Players not chargedTwo English Premiership footballers questioned over an alleged "gang rape" of a 17-year-old girl will not be charged because there is "insufficient evidence", the Crown Prosecution Service announced last night.
The alleged attack was said to have taken place in September at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Scotland Yard launched an investigation and interviewed Newcastle United defender Titus Bramble (22), and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole (19), who is on loan to Charlton Athletic, as well as two other men.
Blatter warns clubs
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned Premiership clubs to stop obstructing their African players from playing in the African Nations Cup later this month. His comments follow Tottenham's failed attempt to block Frederic Kanoute playing for Mali in the tournament on the grounds he had played for France at under-21 level. Arsenal and Bolton have also disputed when they should release Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha for the tournament.
Blatter said Premiership clubs should accept that African players had rights to play for their international sides. He said: "Club managers and coaches would be well advised not only to observe international rules, but to stop trying to obstruct legitimate players' rights. FIFA will always defend those rights, even when adopting such a stance makes us unpopular.
"The Kanoute decision has proved controversial to say the least. But it should not be. Premiership clubs have benefited greatly not only from the skills of African players but also economically in recent seasons. It cannot be acceptable to recruit such stars and then demand that they should disrespect their own countries if a tournament or international fixtures, particularly if they are part of the international co-ordinated calendar, clash with Premiership matches."
Leeds devalued
Leeds United, who have just 10 days to find a buyer, are unlikely to fetch more than £20 million - less than half the value placed on the club by financial analysts last month. Any prospective buyer would still have to take on the club's £83 million debt. It is understood Leeds' increasing possibility of relegation are making it difficult to put a value on the club.
One source close to the negotiations said: "The problem is that both the buyer and seller do not know what they are dealing with. Is this a Premiership club or a Division One club? There is a vast difference between what the two are worth."
Potential bidders are understood to want clarification from the Premier League on what penalties might be imposed on the club if it is forced into administration. "If the Premier League decides to dock 12 points as a penalty, then any bidders would certainly be talking about a Division One club. If the Premier League takes no action, then Leeds could still be a Premiership club next season."
The club has until January 19th to find a buyer or face administration.
In brief . . .
Eyal Berkovic has completed his move from Manchester City to Portsmouth, signing a two-and-a-half year contract . . . Arsene Wenger may yet bring Everton's loan star Francis Jeffers back to Arsenal at the end of the season . . . Al Saadi Gaddafi, son of the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, and Inter Milan striker Mohamed Kallon have been suspended after testing positive for banned performance-enhancing substances . . . Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has ruled himself out of tomorrow's Primera Liga match at Real Sociedad because of an ankle injury
. . . Dunfermline assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl appears to be favourite to succeed Sammy McIlroy as manager of Northern Ireland . . . Barcelona have started talks with Italian champions Juventus with a view to signing their Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids
. . . The FA will hold talks with leading England players next week as part of their attempt to draw up international selection guidelines following the Rio Ferdinand saga . . . Charlton's chequebook will be shut tight during this month's transfer window, leaving Alan Curbishley to pray prudence does not cost his club a prized European adventure.
