UEFA has written to the European Commission asking for a meeting to discuss how to structure the game following the controversial Bosman court ruling.

In a letter obtained by reporters yesterday, UEFA general secretary Gerhard Aigner asked to meet Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert and Employment Commissioner Padraig Flynn to discuss the ruling's implications.

"I am fully aware that, given the terms of the Court's ruling, the Commission has little (if any) scope to engage in `negotiations' of any sort," Aigner wrote.

"Having said this, we would welcome the opportunity to advise the Commission of how we would propose to continue discussions with our member associations, players and clubs," he added.

Aigner said UEFA's primary concern was to devise a new system for European soccer that would protect the position of associations, players and clubs while at the same time meeting EU law.

The Luxembourg based European Court of Justice ruled on December 15th in a case involving Belgian footballer Jean Marc Bosman that UEFA's transfer fee rules and player nationality restrictions violated EU law on the free movement of workers.

Last Friday, the Commission, which enforces the court's rulings, said UEFA had six weeks to end its transfer fee system and nationality restrictions or face possible fines. It said it was acting under EU rules barring agreements that restrict competition.

Manchester United player Nicky Butt was sent for trial yesterday accused of assaulting a man in a Chinese restaurant. The 21 year old midfielder made a brief appearance at Manchester Magistrates' Court for the committal hearing.

Butt, of Heaton Mersey, Stockport, Greater Manchester, is accused of assaulting 25 year old Peter Oldbury, causing him actual bodily harm, in Charlie Chan's restaurant in Manchester on October 7th last year.

At an earlier hearing the England under 21 international elected trial by jury. His solicitor Simon Jones said he would plead not guilty. The player was granted unconditional bail. Reporting restrictions for the hearing were not lifted.

Butt was sent off on Monday night during Manchester United's 1-0 Premier League victory over West Ham at Upton Park for two bookable offences.