A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief
Wembley setback
Over 3000 workers were evacuated from the Wembley stadium site yesterday after a steel rafter weighing some 50 tonnes slipped from its position in the roof. The GMB labour union said construction workers ran from the stadium after hearing a loud bang early yesterday but added no one was hurt.
The £750 million redevelopment of the site in London has been dogged with problems, with the English Football Association forced to transfer May's FA Cup final to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium after deciding Wembley would not be ready on time.
Pires still uncertain
Robert Pires is continuing to mull over the offer of a one-year contract extension from Arsenal and has not had talks with Rangers over a move to Scotland, according to the players' agent.
The midfielder's present deal expires in the summer, and the 32-year-old World Cup winner has so far delayed signing for an additional 12 months in the hope of securing a longer-term contract.
Reports have suggested Pires could be on his way to Rangers to link up with his fellow Frenchman Paul Le Guen, who will take charge at Ibrox at the end of the season.
However, agent Stephane Courbis insisted: "It is not true. We are only talking with Arsenal for the moment."
Arsenal have a policy of not offering more than one-year extensions to players over 30, and manager Arsene Wenger maintains that stance will continue.
Fifa go to court
A landmark court case pitching world soccer's ruling body against Europe's richest clubs opened yesterday after Fifa turned down a settlement offer by Belgian club Charleroi.
First division Charleroi, backed by the G14 group representing 18 of the top clubs in Europe, went ahead with the case on Monday, seeking compensation after one of its players was injured on international duty.
The Belgian side are seeking €615,000 compensation after Moroccan Abdelmajid Oulmers was ruled out for eight months after playing in a friendly against Burkina Faso in November 2004.
Charleroi say the loss of the player hindered their chances of success in the Belgian league and cup.
The most likely outcome, according to sources on both sides, is a referral of the case to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Supple to hold line
Teenage goalkeeper Shane Supple has reiterated his desire to remain Ipswich's number-one choice.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper has played 16 league games for the English Championship side this season and expectations are high for the young Dubliner. He was also a keen Gaelic footballer before his move to England.
As far as the Republic of Ireland youth international is concerned, the battle to stay in the side ahead of the Welsh senior international Lewis Price is definiely on.
"I still have a lot to learn and it is an on-going process," said the 6ft (183 cm) stopper. "Some people may spot something wrong here and there, but I am happy with my form.
"You cannot blame Lewis for wanting to play and competition is good for both of us, but I have no intention of letting go of the jersey."
In brief . . .
The English FA have put Wembley forward to host the 2008 Champions League final but will face competition from eight other venues to land European club football's showpiece event . . . Shunsuke Nakamura has hinted he could be staying at Celtic for some time, despite previously claiming he would return to Japan before his three-year contract expires
. . . Manchester United will not allow striker Giuseppe Rossi (19), who was linked with Ipswich, to leave on loan this season.
Tonight's Fixtures (7.45 unless stated)
English FA Cup - Sixth Round: Birmingham v Liverpool. English League - Championship: Leeds v Crystal Palace. League One: Bradford v Blackpool; Doncaster v Colchester; Gillingham v Brentford; Walsall v Yeovil. League Two: Bury v Oxford Utd Cheltenham v Wrexham Rochdale v Grimsby. Scottish League - First Division: Brechin v St Mirren Stranraer v Ross County (7.30). Second Division: Ayr v Gretna (7.30), Dumbarton v Alloa (7.30), Peterhead v Forfar (7.30), Raith v Partick. Third Division: Albion v Queens Park (7.30); Arbroath v Montrose (7.30); Cowdenbeath v East Fife (7.30); East Stirling v Stenhousemuir (7.30).
