A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Keane's many options

Roy Keane is continuing to consider his options as Bolton's Sam Allardyce became the latest big-name manager to declare an interest in signing the veteran midfielder. Keane has been mulling over his future since his abrupt departure from Manchester United on Friday but, with a number of leading clubs already in the frame, is in no rush to make a swift decision.

Earlier this year, the 34-year-old claimed he could not join another English Premiership club because he would not want to play against United. However, he is bound to be giving consideration to such a move given the number of sides who have indicated a desire to sign him.

Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric was first to declare his hand, with West Brom manager Bryan Robson also claiming he had tried to contact Keane. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan would be quick to make a move should Keane show any inclination to join the progressive Lancashire outfit and now Wigan's near neighbours Bolton have joined the list of potential suitors even if Allardyce admits luring Keane to the Reebok is an outside bet.

"It would be difficult to get Roy Keane," said Allardyce. "I am sure he will sit down in a day or two and discuss with his agent where he wants to go."

Anthems under threat

The tradition of national anthems being played before international matches is under threat after Fifa president Sepp Blatter suggested yesterday they could be banned to avert crowd trouble. It has become common practice for supporters to whistle or jeer opponents' anthems.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce recently called for a 'football anthem' after raising his own concerns over the pre-match heckling. He was disappointed at a section of Northern Ireland fans booing the Welsh national anthem before a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park. The recent World Cup play-off between Switzerland and Turkey prompted Blatter's investigation - the anthems were heckled before both legs.

"I feel this whistling demonstrates a great lack of respect and disparaging to national pride," said Blatter. "I wonder, therefore, whether it makes sense to keep playing the respective anthems. We will consider that at least." The Fifa president also suggested players should be made to shake hands after matches.

Turkey official resigns

Assistant Turkey coach Mehmet Ozdilek has resigned following the fracas between Turkish and Swiss players after their World Cup play-off last week. Fifa has launched an investigation into the violence in Istanbul after Turkey were eliminated. One player was hospitalised. Televisions pictures showed Ozdilek trying to trip up one of the Swiss players as he ran off the pitch in an incident which was seen as triggering a brawl in the tunnel between players from the two teams. Swiss international Benjamin Huggel retaliated by kicking Ozdilek in the back of the leg. The Eintracht Frankfurt player has since received threats of violence against himself and his family.

Best improves

Former Manchester United soccer great George Best has made a slight recovery after spending four days heavily sedated, but is still on a ventilator.

"He is alive, his brain is working and he is partly conscious," Professor Roger Williams said outside the Cromwell Hospital in London. "He is a desperately ill man, but certainly all of us have been very excited by the fact that when the sedation was removed he did regain some level of response.

"What we hope over the next 24 hours is (that) his brain will recover further so that he can come off the ventilator."

Putting fizz into Fifa

Coca-Cola have signed up as the fourth major sponsor of Fifa for the 2007-2014 rights period, with a possible renewal until 2022 in a deal worth $500 million. Coca-Cola joins Adidas, Hyundai and Sony in Fifa's top tier of sponsors. Two further Fifa partners will be announced soon.

Marseille want Cisse

Marseille have set their sights on a January move for Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse. Club president Pape Diouf believes that the France international would be "the ideal transfer" for the flagging side in the winter break. The Mediterranean giants sit 11th in the Ligue 1 table after recording just one win in their last four matches, and are looking to boost their attack.

Cantona on the attack

Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona has criticised the Malcolm Glazer regime at the club and swore never to work under the American tycoon. "Glazer is nothing in comparison to Manchester United," said the French man. "I love the club but I don't like it with him in charge. I don't like these kind of people who are involved in the game.

"I will fight in whatever way to get Glazer out of this club . . . Glazer could pay me €100 million to be manager and I still wouldn't go there."

McClaren signs deal

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has extended his contract with the English club until 2009. McClaren joined Middlesbrough in 2001 after working as assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

He was the first manager in Middlesbrough's history to win a major trophy with their 2004 League Cup triumph.