The English Premier League raised doubts yesterday about the validity of strike action being contemplated by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) over the distribution of television money.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "The last fax from Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said they wanted to know why we thought we had the right to take industrial action. We are also getting letters of a similar nature from all the club chairmen, saying we have no right to take such action. But we do, we know we do - we have basic human rights and we have employment rights as well and we will go to court to prove it."

Barcelona coach Carles Rexach has decided to rest Rivaldo for their league match at struggling Real Sociedad today despite the fact that doctors have given the Brazilian forward the all-clear to play. "I don't think he is yet ready to give 100 percent," Rexach said yesterday.

David Seaman has emerged as England's latest fitness worry ahead of next week's World Cup qualifying decider against Greece as Sven-Goran Eriksson is forced to confront the spectre of injury problems.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad joined Stockport on loan yesterday, the English first division side putting him straight into the side for today's league clash away to Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City have signed Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo from French club St Etienne for £1.5 million sterling.

Iraq kept up the pressure on Saudi Arabia and Iran with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain in their Asian zone Group A World Cup qualifier yesterday.

The victory moved Iraq into third place in the group. Saudi Arabia are top with 10 points followed by Iran with eight points.

The country finishing second faces the runners-up in Group B - at the moment Qatar, who drew yesterday 2-2 with Uzebistan - to decide who meets the runners-up from Europe's Group Two, most likely Ireland, with the winners going through to the finals.