Soccer Shorts: The English FA and lawyers for Italian Fabio Capello were yesterday adamant the newly appointed England manager has nothing to fear from his involvement in an ongoing investigation into income tax evasion, reports Paddy Agnew from Rome.
The FA issued a statement which affirmed that, after having spoken with Capello and his entourage, they were satisfied the Italian's "tax questions are in order".
The alarm bells had begun to ring early yesterday morning when Milan daily Il Giornalereported that Capello was under investigation in Turin for tax evasion, especially in relation to the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons when he coached Serie A side Juventus. At the heart of the investigation are a number of sponsorship contracts signed by Capello.
Setanta's Ireland dates
Setanta Sports confirmed yesterday they will have live coverage of four of the Republic's five away games in the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, including the opening two fixtures against Georgia and Montenegro, reports Mary Hannigan.
Setanta also have the satellite rights to Northern Ireland's five away games in their qualifying group, as well as England's away campaign, which opens against Andorra, and four of Scotland and three of Wales' away games.
RTÉ have the terrestrial rights to all the Republic's home qualifying games and are currently in negotiations with the respective rights holders to secure coverage of the away matches.
Setanta Sports 2010 World Cup qualifiers - Republic of Ireland (away games): 2008 - Sept 6th: Georgia; Sept 10th: Montenegro. 2009 - Jun 6th: Bulgaria; Sept 5th: Cyprus.
Barton released on bail
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was released on bail after he appeared in Liverpool Magistrates Court court yesterday over allegations of assault and affray. He will be back in court on March 12th
Barton was arrested in the early hours of December 27th, after a St Stephen's day evening out with friends and family.
Coleman resigns
Chris Coleman yesterday announced his resignation as coach of Real Sociedad. His decision comes less than a week after the Welshman said he would be staying at the Spanish second division outfit.
There had been speculation about the former Fulham manager's future at Sociedad due to the recent election of Inaki Badiola as club president, whose ideas on the club's aims for the season and transfer policy differed greatly to those set out on Coleman's arrival last summer.
The 37-year-old's resignation is bound to spark speculation that he will be a candidate for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job.
Ivanovic joins Chelsea
Chelsea have completed the signing of Lokomotiv Moscow defender Branislav Ivanovic on a three-and-a-half year deal with the English club.
Chelsea are thought to have paid around €12 million for the 23-year-old Serbia and Montenegro international.
Clubs pay €30m wages
Figures released by the League of Ireland suggest the clubs spent almost €30 million on player wages, 14 per cent up on the previous year, with the combined turnover of the 22 clubs about €40 million, an increase of five per cent, reports Emmet Malone.
The league also revealed that three clubs spent more on player wages than income generated. The combined losses of the clubs came to €4.6 million.
Worthington confirmed
The Irish FA have called a press conference in Belfast tomorrow when Nigel Worthington is expected to be confirmed as Northern Ireland manager, on a two-year deal.
Worthington's short-term deal with the province coincided with the end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign in November. Northern Ireland remain at 32 in the latest world rankings, four spots above the Republic, who dropped one place to 36.
World Cup qualifying fixtures: 2008 - Sept 6th: Slovakia (a); Sept 10th: Czech Rep (h); Oct 11th: Slovenia (a); Oct 15th: San Marino (h); 2009 - Feb 11th: San Marino (a); Mar 28th: Poland (h); Apr 1st: Slovenia (h); Sept 5th: Poland (a); Sept 9th: Slovakia (h); Oct 14th: Czech Rep (a).
In brief . . . .
Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarrawas last night on the verge of joining Portsmouth . . . Uefa have banned Rangers striker Jean-Claude Darchevillefor three games for stamping . . . Birmingham were last night close to signing Everton striker James McFadden. It is understood they will also sign Hibernian left back David Murphy. . . Bolton have signed Iceland international Gretar Steinssonfor €4.7 million from AZ Alkmaar . . . Luton Town have appointed Mick Harfordas their new manager.
