Today's other stories in brief
Sunderland waiting
Sunderland will step up their pursuit of Preston striker David Nugent following England's dramatic exit from the European Under-21 Championship.
Sunderland were told when they made their initial approach to Preston the 22-year-old would make a decision on his future after the tournament.
West Ham are also thought to be have set their sights on Nugent after failing to lure Darren Bent to Upton Park, although Everton have long since been touted as the most likely destination for the Liverpool-born frontman. Sources close to the £6million-rated player have suggested he will opt for Wearside, however, and Quinn and manager Roy Keane will hope that proves to be the case.
Mastercard do deal
MasterCard will drop their sponsorship of the next two World Cups under a $90 million settlement with Fifa announced yesterday. The agreement ends a legal dispute between the credit card issuer, who had sponsored the tournament for 16 years, and soccer's world governing body.
The ruling paves the way for Fifa to proceed with a corporate sponsorship arrangement with Visa International, MasterCard's larger rival, although Fifa did not provide details on a future sponsorship yesterday. Under the settlement, MasterCard will drop claims that they should be awarded corporate sponsorship of the World Cup in 2010 and 2014.
Pearce to meet FA
The English Football Association is set to discuss with Stuart Pearce whether he will be the full-time England Under-21 coach for the new season. Pearce is seen as a leading contender for the job after taking the under-21s to the semi-finals of the European Championship in the Netherlands. "It's down to the FA, but I have enjoyed it immensely," said Pearce.
Players snub Mandela
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been taken aback by the decision of players such as Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho to miss a reception with Nelson Mandela on the club's tour of South Africa. "It could appear to be a bit surprising," Laporta was quoted as saying when asked about the players' absence by the Spanish media yesterday.
Laporta said the meeting with Mandela had been a voluntary event. "There were doubts if the event with Mr Mandela would take place because he is an old man who does not like large receptions," he said. "So when the event was finally confirmed we decided that only those players that wanted to should go."
Milan clubs probed
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti and AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani look likely to be sent to trial over allegations they inflated transfer fees to obtain fictitious capital gains between 2003 and 2005.
Prosecutors said yesterday that Inter would not have had the necessary financial security to have been allowed in the 2005/06 championship if full figures had been available.
Media had speculated that a hefty fine would be the worst punishment if either official was found guilty but a judge has the right to impose points deductions, exclude a club from the championship or strip them of a title.
In brief . . .
Middlesbrough yesterday agreed personal terms with Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli. The 25-year-old forward, who is out of contract with Fenerbahce, will head for Teesside to undergo a medical next week with a view to completing a free transfer switch to the Premier League . . . Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie has joined Bolton on a season-long loan.
