Soccer Digest: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan claims he feels sorry for Scottish referees for the first time after claims about their integrity this week.
Vladimir Romanov was reported to have condemned match officials but a spokesman insisted the Hearts majority shareholder was misquoted.
"I feel sorry for the referees," Strachan said. "Whatever we think of referees . . . nobody has ever said anything about their integrity . . . they are the group that has been tainted more than anybody."
Celtic head to Pittodrie today for their Scottish Premier League clash with Aberdeen which kicks off at 12.30. Rangers take on Falkirk tomorrow at 3.0.
More charges for Emre
Newcastle midfielder Emre was yesterday facing a second investigation into claims of racism made against him.
The English FA are to look into claims that the Turkey international abused Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf on October 15th.
This comes as Emre awaits a personal hearing after denying a charge of using racially-aggravated language during at Everton.
Capello changes tune
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello hopes that England manager Steve McClaren will follow his example and recall David Beckham.
"I hope for his (Beckham's) sake that he does return as it will make him happy," Capello told a news conference yesterday. "Of course it all depends on the England coach, but he could do good things for England."
Decision time for Spurs
Tottenham director Keith Mills has revealed the club will make a "definite decision" on a possible stadium move within a year.
Keith admits that while an expansion on the 36,000-capacity at White Hart Lane is essential to the club's ambitions, a move away from the old ground is not the only option.
Another China crisis
A pre-season friendly between Chinese side Chongqing Qiche and Dalian Shide was abandoned on Thursday when a mass brawl broke out, local media reported yesterday.
The incident, another blow to the image of Chinese soccer, came a week after a match in London between the country's Olympic team and English club Queens Park Rangers was abandoned because of fighting.
Chongqing were leading 3-0 when one of their players "viciously kicked" Dalian's Zoran Jankovic from behind and the Bulgarian import "could not help but retaliate", the Dalian Evening Newssaid.
The match quickly turned ugly and the referee was forced to call it off 10 minutes into the second half, the paper said.
In brief . . .
Arsenal'sPremiership match against Manchester City, scheduled for February 28th, has been postponed because of maintenance work. A new date is to be set next week . . . Manchester Cityhave completed the signing of Belgian striker Emile Mpenza(28), subject to international clearance.
