The Football Association yesterday sent out a message that they will stand no nonsense on or off the pitch by charging both Leicester captain Matt Elliott and Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Jewell.
Tough-tackling Elliott has been charged with violent and threatening behaviour after appearing to elbow Coventry striker Craig Bellamy in the midlands derby at Highfield Road, while Jewell faces a touchline ban for alleged misconduct.
Arsenal's Nigerian striker Kanu has blamed his club for not being able to represent his country in the Sydney Olympics. Kanu claimed in a letter to Nigeria's sports minister Damishi Sango, who has forced national coach Jo Bonfrere to drop Kanu from the national squad, that he "moved heaven and earth" to obtain a release from his club to play in Sydney.
The wrangle over soccer's transfer system will not be resolved until well into the New Year after stalemate was reached with the European Commission in Brussels yesterday.
A delegation made up of representatives from FIFA, UEFA and European players' union FIFPro met with Commission officials. But they left having achieved no consensus and must return to the negotiating table on January 12th. The enforced review of the new Wembley Stadium will include a re-examination of athletics being accommodated in the stadium plans. FA chief executive Adam Crozier revealed that Wembley National Stadium Limited's board would investigate the "practicalities" of whether the new ground could host athletics events. However, the idea of a permanent athletics track will almost certainly continue to be ruled out due to opposition from football fans and players alike.
The FA are to set a January deadline for a final decision by Lazio as to whether Sven- Goran Eriksson can coach England on a part-time basis for the next three World Cup qualifiers. Crozier revealed he would be holding talks with Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti early in the new year.
Aston Villa's Turkish defender Alpay is to lay a wreath at Elland Road before Saturday's Premiership encounter with Leeds. Alpay wants to make the gesture in memory of the two Leeds fans who died in the streets of Istanbul in April before the UEFA Cup clash with Galatasaray.
Mark Burchill will discover his immediate future for certain today according to his representative Blair Morgan. Celtic striker Burchill and Morgan are currently negotiating a five-and-a-half-year contract with Birmingham City manager Trevor Francis in a £1.5 million deal.
Adie Moses completed his move to Huddersfield yesterday for an undisclosed fee. Moses (25), signed a three-year deal to become Lou Macari's first permanent signing since landing the manager's job seven weeks ago.
