Football news

Philippe Mexes insisted his future lies at Roma following reports that he was mulling a move to rivals Juventus in summer.

With Juve looking to bolster their rearguard with the signing of a new central defender, Mexes has been strongly linked with a transfer to Turin but just hours after helping Roma to a 2-0 Coppa Italia, semi-final first leg win on Thursday, Mexes said he won't move.

"I'm staying here," he insisted.

"I have a contract until the summer of 2011."

The France international scored one of Roma's goals against Udinese. He was substituted with 10 minutes left but said he'll be fit for tomorrow.

"I'll make it against Fiorentina. I'm feeling fine, I'm good," he said.

Driver 'dead keen' on Scotland shirt

Hearts winger Andrew Driver has pledged his allegiance to Scotland.

National team manager Craig Levein revealed the England U-21 international, who qualifies through his schooling, had told him he was "dead keen" to play for Scotland.

Driver played for England during the 2009 UEFA U-21 Championship but subsequently qualified for Scotland under the new rule agreed by the four home nations.

Levein said: "Andy Driver gave me the nod that he is dead keen. I said 'do you want to go away and think about it'? He said 'no, my mind is made up, I want to play for Scotland'."

FIFA to support Haitian football

FIFA has pledged £1.9m to the Haitian FA in an effort to aid rebuilding efforts in the earthquake-hit country.

The finance committee of world football's governing body held a meeting in Zurich this week at which it was unanimously agreed to establish a Special Projects Fund to assist with the repair of football facilities and infrastructure.

FIFA donated £158,000 in the immediate aftermath of the devastating January 12 quake.

FIFA hope their fund will help the Haitian football authorities reconstruct the association's headquarters, technical centres and regional youth facilities.

Ronaldinho denies 'mega party' talk

Milan forward Ronaldinho has denied reports he held a 'mega party' before his side's 2-0 Serie A defeat to Inter last month.

Reports suggested the 29-year-old Brazilian partied for three nights on the trot as his team prepared for the January 24 derby - something the player strongly refutes.

"I've been reading a few recent messages and I decided to clarify things," he said.

"News has been circulating that I had a 'mega party' the days prior to the derby and, even though it's true I was staying at a hotel in Milan, it is incorrect that I organised a party, with comments on the details of the supposed party even more incorrect.

"I've been working really hard the last few months, chasing after both my personal and professional goals."

Hicks could sell ice hockey team

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is looking into the possibility of selling his ice hockey team, the Dallas Stars.

The Hicks Sports Group (HSG) confirmed Galatioto Sports Partners have been retained to examine the possibility of securing new investors or selling a majority stake in the franchise.

Last month, HSG announced they had reached a definitive agreement to sell baseball side Texas Rangers for £360m. It appears Hicks is trying to re-organise his finances on a major scale but what this latest announcement means for Liverpool remains to be seen.

Liverpool require a £100m cash injection before summer or Hicks and co-owner George Gillett will face a decision over whether to sell the club when the current debt-refinancing agreement ends in July.

Azzurri to play Cameroon warm-up

Italy will play Cameroon on March 3 in Monaco and Switzerland on June 5 in Geneva in warm-up matches for this summer's football World Cup.

The Azzurri, the reigning world champions, will also play a friendly on June 3 against a team to be decided, the federation adding that talks were under way with Mexico.

Cameroon, Switzerland and Mexico will all be making the trip to South Africa for the June 11-July 11 World Cup.

Italy have been drawn in Group F alongside Paraguay (June 14), New Zealand (June 20) and Slovakia (June 24).

Baker banned over tickets sale

Aston Villa's teenage defender Nathan Baker has been banned from attending the League Cup final after trying to sell tickets for the February 28 clash with Manchester United on Facebook.

Baker, an England U-19 player, has had his allocation of tickets for the meeting with Alex Ferguson's side taken away from him by the club. The central defender is reported to have been trying to sell his five tickets at £200 apiece.

A club spokesman said: "The club is saddened that Nathan has been so foolish.

"All of the players were made aware that tickets for the final are available for their own use only and, following this incident, the message has been repeated to them."

Baker is regarded as one of Villa's most exciting young talents for the future. He is currently on loan at Lincoln.