Cross-Border talksJust days after the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland governing bodies were at loggerheads again over the thorny matter of player eligibility, offering wildly differing interpretations of a Fifa ruling on the issue at the weekend, the two associations have announced they will meet next month "to discuss matters of mutual interest", writes Mary Hannigan.
Those matters were listed as "the Uefa Under-21 Championship bid, the Setanta Cup and possible expansion of the competition, the introduction of cross-Border competitions at other levels, the 'Watering the Grassroots' coaching conference, refereeing, commercial opportunities and IT developments".
It does, though, seem improbable the dispute over Northern Ireland-born players declaring for the Republic will not be high on the agenda when the FAI and the IFA, led by their chief executives, John Delaney (FAI) and Howard Wells, meet.
Fifa's executive committee decided to "leave the current regulations regarding the eligibility of players to represent association teams unchanged", which the IFA interpreted as meaning players born in Northern Ireland, with no family ties to the South, could not declare for the Republic.
The FAI for their part insisted the decision meant Northern Ireland-born players holding Irish passports could continue to opt for the Republic.
Fifa failed to clarify the ruling, instead suggesting if either association were unhappy with the decision they take it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
'Crushing' assessment
Gordon Strachan claims Alex Ferguson has the ability to "crush" any weak personalities who cross his path.
But Strachan came through the experience and maintains he benefited from working with Ferguson at Aberdeen and Manchester United, despite frequent tension in their relationship.
The current Celtic boss was dismayed by Ferguson's remark in a 1999 autobiography claiming his fellow Scot could "not be trusted an inch". But the pair have patched up their relationship since, and Strachan now hails the United boss as football's greatest manager.
"I said he was a bully but I never said I didn't like him," Strachan told BBC Radio Scotland.
"He was good for me. He's good for anyone who's worked with him. Unless you're weak-minded - then you'll have a problem, he'll probably crush you.
"You'd have to go and find another job somewhere, or find a psychiatrist."
FA study Cole 'gesture'
The Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole is likely to find out today if he faces a Football Association charge over allegations he made a "gesture" toward Arsenal fans at the weekend.
In Sunday's defeat Cole was making his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium following his move from Arsenal to Stamford Bridge last season. He was roundly jeered by home fans and was photographed after the final whistle apparently making a two-fingered salute.
FA officials will study the photographs and any other evidence they find.
The Chelsea boss Avram Grant feels Cole (26) did nothing worthy of punishment and said,"I don't think he made that reaction."
Osman ruled out
The Everton midfielder Leon Osman has been ruled out for up to six weeks after a scan confirmed he had broken a toe.
Osman suffered the injury in the English League Cup win over West Ham last week but played when the teams met in the Premier League at the weekend, aided by a painkilling injection. But an X-ray has confirmed Osman will miss the festive fixture programme.
Owen in thigh dock
Michael Owen is rated only at 50-50 to return for Newcastle when they face Derby in the English Premier League on Sunday.
The 28-year-old has not featured for the team since suffering a thigh injury playing in an England friendly against Austria last month.
Castillo to pay his way
Manchester City have signed Mexico forward Nery Castillo on a one-year loan from Shakhtar Donetsk. The 23-year-old, who only joined Shakhtar in July from Olympiakos, will arrive in January. "Nery Castillo's desire to make this deal happen has been extraordinary," City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said on the club's website. "He has made a significant financial contribution in order to complete this move by paying most of the loan fee himself."
Tonight's Fixtures
(7.45pm unless stated)
Uefa Cup:Group E - FC Zurich v Bayer Leverkusen; Toulouse v Spartak Moscow; Group F - Bayern Munich v Aris Salonika; Braga v Crvena Zvezda; Group G - Getafe v Anderlecht; Hapoel Tel-Aviv v AaB; Group H - Galatasaray v FK Austria Magna Panionios v Bordeaux.
English League Cup quarter-final:Chelsea v Liverpool.
