Clubs learn Champions League fate

Celtic face a difficult task in the Champions League after the draw for the group stage paired them with holders AC Milan, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk. Rangers also face a tough task, against Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart.

Chelsea have been drawn with Valencia, whom they defeated at the quarter-final stage of last season’s competition.

Liverpool take on Porto, Marseille and Besiktas, while Manchester United face a rematch with Roma and Arsenal play four teams they have not met before.

Barcelona’s Eto’o out for at least two months

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o will be out of action for at least two months after suffering a partial tear of a tendon in his right thigh, the Primera Liga side said on Thursday.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury just two minutes after coming on as a substitute in Wednesday’s 5-0 victory over Italian champions Inter Milan in the Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp.

The three-times African Player of the Year missed a large chunk of last season after injuring his right knee during a Champions League match against Werder Bremen in September 2006.

Doctors initially estimated the injury would keep him out for two to three months but after an operation it took him five months to return to action.

Champions League changes pondered

Europe’s top leagues have asked for more time to consider Uefa proposals to allow domestic cup winners into the Champions League. President Michel Platini submitted the proposals at a meeting between Uefa and league and club representatives.

Under the proposals, which could begin in 2009, the Premier League’s top three and the FA Cup winners would qualify.

Platini also wants to move the Champions League final from midweek to a weekend.

His controversial proposals would also see six places in the Champions League reserved for champions of the 40 lowest leagues in Uefa’s 50 member countries.

The champions of the top 12 associations will automatically qualify for the group stage.

England rocked by Beckham injury

England have suffered a major injury scare ahead of September’s Euro 2008 qualifiers after David Beckham hurt his knee playing for LA Galaxy. Beckham, 32, was taken off during the Superliga final with Pachuca after twisting his knee in a block tackle.

“At this stage it’s hard to tell, but it doesn’t feel good,” said Beckham.

“A ligament strain is four to six weeks but we’ll have to wait for the results of the scan on Friday. If it is four to six, I won’t be flying to England.”

Beckham, who has had recent problems with an ankle injury, added: “I went into the tackle a little light because of my ankle and tried to compensate for that.

“I’d have been better off not doing it at all. Maybe it’s a sign that I need a rest and don’t come back until it’s right.”

Reading reject Shorey bid

Reading have rejected a bid from West Ham for defender Nicky Shorey, with manager Steve Coppell describing the offer as “derisory”. BBC Radio 5live reported on Wednesday that the Royals had turned down a £4m offer for the 26-year-old.

“I cannot deny there was a written offer made,” said Coppell. “Given the price of players today we thought it was nigh on a derisory offer.

“We turned it down immediately and we have had no contact since.”

Shorey, 26, made his England debut against Brazil at Wembley at the end of last season.

He has been linked with Newcastle, but West Ham are favourites to clinch a deal after talks on a new contract at Reading stalled.

source:bbcsports

FA announces new rules on agents

The Football Association is to introduce new rules preventing agents from acting for more than one party. The Football Agents Regulations come into effect on Saturday and include guidelines on dual representation, nepotism and overseas agents.

The agents themselves are unhappy – saying they were not consulted enough.

But the FA has admitted it only has limited powers on dealing with third-party ownership, claiming the issue needs to be addressed by Fifa.

Overseas agents will have to register with the FA if they are going to deal with English clubs and they will not be able to do business with any club that employs a close family member.

Anelka signs new deal with Bolton

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2011. Anelka, 28, has been linked with a move away from the Reebok, with several Premier League clubs interested.

But he said: “I seem to have been linked with every club in the country of late, but my heart is with Bolton.

“I am very happy with my form, the club and the manager so signing a new contract was not a difficult decision.”

French international Anelka joined the Trotters from Fenerbahce last summer for £8m, signing an initial four-year deal.

Gallant Galaxy falls a kick short

Great saves. Astonishing goal-line clearances. Fierce tackles. Penalty-kick appeals denied. An own goal scored, another narrowly averted. Brazen goalkeeper “gamesmanship” during the penalty-kick shootout going unpunished, as usual. An unbelievable stoppage-time equalizer, on a bicycle kick, by an American.

Pachuca prevailed on penalties, 4-3, following 120 minutes that would be hailed as thrilling, dramatic, and riveting anywhere in the world to win the SuperLiga final. But David Beckham left the game in the 33rd minute with a knee strain and Landon Donovan failed to convert from the penalty spot.

Five weeks after the same two teams opened the inaugural SuperLiga tournament at the same venue, Pachuca needed every kick of the game to reverse that 2-1 loss.