Luis Figo, the most expensive player in the world at £37 million, has criticised FIFA after missing out to Zinedine Zidane at the Player of the Year awards in Rome on Monday night.
"Perhaps it should be renamed `best player in the European Championship'," said Figo. "I don't understand it because the tournament only lasted a month, and besides, the European Championship was won by 22 players - not just one man.
"I would have voted for Figo. I don't feel superior or inferior to others, but if I don't defend myself, what am I going to do?"
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has been given a second chance - in the New Year - to clear his name after the English FA agreed yesterday to grant him a fresh hearing on his 12-match touchline ban. Wenger was found guilty in October of assaulting match official Paul Taylor at Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have signed much-travelled Lithuanian striker Thomas Danilevicius after taking him on trial more than six months ago.
Leicester City boss Peter Taylor has claimed that new £3 million signing Matthew Jones is "a young Neil Lennon". Jones (20) agreed to move to Filbert Street after lengthy talks yesterday with Taylor.
