Alves hits back at Sevilla claims

Sevilla defender Daniel Alves has denied claims he refused to travel with the squad to Greece for Tuesday's Champions League match with AEK Athens.

Alves is keen to move away from the Uefa Cup champions, who rejected a �21.5m offer from Chelsea this month.

"I want to make it clear that I have never refused to go on any trip," said the 24-year-old Brazil defender.

The defender was responding to remarks by club president Jose Maria Del Nido who spoke out on the club website.

Alves, whose chances of joining Chelsea appear to have diminished following the Blues' signing of Barcelona right-back Juliano Belletti last week, added: "The coaching staff told me to train with the second team and I will fulfil these instructions.

"It will give me the chance to recover in the best way from the slight injury that prevented me from playing in the league game."

Alves missed the first leg of the Champions League tie with AEK, which Sevilla won 2-0.

He was also absent from Saturday's 4-1 victory over Getafe on the opening day of the Primera Liga season.

President Jose Maria Del Nido had earlier said: "Daniel Alves has shown a complete lack of respect towards his colleagues and the organisation by refusing to travel with the club that pays him."

Source: BBC Sport