Man Citys 18m bid for Kjaer accepted by Palermo but rejected by player

In demand: But Simon Kjaer has reportedly turned down Manchester City
Denmark defender Simon Kjaer has reportedly turned down the chance to join Manchester City.
Palermo are said to have accepted an £18million offer from City for the highly rated 20-year-old, who is also on Manchester United's radar.
However, Kjaer is keen to see out the season in Italy before re-considering his future after the World Cup, according to IMScouting, who have close links to clubs, agents and football figures from across the world.
Roberto Mancini is keen to strengthen his leaky defence after taking over from Mark Hughes at Eastlands, but this week said Kjaer was not on his agenda.
However, it is claimed that 6ft 2in centre half Kjaer had already snubbed City's advances.
Russian champions Rubin Kazan have emerged as rivals to sign Kjaer.
Everton boss Moyes faces battle with Atletico Madrid for Rennes star FanniBalotelli set for reunion with Mancini at City after falling out of favour at InterWe can win the title! Mancini boasts after Tevez fires Man City to Wolves winWolves 0 Man City 3: Tevez double makes it two wins out of twoMancini dismisses talk of Palermo's star defender Kjaer joining CityMANCHESTER CITY FC

HULL CITY v Manchester United- Nicky Barmby hoping to face champions

Hull expect to have veteran midfielder Nick Barmby available for the visit of Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United on Sunday.
The former England international has not trained this week after suffering a calf injury during last weekend's defeat at Arsenal but should be fit.
Manager Phil Brown has no other fitness concerns aside from long-term casualties Jimmy Bullard and Ian Ashbee.
Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is due to link up with Nigeria for the African Nations Cup after the game but the club are still hoping to delay his departure.
Dean Marney, Stephen Hunt and Kamil Zayatte are all one booking away from an automatic suspension.
United we stand: Barmby will face the champions

Team : Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Gardner, Dawson, Garcia, Barmby, Boateng, Hunt, Fagan, Geovanni, Mouyokolo, Mendy, Kilbane, Marney, Cairney, Olofinjana, Ghilas, Cousin, Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Duke.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKEND TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER

Beckham handed United return

David Beckham will make an emotional return to Manchester United with AC Milan while Chelsea will come face-to-face with former manager Jose Mourinho following the draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League.

Beckham handed United return

Beckham will be hoping to make a fond farewell in the twilight of his career when Milan take on the 2008 European champions in the last 16.

The former England midfielder will join the Italian giants on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in the new year and the second leg of the mouthwatering encounter will see Beckham back at Old Trafford.

The midfielder ended his long association with the Red Devils when he signed for Real Madrid in 2003 and has not played club football at Old Trafford since.

Milan have never lost to United in four previous Champions League and European Cup encounters.

Meanwhile, Mourinho will also be making a return of his own to Stamford Bridge.

He left Chelsea under something of a cloud in September 2007 but not before leading lthe Blues to two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups during three trophy-filled years in London.

However, the Portuguese coach never managed to take Chelsea past the semi-final stage of the Champions League.

He will renew rivalries with Carlo Ancelotti after the pair jousted regularly in the Italian media last season when the now Chelsea boss was in charge of Inter's city rivals AC Milan.

Elsewhere in an interesting draw, Arsenal - the other remaining English club following Liverpool's surprise exit - have been paired with FC Porto.

Defending champions Barcelona will take on Stuttgart while big-spending Real Madrid have been handed a tie against French side Lyon.

The first leg of the last 16 ties will be played on 16/17 and 23/24 February, with the returns scheduled for 9/10 and 16/17 March.

Champions League first knockout round draw:

Stuttgart v Barcelona
Olimpiacos v Bordeaux
Internazionale v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
CSKA Moscow v Sevilla
Lyon v Real Madrid
FC Porto v Arsenal
AC Milan v Manchester United.

McCarthy won't back down

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is refusing to back down in his claim that he was right to make wholesale changes to the side that lost to Manchester United in midweek.

McCarthy has found himself at the centre of a storm and has been asked by the Premier League to explain why he made ten changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

The Molineux boss claimed he needed to rest tired players ahead of Sunday's clash with Burnley after the defeat to the champions and still believes his decision will prove to be the right one for his club.

Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was the sole survivor from the Wolves side that defeated Tottenham at the weekend.

"People may think the players look fresh, but they don't see the physio's room of a morning," McCarthy told the Birmingham Mail.

"Players don't just recover overnight from these games - they take a hell of a lot out of them and it takes a lot to recuperate from them.

"Most of them have got tight hamstrings, tight calves and tight groins.

"There are a lot of fatigue-based niggles and playing another game within three or four days increases the likelihood of those becoming proper injuries that will mean them missing games.

"You can't just keep whipping them and whipping them all the time.

"At some stage, someone is going to pull up and I just don't want that to happen with the games we've got coming up."

FOOTBALL - BEST DEFENDERS LISTED

1. JOHN TERRY

2. FABIO CANNAVARO

3. NEMANJA VIDIC

4. RIO FERDINANT

5. CARLES PUYOL

6. ALEXANDRO NESTA

7. JONATHAN WOODGATE

8. RICARDO CARVALHO

9. PHILIP MEXES

10.CARLOS MARCHENA

Man City - Santa Cruz Profiles

Roque Santa Cruz

2009/10 Premier League
Games	Goals	Assists
5	0

Full Name Roque Santa Cruz Birth Date August 16, 1981 Birth Place Asunción Height 1.88m

Weight 80 kg Age 28 Position Forward Squad No 14

Roque Santa Cruz Bio

Roque Santa Cruz made a name for himself rapidly. He started at Olimpia at the age of nine, and his goalscoring made him the club's most promising young gun. Luis Cubilla called him up to the first team at the age of 15, and he made his debut a year later.

In the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Santa Cruz won two titles with Olimpia and was chosen as Paraguayan player of the year. As expected, many offers arrived from abroad, and Bayern Munich signed him in 1999. But despite his talent and a rapport with fans, he never reached his true potential with the team.

Injuries and bad relationships with his coaches were to blame for his lack of a regular spot in Munich. At Bayern he played 146 games and scored 31 goals before England's Blackburn Rovers signed him in 2007. He was a key player at Ewood Park: in 54 games, he scored 23 goals. Finally, after a long courtship, in the summer of 2009 he was purchased by Manchester City. With the Paraguayan national team he has played in two World Cups, and is the second-most prolific scorer in their history.

Strengths: His height means the aerial game is his main weapon though he is also two-footed and not lacking in composure on the ball.

Weaknesses: The long list of injuries he has suffered during his career.

Career high: During 2007-8, his first year at Blackburn Rovers, he revived his career and was top scorer.

Career low: One of the many knee injuries that he suffered towards the end of 2005 kept him for six months meaning he would later struggle to regain his previous form.

Style: A constant presence in the box, his physical strength is the basis of his game.

Trivia: A German band composed a song honoring Santa Cruz, entitled "Ich Roque". In the video, Santa Cruz appears singing the chorus.

Quotes: "He has been fantastic since he's come through the door. Not only have we been impressed by his technical ability and the pace and power that he has, but by his demeanour as well around the place." Mark Hughes.

Gibson's double ensures Carling Cup semi-final spot.

Darren Gibson scored two goals to help Manchester United book a semi final spot in the Carling Cup at the expense of Tottenham Hotspurs. The game played at Old Trafford last night looked lethargic until Gibson scored and then went on to score a second one to ensure victory for the Red Devils.

This game looked like a re-match of last year's Carling Cup final as United and Spurs battled it out for progression to the next stage. Sir Alex Ferguson fielded nearly the same side which lost to Besiktas last week. I am sure he must have been a happy man to see his youngsters taste victory this time around.

Spurs had fielded a stronger team than United but still they could not pose a threat to the home team. Darren Gibson along with Anderson commanded the center of the park and did not allow Spurs to move beyond. Both these midfielders were awesome with their performances and received praise from their manager.

Fergie praised Darren Gibson by saying, "Gibson did very well. His second goal, in particular, was fantastic. He’s the one player now at our club who can get a goal from outside the box. He has tremendous power in his shooting."

The 16th-minute opener from Gibson was a blistering 25-yard finish from Anderson's square ball. His second was pure teamwork as Park Ji-sung and Dimitar Berbatov started a flowing move that ended with Gibson playing a one-two with Danny Welbeck before curling brilliantly into the top corner.

Manchester United are two games away from Wembley and Sir Alex Ferguson has promised that he will field a similar team in the semi-finals, irrespective of their opposition. Fergie wants to provide more opportunities to youngsters and has claimed that the likes of Darren Gibson, Danny Welbeck, Gabriel Obertan and Ritchie de Laet will now be responsible for defending the Carling Cup successfully.

Man Utd confirm interest in Edin Dzeko

Manchester United have admitted their interest in Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko with United's assistant Mike Phelan rating the striker as "ideal for the English league".

Manchester United have been linked with numerous players so far but they have not admitted their desire to sign any player. Recently, they canceled Adem Ljajic deal which means the young Serbian will not arrive at Old Trafford in 2010.

I believe United need a good striker who can score goals on a consistent basis; someone like Ruud van Nistelrooy or Andy Cole. So is Edin Dzeko the perfect man for the Red Devils? Mike Phelan thinks so and has hinted the Red Devils could consider a move for the player.

Dzeko is a 23 year old tall (6 ft 3+¹⁄₂ in) striker who has attracted interest from teams in Spain, Italy and England. Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with him in recent weeks but Dzeko dreams to play for AC Milan. He is hoping that the Italian giants will sign him since their attacking department is weakened at the moment.

Sir Alex Ferguson may also fancy bringing Dzeko after watching his performance in the Champions League group match when he scored a goal at the Theater of Dreams. Though Fergie is tight lipped about this deal but his assistant has spilled the beans.

Mike Phelan praised Edin Dzeko and said,

I'm sure there are a number of teams looking at him. Are we one on them? We are looking at talent all of the time and we are in there with the rest of them.


He showed his threat in the game at Old Trafford and he appeals because he is a tall, skilful boy and in some ways he is an ideal player for the English league.


He has stature, his feet are good and he is producing some good performances. I am sure everybody has looked at him.

Group Stage 1 Match Fixtures

World Cup 2010 South Africa

Group A

Match		Venue			Results
1	11 June	Johannesburg		South Africa	V/S	Mexico
2	11 June	Cape Town		Uruguay	V/S	France
17	16 June	Tshwane/Pretoria		South Africa	V/S	Uruguay
18	17 June	Polokwane		France	V/S	Mexico
33	22 June	Rustenburg		Mexico	V/S	Uruguay
34	22 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		France	V/S	South Africa

Group B

Match	Date	Venue			Results
3	12 June	Johannesburg		Argentina	V/S	Nigeria
4	12 June	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Korea Republic	V/S	Greece
19	17 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		Greece	V/S	Nigeria
20	17 June	Johannesburg		Argentina	V/S	Korea Republic
35	22 June	Durban		Nigeria	V/S	Korea Republic
36	22 June	Polokwane		Greece	V/S	Argentina

Group C

Match	Date	Venue			Results
5	12 June	Rustenburg		England	V/S	USA
6	13 June	Polokwane		Algeria	V/S	Slovenia
22	18 June	Johannesburg		Slovenia	V/S	USA
23	18 June	Cape Town		England	V/S	Algeria
37	23 June	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Slovenia	V/S	England
38	23 June	Tshwane/Pretoria		USA	V/S	Algeria

Group D

Match	Date	Venue			Results
7	13 June	Durban		Germany	V/S	Australia
8	13 June	Tshwane/Pretoria		Serbia	V/S	Ghana
21	18 June	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Germany	V/S	Serbia
24	19 June	Rustenburg		Ghana	V/S	Australia
39	23 June	Johannesburg		Ghana	V/S	Germany
40	23 June	Nelspruit		Australia	V/S	Serbia

Group E

Match	Date	Venue			Results
9	14 June	Johannesburg		Netherlands	V/S	Denmark
10	14 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		Japan	V/S	Cameroon
25	19 June	Durban		Netherlands	V/S	Japan
26	19 June	Tshwane/Pretoria		Cameroon	V/S	Denmark
43	24 June	Rustenburg		Denmark	V/S	Japan
44	24 June	Cape Town		Cameroon	V/S	Netherlands

Group F

Match	Date	Venue			Results
11	14 June	Cape Town		Italy	V/S	Paraguay
12	15 June	Rustenburg		New Zealand	V/S	Slovakia
27	20 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		Slovakia	V/S	Paraguay
28	20 June	Nelspruit		Italy	V/S	New Zealand
41	24 June	Johannesburg		Slovakia	V/S	Italy
42	24 June	Polokwane		Paraguay	V/S	New Zealand

Group G

Match	Date	Venue			Results
13	15 June	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Côte d'Ivoire	V/S	Portugal
14	15 June	Johannesburg		Brazil	V/S	Korea DPR
29	20 June	Johannesburg		Brazil	V/S	Côte d'Ivoire
30	21 June	Cape Town		Portugal	V/S	Korea DPR
45	25 June	Durban		Portugal	V/S	Brazil
46	25 June	Nelspruit		Korea DPR	V/S	Côte d'Ivoire

Group H

Match	Date	Venue			Results
15	16 June	Nelspruit		Honduras	V/S	Chile
16	16 June	Durban		Spain	V/S	Switzerland
31	21 June	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Chile	V/S	Switzerland
32	21 June	Johannesburg		Spain	V/S	Honduras
47	25 June	Tshwane/Pretoria		Chile	V/S	Spain
48	25 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		Switzerland	V/S	Honduras

Im no United traitor-to the fans

Former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is confident he will not be viewed as a traitor by the Old Trafford faithful if he completes a transfer to the club's cross-city rivals.

Tevez: Says he was

frozen out by Sir Alex

Ferguson

The Argentina international turned down a permanent deal at United last month following a two-year loan deal and has since been linked with a lucrative move to wealthy Manchester City.

Chelsea are also reportedly tracking the 25-year-old's availability, but Eastlands is believed to be Tevez's likely destination this summer.

Tevez told The People: "If I play for Manchester City I don't think the United fans will feel I am a traitor.

"They have to remember that at least as far as I know I have been thrown out of the club and I have to study the best offers available."

Tevez's decision to turn down the offer of a five-year deal at United has been defended by his adviser Kia Joorabchian, and the player himself insists manager Sir Alex Ferguson left him with little choice but to move on.

"It has come about because I could not stand my sporting situation at Manchester United any longer," he continued.

"My first year was good in all senses. I played in the games and felt respected by the coach but in my second year some strange things happened that I still do not understand.

"After the game at Old Trafford where Liverpool beat us [4-1, in March], Ferguson ignored me almost as if I was to blame for the defeat when really Liverpool dominated us all over the pitch.

"After that the fans called for me to be in the team but he never took the advice on board because he always knows best.

"I gave everything for Manchester United and people know that. For that reason I don't deserve the way things have ended up."

LIONEL MESSI WINS 2009 FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL AWARD

The Football Magazine France Football has given its "Golden Ball" Awardfor 2009 to FC Barcelona player LIONEL MESSI. This accolade is

considered the award,which is voted by the World Football journalists,
the confirmation as the "Best Player In The World" for 2008-2009. The
second place went to Real Madrid player CRISTIANO RONALDO & third

to FC Barcelona player XAVI HERNANDEZ

Here is the list of the Top 10 with their respective points:

1. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) : 473 points
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United & Real Madrid) : 233 pts
3. Xavi (FC Barcelona) : 170 pts
4. Andrès Iniesta (FC Barcelona) : 149 pts
5. Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona & Inter Milán) : 75 pts
6. Kaka (Milán AC y Real Madrid) : 58 pts
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milán & FC Barcelona) : 50 pts
8. Wayne Rooney ( Manchester United): 35 pts
9. Didier Drogba (Chelsea): 33 pts
10. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) : 32 pts

Roman Pavlyuchenkos move to Roma

Out of favour: Pavlyuchenko
Roma's bid to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko has hit a stalemate over the Italian club's unwillingness to do a straight cash deal for the Russia striker.
The Italians want to strike a loan-swap with Tottenham, with former Arsenal player Julio Baptista, the Brazil midfielder, heading to White Hart Lane for the second half of the season.
However, neither Spurs nor Pavlyuchenko are keen on a loan deal.
In any case, the 27-year-old is wary of moving to a new country because of the difficulties in adapting to yet another culture and foreign language.
The former Spartak Moscow striker has struggled to learn English and fit in to the White Hart Lane dressing room.
Spurs are holding out for at least £15million for a player they signed for £13.8m after Euro 2008.
There is plenty of interest in taking the player back to Russia, which suits Pavlyuchenko and his wife Larissa, though Spurs may have to lower their demands.
Zenit St Petersburg have shown the most interest are are ready to offer around £10m once Italian coach Luciano Spalletti is confirmed as their new manager.
Lokomotiv Moscow have confirmed their interest, while Spartak boss Valery Karpin is ready to resume talks over a player he tried to sign in August.
'There was an opportunity to bring Pavlyuchenko back in the summer,' said Karpin. 'It didn't happen. Let's see what the conditions would be if we open talks now.'
Spartak ponder Pavlyuchenko return as Welliton eyes Tottenham swap dealSpurs outcast Pavlyuchenko set for Zenit as Russians line up boss SpallettiPavlyuchenko confirms his departure from Tottenham after nightmare yearThree's a crowd: Jenas's 2010 hopes could suffer from selection, says HarryCampbell free to play football after concluding Notts County contract spat TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC.

Spurs legend Jurgen Klinsmann rules out a return to the Bundesliga

Jurgen Klinsmann has dismissed talk of returning to a coaching job in the Bundesliga.
The former Germany boss parted company with Bayern Munich towards the end of last season after less than a year in the Allianz Arena hotseat.
He had enjoyed more success with the national team, leading them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2006.
No going back: Klinsmann doesn't want another crack at the German top flight
'For us it is relatively clear. We will not embark on a new Bundesliga adventure,' Klinsmann told the Bild newspaper.
'After the World Cup, I will possibly be active somewhere else.'
Klinsmann has been linked with a job in the Barclays Premier League, having enjoyed two spells in England with Tottenham in the 1990s.
Commenting on reports linking him with Liverpool, Klinsmann only said: 'There are always rumours.'
Klinsmann back on Liverpool radar? Jurgen wants Premier League jobMan United 2 Tottenham 0: Fergie's kids pass test as Gibson grabs doubleFergie: Forget Carling Cup exit, Spurs CAN break into the 'Big Four'VIDEO SPECIAL: After comic Bullard - 10 more iconic celebrationsTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Man United 2 Tottenham 0- Fergies kids pass test

Sir Alex Ferguson said recently that he is finding it increasingly difficult to keep young Darron Gibson happy. It will be considerably more difficult from now on.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder has impressed his manager so often on the training field in recent weeks that Ferguson has become a little uncomfortable that he can not offer him much Premier League football.
After seeing the 22-year-old score two sumptuous goals from distance to ease United into the last four of the Carling Cup, Ferguson now has reason to be grateful, especially after the question marks that were left hanging over his young players in the wake of last week's home defeat to Besiktas.
You beauty: Darron Gibson curls in United's exquisite second goal
He also has more reason to try - somehow - to keep Gibson satisfied. How he does it is hard to say. Last night's match-winner has five internationals ahead of him in the pecking order.
Shifting Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves from their place in the queue already looks an impossible task.

Get in: Gibson celebrates his excellent strike
Nevertheless, the contribution from a central midfielder who has a habit of scoring spectacular goals won this game for United.
Gibson played reasonably well for an hour or so against Besiktas last week before fading rapidly. His work in the first half against Tottenham was certainly very effective.
United had actually been on the back foot for the opening part of the game as a strong Spurs team endeavoured to notch their first victory at Old Trafford since 1989. But a moment of pure quality from Gibson swung the game United's way and it turned out to be a definitive change of direction.
United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson did well to keep possession down the left-hand side and then he funnelled the ball infield to Gibson, who drove a perfect shot along the ground and away from Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes into the far corner.
Gibson is 6ft 2in and powerfully built, something that manifests itself in his shooting. He delivered a telling strike in an FA Cup tie against Southampton last season and another goal from outside the penalty area to decide the final game of United's league season at Hull - the only Premier League match he has started for his club.
His second goal last night was perhaps the pick of his early career at Old Trafford. This time it was 19-year-old centre forward Danny Welbeck who provided the set-up with a lay-off on the edge of the area. Once again Gibson used his right instep and the ball curled away from Gomes high into the goal.
Master blaster: Gibson (right) smashes in the first goal of the quarter-final
Ferguson said: 'I thought Gibson and Anderson were the stars of the show. Gibson is now one of the players who can really shoot from outside the area. His second goal in particular was excellent.
'I actually thought we were a little fortunate in the first half. I thought Tottenham were the better team before we scored.'
Ferguson's assessment was correct. Tottenham looked strong on paper and started purposefully, with Gareth Bale worrying Gary Neville with his advances from left back and Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane looking the quick-thinking footballers they are.
They did find chances hard to come by, however. The 21-year-old Belgian defender, Ritchie de Laet, blocked one Defoe shot after Bale found the England striker with a terrific cross to the far post and then central defender Nemanja Vidic showed how valuable he is to Ferguson's team by shepherding Keane away from goal when Defoe found his strike partner with a pass from deep.
Grappling: Federico Macheda battles for the ball with David Bentley
Much of Tottenham's football was ambitious and progressive but many of their attacks tended to break down when they reached the penalty box. Indeed, not until Bale found David Bentley 12 yards out on the hour-mark did Tomasz Kuszczak have to make a save of note. He did on that occasion with both hands.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp professed to be disappointed and suggested that his players did not rise to the occasion. 'It was like a practice match,' he said. 'There was no atmosphere in the stadium or in the game. There were no tackles and we never seemed to get going.
Enlarge 'This was a cup quarter-final and I expected it to be an occasion but it wasn't. I don't really know what to say. I'm very disappointed.'
For Tottenham, a route towards Wembley - where they lost last season's final to United - has been blocked and Redknapp must work on a way to beat the bigger teams. They have lost to United (twice), Chelsea and Arsenal this season.
United, meanwhile, are again dangerously close to the final of a competition they don't take too seriously. Ferguson will continue to field his young players in the last four, even if they are drawn against neighbours Manchester City, who host Arsenal tonight.
Last night Gibson, Welbeck, De Laet and Co proved themselves more than capable. And if Ferguson cares to examine last week's newspapers closely he will find that precious few people actually suggested they were not in the first place.
Enlarge Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 4: Milner a smash hit as Downing opens accountAngry Man United boss Ferguson blasts critics: Leave my kids alone!CARLING CUP LIVE: Darron Gibson brace seals win for United and Pompey concede four at home again as Villa cruise through to semis. MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROIM ACROSS THE WEB

Fifa reject Republic of Ireland's request to be included as World Cup's 33rd team

The Republic of Ireland will not be invited into the World Cup as a 33rd team even though Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff, Fifa has said.

Final decision: Fifa have rejected the Republic of Ireland's appeal to be included as the 33rd nation at the World Cup next

Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said that it was "impossible" to change the structure of the tournament and that doing so would open Fifa to a host of other complaints of teams that felt they were cheated during qualifying.

"I think we have to be clear Ireland will not be invited to play in the World Cup," Valcke said. "I would not say it is a nonsense but I mean it's impossible.

"There is no hope to give, or to have, to think that there will be more than 32 teams playing inWorld Cup 2010 in South Africa."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Monday because of Henry's handball which led to the goal that meant France qualified.

Valcke said Football Association of Ireland officials met with Blatter at Fifa headquarters in Zurich several days ago.

"The Fifa president was very clear by saying it was impossible, because if we do so, why not Costa Rica and others?" Valcke said at the start of a week of meetings centered on Friday's draw for the final tournament.

Costa Rica also complained to Fifa that a goal which helped Uruguay win a play-off between the two nations was offside.

Valcke said Blatter promised to put the official Irish request before Fifa's executive committee members who meet in an urgent session Wednesday.

The 24-member ruling panel is set to discuss issues arising out of the playoff matches in Europe, Africa and Latin America last month - including Henry's handball.

It could decide to give football's rules making body, which meets in Zurich next March, the authority to speed up trials with five match officials using an additional linesman behind each goal to help spot infringements in the penalty area.

Klasnic aiming to do better

Bolton Wanderers loan striker Ivan Klasnic believes that he is finding his feet in the Premier League, having found the net in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.

The 29-year-old Croatia international has scored twice in ten outings since his arrival on a season-long loan from French side Nantes, with both strikes coming in his last four appearances for Gary Megson's side.

Klasnic told the club's official website: "I'm settling in well at the club and I'm very happy to be here to show what I can do.

"The fans have been great in welcoming me. I'm working hard in training and adjusting to the demands of the Premier League.

"I was pleased with my goal, but it was more important that we got a result. Fulham are a good team and it was tough, but we were very committed and determined.

"We have been playing some good football, but we then had a difficult run playing against Chelsea and Aston Villa - it is now up to the team to regain that momentum we had and that level of performance we were showing."