FABIO CANNAVARO was proud to become the first defender to be named FIFA World Player of the Year after collecting the award at the annual gala ceremony in Zurich.

ALL derbies are equal but some are more equal than others, declared the Portuguese football paper O Jogo last week, a proposition that will be sadly familiar to Tottenham fans.

THE Football Association and FIFA have insisted the punishment handed out to Marco Materazzi for insulting Zinedine Zidane does not set any new precedent.

Inter Milan president Giacinto Facchetti has questioned FIFA’s decision to hand Italy defender Marco Materazzi a two-match ban for insulting Zinedine Zidane.

Internazionale president Giacinto Facchetti admits he is saddened by the penalties imposed by UEFA following crowd trouble in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final with AC Milan.

Massimo Moratti has quit as president of Inter Milan, bringing to an end a big-spending but ultimately unsuccessful eight-year stint at the helm of the club.

ALBERTO ZACCHERONI has been named as the new coach of Inter Milan following the sacking of Hector Cuper, club vice-president Giacinto Facchetti said yesterday.