A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Barton and Ranger refused US visas
JOEY BARTON and Nile Ranger will both miss Newcastle’s pre-season trip to the United States after being refused entry visas.
The pair will instead travel to the Netherlands with Peter Beardsley’s reserve team squad and re-join their senior colleagues on their return to Tyneside.
Ranger’s absence from the tour, which includes three friendlies, was confirmed yesterday following an announcement earlier in the day that Barton’s visa application had been rejected.
Barton, 28, spent 74 days in jail in 2008 after admitting an assault charge, while Ranger, now 20, landed himself in trouble as a juvenile.
The news is embarrassing for Newcastle, who have worked hard in recent years to clean up their image after a series of lurid headlines.
Death of Christy ‘Bunny’ Fulham
FORMER SHELBOURNE and Drumcondra defender Christy “Bunny” Fullam has passed away at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. The celebrated footballer, who was 80, was born in Cabra and started his career as a schoolboy with Brugh Mhuire before moving on to Seaview Rovers and then Bohemians.
In 1952 the defender made his League of Ireland debut with Shelbourne and helped the club to the title in his first campaign. By the end of that season he had added Inter League caps to the “minor” and amateur ones he had won during his teens.
During the early part of his career he declined offers from a number of English clubs to leave Ireland as he was reluctant to leave what he felt was a well paid job as a bricklayer. Still, he did briefly end up playing with Holyhead Town before returning to the league when he joined Drumcondra in 1955.
He subsequently went on to win league titles with the club in 1958, ’61 and ’65 as well as the FAI Cup in 1957. A set-piece specialist he scored 37 goals for “Drums” in his first seven seasons with them, a tally that included a penalty against Atletico Madrid in 1958 that was the first ever goal scored by an Irish club at home in a European game.
Jennings completes move to Bayern
TRANMERE STRIKER Dale Jennings has completed his dream move to German giants Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.
The 18-year-old only made his first-team debut for Rovers last season as a youth scholar and went on to score six goals in 32 appearances.
He was the subject of a bid from West Ham in January and was named League One Apprentice of the Year at the Football League awards in April.
Tranmere boss Les Parry said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Dale and one which any young player would jump at.”
Staunton set for Premiership role
FORMER REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Steve Staunton is on the verge of taking up a coaching position at a Premiership club.
Speaking at a press conference in his native Dundalk yesterday to promote a Dundalk Legends v Liverpool Legends fundraising game at Oriel Park on July 23rd, the 102 time capped former defender said a deal was all but agreed for him take up a “football position” at a top-flight outfit.
That led to suggestions that a return to his former club Liverpool was on the cards. Staunton remained tight-lipped about his destination although he did say the job was with a club that is currently on its pre-season tour. Liverpool are currently on a jaunt of Asia.
“I can’t speak to the club at the minute because they are on their pre-season tour,” said Staunton. “When they come back, we will discuss it further but it’s more or less done and dusted. Since the Ireland job, I’ve been involved at the lower levels. It would be nice to get back into the Premiership.”
Busacca named head of referees
MASSIMO BUSACCA, the Swiss official who infuriated Arsenal last season by sending off Robin van Persie against Barcelona, has been appointed as FIFA’s head of referees.
Busacca, 42, has refereed at two World Cups and took charge of the 2009 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger clashed with Busacca after the defeat in the Nou Camp in March, and was banned for one match by Uefa as a result.
Inter Milan say no official offers made for Sneijder
INTER MILAN technical director Marco Branca insists the Italian giants have not received any official offers for Wesley Sneijder.
Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for the 27-year-old, as have big-spending Spanish side Malaga, but Inter say they have not received any concrete bid for the playmaker who is under contract until June 2015.
Branca said on the club’s official website: “No, there has not been an official offer and there has never been the intention to listen to them.
“Hence, the player is getting on with his work and so are we.There are no updates.
“It’s not surprising that Sneijder is a player that is liked by many teams, including the strongest in the world like our team is. He is not for sale.”
Branca also denied reports in the Italian press that a meeting was scheduled this week between Sneijder’s agent and Inter.
“No, there are no meetings planned,” he said. “We don’t sell by force.” Sneijder, who is in pre-season training with Inter, has stated several times this summer that he wants to remain in Milan.
