Football news

Allan McGregor missed out on a recall to the Scotland squad after being injured in an incident in Glasgow city centre.

The Rangers goalkeeper, who has not played for his country for almost a year due to his involvement in the 'Boozegate' affair, was expected to be selected for new national team boss Craig Levein's first game in charge against Czech Republic tomorrow week.

But McGregor, 28, was left out amid reports he required hospital treatment for injuries sustained in an incident outside a Glasgow nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Gerets turns down Ivory Coast

Eric Gerets claims to have rejected the chance to coach Ivory Coast at the World Cup finals.

The Elephants are currently led by Vahid Halilhodzic but he is under pressure after failing to guide the team past the quarter-final stage at the recent Africa Cup.

Halilhodzic's contract is due to expire after the finals in South Africa but it has been reported the Ivorian FA are looking to make a change before the summer.

Gerets's comments seem to back that up although the Belgian has ruled out combining the post with his current job at Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

"I've looked at it but I cannot combine the two jobs," Gerets said.

Leonardo, Berlusconi friends again

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi and coach Leonardo are again on talking terms following a dispute over team tactics last week. Berlusconi lambasted Milan's performance against Man. United and appeared to imply that the club's management wasn't doing its job properly.

Leonardo hit back and said he would be ready to go if the club decides so but club vice-president Adriano Galliani said Berlusconi called Leonardo to make peace.

"Berlusconi has never meant to attack Leonardo. Simply, he said 'we have a very good team, if only the players played well.'

"This comment seemed like an attack on our coach, but it wasn't. I have spoken with the president. He has also spoken with Leonardo. The incident, if there ever was one, is absolutely over."

Hodgson backs Zamora claims

Roy Hodgson believes Fabio Capello will have been impressed by Fulham match-winner Bobby Zamora in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Birmingham. Zamora rifled home a superb last-minute free-kick to claim his 15th goal in 32 starts.

Capello had left Craven Cottage when Zamora pounced but Hodgson believes the 29-year-old's accomplished display will already have caught the England coach's eye.

"Capello will have been impressed. I know the fans were chanting his name for England and that was quite right," said the Fulham boss.

UAE investor quits Portsmouth

UAE businessman Sulaiman al-Fahim resigned from his position as the non-executive chairman of debt-ravaged Portsmouth yesterday and gave his 10 per cent shareholding to the club's supporters' trust.

Fahim confirmed the developments to Reuters as moves continued in London to save the 112-year-old club from going into liquidation.

The club's chief executive Peter Storrie said the owner, Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, was exploring a new initiative to try to save the club.

"As far as general negotiations are concerned they are just about complete," Storrie said.

"It is now all about proof of funds. If that is proved through bona fide banks, Mr Chainrai is in London and is prepared to push ahead and get the deal done."

Redknapp demands more from Pav

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp warned unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko that his two-goal blast in his side's 3-0 win at Wigan will mean nothing unless he gets down to some hard work.

Pavlyuchenko had attacked Redknapp in the Russian media last week in a rant which included the claims that his boss treated him as joke. But Redknapp believes Pavlyuchenko can play a big part in Tottenham's push to qualify for the Champions League.

"They (the fans) love him. He has got ability and, when he wants to play and wants to work, he's great," Redknapp said.

Charity match for flood victims

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in a charity game organised by Portuguese champions Porto in his birthplace Madeira, where floods at the weekend have left tens of people dead.

Porto said that their team will play the match against players from Madeira clubs Maritimo and Nacional.

"(Club president) Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa got involved in the contacts which led to the confirmation that Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play in the match," they added.

After scoring the opening goal in Real Madrid's 6-2 win over Villareal at the Bernabeu on Sunday, Ronaldo lifted his shirt to display a vest with Madeira written on it.

"It's where I grew up and where my family live," Ronaldo said.