■ Spain
Ronaldo going nowhere
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello warned Milan and Inter Milan on Thursday that Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldo would be staying in Spain. "I don't think there is any possibility that Ronaldo is going to Milan or Inter," Capello told a press conference. The two Italian clubs have been linked with a move for Ronaldo with Inter tipped as favorites having once employed the player before his switch to Spain. "I have a great respect for Ronaldo," said Inter president Massimo Moratti. "But we have enough players in his position already." Ronaldo, 29, has a contract at Real until June 2008.
■ Italy
Baggio converted me: Frey
Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey revealed on Thursday that former Italian superstar Roberto Baggio helped him convert to Buddhism. Frenchman Frey said that his conversion helped him to cope when he was frustratingly sidelined with a serious left knee injury suffered in January. "During my period of convalescence, I had moments of doubt," Frey said. "I was looking for something to cling to. I spoke with Baggio many times and I became a Buddhist. It fascinates me. I asked his advice and he told me of this life philosophy. As I was initiated, I felt I became more serene and much stronger. I'm very happy with the choice that I've made." Baggio, who once played at Fiorentina, converted to Buddhism at the end of the 1980s.
■ England
Pompey sign Kanu
Veteran Nigerian striker Kanu became Portsmouth's fifth summer signing on Thursday when he agreed a one-year-deal at Fratton Park. The 31-year-old was part of Arsenal's double-winning side of 2001-02 and gained another Premiership title medal in 2004. He scored 37 goals during his stay at Highbury. Kanu left West Brom in the summer following the Midlanders' relegation from the Premiership.
■ England
Chelsea accuse former owner
English champions Chelsea have filed a complaint with the Football Association (FA) against former owner Ken Bates, accusing him of bringing the game into disrepute. The club said Bates, now chairman of Leeds United, had made "rude, insulting and inappropriate comments" when he accused Chelsea two weeks ago of making illegal approaches to players. Bates, who sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003, said he was reporting the London club to the FA for making illegal approaches to sign Tom Taiwo and Michael Wood and when attempting to sign Daniel Rose from second division Leeds. "There are football procedures in place to deal with that specific dispute," Chelsea said in a statement on Thursday. "Chelsea will comply with those, will not discuss the case publicly other than our previously stated position and will contest it vigorously. However there are also existing football rules that prohibit rude, insulting and inappropriate comments being made about other club owners, chairmen and personnel." Chelsea said Bates had made a reference to Chelsea's directors that was "discriminatory ... in terms of race, nationality and religion." The statement added, "Such comments have no place in football, a sport which is rightly committed to fighting racial intolerance and bigotry."
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported £400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported £400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported £900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically