Ismailia has shunned the 2009 African Champions League in favor of the more lucrative Arab Champions League, a club spokesman said. The Arab competition offers a $1.5 million first prize, 500,000 more than Africa, and Ismailia general manager Abdulrahman Anous said good transport links were another factor in the decision. Ismailia has been paired with Al-Basatine of Bahrain in the first round scheduled for October and December while Entente Setif of Algeria launches its challenge for a record third consecutive title against Al-Ansar of Lebanon. Decision inhumane - Mutu Romania striker Adrian Mutu described as inhumane and unfair FIFA's decision to order him to pay record damages for taking cocaine while playing for Premier League Chelsea in 2004. Mutu is appealing against the ruling by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber that he should pay 17.17 million euros ($25.6 million) in financial compensation to the London club. “FIFA's decision was unfair and inhumane. I don't consider that I did something so serious that I have to pay such a huge sum,” Mutu told reporters on Monday. “My lawyers are analyzing the case and we'll appeal against the FIFA decision. Chelsea will not do what it wants. I don't deserve to pay such a sum,” Mutu, who now plays for Fiorentina said. The Association of the Professional footballers FIFPro and the Romanian Footballers Trade Union (AFAN) said on Saturday they would back Mutu's appeal. “If Mutu were an English player, he wouldn't have paid any damages and he would only have been fired by his club,” AFAN president Dumitru Costin said. Lippi regrets decision Marcello Lippi said on Monday he was an imbecile for quitting as Italy coach after its 2006 World Cup win. The 60-year-old returned for a second stint in charge in June after Roberto Donadoni's departure following a disappointing quarterfinal exit at Euro 2008. “I immediately regretted leaving the national side. So many times I said to myself ‘what an imbecile I have been',” Lippi told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Austria. “This time round it is even more fantastic.” Lippi's first squad in his second spell included several of his 2006 heroes but he warned they would not be automatic choices. “The world champions are not here because of who they are, even if I'll have feelings for them all my life. Those in the national squad are here because they deserve it,” he said. Arena Galaxy coach Former United States coach Bruce Arena was named Ruud Gullit's successor at the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday. Arena, 56, was introduced as the new head coach and general manager in a news conference at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Former European Footballer of the Year Gullit, who had been appointed in November, resigned last week for personal reasons. General manager Alexi Lalas was also fired in a related move. “I am very excited to assume this position with the Los Angeles Galaxy,” said Arena who takes charge of his first game at home to the Chicago Fire on Thursday.
