Other soccer stories in brief
Keane for race week
Fans who congregate on Galway for the world-famous race week were yesterday given another reason to be cheerful when it was confirmed that Roy Keane's Sunderland will play a pre-season friendly at Terryland Park on Wednesday, August 1st (7.45 kick-off).
Galway's general manager Nick Leeson is delighted to have secured the fixture: "Niall Quinn phoned me last Friday and they have agreed to come over for a game which is a huge boost for us. We are hoping that the game will be the official opening of the new stand at Terryland."
More unrest at Real
Robinho has become the latest Real Madrid player to voice discontent at a lack of opportunities under manager Fabio Capello and said he would consider leaving the club if his situation did not improve.
"Right now I'm not happy because I'm not playing, but I'm going to keep working to change that," the Brazilian said at a press conference yesterday. "I know that he (Capello) doesn't have confidence in my football because I'm not playing and I have to make him change his mind."
Asked whether he would consider leaving the club at the end of the season he replied: "I don't know. All I know is that with Capello I've been on the bench and if things carry on like that I will have to see what's best for me."
The 23-year-old forward, who joined Real from Santos on a five-year deal in August 2005, has already seen one of his team-mates, Ronaldo, leave the club because of a lack of opportunities.
Newell fined
Mike Newell has been fined £6,500 for his tirade against the female assistant referee Amy Rayner last November. The Luton Town manager was fined £5,000 for his comments at a Football Association disciplinary commission yesterday and a further £1,500 for failing to act in the best interests of the game.
He might have faced harsher punishment but for the swift apology that followed the remarks he made during a heated post-match press conference. His team had just lost 3-2 at home to Queen's Park Rangers and Rayner's decision not to award his side a penalty provoked his rant.
Mandaric takes over
New Leicester owner Milan Mandaric has vowed to keep Rob Kelly as manager, but admitted holding talks with Iain Dowie about the job.
The former Portsmouth owner, who made his official bid for the Foxes on November 1st, finally gained control of the Championship club yesterday morning after over three months of talks.
Mandaric (69), becomes the new owner at the Walkers Stadium but stock market rules prevent him becoming chairman for another 22 days.
In brief . . .
Chelsea will tour China next year. The Premiership champions have hosted the China Olympic team, the visitors training in preparation for the 2008 Games in Beijing. Although the trip featured an infamous mass brawl against QPR, the tour has been hailed as success, and Chelsea will now make the return trip . . . Yesterday police arrested a 43-year-old man, believed to be the QPR assistant manager, Richard Hill, on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm during the brawl last week. Hill has been "suspended from his duties until further notice" by the club. . . Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will join David Beckham in the Europe XI line-up for next month's celebration match at Old Trafford. Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi will take charge of the all-star side, who will tackle Manchester United in a match that will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Red Devils' first participation in European competition and of a united Europe . . . Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has been named the new coach of Serie A strugglers Parma.
