More news in brief.
Chelsea bolster midfield with Mineiro
• CHELSEA MANAGER Luiz Felipe Scolari has bolstered his squad by signing Brazilian midfielder Mineiro.
The 33-year-old, who has won 24 caps, was a free agent having been released by Hertha Berlin at the end of last season. Chelsea have been short of defensive midfield cover with Michael Essien sidelined with a serious knee injury.
"He is a player that I need because I lost Michael Essien for six months. I have one midfielder like him, John Mikel Obi," Scolari said.
• WEST HAM United will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being ordered to pay compensation to Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.
An English FA arbitration panel ruled in favour of United on Tuesday after they argued that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham at the end of the 2006-07 season.
Tevez was one of West Ham's most influential players as they escaped relegation and send United down on the final day.
Pogatetz apologises for tackle
EMANUEL POGATETZ issued a public apology last night for the reckless studs-up tackle that left Manchester United midfielder Rodrigo Possebon in hospital, and accepted that he had deserved to be sent off in Tuesday's League Cup third-round tie at Old Trafford.
Possebon (19) will reflect that he had a lucky escape after x-rays showed there was no break.
Pogatetz said: "I have to say that I went for the tackle because I thought I could win the ball. I now accept, however, that I misjudged the challenge.
"Immediately after the incident, I did not think it was a red-card offence because I did win the ball. But now I have had the chance to see the tackle on television, I know the referee was right."
Keane won't tolerate fans' criticism of his tenure
ROY KEANE has cautioned Sunderland supporters that he has a zero-tolerance policy towards those who shower him with invective.
Criticising the manager on Wearside is regarded as akin to swearing in church, but during Tuesday evening's narrow League Cup victory over Northampton, he proved the target of booing and a few choice comments.
"One or two supporters were abusing me and that is something I won't tolerate," said the Sunderland manager, who was furious that his team required extra-time and a penalty shoot-out to see off their League One opponents.
"You must understand that I appreciate criticism, constructive criticism which I'm clearly going to receive. Trust me, my biggest critic is myself and I got my team wrong against Northampton but although I know abuse is part of football, it's something I won't tolerate.
Euro 2016 to be expanded to 24 teams
UEFA ARE set to rubber-stamp an expansion of the European Championship finals from 16 to 24 teams this week - a move that will limit the number of countries able to host the tournament.
The decision, to be taken by Uefa's executive committee at their meeting in Bordeaux today and tomorrow, follows a proposal by the Scottish FA and FAI last year.
It will take effect from the 2016 finals, but Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith admits it will be a double-edged sword as Scotland would not have the required facilities to stage an expanded championship.
Smith said: "It is disappointing in that it means we will not be able to stage the tournament in the future, and we recognise that's the case.
King names his squad for Sweden
THE REPUBLIC of Ireland senior women's team manager Noel King yesterday named his squad to face table-toppers Sweden in their last Uefa Championship Group Two qualifier to be played next Wednesday in Trelleborg.
Ireland are guaranteed to complete the group in third place but a point against the Swedes would secure a play-off route into next year's finals.
Depending on how results go in other groups, the Irish could still emerge into the play-offs on the strength of their record in the group to date.
Meanwhile, the Irish women's under-19 team made a good start to their Uefa championship first qualifying phase with a 3-0 victory over Greece in Israel last night, with goals coming from Niamh Mulcahy, Amy Ryan and Louise Quinn.
