Soccer Shorts: Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer is to seek a judicial review of the decision to prosecute him for his on-pitch brawl with team-mate Kieron Dyer.
His solicitor Steve Barker has questioned whether it was in the "public interest" to prosecute the England international after he had already been punished twice - by his club and subsequently the English FA - for the incident.
It was announced yesterday that the player would be summonsed to appear before magistrates in Newcastle to face an allegation under Section Four of the Public Order Act. "It's our intention to have the decision to prosecute him reviewed judicially in the High Court," Barker said.
He said the reason they had decided to challenge the action was "because we have very real concerns that the decision has been made for political rather than legal reasons". He went on: "I am going to argue that the decision to prosecute Lee Bowyer should be reviewed judicially and looking at whether this is in the real public interest to do this. Not just for Lee Bowyer, but this is something of much wider interest to sportsmen throughout the country, sports fans and taxpayers."
The on-pitch brawl between the England players was captured by television cameras and witnessed by 52,000 fans at St James' Park. The fight, which marked a low point in Newcastle's disappointing season, came towards the end of the team's 3-0 home defeat against Aston Villa on April 2nd. Both players were sent off by the referee and were subsequently banned by the FA. Bowyer received a four-match ban because it was his second red card while Dyer was out for three games. Bowyer was also given a record six-week fine by his club, believed to be around £200,000, and a final warning.
Kewell sues Lineker
Liverpool striker Harry Kewell sued soccer pundit Gary Lineker for libel yesterday over a "hurtful and humiliating attack" on his transfer from Leeds. Kewell and the former England captain were both at London's High Court for the start of a seven-day action over a Sunday Telegraph article headed Kewell move made me feel ashamed of the game.
The 26-year-old's counsel Andrew Monson said Lineker, sports editor Jon Ryan and Telegraph Group Ltd had accused him of being a fool and implied he was a knave in that he was guilty of dishonourable conduct. The "hurtful and humiliating attack" came five days after Kewell's transfer to Liverpool in July 2003, which grew out of Leeds' decision to sell star players in a bid to relieve their grave financial difficulties.
Despite approaches from Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona, Kewell was set on moving to Liverpool so his personal manager Bernie Mandic began to negotiate terms with the Merseyside club. Leeds wanted £7 million, but Liverpool offered £5 million plus an additional £2.4 million loyalty bonus to Kewell, payable over three years. Out of the £5 million fee, £2 million went to Mandic's company, Max Sport. Monson said that Leeds were not happy.
Liverpool is attractive
Spanish striker Albert Luque believes a move to European champions Liverpool would suit him. Rafael Benitez is reportedly chasing the 27-year-old forward's signature, with Luque's club Deportivo La Coruna claiming one offer has already been rejected.
Luque, who scored for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania last Saturday, said: "At Liverpool I have friends like Luis Garcia and goalkeeper Jose Reina, who will arrive soon. I want a quick decision so I can go on my holiday and know where I am playing next season. English football is excellent and I have no doubt that I could play in the Premiership. My characteristics will suit English football and the supporters will be happy with my style and the goals I would score."
Japan first to qualify
Japan became the first country to book their place at next year's World Cup finals, other than hosts Germany, with a 2-0 win over North Korea yesterday. Goals from from Atsushi Yanagisawa and Masashi Oguro earned victory for the Asian champions, who will travel to their third consecutive finals.
The win guaranteed Japan a top-two finish in Group B of Asia's qualifying competition and with it a place in next year's finals in Germany. They were later followed by Iran, who booked a place at their third World Cup when Branko Ivankovic's side defeated Bahrain 1-0 in Tehran.
Heffernan for Doncaster
Doncaster have beaten off competition from Oldham to complete the signing of Bristol City striker Paul Heffernan in a club record £125,000 deal. The 23-year-old opted to move to Belle Vue after City accepted a bid from Rovers in the wake of Marcus Stewart's arrival at Ashton Gate earlier this week.
The Irish striker made 13 starts and 18 substitute appearances for City last season, scoring seven goals. English League One club's chairman John Ryan believes the arrival of Heffernan signals the club's ambition to sustain a concerted promotion bid this season. "I have broken the club record to bring in Paul, who is a proven goalscorer at this level," he said.
Denmark recover
England suffered late heartache as two goals in eight minutes gave Denmark three points in their women's European Championship clash at Ewood Park yesterday.
In front of 14,500 fans, Fara Williams gave the host nation the lead from the penalty-spot just after the interval. The Danes equalised from a free-kick with 11 minutes left from Merete Pedersen andCathrine Paaske Sorensen headed her team in front in the 87th minute.
England'squalification for the last four now rests on the result of their final Group A match against Sweden - also at Blackburn - on Saturday.
Moyes switches focus
Everton's bid to sign Chelsea's striker Mikael Forssell is on the point of collapse and that could persuade boss David Moyes to move for Craig Bellamy. The Merseysiders now appear unwilling to match Chelsea's £6 million asking price for the Finland international, for whom last season was wrecked by a serious knee injury.
Forssell's loan spell at Birmingham was curtailed, and Everton are not prepared to meet Chelsea's fee demands given their concern over the 24-year-old's fitness.
In brief. . .
Aston Villa's 30-year-old Peruvian midfielder Nolberto Solano has announced his retirement from international football. Portuguese champions Benfica have appointed Dutchman Ronald Koeman as coach. Portsmouth have emerged as potential buyers for Newcastle's want-away winger Laurent Robert. Tottenham have confirmed they have turned down a £4.5 million offer from West Brom for Mali striker Fredi Kanoute. Finally, a World Cup qualifier in Kuwait against South Korea was held up for 10 minutes last night after home fans threw rocks and bottles on to the pitch in protest at a penalty decision.
