Dodo’s ban lifted

SAO PAOLO: Brazilian club Botafogo’s star striker Dodo yesterday had his four-month suspension for doping quashed on appeal.

The player was suspended last week after tests showed that a health product the player was taking contained a banned substance.

But Brazil’s highest sports tribunal quashed the ban after a 5-3 split ruling on appeal.

Ronaldinho 'dreams' of competing in 2008 Olympics

Rio de Janeiro : Ronaldinho "dreams" of competing in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with the Brazilian national team, his brother and agent Roberto de Assis said.

"That is one of his goals. It may be the only title he still has not obtained in his career. If he is called up for the squad, he will most certainly go," Assis told website GloboEsporte.com here.

"Ronaldinho dreams of bringing home that medal for Brazil and he always talks about that. His motivation is huge."

Olympic football regulations allow only three players older than 23 on country squads. There is speculation in Brazil that Real Madrid's Robinho, Milan's Kaka and Barcelona's Ronaldinho will be called.

However, both Kaka and Ronaldinho recently upset national coach Carlos Dunga when they asked to be exempt from the Copa America in order to rest after a long European season.

Emerson And Cicinho Will Go To Italy, Agent Claims

Emerson will sign for Inter and Cicinho will join AS Roma according to an Italian football agent who believes he has the inside on events at Real Madrid this summer.

Ernesto Bronzetti has outlined his predictions for the future and thinks that all the recent speculation over the two players will come true.

Despite both Emerson and Cicinho stating that they are willing to battle for a place in the Madrid team, Bronzetti thinks they are set to leave.

"The latest information I have is that Emerson will go to Inter," he told Radio Radio TV.

"(Patrick) Vieira is often injured and Inter is one of the few clubs that can afford to sign him.

"I do not like to raise the hopes of Roma fans, but we will know more soon," he said about Cicinho.

"If Real Madrid decide to sell him or loan him then Cicinho has decided his future lies with Roma."

The pair may have differing receptions if they are to leave for the clubs that Brzonetti predicts as Macro Materazzi has said Emerson will not be welcome at Inter, while Cicinho has been told to join Roma by his friends in their squad.

One problem that the Brazilian may have to overcome is persuading his wife to move as it was reported recently that she said if he went to Italy it would be on his own.

Alex granted work permit

Alex is a step closer to completing his move to Chelsea after the Home Office granted the Brazilian defender a work permit.

The 25-year-old arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday but went back to Brazil after finding out that he had not yet received a valid licence.

But now it seems likely that he will finally become a Chelsea player and provide competition for the likes of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Tal Ben Haim in the centre of defence.

A statement on the Chelsea website read: "At a hearing today, Alex was granted a work permit.

"He still has to agree personal terms with Chelsea football club and have a medical."

Alex was originally signed by the Blues back in 2004 but was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven because of work permit issues.

In his time with the Dutch club, Alex won three league titles and scored the goal that knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League last season.

He also has 14 caps for Brazil and played a starring role in his country's Copa America triumph last month.

Coach Dunga upbeat for Brazil's Olympic title chances

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Dunga is confident Brazil has enough young talented players to win the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics next year, the only major title the country has never won in soccer.

"It's the title that all Brazilians want," Dunga said. "With the players available to be summoned, we have great chances of winning it."

Dunga, manager of the Brazilian senior side, still hasn't been chosen as Brazil's manager for the Olympics, but said the nation is likely to use its under-20 squad as a base for the U23 tournament in Beijing.

"The under-20 national team didn't do well in the World Cup, but it has good players in condition to be called up," Dunga said. "But that needs to be done with criteria and caution so we don't rush phases. In soccer, everything has its time."

Brazil was eliminated in the second round of the U20 World Cup in Canada last month.

Dunga also said Brazil will be ready to host the 2014 World Cup.

"There is a lot of time until 2014. I'm sure that everything will be ready in time for a successful World Cup here," he said.

Brazil is not assured of hosting the tournament even though it is the only bidder for the soccer showcase. The Brazilian soccer confederation earlier this week presented its official plan at FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland. The delegation included Romario, Dunga's former teammate and the goal-scoring hero of its 1994 World Cup title-winning team.

"Romario is a winner and was well chosen to represent the confederation," Dunga said.

AC Milan win race to sign Brazil teenager Pato

European champions AC Milan have won the race to sign 17-year-old Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato from Internacional, the Italian club said.

The highly-rated Pato shone for Brazil at last month's Under-20 World Cup in Canada and Milan beat Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea to his signature following lengthy negotiations.

'The great talent Alexandre Pato will train with Milan and will be able to play friendly matches from the 3rd of September 2007,' read a statement on Milan's website.

'From the 3rd of January 2008 onwards he will also be able to play in the official games.'

No further details were given on the deal, which was struck after Milan sent officials to Brazil in pursuit of Pato, who goes by the nickname of 'Alex the Duck' in his home country.

Italian media reports said he cost 22 million euros ($30.1 million) and had penned a five-year deal.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was keen to play down comparisons with the club's Brazilian playmaker Kaka.

'It is a different situation from that of Kaka, because when Kaka arrived he was already an accomplished player and older than his age,' Ancelotti said.

'Pato is a young, strong boy but he needs to be given the necessary time to grow and mature.'

The Serie A club had been under pressure to bring in new faces after vice president Adriano Galliani pledged to bring in one of Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Andriy Shevchenko, Didier Drogba or Pato.

Eto'o and Ronaldinho quickly said they were happy at Barcelona while former Milan striker Shevchenko looks set to stay alongside Drogba at Chelsea in a bid to prove his worth after a difficult first season in England.

Pato was the easiest option and his signing is unlikely to placate Milan supporters who fear the club are resting on their laurels following May's Champions League triumph.

Ancelotti's side have made no other signings with target Julio Baptista saying on Thursday he was happy at Real.

Elano signs for Manchester City

Manchester City have announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Elano, their third signing in a matter of hours.

The 26-year-old has penned a four-year deal at Eastlands after City agreed terms with his previous club Shakhtar Donetsk.

City have confirmed the deal for Elano is worth £8million and takes their spending to nearly £20million in 24 hours following the arrivals of Javi Garrido and Vedran Corluka.

Mancini Defends Adriano's Physical Condition

For the Inter coach, the Brazilian striker's powerful physique holds him back from being brilliant early on in the season.

Coach Roberto Mancini is not too worried about Adriano's current condition and on the contrary, defended the under-fire attacker who scored an own goal during Inter's 3-2 win against Manchester United on Wednesday evening.

"He's training," Mancini said, "But since he has a more powerful physique than the others, he's finding it more difficult."

Mancini saw many positive things during the prestigious win at Old Trafford.

"It was an extraordinary friendly," he commented. "Let's see if we shall return here in the Champions League, let's hope.

"Today Suazo and Ibrahimovic did very well together, and it was the second time they were playing together."

Mancini was also pleased with Maxwell's performance, despite being played as a right full-back

"He's a great player, very intelligent, who knows how to defend also on that side. Anyways, we did not have any other player for that side."

Napoli bid for Sao Paulo star Josue

Napoli have tabled a bid for Sao Paulo midfielder Josue.

The Brazil international lifted the Copa America last month and is also attracting interest from Spain's Real Murcia and Russian clubs.

Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho admitted last night they could not compete with Napoli's contract offer to Josue, but was adamant that "he won't leave us until the end of the championship [in December]".

Brazil players drunk at World Cup - report

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) - Brazil players had all night drinking sessions at the 2006 World Cup finals and Ronaldo was vastly overweight, Brazilian federation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.

The Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported extracts from a conversation in Zurich between Teixeira and a representative of the company which is promoting Brazil's bid to host the 2014 World Cup finals for which they are the sole candidates.

Brazil were favourites to win the 2006 edition but lost 1-0 to France in the quarter-finals.

Teixeira criticised AC Milan striker Ronaldo, who weighed 98kg at the start of the competition.

"How can an athlete weigh 98kg during a major finals," Texeira said. "I am not a sportsman and I don't weigh as much as that.

"Certain (unnamed) players returned to their hotel drunk between 4:00am and 6:00am. How could no one have seen that."

The head of the Brazilian delegation in Germany last year, Marco Paulo del Nero, replied, in comments published by O Estado de Sao Paulo, that he had not seen such scenes.

"I didn't see anything and, if such incidents happened, the technical staff did a very good job of covering them up."

Alves: I Want To Leave Sevilla

Daniel Alves has stunned Sevilla by stating that he wants to leave the club only a month before the new season kicks off.

The Brazilian full-back has been strongly linked to a move to Chelsea, but the Andalucian outfit continue to deny that they have received any offers from the Blues.

Sevilla president, José María Del Nido, has said that Alves could leave the club, but talks would only begin if an offer of €30m of more was made.

Now Alves is looking to force the club's hand and has revealed that he believes that he gone as far as he can with the UEFA Cup holders.

"My objective is to play in another team," Alves told Arena Sportv.

"I have been at Sevilla for five years and now I think it's the moment to give a step forward in my career and play at a European giant.

"I have won all that I can win at Sevilla so I feel that this is the moment for following my career in another place.

"In one year we changed Sevilla's history. We won three titles in one year and that hasn't happened for a long time."

Alves has been linked with a move away from the Sánchez Pizjuán since rising to prominence during the 2005-06 campaign and was tipped to join Liverpool last summer.

As well as Chelsea, both AC Milan and Arsenal have also been linked with the attacking 24-year-old wing-back.

Ronaldo resists mega MLS offer for new AC Milan contract

Ronaldo is prepared to play on with AC Milan, rather than join LA Galaxy's David Beckham in MLS.

Tuttosport says Milan will offer Ronaldo a 12-month contract extension this month, with the Brazilian expected to sign terms in September. Milan won't consider offering the Brazilian a long-term deal as they want to keep him motivated.

Meanwhile, it's been confirmed Red Bull New York tabled the striker a mega offer last month to quit Italy for the USA's MLS.

The contract offer was made by a high-level American agent who also acts for NBA basketball NFL gridiron football. But Ronaldo won't consider leaving Milan just yet as he sees a move to MLS as a last step before retirement.

Brazil submits 2014 World Cup bid

The Brazilian Football Association has (CBF) formally submitted its bid to stage the 2014 World Cup finals.

A CBF delegation presented a 900-page dossier to Fifa on Tuesday but refused to answer media questions.

Brazil is the sole bidder after Colombia pulled out in April and, under Fifa's rotation policy, it is South America's turn to host the finals.

However, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "For the time being, Brazil has not yet been given the World Cup."

Brazil previously staged the finals in 1950 and Fifa will inspect the bid, looking closely at the country's ageing stadiums.

Despite Brazil having a clear run, Blatter again warned that a failure to meet Fifa's requirements could lead to the nation losing the finals.

He added: "If something should happen to the Brazil bid, then we still have time to start again as we are a year in advance of the decision-making process for previous World Cups."

Welliton wends his way to Spartak

Brazilian forward Welliton Soares has become FC Spartak Moskva's first signing of the summer after completing a move from Goiás EC for an initial €6m fee.

The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Premier-Liga leaders potentially paying a further €2m depending on appearances and Spartak's performances at home and in the UEFA Champions League. The striker secured his move to Moscow on 15 July but the transfer was put on hold as Welliton's wife was due to give birth.

Welliton said farewell to Brazilian football by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win against Santos FC on 25 July - his 15th in 41 league appearances. "Last week was crazy for me in a good way," Welliton told uefa.com. "Last Wednesday I scored and helped Goiás to a win to say thanks to the supporters and the club for the two years I spent there. On Saturday, I became a father and today I start a new phase in my career. Now I am a Spartak player."

FC Basel 1893, FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Dinamo Moskva and FC Lokomotiv Moskva are all said to have taken an interest in Welliton but the player elected to join Spartak, saying: "I had plenty of offers but together with the Goiás president we chose Spartak. Goiás were happy about the transfer fee, while I want to play in the UEFA Champions League and I know Spartak have more fans than any other club in Russia." Spartak start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round as 2006 Premier-Liga runners-up.

Kaká: There Are No Friendlies

Milan superstar playmaker Kaká was in a good mood as he commented on his team's friendly victory against Lecco, in which he impressed and also scored a goal.

Milan's friendly yesterday at Lecco, which saw Carlo Ancelotti's team triumph 4-0 against the local side, showcased an in form Kaká, who scored a goal and had several of his usual moments of brilliance.

"Scoring and winning is always a pleasure", the Brazilian said to Milan Channel. "Winning friendlies is also important, it's good for the morale and our self-confidence. Besides, for me there are no friendlies, I try to play every game to my best, as if it were a final.

"Until today we have had a good first part of the preparations, which we were not able to do last year; my condition is good, but there's still a lot of room for improvement".

Last year Milan also played a friendly against Lecco, which they won 2-0; scoring twice as many goals this time could be a good omen for next season, as Kaká agreed: "Yes, let's hope the trophies will double as well. Last year I couldn't be here, this year I managed to play, I feel very good: it's important to be with the team from the start, and take part in all the trainings."

I'm Still At 50%, Admits Juan

The new Roma defender impressed for the Giallorossi against Bayer Leverkusen as he hopes to replace in the best possible way Chivu in the rearguard.

Roma fans do not have to worry anymore. After watching Juan in action, the Giallorossi supporters can be satisfied with their new purchase who has proved that he is on the same level of Cristian Chivu.

However, the Brazilian defender admitted to 'Romanews.eu' that he is still far from his best form, despite playing very well against Leverkusen, his former club.

"It was a match different from the others, a special game because it was my first match with Roma and at Leverkusen," he said.

"I'm happy to have played it there, against a team where I left many nice memories and many friends.

"My physical condition is still not ideal," he continued. "I was already tired during the Copa America which arrived at the end of the season, and I had to stop completely for 10 days. I'm more or less at 50% of my condition."

Dortmund chasing £6m for Dede

Borussia Dortmund have turned down an approach for Dede from Roma after the Italian side failed to match their £6.4million valuation.The Serie A runners-up made an offer for the Brazilian full-back shortly after losing 4-0 to the Bundesliga outfit in a friendly last week, but the bid has been deemed too low for the defender.

Roma, who were back in Northrhein Westphalia to face Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, are believed to have offered £4million.

Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc told the Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper: "The amount they have offered is unacceptable for us.

"We have told Dede that the negotiations have broken down and he has taken it professionally.

"The offer can not be accepted under 10 million euros."

Chelsea close in on Alex

Chelsea are closing on the signing of Brazilian defender Alex, and have applied for a work permit for the player.

The 24-year-old, currently playing for PSV Eindhoven, travelled to England to thrash out contract details on Sunday, and was given clearance to enter the country.

"Alex was due to arrive into England yesterday to discuss personal terms," Chelsea announced.

"Chelsea Football Club are in the process of applying for a work permit for the player in line with normal football and employment procedure.

"At airport immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status. All of the paperwork for his entry was in order.

"After an initial delay, he was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary."

One possible obstacle to the signing could be the requirement of all non-EU players to have played in 75 percent of their country's matches during the last two years. Alex has only played in only eight of Brazil's last 14 games, or 57 percent. A hearing is set to determine whether he is granted the required permit.

Sobis: I won't flop at Betis like Denilson

Rafael Sobis has assured Real Betis fans he won't be a second season flop like fellow Brazilian Denilson.

"I have great desire to demonstrate that I am an important player. I didn't do enough last season. I had hoped for much more but it could not be. I arrived on Wednesday and by Sunday I already was playing. I had not trained and I almost did not know the name of any of my teammates. This campaign will be very different," said the striker.

"I've been here for long enough now. What happened to Denilson will not happen to me. I will succeed here."

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Benfica move for Barcelona's Belletti

Benfica are keen on Barcelona fullback Juliano Belletti.

The Brazil international is on the outer at Barca and has expressed frustration over the lack of action he's seen in the last 12 months.

Benfica plan to use the cash raised from Simao's sale to Atletico Madrid to take Belletti to Portugal. The fullback still has over two years left on his current contract.

Ronaldo excited about new AC Milan season

Ronaldo is excited about getting stuck into a full season with AC Milan.

The former Real Madrid striker said: "I cannot wait to start playing, even though we all know how important this time of pure fitness preparation is for the rest of the season.

"To participate in the Champions League from the start is an extra reason to be happy, although there will be many competitions we must prepare for throughout the whole year.

"We hope to get a good start, as this season we are all starting on a level playing field. Right now it's time to work hard, then the results will be seen on the pitch."

Ronaldo's fitness has been an issue throughout his career, so he is intrigued to benefit from the Milan Lab throughout the campaign.

"I am in good shape. It's a struggle, but then again it is for everyone in the first couple of weeks, as we need to put some petrol in the tank," added the Brazilian.