SHORT CORNER
MU send support to stabbed fan in Paris
AFP
Manchester United sent the club's support to a fan stabbed by a taxi driver in Paris in the wake of the English giant's remarkable Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
"We were shocked to hear about the incident with one of our fans who was stabbed while in Paris for the Champions League game," said United in a statement.
"Everyone at the club wishes him well during his recovery."
A French police source confirmed to AFP that a man had been wounded on Wednesday after an argument with a cab driver but that his condition was not believed to be life-threatening.
Mourinho ruled out of China job
AFP
Jose Mourinho will not be China's new coach, its football association said on Friday, amid widespread reports that Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro is instead poised to take the job.
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in December and the 56-year-old has been linked with a number of coaching jobs, the latest being his former club Real Madrid.
One role he will not be taking is with China's national team, who have been without a coach since Marcello Lippi left at the end of January.
Moving to quash any rumours, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said on Weibo, China's version of Twitter: "News that the CFA invited the famous coach Mourinho to serve as head coach of the national side is not true. For media and fans, please don't believe this."
Fellaini calls time on Belgium career
AFP
Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini retired from international duty with Belgium on Thursday, just over a month after swapping Old Trafford for China.
"After twelve years of representing Belgium at the highest level, I have decided to retire from senior international football," Fellaini said on his Twitter account.
"It has not been an easy decision for me and not one I take lightly.
"However, I feel that the time is right for me to step down and allow the next generation of Belgian players to continue this very successful period in Belgian football history."
Fellaini, 31, made 87 appearances for Belgium and was part of the squad that finished third at last year's World Cup.
Ranieri to replace Di Francesco?
AFP
Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked as Roma coach after the team crashed out of the Champions League, the Italian club confirmed on Thursday, with former boss Claudio Ranieri tipped to replace him.
Roma had taken a 2-1 advantage to Porto for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday but fell 4-3 on aggregate after a controversial penalty awarded following a VAR review deep into extra time.
"AS Roma can confirm head coach Eusebio Di Francesco has left the club with immediate effect," the team said in a statement.
"The club would like to thank Eusebio for his work during his time at AS Roma and wish him success in the future."
Ranieri, who memorably guided Leicester City to the 2016 Premier League title before being sacked the following season, coached Roma from September 2009 to February 2011.
The 67-year-old Italian's brief spell as manager of Premier League strugglers Fulham ended last month after only four months in charge.
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