Fiorentina have agreed to sign Villarreal's midfielder Borja Valero, the two clubs said on Wednesday.

Valero, 27, would shortly travel to Italy for a medical and to tie up the details of the move, Villarreal, who were relegated from La Liga last season, said on their website. 

A club spokesman declined to confirm media reports that the deal was worth seven million euros.  

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Juventus coach Antonio Conte's plea bargain offer of a three-month ban for match-fixing was rejected by an Italian football federation (FIGC) tribunal on Wednesday, forcing him to propose a longer ban or face a full sporting trial.

Siena will start the Serie A season with a six-point deduction after their plea bargain was accepted at the second attempt by the FIGC's tribunal over the same case. They must also a pay a 100,000 euros fine.

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AS Roma have completed the signing of Siena striker Mattia Destro, one of the most sought-after players in Serie A.

Juventus, AC Milan and former owners Inter Milan were among the clubs courting the 21-year-old, who netted 12 league goals for Siena last term and just missed out on a berth in Italy's Euro 2012 squad. 

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AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, under pressure from fans after selling two top players, has not ruled out bringing Real Madrid's Brazilian playmaker Kaka back to the club after three largely disappointing seasons in Spain.

"Kaka has remained in our hearts because of the player and the man that he is," Berlusconi was quoted as saying on Milan's website on Tuesday. 

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AC Milan fear that financial difficulties could scupper a move for Kaka.

The Real Madrid midfielder has struggled for form and fitness following his big-money switch to Santiago Bernabeu in 2009.

Kaka has been told he is allowed to leave the La Liga champions, provided potential suitors meet the reported £40 million asking price. 

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Taiwo set for summer move from Milan

Taye Taiwo could be set for a return to France after being frozen out at AC Milan.

The Nigeria international arrived at San Siro from Marseille last year, but has made just eight first-team appearances in all competitions.

Taiwo spent the second half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers and had been linked with a permanent move to Loftus Road.

However, the 27-year-old could be set to return to Marseille, where he spent six years between 2005-11.

"I have a contract with Milan unless they want to let me go for free," he told Sky Sports. "I am relaxed.

"Knowing the qualities I have there will be many teams interested in me. I never had the chance to show what I am capable of doing for a great time but that is life."

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Pazzini and Cesar omitted from Inter squad

Inter Milan duo Julio Cesar and Giampaolo Pazzini have been omitted from the Serie A side's Europa League squad, making their exits from the 2010 European champions all but certain.

Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar knew his time was up when Inter signed Udinese's Samir Handanovic, while striker Pazzini has long been linked in the media with a move away.

As well as releasing the Europa League squad on Friday, Inter unveiled new midfield signing Gabi Mudingayi from Bologna.

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Fiorentina pounce for playmaker Fernandez

Fiorentina have signed Chile international Matias Fernandez from Sporting, the Lisbon club said in a statement on Friday.

Fernandez, a technically-gifted midfielder who is also a free-kick specialist, was a regular starter at Sporting since signing from Villarreal in 2009.

Sporting, struggling financially, did not disclose the fee that Fiorentina paid for the 26-year-old's transfer.

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Conte referred over Italy betting scandal

Juventus manager Antonio Conte and the club's Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci have been ordered to appear before a sporting tribunal over their alleged involvement in a widening Italian football betting scandal, authorities said on Thursday.

In total, 13 clubs and 45 players and training staff have been referred to the Italian football federation's disciplinary commission over the match-fixing allegations, the Italian Football Federation said.

Conte, who led Juventus to the Serie A title last season, is accused of failing to report match-fixing in two games in the 2010/11 season when he was coach of the Serie B side Siena.

If the tribunal finds against him, he could face a suspension of several months, Italian media said.

The matches concerned were between Novara and Siena in May 2011, which ended 2-2, and between Albinoleffe and Siena in the same month which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Siena.

Bonucci, who played in the Euro 2012 championships last month, is accused of involvement in an attempt to fix the result of a match when he played for Bari in 2010, a charge which could see him banned for up to three years.

The match against Udinese in May 2010 ended in a 3-3 draw.

The "Calcioscommesse" scandal echoes earlier match-fixing scandals which tarnished the image of Italian football in the 1980s and before the 2006 World Cup.

Prosecutors believe an international gambling ring paid players to throw matches deliberately. Dozens of current and former players in teams ranging from the Serie A top division down to the lower leagues may have been involved.

Conte's hearing will begin on August 1 and is expected to last two days. Bonucci's hearing begins on August 3.

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Inzaghi retires to coach Milan youth

Filippo Inzaghi announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, and said he would be joining the AC Milan youth coaching staff.

"My time with Milan finished in the best possible way, with a goal in the final game, so it was all perfect," Inzaghi, 38, told Italian media.

"Now I begin another dream, which is to be a coach and hopefully win the Champions League."

Inzaghi, who scored 156 Serie A goals in 370 games, added: "I couldn't go to play elsewhere, as I could not just leave Milan. Today I received a proposal from England, but I can't leave Milan.

"I signed a two-year contract and will coach the youth team, then I hope one day to lead the senior squad too."

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Milan fans react angrily to big name sales

Thiago Silva's comments about not wanting to leave AC Milan have further angered fans who have demanded to know if owner Silvio Berlusconi plans to reinvest after some high profile sales.

The departures of stylish Brazil defender Thiago Silva and leading striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain have shocked Milan supporters, whose side narrowly lost their Serie A title to rivals Juventus in May.

Rather than strengthen for the new season in August, the seven-times European champions have arguably let their two best players go while media reports say forward Robinho and Antonio Cassano could also depart.

"The club sell their best players and have no project for the future," read one poster on a Milan fan message board while other comments were more vitriolic towards former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi.

"Berlusconi doesn't respect us, he should leave the club."

Milan, who have been trying to cut costs for several years and released several older players in May, have pointed out that they have signed a number of midfielders such as Fiorentina's Italy international Riccardo Montolivo during the close season.

That has not placated angry fans, who knew the truth about the sales even before Thiago Silva's comments in a news conference for the Brazil Olympic team in London on Thursday.

"My transfer to Paris was 100 percent not my decision," he said.

"I want to make clear that it was not my fault and I say sorry to Milan fans. My family and I did not want to leave Milan."

A replacement for Sweden's Ibrahimovic, Milan's top scorer in the last two seasons, looks a priority for the Rossoneri.

However, reports linking them with the likes of Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov and Liverpool's Andy Carroll have not gone down well with fans who feel they are not in the same class as Ibrahimovic.

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Galliani: Serie A is no longer attractive option

AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani has admitted that Serie A no longer has the star appeal it possessed in the past.

The Rossoneri recently sold prized assets Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain in order to address their financial worries.

Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has claimed that the game's top players will no longer want to ply their trade in Italy.

The Swede's representative believes it is time Italian sides change their mentality, an opinion Galliani supports.

"I agree with Mino Raiola, who says that top players are no longer coming to Italy," he said.

"The top players no longer come, but we can form a team. We see they are not arriving, but we will see what we can do."

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Leandro agent confirms meet with Milan

The agent of Leandro Damiao has met with AC Milan regarding a potential move to San Siro for the Internacional striker.

The Brazil star has been linked with a big-money move to Europe, after netting 70 goals in just 115 appearances.

Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan have also reportedly expressed an interest in the 22-year-old, who is expected to compete for the national side during this summer’s Olympic games.

Milan are keen to secure a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who completed his switch to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

And Leandro's agent, Vinicius Prates, has revealed he met with members of the Rossoneri board.

He told Terra: "I met Milan board members just to know them.

"It was the first contact. Let's see if it develops within the next few days."

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Roma recruit USA midfielder Bradley

AS Roma have signed American midfielder Michael Bradley, the Serie A side said in a statement on Sunday.

Reports in Italy suggest the U.S. international has signed for a fee of 3.75 million euros from Chievo.

Bradley has penned a contract that will keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until June 2016.

He has joined up with new Roma manager Zdenek Zeman and his side at their Brunico pre-season training camp.

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Conte appears before match-fixing investigation

Juventus manager Antonio Conte appeared before Italian football federation prosecutors on Friday to answer questions about match-fixing that took place while he was in charge of Siena.

Conte spent three hours 40 minutes answering questions about allegations of sporting fraud during his time at the then-Serie B club Siena in 2011, brought by former player Filippo Carobbio.

Carobbio claimed that he knew that one game at least between Siena and Novara in April last year was rigged.

"There isn't much to say, finally the day arrived where I could tell the truth in a calm environment," Conte told reporters after leaving court.

"I restate my contentment at being able to tell my side of the story, this evening I'm returning to Valle D'Aosta [the base of Juventus' pre-season training camp] to do what I do best, win and be a coach."

Siena have already been fined 50,000 euros in the latest Italian match-fixing scandal.

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AIK cancel Milan friendly over Ibra doubts

Swedish club AIK have cancelled plans for an August friendly against AC Milan in Stockholm because the Italians cannot guarantee that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will still be playing for them, AIK said in a statement.

The Sweden captain is rumoured to be on his way to Paris Saint Germain after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi told reporters on Thursday that he had sold Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to the French club.

The two players are said to be negotiating personal terms.

AIK said they had planned the friendly at the Rasunda stadium on August 12.

"Unfortunately, a number of external circumstances meant that we took a joint decision not to stage the match this time," said AIK managing director Thomas Edselius.

"If we cannot guarantee Zlatan's participation there is a risk that many would be disappointed," added Mimi Nordling-Petterson, spokesperson for event managers Tailor Events who were to organise the game.

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Milan agree to sell Ibra and Silva to PSG

AC Milan have agreed to sell striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain, Italian media quoted club owner Silvio Berlusconi as saying on Thursday.

"Yes, I have sold Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG. We'll save 150 million euros in two years," he was quoted as saying, according to the website of Gazzetta dello Sport.

It said the final details of the sale had not been agreed but the two players would be sold for around 65 million euros.

Milan, who lost their Serie A title to Juventus in May, have already sold several older players including Gennaro Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Zambrotta and Mark van Bommel.

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Sneijder agent rejects Anzhi transfer talk

The agent of Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has dismissed rumours linking his client with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala.

Reports emanating from Russia had suggested that the big-spending Eastern European giants were close to agreeing a move for the Dutchman.

However Sneijder’s agent, Soren Lerby, has insisted that there is no truth in the reports.

"There is no truth in those reports, they are just rumours," Lerby told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There is nothing between Anzhi and Wesley."

The two teams have a history in the transfer market after Inter sold Samuel Eto’o to Anzhi for £18.4 million.

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De Laurentiis: Messi to Napoli is the dream

Napoli president Auerlio De Laurentiis has revealed it is his dream to see Lionel Messi play for the Serie A side.

The charismatic supremo is keen to see the Naples side strengthen their front-line this summer following the departure of Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris Saint-Germain.

De Laurentiis has not always spoken fondly of the Barcelona forward, branding him a ‘cretin’ following Argentina’s disappointing 2011 Copa America campaign.

However, the 63-year-old appears to have changed his mind, admitting he would love to see the 25-year-old turn out at Stadio San Paolo.

"My dream is [Lionel] Messi," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He doesn't even have a tattoo. He's a footballing dream, and is very cinematic."

De Laurentiis confirmed he is looking for Napoli to secure a third successive top-five finish in the upcoming Serie A campaign.

"I said this last year and will repeat it: we must finish in the top five in the league," he continued.

"The problem is that the quality of our football was so high that it was hard to win against a less noble team.

"I don't have a particular goal, we will try to do our best on every front."

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Italian Super Cup to be staged in Beijing

The Italian Super Cup between league champions Juventus and Italian Cup winners Napoli will be played at the Beijing National Stadium on August 11, a Serie A statement said on Monday.

It will be the third time the Super Cup has been played at the Bird's Nest since 2009 and the fifth time on foreign soil, after taking place in the United States in 1993 and 2003.

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Forlan to leave Inter for Internacional

Uruguay's Diego Forlan will join Brazilian club Internacional on Saturday, a day after Inter Milan terminated the striker's contract.

"Diego Forlan will arrive in Porto Alegre on Saturday," his new club said in a statement on Friday. "The player will be unveiled tomorrow."

Former Manchester United player Forlan joined Inter from Atletico Madrid a year ago and scored only two goals in 22 appearances for the Italian club.

The Serie A team, who finished sixth last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League, are set to sign Palermo defender Matias Silvestre on loan and Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic on a permanent deal.

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Lucio poised to join Juventus

Brazil centre-back Lucio is set to join Juventus having been released by Inter Milan, the Serie A champions said on Wednesday.

Juve said on their Twitter feed that the former Bayern Munich player was undergoing a medical.

Juve's defence, which helped the side go unbeaten in Serie A last season, formed the backbone of Italy's run to the Euro 2012 final but the Turin side are bringing in experienced Lucio as cover.

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Conte summoned over match-fixing allegation

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has been summoned to appear before the Italian football federation's prosecutor on July 13 over allegations of match-fixing from his time as Siena coach, the federation said in a statement on Tuesday.

Police said in May that Conte was being investigated on suspicion of sporting fraud concerning a match between Siena and Novara in April 2011 before the former won promotion to Serie A.

Conte has denied wrongdoing and Juventus, who won the Serie A title last term without losing a game in his first season in charge, have fully backed their former midfielder.

Siena have already been fined in the latest Italian match-fixing scandal but Conte now runs the risk of receiving a punishment - possibly a ban from the game - if charged and found guilty in the sporting courts.

The federation probe is separate to the police investigation but evidence has been passed between both.

Siena were among a host of clubs to have appeals heard by the federation on Tuesday, with decisions expected by the weekend.

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Lazio bag Brazilian Ederson from Lyon

Lazio have signed Olympique Lyon midfielder Ederson on a free transfer, the Serie A club said on Monday.

The 26-year-old Brazilian, who played over 100 times for the French club, was out of contract with Lyon and has signed a deal to keep him at Lazio until 2017.

"SS Lazio announces that it has reached an agreement with the player Ederson Honorato Campos for the next five seasons," the Rome-based club said on their official website.

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Oly Whites bow out to Brazilian flair

A Brazilian masterclass has ended the Oly Whites' participation at the London Olympics.

The Samba kings, led by 20-year-old striker Neymar and with Real Madrid's Marcelo pulling the strings in midfield, overwhelmed New Zealand 3-0 at St James' Park in Newcastle.

The Oly Whites needed to beat Brazil to have any chance of emulating their female counterparts and making the quarter-finals.

Brazil had already qualified for the last eight and rested some of their players for the match.

Neymar, rumoured to be bound for a top European club, caused havoc early on, and had one goal ruled out for offside and was off-target with two other efforts as defenders struggled to contain him.

Some slick interplay created the first goal in the 23rd minute for Danilo before more sumptious passing, including a backheel drag from Marcelo, created a second six minutes later for Leandro Damiao.

Winger Marco Rojas had the best chance of the half for the Oly Whites after his own trickery created some space to force a save from Gabriel in the Brazil goal.

Tottenham midfielder Sandro added a third after a free kick found him unmarked at the far post and despite having Alex Sandro dismissed with 14 minutes left for diving inside the penalty area their defence was rarely troubled.

Brazil won the group with nine points from three matches, while New Zealand exited with one point from a 1-1 draw with Egypt.

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Fans help Britain into Olympic quarterfinals

Britain's new-found love affair with Olympic soccer continued to blossom today when they beat Uruguay 1-0 to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since the 1956 Melbourne Games.

Daniel Sturridge's goal on the stroke of halftime was enough to give Britain, back in the tournament for the first time since 1960, top spot in Group A and a last eight meeting with South Korea back at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

He slid the ball home from close range after good approach work from Joe Allen and, although they came close to scoring several times, Uruguay, who last competed in the Olympics when they won their second gold in 1928, could find no response.

Their nearest effort came when Gaston Ramirez smashed the ball against the bar with a long range shot in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

"Today has been a fantastic day for Britain at the Olympics winning our first golds and we are happy to play our small part in that success this evening and delighted to get to the next stage," Britain coach Stuart Pearce told reporters.

Uruguyan coach Oscar Tabarez lamented: "We have a fine history in this competition from before, but it is a hard competition to win. It is so intense. We were not at our best, but Britain defended very well, especially their goalkeeper Jack Butland."

Britain finished top with seven points ahead of Senegal, on five after their 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates in Coventry.

Uruguay finished third with three points and were eliminated along with the UAE who picked up just one point.

Britain has not competed in the Olympic soccer tournament for 52 years, mainly for political reasons involving the independent status of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland within world governing body FIFA.

STIRRING ANTHEM

Fears that the national anthem would be booed by the Welsh crowd came to nothing with a stirring rendition but the crowd were hugely disappointed before kickoff when the team was announced and Britain's skipper, Cardiff-born Ryan Giggs was not in it.

The former Wales international, who on Sunday at the age of 38 years and 243 days became the oldest man ever to play in the Olympic soccer tournament, was on the bench nursing a hamstring injury, but in his place another Welsh veteran and over-age player Craig Bellamy took the armband.

Britain, fielding four Welshmen in their starting lineup, settled first, with one of that quartet, Aaron Ramsey showing the way with a superb performance in central midfield that tipped most of the play Britain's way.

Uruguay, though, threatened throughout and were dangerous in the closing stages.

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who were expected to be among the goals for Uruguay throughout the competition, had another frustrating night with both high profile club players frustrated by the impressive young British keeper Jack Butland.

The pair did not score a goal in three matches.

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Football Ferns down Cameroon and progress to quarters

The Football Ferns have kept their Olympic campaign alive after thrashing Cameroon 3-1 this morning in their final pool match of London 2012

New Zealand discovered 15 minutes before kick-off that a win was all they needed to get them through to the quarter-finals as one of the two best third placed qualifier and that instantly turning a meaningless match into an all-out affair.

The Football Ferns took the lead shortly before half-time through captain Rebecca Smith and after an own goal doubled their lead, striker Sarah Gergorius added a third goal.

Cameroon pulled one back through Gabrielle Ogunene but the Ferns held on to book a place in the last eight .

The win, and the three points, mean they edged out North Korea for the final spot in the quarter-finals on goal difference.

They play reigning Olympic champions United States on Friday morning (NZT) in Newcastle.

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Swiss player expelled for 'insulting' tweet

Swiss player Michel Morganella was expelled from the Olympics today for tweeting a message that the Swiss team said "gravely insulted and violated" the dignity of South Korea after his team's 2-1 defeat a day earlier.

"As a member of the Swiss Olympic mission he gravely discriminated, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korean football team and the South Korean people," Swiss team chief Gian Gilli told reporters.

The 23-year-old is the second athlete to be expelled by their own team over a racist Twitter comment at the first Games where social media are an integral part of the athletes' daily lives.

Greek triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was thrown out of her nation's team last week, two days before the Games started for a racist comment regarding African immigrants in Greece.

In his message, with some syllables jumbled, for which he was expelled, Morganella said this morning: "I punch you, South Koreans, go burn..."

The rest of the message was considered sufficiently offensive by the Swiss team for Morganella to be sent home.

Gilli, who only read out a statement in German and did not take any questions, said Morganella's comments were in direct violation of the International Olympic Committee's and the Swiss team's ethics codes.

He said Morganella, who has already left London, had been "provoked" on Twitter but his response was unacceptable.

"As a consequence of this behaviour Michel Morganella, having conferred with the Swiss Football Association, is immediately stripped of his Olympic accreditation and all future participation in the Olympic tournament.

"The Swiss team will now focus entirely on the next match. I wish the team inner peace and serenity," Gilli said.

Player apologises

The player himself said he accepted the sanction and apologised.

"I made a huge mistake after the disappointing result. I wish to apologise to the people in South Korea and their team, but also to the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. I obviously accept the consequences for my actions."

The Swiss, third in Group B, play Mexico in their next game on Aug. 1 which is also Switzerland's national day.

Gilli said he had also - unsuccessfully - tried to contact the Korean team.

"We would like to apologise, especially to the South Korea National Olympic Committee and the South Korea Football Association for the behavior of the player," he said.

"We hope that he will draw the necessary lessons for his still young football career," he said of Morganella.

The London Games are the first Olympics where social media are so widespread.

The IOC has urged athletes to tweet but to always respect the Games ethics code which all teams and athletes have signed. 

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FA charge Ferdinand in latest racial saga

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been charged over a comment on Twitter which referred to Chelsea's Ashley Cole as a "choc ice", the English FA said yesterday.

"The FA has today charged Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand with improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter," the FA said on its website.

"The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or bought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race."

Ferdinand, who like Cole is of mixed race, responded positively to a Twitter user who made the choc ice slur after Cole had given evidence for the defence in the trial of Chelsea team mate John Terry earlier this month.

Former England captain Terry was found not guilty in the criminal case of racially abusing Ferdinand's younger brother Anton during a Premier League match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers but now faces an FA charge.

The term "choc ice" is understood by many to have racial connotations, meaning a person is black on the outside and white on the inside.

"Looks like Ashley Cole's going to be their choc ice," said a tweet directed to Ferdinand.

"Then again he's always been a sell out. Shame on him."

Ferdinand replied with: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic! hahahahahahha!!"

The 33-year-old deleted the post but later defended himself, saying the term was not racist and was "slang" for someone who is acting "fake".

Publication of the slur in British media also prompted members of the public to make complaints to police, who confirmed an investigation was underway.

Ferdinand, who was left out of England's Euro 2012 squad which included Terry and Cole, has been given until Friday afternoon to respond to the charge.

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NZ's golden boys too pooped to party

New Zealand's triumphant double scullers have conceded they'll be too tired to party in London tonight.

Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan landed New Zealand's first gold medal of the Olympic Games overnight, but unlike our bronze medal-winning equestrian eventing team, the exhausted rowers conceded celebrations may have to wait for another day.

"We're pretty tired, to be honest," Cohen told ONE News afterwards. "The one thing about winning is that you don't get a chance to warm down.

You race flat out [and] we normally do an hour warm down, so today we'll probably seize up and curl up pretty quickly - we probably won't up that late, really."

And fair enough.

The effort from Cohen and Sullivan would've had most New Zealanders screaming at their television sets, as they left it to the final metres of the race to hit the front for the first time.

"We've never been a dressage crew," said Cohen. "It's all about crossing that line first and that's all we cared about. I knew once we started coming through, it was just a matter of not slowing down, but it wasn't until the last two or three strokes that you knew it was yours for the taking.

It was a strategy the crew had employed throughout the regatta, as their relatively short statures - Cohen and Sullivan both stand at 1.84m - allow them to sprint harder than the bigger crews late in the race.

The Kiwis were last when they got to the first split at 500m and still had 2.47s to make up when they hit the 1500m mark. But they made it look easy and held steady to win by a comfortable 1.13s, while the Italian and Slovenian boats faded late in the race.

"I had no idea what was happening in the race," Sullivan told ONE News. "We were well behind, so I just went for everything we had left." 

  
"We've raced that race over and over thousands of time, so it was just everything we had left and it came to be."

Sullivan praised the leadership of his team-mate, who gave him the nod to pull the trigger as they pushed towards New Zealand's first gold medal in the men's double sculls.

"We had a good start and we kept our composure," he said. "We just kept on doing what we'd trained for and everything came up to that last 500 metres - Nathan just made the call and went for it." 

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