Reprieve for GeorgiaUEFA has reversed its decision to make Georgia play next week's European Championship qualifier against Russia behind closed doors, but the organisation has insisted that the attendance must not now exceed the 11,000 who purchased tickets for the fixture when it was originally abandoned at half-time due to floodlight failure, writes Emmet Malone.
The decision is a boost to both the Irish and Swiss associations, which had both been frustrated by the prospect of the Russians playing in Tbilisi without any local supporters being allowed into the ground.
It is also something of a boost for the financially stricken Georgian Football Federation which had been resigned to
having to pay all of the expenses for Wednesday's game without generating any revenue.
UEFA, however, has now imposed a fine of around €A50,000 on the federation for its failure to control the home crowd during Ireland's recent game at the Lokomotiv stadium and that will account for most of the money that would otherwise have been reimbursed to those who held tickets from the original tie against the Russians.
Owning Owen
Gerard Houllier has signalled Liverpool's intent to enter contract negotiations with Michael Owen at the end of the season.
The England striker, who has nine goals from his last 13 appearances for club and country, has two years to run on his current deal with a further year's option."The board know what I think about him," Houllier said. "He's star material, our talisman."
Club policy at Anfield has been to prevent key players entering the final 24 months of their deals in an attempt to avoid a similar scenario to that which saw Steve McManaman join Real Madrid under the Bosman ruling three years ago.
But when Owen was asked last week about speculation linking him with a move abroad, he refused to confirm he would remain with the club beyond next season.
Another United win
David Beckham was among a near-15,000 crowd at Old Trafford last night which cheered Manchester United's latest crop of talented youngsters to a record ninth FA Youth Cup win.
The England skipper's was present along along with fellow 'Class of 92' members Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs as Brian McClair's side drew 1-1 but took the cup on a 3-1 aggregate.
Israel in Turkey
Israel are set to host their last two home Euro 2004 qualifiers in Turkey, according to reports last night.
A report said Israel had been given the go-ahead to host the matches against Slovenia on June 7th and Malta on September 10th in the Turkish resort city of Antalya.
It said that UEFA had received all the necessary guarantees from the Turkish authorities for Israel to play the matches at the holiday resort, a popular destination for Israeli tourists.
It's an ill wind. . .
Trevor Brooking has offered Paolo di Canio the chance to try and help save West Ham from relegation this season.
The Italian striker was frozen out by Glenn Roeder after he publicly criticised the manager and the team then went on an unbeaten run without him.
But with Roeder now recovering in hospital following a minor stroke, and Brooking installed as manager, the door has opened for di Canio to make a dramatic return before the end of the season.
"I have told him that as soon as he is fit he will come in and he will give the club every support - there are no guarantees on selection, and he is quite happy with that," Brooking said last night.
Rangers target
Rangers manager Alex McLeish has vowed to keep Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso at Ibrox, unless any interested parties are ready to pay "ridiculous" money.
Amoruso has little more than a year left on his current contract with the Premier League leaders, and owner David Murray has hinted the big Italian could be leaving the club in the near future.
That alerted Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness, who has admitted he would like to sign the 31-year-old.
China's season off
China's domestic soccer season has been postponed because of fears over Sars, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced.
"As Sars has already spread to several provinces and cities, the CFA has decided to postpone all matches scheduled in the second half of May in order to ensure the safety and health of players, coaches and the masses," a statement said.
