Today's soccer news from around the world

Mutu staying at Fiorentina, says president (Wed Jul 23)

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle insisted on Wednesday that star Romania forward Adrian Mutu will be staying at the club despite interest from AS Roma.

Roma had confirmed earlier in the day that they have made an offer for the Romania captain, believed to be around 18-20 million euros.

But Della Valle said he won't be selling. . . . more . . .

Torino sign Milan's Abate (Wed Jul 23)

Torino have signed AC Milan's Italy under-21 international Ignazio Abate under a shared-ownership deal, Italian news agency Ansa reported on Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Brazil lack airport facilities for 2014 World Cup: association (Wed Jul 23)

Brazil lacks the necessary airport facilities to host the 500,000-plus tourists expected to head to the country for the 2014 World Cup of football, a grouping of private aircraft owners said Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Bayern in the hunt for Euro flop Gomez (Wed Jul 23)

Bayern Munich's chairman of the board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday he will fight to bring Germany striker Mario Gomez from VfB Stuttgart to the German giants. . . . more . . .

Barca rejects FIFA statement on Olympics row (Wed Jul 23)

Barcelona on Wednesday dismissed a FIFA statement calling on clubs to release players under 23 for the Olympics, saying it will not reverse its decision to prevent Argentine striker Lionel Messi from competing in the Games. . . . more . . .

Lamps on target as Scolari era starts (Wed Jul 23)

Frank Lampard underlined his value to Chelsea with a spectacular long-range lob as the Luiz Felipe Scolari era got under way with a 4-0 romp against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Ferguson challenges United's youngsters (Wed Jul 23)

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has challenged his young stars to build on their impressive displays during the club's tour of South Africa when they return to England. . . . more . . .

West Ham sign Swiss star Behrami (Wed Jul 23)

West Ham said Wednesday they have completed the signing of Switzerland international Valon Behrami from Italian Serie A outfit Lazio for five million pounds (seven million euros). . . . more . . .

Johnson's Everton future in doubt (Wed Jul 23)

The future of Andrew Johnson at Everton appeared in doubt Wednesday after he missed a pre-season friendly at Preston amid reports the 26-year-old forward is poised to join Fulham. . . . more . . .

Emre joins Fenerbahce (Wed Jul 23)

Turkey midfielder Emre Belozoglu finally inked a four-year deal with Fenerbahce, the Anatolia news agency on Wednesday quoted the Turkish club as saying, two months after English Premiership side Newcastle said he could leave. . . . more . . .

Real Madrid coach wants to sign Eto'o (Wed Jul 23)

Real Madrid's German coach Bern Schuster wants to sign Cameroonian international striker Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona, sports daily Mundo Deportivo reported Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Bayern's Ribery targets Champions League return (Wed Jul 23)

Bayern Munich's French star Franck Ribery has targeted a September return date for the German giants' Champions League campaign as he continues his rehabilitation from ankle surgery. . . . more . . .

Chelsea's Essien hits back after Fergie jibe (Wed Jul 23)

Michael Essien insisted Chelsea were the Premiership favourites after Manchester United's Alex Ferguson kicked off the pre-season mind games by casting doubt on their ageing squad. . . . more . . .

Ferguson casts doubt over Scolari and Chelsea (Tue Jul 22)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Luiz Felipe Scolari that he faces a battle to inspire his ageing Chelsea squad to repeat the feats they enjoyed under previous Stamford Bridge manager, Jose Mourinho. . . . more . . .

Ferguson urges Foster to be patient (Tue Jul 22)

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Ben Foster will be rewarded with the England goalkeeper's jersey if he waits patiently for his chance at Manchester United. . . . more . . .

After quiet season, Henry's gunning for goals (Tue Jul 22)

Thierry Henry has promised Barcelona fans that he's anxious to make up for last season's modest tally by scoring bags of goals in 2008-09. . . . more . . .

United youngsters see off Pirates (Tue Jul 22)

Lee Martin netted a first-half winner for Manchester United as the Premier League champions' young stars overcame Orlando Pirates to seal a 1-0 win here on Tuesday. . . . more . . .

Werder Bremen in legal action against Olympic runaway Diego (Tue Jul 22)

German first division side Werder Bremen have taken the fight to prevent their Brazilian star Diego from going to the Beijing Olympics to a sporting tribunal, the club said on Tuesday. . . . more . . .

NIreland striker Healy apologises for 'orange' gesture (Tue Jul 22)

Fulham and Northern Ireland striker David Healy has apologised for making a potentially sectarian gesture towards Celtic fans during a friendly at Craven Cottage at the weekend. . . . more . . .

Barca's Messi stays in Scotland ahead of FIFA decision (Tue Jul 22)

Lionel Messi, who has been called on to represent his native Argentina at the Olympics, remained at a Barcelona pre-season training camp in Scotland on Tuesday with the approval of Argentina's Football Federation, a Barcelona spokesman said. . . . more . . .