Di Matteo hits back at Ferguson and Wenger for commenting on Clattenburg race case

Named and shamed: Chelsea yob who allegedly made 'monkey' gesture at United ace Welbeck

The racist yob who abused Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck with a monkey gesture has been named as Gavin Kirkham. 

Roberto Di Matteo has said criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger over the Mark Clattenburg case will be taken on board to by his Chelsea players but only used as a 'motivational tool'.
The Blues boss refused to be drawn on the issue in any depth, citing the matter was in the hands of the police and FA.
But responding to the Manchester United manager's comments questioning the credibility of the claims he said: 'He likes to talk about other clubs. We tend not to. I'll leave it up to him.
'It's a free country where everybody has the freedom of speech. We'll take into consideration what other people say and use it as a motivational tool for ourselves.'

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Not impressed: Roberto Di Matteo plans to use comments as a motivational tool

Di Matteo added of Ferguson's scepticism: 'The investigation will qualify this. We don't want to prejudice any trial.'
Asked if he feared referees might treat the club differently after making the accusations against Clattenburg, the Italian said: 'I really hope not. I believe that they won't. We have faith in the referees. They are people that are under a lot of pressure.

Centre of the storm: John Obi Mikel (right) training, with Fernando Torres (left)

'They are human beings like everyone else. You have to try your best and sometimes mistakes can happen.'
Di Matteo maintained his stance of silence when asked about the Chelsea fan caught making a 'monkey' gesture during Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie but did suggest the manner in which racist incidents have been highlighted proved there was still work to be done.

Mikel in the middle: Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill either side of the Nigerian anchor man

'I always said that we are against any form of discrimination,' he said. 'We will support anyone who is fighting that. That's our position and my personal belief as well.
'The fact that these incidents are happening give a lot of media exposure and makes people aware that we have to fight maybe a little more strongly than perhaps we thought. Everyone has to be involved in this process to eradicate it from the sport and life in general.'

Larking around: Darren Fletcher (left) and Robin van Persie appear in relaxed mood ahead of tomorrow's cruch clash at Old Trafford

Best bib and tucker: Rio Ferdinand chucks a training vest away (left) as some United prankster throws a bit of turf and left-back Patrice Evra (right) ahead of tomorrow's match against Arsenal

Earlier on Friday, Ferguson hit out at Chelsea for accusing Clattenburg of allegedly abusing Mikel.
The Metropolitan Police and the FA are investigating an allegation that Clattenburg used 'inappropriate language' towards Mikel during the game in which he sent off two Blues players as they went down 3-2 to Ferguson's side.

Support: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, taking training at Carrington, has pledged his support to referee Mark Clattenburg

'I don’t believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comment like that,' said Ferguson.
'I think it’s unthinkable. It’s unthinkable in the modern climate. I just don’t believe it.
'There’s no way a referee would stoop that low. I’m convinced of that.
'If you look at the modern game compared to 25 years ago it’s completely changed. I know the banter between players and referees 25 years ago is completely different.
'I have never heard a player come to me in the last 15 years and say a referee has sworn at them during a game, ever.
'This is where I stand on this issue with Mark Clattenburg. I just don’t believe it.'
Ferguson joins Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in standing by Clattenburg.
On Thursday, Wenger said: 'I didn’t follow the whole (Chelsea) story completely (but) my opinion is just when I didn’t behave well I have an explanation with the referee at the end of the game or another day, rather than going public with little proof. I’m not in favour of making these things public.'

VIDEO: Di Matteo says we all need to fight racism

 

EXCLUSIVE: Nani set for Old Trafford exit after Fergie blasts 'amateurish' winger

Manchester United winger Nani looks set to leave Old Trafford next summer after manager Sir Alex Ferguson took him to task for throwing away his team's Carling Cup tie at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Nani's future at United has been in some doubt since talks over a new contract collapsed during the summer.
And now the Portuguese winger has told friends that he feels there is little chance of a reconciliation after Ferguson blamed him for conceding possession in the run up to Chelsea’s equaliser in the last minute of normal time on Wednesday.

On the way out: Nani in training at Carrington on Friday morning with the Manchester United squad

Ferguson was publicly critical of Nani for his error after the game, saying he should have run the ball to the corner flag. United – 3-2 up at the time – went on to lose 5-4 in extra-time.
Now a source close to Nani revealed: 'There was an argument between Ferguson and Nani after the game.
'Ferguson told him that losing the ball like that was an amateurish thing to do and that a really great player would never have done that.

Final warning: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson takes training on Friday morning

'Nani was already told that if he ever did it again then he would be on his way.'
It is understood that Nani has felt for some time that his place in Ferguson’s plans is under threat and has told friends that he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The official line from United is that the door is still open for the 25-year-old in terms of a new contract but not at the £130,000-a-week level he has been hoping for.

Bust-up at the Bridge: Fergie blamed Nani for the defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night

Zimbabwe sacks national football team

Zimbabwe has dissolved the national football team for failing to qualify for the 2013 Afica Cup of Nations as a major match fixing scandal still overshadows their performance, an official said Friday.
“The team has been discarded in its entirety,” Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Cuthbert Dube told a news conference in the capital Harare.
Zimbabwe lost 0-2 to Angola in the last qualifying game for the continental tournament after it had carried a 3-1 lead in the first leg, and failed to qualify on away goals.
Shocked fans point to a 2009 match-fixing scandal involving the national team that resulted in a lifelong ban for 15 players and officials, which ZIFA announced in October.
The scandal might have contributed to the team’s poor performance in Angola, Dube added, without elaborating.
“We will rebuild from the under-20 and under- 23s. These are young people who are clean,” he said.
None of the players in Angola played in the “Asiagate” games.
The banned officials include former national team coach Sunday Chidzambwa and former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya sent the national team to play unsanctioned friendlies in Thailand and Malaysia, and a Singapore-based betting syndicate allegedly fixed the results.
Zimbabwe has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations twice but has never qualified for the World Cup.
South Africa will host the January 19-February 10 Nations Cup.

Messi welcomes baby Thiago ahead of home clash with Celta de Vigo

Lionel Messi’s girlfriend gave birth to a baby boy, the Barcelona star’s first child, on Friday.
Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo named the boy Thiago.
Barcelona excused the 25-year-old Argentina forward from training on Friday morning to attend his son’s birth at a hospital in Barcelona.
On his Twitter feed, Messi said: “Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone.”
In a recent interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Messi said he was looking forward to becoming a father.
“I’m prepared for Thiago’s arrival, it is very exciting,” he said. “It makes you think of things in a different way. You can no longer just think about yourself, you think about him, and how you hope he doesn’t have any problems.”
Earlier Friday, Barcelona coach Tito Villanova said he still expected Messi to play in Saturday’s Spanish league match against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou stadium.
“Leo didn’t attend training, but tomorrow he will play in the match,” said Vilanova. “If everything goes well, he will come to play. It doesn’t change our plans at all that he didn’t train today.”

Chelsea’s bid for Paulinho rejected

European champions; Chelsea got a disappointing news on what would have been  another move to fortify their 2012 squad after it was announced by Brazilian club Corinthians that Brazilian midfielder Paulinho whom Chelsea has been after for a while now has signed a new contract with the club.
Although, speculations are that the move is to find ways to increase the stakes on the  24-year-old, that is larger fee for his services in the future.
Corinthians dismissed the thought of selling their star to the Premier League club, as  Corinthians’ President Mario Gobbi Filho insisted that no bid will be consider for the midfielder as they want to hold on to their man.
“We have renewed his contract and we have adjusted it, now it is at a level appropriate for Paulinho and the market’.
We have no intention to sell him; it is out of the question.
“We have a cycle that lasts until July and we renewed his contract to keep him, not to sell him”
“We do not want to transfer any player in January.”
The midfield anchor man has been in impressive form of late attracting the interest of many European clubs.
Alongside the Blues, Inter Milan are rumoured to be monitoring the situation closely with the club’s bosses keen to add depth to their squad.
Paulinho, who won his first international cap last year, has made six outings for Brazil notching two goals.

Venus beats Serena 6-4 7-5 to win exhibition match in Lagos

Olympic champion and the elder of the Williams sisters, Venus Williams, on Friday defeated her younger sister and world number two, Serena Williams, 6-4, 7-5 in their latest exhibition game in Nigeria.
The exhibition match was witnessed by loads of fans at the main bowl of the Lagos Tennis Club.
Tennis loving fans across the state gathered in the tennis club to watch the female tennis icons, thrill them with breath-taking skills as they squared off in an exhibition match which was part of activities lined up by the organisers of ‘Break the Mould’ initiative.
The crowd, made of fans from all over the world, gave the sisters a thrilling Mexican wave reception before the beginning of the exhibition match.
The match had no dull moment as the sisters were full of joy and dances during the break sessions of the match.
One of such high points was the thrilling dance steps produced by Venus as she danced to D’banj’s Oliver Twist track.
Venus defeated her sister to win the thrilling encounter much to the delight of spectators in court side.
Reacting to her victory, Venus noted that with her victory in Lagos, 2013 will be a great year for her.
The game was the 24th meeting between the sisters was seen by the fans who saw them live and it sure meant more than just an exhibition match.