Real Madrid striker Raul defended his record yesterday, following UEFA's decision to investigate his and Luis Figo's behaviour in Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League win over Leeds.

Raul insisted he had not deliberately used his hand in scoring against Leeds. "It was a very fast move and if the ball hit my hand then it was by accident," he said.

However, writing on his personal website, he admitted that one of the objectives of the game was for Figo and team-mate Claude Makelele to pick up yellow cards and thus serve a suspension in a meaningless match. "That was achieved," he wrote.

Cypriot authorities yesterday gave the go-ahead for the World Cup qualifier between Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland on March 24th despite initial fears of foot-and-mouth disease.

Ian Harte has claimed Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was "confused" in criticisms of the Leeds player for supposed diving in an incident with United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez last Saturday.

"The man never makes mistakes, you know. Yet he said Barthez should have gone and now he's obviously changed his mind," he told his official website.

Ipswich midfielder Jim Magilton has been given a one-match ban and fined £5,000 sterling by the English FA for using abusive language towards referee Andy d'Urso.

The French league have ordered Marseille to pay Robert Pires £1.2million sterling, which the Arsenal winger, says he was owed following his 1998 transfer from Metz in 1998.

Dean Windass completed his move from Bradford to Middlesbrough last night, although his deal may have to be renegotiated as it involves a bonus to Bradford if Windass helps Middlesbrough stay up - Bradford could thus benefit by losing a game.