News Round-up: With UEFA expected to rule on the venue for the Euro 2008 championship on December 12th, president Lennart Johansson has all but ruled out the bid by Russia and the joint candidature of Greece and Turkey. He also made an unclear reference to problems surrounding Ireland's bid with Scotland.
Speaking in the Swiss-French newspaper Le Dimanche, Johansson said the recent Moscow theatre siege, and crowd trouble in the UEFA Cup tie between Greek side Panathinaikos and Turkish side Fenerbahce, had severely damaged both bids.
Asked if the clashes between the Greek and Turkish fans had impaired the joint bid, Johansson said: "It's true. And there was also this terrible hostage drama in Moscow. That will also be taken into consideration for the final decision, as well as what has happened in Ireland. We have to bear that in mind."
In the reference to Ireland, it is unclear whether Johansson was referring to ongoing doubts about the availability of Croke Park or the recent turmoil within the FAI following the Genesis report.
Johansson described the chances of the joint bid from Austria and Switzerland as "very realistic". But he denied that the Austrian-Swiss bid sits alongside a joint bid from the Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, as the favourites.
UEFA are currently considering seven bids to stage the 2008 tournament. Hungary are also solo candidates, with Bosnia-Croatia joining the other four joint bids.
Meanwhile, Robbie Keane yesterday said he expects Manchester United's Roy Keane to end his international exile as soon as he is fit enough to do so.
The Tottenham striker, in Dublin yesterday, said: "I am sure Roy will be back for Ireland. I fully expect him to be in the next squad, provided he is fit."
Elsewhere, Leeds United midfielder Nicky Barmby is out until at least Christmas after damaging his Achilles tendon prior to yesterday's 2-0 defeat against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Newcastle United are expected to make a bid for Chelsea defender John Terry when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Barnsley's town's mayor, Peter Doyle, has agreed to buy the struggling second division club for an undisclosed figure. The club went into administration in October with debts of around £3.5 million.
Former England striker Gary Lineker has submitted a bid to Leicester's administrators which could secure the future of the club.
Lineker and Greg Clarke, the club's former plc chairman, are part of a consortium which, it is believed, is willing to pay £4 million now and £1 million in April.
