Spain

Torres omitted from Spain squad

Chelsea's goal-shy striker Fernando Torres was a notable omission from Spain manager Vicente del Bosque's 24-man squad announced on Friday to face Venezuela in Malaga next week.

The 27-year-old, who scored the winning goal for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany, has struggled mightily since joining Chelsea and has failed to find the back of the net in his past 24 outings for the Premier League side, a barren run that has ultimately cost him his place in the national team.

His absence marks the first time he has been overlooked by his country since missing a friendly against Romania in November 2006.

Del Bosque admitted the striker's return of just four goals in all competitions this season left him little choice but to exclude him.

England

Zenit takes Arsenal's Arshavin on loan

Zenit Saint Petersburg has signed Arsenal's Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin on loan until the end of the season, the player and the Russian outfit said on Friday.

The Arsenal player, who cost the Gunners 15 million pounds ($20 million) when he arrived in London 2 1/2 seasons ago, tweeted 'it's done' as he prepared to head back to his former club amid reports Zenit had agreed to pay a fee of about $1.5 million and also pay his wages.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger had previously insisted the Russian would be staying in London although the 30-year-old has come in for criticism from fans for some recent below-par performances.

This season he has been a fringe player, generally appearing from the bench.

And with the Russian transfer window shutting on Friday night Zenit made its move, saying in a statement on its website that "Arshavin is back!"

Wolves defend hunt for manager

Wolves chiefs on Friday defended their decision to axe Mick McCarthy after a protracted search for a replacement ended with assistant Terry Connor being given the job until the end of the season.

Since McCarthy's dismissal earlier this month, a host of big-name candidates had been linked to the vacancy at Molineux, with Alan Curbishley and Walter Smith both rejecting overtures for the position.

However, the hunt reached its conclusion on Friday when Wolves chairman Steve Morgan said Connor would lead the club's fight against relegation over the remaining 13 games of the season.

"This is a very important appointment and this is not one you can make on a knee-jerk response," Morgan said.

Samba completes Anzhi move

Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba on Friday completed his move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the English Premier League club said.

Blackburn refused to disclose the fee, but reports in England suggested the deal was worth 12 million pound ($19 million) on a four-year deal.

The 27-year-old Congo international defender had made it his intention to leave struggling Rovers and had previously been linked with moves to Tottenham and QPR.

Samba's move was made possible by the Russian transfer window still being open until midnight on Friday.

He will link up with Dutch coaching legend Guus Hiddink, who took charge of the ambitious Russian team last week.

Ghana

Coach accuses players of 'witchcraft'

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic claims some of his players turned on each other using withcraft at the Africa Cup of Nations, according to a report published by the BBC on Friday.

Stevanovic's astonishing accusation of deep divisions in the Black Stars' ranks emerged from a leaked review of the team's performance in Gabon where Ghana was knocked out by eventual winner Zambia in the semifinals.

"We all need to help in changing some players' mentality about using 'black power' to destroy themselves, and also make sure we instil discipline and respect for each other," the coach said, according to the BBC.

In a report delivered to the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) executive committee, Stevanovic said: "After losing to Zambia, there arose so many accusations amongst the players."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/26/2012 page7)