Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly has been offered a new contract by Dutch club Feyenoord who recently successfully booked their place in next season's Champions League.
The former Wolves player had said during the build up to Ireland's recent World Cup qualifier against Andorra that he had been told that his club would decide on their plans for next season after it became clear what European competition, if any, they had qualified for.
With a place in the Champions League now secured and Connolly having helped them to wrap it up with his two goals in the important win a couple of weeks ago over Ajax, the player's agent, Michael Kennedy, confirmed yesterday that there was now an offer on the table which he is considering.
Feyenoord are unlikely to have matched the estimated £20,000 a week they have been paying Connolly for the past three years, much of which he spent on loan at their second division feeder club Excelsior.
Portuguese defender Fernando Couto was picked yesterday for two World Cup qualifiers - Ireland in Dublin on June 2nd and Cyprus in Lisbon on June 6th - pending a final decision by the Italian Football League after the Lazio player tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone.
UEFA president Lennart Johansson has called on FIFA chief Sepp Blatter to explain the collapse of FIFA's marketing agent ISL and the cancellation of the World Club championship or face the consequences, which could lead to his removal as president of the game's ruling body.
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson hinted yesterday that he might pick three Liverpool forwards in Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey in his team to face Mexico in a friendly today.
John Barnwell, chief executive of the League Managers Association, has confirmed that Tottenham are to be brought before a Premier League arbitration panel over the sacking of former boss George Graham.
Middlesbrough supporters may have to wait a fortnight before they get their first glimpse of Steve McClaren. It is understood Alex Ferguson's number two at Manchester United has shaken hands on a deal, but will not finalise the move until he returns from a two-week family holiday in Florida.
Hamburg yesterday completed the signing of Jorg Albertz from Rangers for a club record £3 million fee. The German midfielder has signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga club.
Owen Hargreaves, the Bayern Munich midfielder who played a key part in the club's Champions League victory over Valencia on Wednesday, has extended his contract until 2004, Bayern's general manager Uli Hoeness announced yesterday.
The PFAI's Team of the Year will provide the opposition for Shelbourne tonight in Paul Doolin's testimonial game at Tolka Park. Admission to the game is £5 with children getting in for free.
PORTUGUESE SQUAD (for games against Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road on June 2nd and Cyprus in Portugal on June 6th): Goalkeepers: Quim (Sporting Braga), Ricardo (Boavista); Defenders: Beto (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge (Sporting Lisbon), Andrade (FC Porto), Jorge Costa (FC Porto), Litos (Boavista), Frechaut (Boavista), Couto (Lazio), Meira (Benfica); Midfielders: Bento (Sporting Lisbon), Barbosa (Sporting Lisbon), Conceicao (Parma), Figo (Real Madrid), Rui Costa (Fiorentina), Capucho (FC Porto), Petit (Boavista); Forwards: Gomes (Fiorentina), Joao Pinto (Sporting Lisbon), Sa Pinto (Sporting Lisbon), Pauleta (Bordeaux), Boa Morte (Fulham).
