Today's other stories in brief
Rangers crisis deepens
The crisis at Rangers deepened last night when they were sent crashing out of the Scottish League Cup by St Johnstone. A double from Steven Milne secured the win for the First Division side in front of a stunned Ibrox crowd.
Saints now join Hibernian, Falkirk and Kilmarnock in today's semi-final draw at Hampden. Rangers' poor form in the Premier League meant the cup competitions had represented their best hope of silverware this season. Instead, last night's match served only to heap further pressure on the beleaguered manager Paul Le Guen, who made three changes to the side who lost to Dundee United at the weekend, a result which leaves them trailing Celtic by 15 points in the league.
Managers charged
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his West Ham United counterpart Alan Pardew have been charged with improper conduct, the FA said yesterday. The pair became involved in an altercation after Marlon Harewood scored late at Upton Park to give West Ham a 1-0 win on Sunday.
Wenger reacted angrily to Pardew's celebrations in the technical area and the pair had to be separated by the fourth official. Pardew attempted to smooth the waters immediately after the game when he apologised for his over exuberant celebrations, although Wenger has stayed silent.
West Ham said they were astonished by the FA charge. "Alan Pardew has the full backing of the board with regards to this charge which will be defended vigorously," The FA said both managers have until November 23rd to respond.
Contract for Xavier
Former Portugal defender Abel Xavier has signed a contract with Premier League side Middlesbrough until the end of the season after completing a ban for doping. Middlesbrough cancelled his contract in January after an appeal against a positive test for the performance-enhancing steroid dianabol was rejected by Uefa. "In no way do we condone the taking of drugs but the ban was reduced by the game's governing authorities, which suggests there was a significant reason for that," manager Gareth Southgate said on the club's Web site yesterday. "I'm a believer that people in life who serve a sentence should get the opportunity to rebuild their life or their career afterwards. He's served his ban and wants to force his way back into the side."
Ameobi faces operation
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has revealed striker Shola Ameobi's hip injury could rule him out for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old has not played for two weeks because of the problem and now looks likely to undergo surgery. Roeder said: "We're close to booking an operation in America. When he has it, that's him out for the season."
Meanwhile, club captain Scott Parker has apologised to the club's fans for a gesture he made towards a section of them during last Saturday's home defeat by Sheffield United. Parker said: "I can only say sorry and apologise to our supporters. It was all heat of the moment stuff when the passion and the pressure both boiled over."
Ibanez sidelined
Spain defender Pablo Ibanez will be sidelined for up to a month with a bruised kidney and fractured vertebrae, his club Atletico Madrid said yesterday. The 25-year-old centre-back picked up the injury during Atletico's goalless draw with Real Mallorca in the Primera Liga on Saturday.
Shock defeat for Bayern
Hanover 96 handed Bayern Munich a shock 1-0 defeat at their own Allianz Arena yesterday, leaving the Bundesliga champions six points behind leaders Werder Bremen. Hanover, who went into the match in last place, took the lead at the end of the first half when Szabolcs Huszti scored.
