Antonio Benarrivo's agent has accused Fulham of being amateurish after the Parma defender's move to London foundered.
The former Italy full back was expected to sign on a free transfer, but Fulham pulled out of the deal for medical reasons.
The 33-year-old Benarrivo had initially been offered a two-year contract and, after lowering his terms, was prepared to fly out yesterday to confirm the move.
"I don't think we will be going to Fulham," said Federico Pastorello. "We had initially agreed a contract with Franco Baresi [Fulham's director of football], who is an old friend of ours.
"Everything was okay with the medical with the Fulham doctor and we went on holiday expecting to complete the move when we got back.
"Fulham then told us there was a risk in giving Benarrivo a two-year contract, but, after 11 years at Parma, his main wish was for a new experience, so he revised his demands.
"An hour before we were due to get on a plane, we got a call saying [Fulham's owner Mohammed] Al Fayed wanted to think about it a bit more.
"The club have acted in an amateurish way. Antonio feels hurt because he has not been treated like this before. He was so excited about joining the club."
Pastorello said that Benarrivo may now sign a new deal with Parma. Fulham refused to comment further yesterday.
The former Dutch internationals Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard face a fine from an Italian court for tax evasion during their time with AC Milan in the early 90s.
Fabio Belloni, their lawyer, said yesterday the trio accepted a prison sentence of three months which would be converted into a fine of around €1,500.
The court acquitted the Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and six other officials from the club and its owners, the Fininvest holding company of the family of Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, of the charge of false book-keeping.
Meanwhile, Adrian Milledge Muzzy Izzet claimed yesterday Middlesbrough had made a renewed bid for him, much to the irritation of Leicester's director of football Dave Bassett who said he will not let the midfielder leave unless they meet his valuation of £6 million.
Steve McClaren, Middlesbrough's manager, tried to sign Izzet last season, but was rebuffed by the player although the prospect of first division football next season, following an appearance for Turkey as a substitute in the World Cup semi-final against Brazil, seems to have led to a rethink.
"I spoke to Steve McClaren about it two days ago and a bid has gone in again, but I understand it is for a smaller amount," Izzet said.
Bassett retorted: "We have not spoken to Boro at all and they have not come back to us with a reduced offer.
"Our position remains the same: Muzzy's value has not gone up or down and the asking price is still £6 million. He's just come back from the World Cup and helped Turkey reach the semi-finals, so why should his value have gone down?
"The value of most players who appeared in the World Cup has gone up and Muzzy's has certainly not deteriorated."
Middlesbrough have just laid out £8 million for the young Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone and agreed a fee of £6 million to buy Juninho back from Atletico Madrid.
Roger Lemerre, the France coach maligned for the country's early exit from the World Cup, will not resign, preferring instead to wait and see if France's federation sacks him today.
"He doesn't feel as if he has committed a fault that would force his resignation. I share his feelings," said Henri Emile, the team manager.
Espanyol expect to sign Arsenal's reserve goalkeeper Alex Manninger, the 25-year-old who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina. "In the next few hours the deal will be official if there are no serious problems," said Sergio Morgado, the club's sporting director.
Ipswich's England Under-21 defender Titus Bramble has agreed terms with Newcastle United but the £5.5 million deal will not go through until they are happy that his surgery on a heel injury has been successful.
Preston North End have rejected West Bromwich's £1 million bid for their captain Sean Gregan.
