Cruel irony for Berlusconi as Milan eliminated

That left Milan firmly at the bottom of the table.

It was Berlusconi, who, in the mid-1990s, was among those leading the calls for Uefa to abandon the 40-year-old European Cup concept which could spell elimination after only two matches.

Instead they wanted a league concept guaranteeing Europe8217;s bigger clubs more matches and more TV revenue from high profile games against other leading clubs.

Uefa responded by expanding the Champions League again and again to its bloated 32-team size and allowing 16 teams to qualify for the next phase with another eight going into the Uefa Cup as a consolation prize.

But despite the aim of keeping the big clubs playing in Europe for as a long as possible to maximise their revenues, Milan, ironically, will miss out.

For Galatasaray the night ended in a peak of almost unbearable ecstasy following their 5-0 home defeat to Chelsea two weeks ago.

Last week they regained their pride with a 4-1 win at Hertha Berlin and yesterday the Ali Sami Yen Stadium almost ignited in joy as Galatasaray won with two late goals 8212; the winner a 90th minute penalty from Umit Davala 8212; to steal even a Uefa Cup place away from the Italians.

With five of the qualifiers already known from the four groups that played on Wednesday, the only other issues at stake were which teams were going to finish as group winners or runners-up, as well as the minor battles for Uefa Cup places.

The draw for the second phase takes place in Geneva tomorrow along with the draw for the third round of the Uefa Cup. To the chagrin of Berlusconi, his club will be appearing in neither.

Brazil, Inter battle for Ronaldo custody in Fifa court

Inter Milan have turned to soccer8217;s world governing body FIFA in a bid to resolve a dispute with the Brazilian Football Confederation CBF over the use of Ronaldo in friendlies.

Ronaldo has been included in the Brazilian Olympic team for two friendlies in Australia on November 14 and 17.

The surprise decision came despite an earlier assurance to Inter from Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo that he would play only in the full international friendly away to Spain on November 13.

Luxemburgo gave the assurance to Inter coach Marcello Lippi in October when the two met in Milan to discuss joint efforts to bring Ronaldo back to his best.

Following last week8217;s announcement of the Brazilian squad for the Australian trip Inter contacted FIFA for their position on the issue.

An Inter spokesman said fifa had informed the club that they would write to the CBF suggesting Ronaldo did not play in the two friendlies.

8220;We are now waiting for the response of the Brazilian FA,8221; said the spokesman. 8220;Inter want a diplomatic and friendly solution respecting all the interests, those of Inter, CBF and FIFA.8221;

Italian press reports have suggested inter would be willing to allow Ronaldo to appear in the first match on November 14, when there is a free date in the Italian championship, but were not happy about him playing in the second game.

The decision to send ronaldo to australia rather than spain was believed to be an attempt to placate Australian organisers who wanted Brazil to send a strong squad.

Ronaldo will not take part in the Olympic qualifiers, although he may be included in the Games themselves as one of the three permitted over-age players.

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