If we want to compete with United and Chelsea we need a much, much more complete squad. We need more genuinely first-class players and we can't let our best players leave."

Hart leaves QPR after five games

Paul Hart left Queens Park Rangers yesterday after just five games as manager of the English Championship club. QPR said that Hart, sacked by Portsmouth in November, had decided to leave with immediate effect.

Assistant manager Mick Harford, who was also a caretaker manager at QPR in 2007, will take charge of this weekend's match at Blackpool.

Hart was appointed on Dec. 17 after Jim Magilton was sacked following media reports of a bust-up with Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky.

The west London club have had six full-time managers since Flavio Briatore took over in late 2007.

Brazil to face Ireland in London

World Cup favourites Brazil will warm up for this year's finals in South Africa with a friendly clash against Ireland at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on March 2.

International sports event promoter Kentaro, who organise Brazil's friendly fixtures around Europe, has confirmed that Arsenal will once again host the five-time World Cup winners.

The north London stadium has become something of a second home for Brazil coach Dunga and his star-studded squad in recent years after friendly fixtures against Argentina, Portugal and Sweden at the Emirates.

Brazil will face Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea in their World Cup group when the tournament gets underway in June.