Lee Bowyer faces at least a three-match suspension from European club competition after being charged by UEFA with "unsporting behaviour" for allegedly stamping on the head of a Malaga player. UEFA started disciplinary proceedings against the Leeds midfielder yesterday after watching television replays that showed him treading on Gerardo during Leeds's UEFA Cup defeat at Elland Road last week.
UEFA's control and disciplinary body will consider the case on January 8th. Bowyer seems certain to be punished, not only because video evidence looks damning but because he confessed to the Leeds manager Terry Venables last Friday there was nothing accidental about the contact.
"He admitted he did put his foot on the player's head and, if he does things like that, he's got to take responsibility for it," Venables said.
UEFA have used video evidence this season to suspend Newcastle's Craig Bellamy and Alan Shearer, with Bellamy getting a three-game suspension for butting a Dynamo Kiev player and Shearer being banned for two matches for elbowing Internazionale's Fabio Cannavaro.
Bowyer can also expect a fine and may not be helped by a previous misdemeanour in Europe which saw him banned for three games in 2001 for stamping on Valencia's Juan Sanchez.
Chelsea are hopeful Gianfranco Zola (36) will agree to continue his playing at Stamford Bridge for another season and are to open contract talks with the striker.
Celtic will launch their own independent inquiry into reported problems after last week's UEFA Cup tie in Spain against Celta Vigo. One aeroplane carrying fans back to Glasgow was diverted to Cardiff after a disturbance was reported on board, while fans have complained about their treatment at the hands of Spanish police.
"Celtic supporters have a good reputation," the club said in a statement. "It is of great concern to the club that these incidents might unjustly tarnish that reputation and that of the club."
Barcelona president Joan Gaspart suffered another setback when his vice-president Gabriel Masfurroll resigned yesterday. He is the fourth vice-president to resign during Gaspart's two-year period in charge.
- Guardian Service
