Crespo to stay on loan with Inter

Adjust font size:

MILAN, Italy -- Argentina striker Hernan Crespo will remain on loan at Inter Milan next season after parent club Chelsea agreed to honor a deal, the Italian champions said on Wednesday.

Crespo scored 14 league goals this season to help Inter run away with their 15th scudetto.

"F.C. Internazionale have received a fax from Chelsea stating that Argentine striker Hernan Crespo is free to remain with the Nerazzurri for the second season of his two-year loan deal," Inter said on their Web site.

Crespo, in Basel ahead of Argentina's friendly with Switzerland on Saturday, was thrilled.

"I am very happy. Staying at Inter was what I wanted," he said. "I would like to thank Chelsea first of all for their help, and Inter for confirming their faith in me."

The 31-year-old originally signed for Inter from Lazio in September 2002 but then moved to Chelsea the following year.

He failed to adapt to English football though and returned to Italy on loan in 2004/05 season, this time with AC Milan.

After a successful season he was recalled by Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and made more of an impact in the Premier League, but his heart remained in Italy and he went back out on loan to Inter in August 2006.

Abidal bid rejected

Lyon have rejected an approach from Barcelona for their French international left-back Eric Abidal, the French champions' president Jean-Michel Aulas said on Wednesday.

"Barcelona offered us an exchange between Abidal and (Argentine) striker Javier Saviola. We asked them if they were joking or not and since then we have had no new offer," said Aulas, who wants 20 million euros ($26.9 million) for Abidal.

Lyon are expected to face something of an exodus of their top players having this season secured a sixth title in a row.

But they have not received any offers for £25 million ($49.5 million) rated France international midfielder Florent Malouda, according to Aulas.

"The only offers we have had are from Juventus regarding (Brazilian defender) Cris and (Portugal midfielder) Tiago. We have let them know that each player costs 20 million euros," added Aulas.

Swim club president apologizes, denies racism The president of The Valley Swim Club on Friday strongly denied charges of racism after his club canceled the swimming privileges of a nearby day care cente ...

---

• Swim club head: We're not racists
• Couple who adopted 12 found slain
• Is 'overweight' relative?
• Cemetery declared crime scene
• How to intervene in a drug problem

• Desecrated cemetery declared crime scene
• Couple who adopted 12 children found slain
• Smoke prompts evacuation of British Airways jet
• Ghana buzzes with excitement over Obama visit
• Jackson's boyhood home pays tribute

• Talkin' 'Icky Thump' blues (1:40)
• 'Why you treat yourself bad?' (3:15)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)
• Unseemly rap lyrics targeted (3:29)
• Now In The News