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Pele says World Cup 'fantastic' event for Brazil

COLOGNE, Germany: Brazilian football legend Pele described as "fantastic" the selection of his country to host the 2014 World Cup.

"It's something fantastic, because everybody knows that Brazil is the incarnation of football," the champion striker said Wednesday while attending a book fair in Cologne.

"It will be a very important tournament for Brazil if, as well, they win it."

European football chief Michel Plantini expressed his disappointment Tuesday that "the king" was absent from the Brazilian delegation at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Tuesday for the announcement.

Pele declined to comment on his absence which is believed to be the result of poor relations with senior officials of the Brazilian football federation.

"It's the second time that Brazil is organizing a World Cup. The first time was in 1950, I was 10," remembered the former three-time winner of the sport's showpiece event.

"I remember my father in tears after we lost in the final to Uruguay: I hope this time we're going to to win this World Cup."

Barcelona keen to keep hold of Ronaldinho

BARCELONA: Barcelona reiterated on Wednesday that Brazilian star Ronaldinho is not for sale, despite new press rumors announcing his imminent departure.

Madrid sports daily AS claimed the two-time World Player of the Year was "on the market" and could even leave during January's transfer window.

Ronaldinho has come under fire in the press for some time now following some abject performances on the pitch and unprofessional behavior off it.

"Only an extraordinary transformation in his play and his public image can save him," said AS.

However, Barcelona moved quickly to dispel such rumors.

"Ronaldinho is not for sale, neither in December (January), nor June. It's inevitable that he has some problems with his game but we've never thought of selling him," club vice-president Ferran Sorriano told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

Richards faces scan after knee injury scare

BOLTON, England: England defender Micah Richards will have a scan on Thursday after being carried off with a knee injury during Manchester City's League Cup win at Bolton.

City manager Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed Richards's twisted knee will be examined, but the Swede insisted it was too early to say how serious the problem is.

If Richards has sustained major damage he will almost certainly be ruled out of England's final Euro 2008 qualifer against Croatia on November 21.

Eriksson said: "He twisted his knee and will have a scan on Thursday. Before that is is impossible to say if it is serious or not.

"But he is much better now than before. I think he was hurt trying to turn. He says he will be fine but let's wait and see what happens."

Gilberto could be back for United showdown says Wenger

SHEFFIELD, England: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could hand a shock recall to Brazil's 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva for Saturday's crunch clash with Manchester United to prove once and for all that he hasn't fallen out with him.

Reports earlier this week suggested Gilberto was fuming at having to play for Wenger's second string side in its 3-0 League Cup fourth-round victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.

Gilberto was an integral part of Wenger's side last season but has found himself on the fringes of the Frenchman's first-team squad this time around.

To make matters worse Gilberto was overlooked for the captaincy in favour of Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for the trip to Sheffield.

But Wenger heaped praise on Gilberto following the midfielder's impressive display and is considering recalling him to the squad for this weekend's eagerly awaited top-of-the-table meeting with United at the Emirates Stadium.

(China Daily 11/02/2007 page23)