FOOTBALL IN BRIEF
Pato prefers Milan to Chelsea
AC MILAN striker Alexandre Pato has delivered a snub to Chelsea by insisting he wants to remain at the Italian club.
Pato, 19, is reported to be wanted at Stamford Bridge by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was until last month his coach at Milan.
But the £30m-rated Brazilian said: “Pato will be at Milan always. I am part of Milan and the club decides on my life. I am happy at Milan and I am here to work for Milan.”
USA stun Spain at Confed Cup
SPAIN’S record-breaking 15-match winning run ended abruptly last night with a shock 2-0 defeat to 10-man USA at the Confederations Cup.
Fulham’s Clint Dempsey scored the USA’s decisive second goal, after Jozy Altidore had put them ahead, to send the underdogs into the final.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard saved from Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas as the European champions were denied an historic 36th successive match unbeaten.
Brown fined for Riley remarks
HULL manager Phil Brown was yesterday fined £2,500 for his comments about referee Mike Riley after the Tigers’ FA Cup defeat at Arsenal in March.
Brown called Riley’s performance “disgraceful” and suggested he had been swayed by the home fans during the 2-1 loss. The Football Association found Brown – who also unsuccessfully accused Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas of spitting – guilty of improper conduct.
Messi beckons Mascherano
BARCELONA playmaker Lionel Messi has urged his international colleague Javier Mascherano to leave Liverpool for the Champions League winners.
Mascherano’s agent this week admitted the midfielder would be tempted by a move to Barca, and Messi said: “Who would not want to play with great players like Javier? I hope he can come here.”