SoccerShorts: Everton striker Duncan Ferguson has been hit with a three-match ban by the Football Association which will commence at the start of next season.
The Scottish striker had pleaded not guilty by letter to the FA after being charged with violent conduct following an alleged elbowing incident involving Aston Villa midfielder Joey Gudjonsson in April. Ferguson also declined the opportunity of a personal hearing. Television cameras captured Ferguson's clash with the Icelandic midfielder, but the incident was missed by referee Graham Poll. The FA then referred the incident to their video panel, who decided Ferguson should be charged.
Meanwhile, Everton are considering responding Wayne Rooney-mania by imposing a cap on season ticket sales for the first time in their 125-year history. With a ground capacity of 40,170, Everton topped 40,000 for the final five games of last season. Now they are approaching 27,000 season ticket sales, the point where they may decide to introduce a cap. They want to keep 10,000 tickets for general sale, along with 3,000 for visiting fans.
Cisse seeks move
French international Djibril Cisse has challenged Auxerre's decision to block his dream move to Liverpool. The Auxerre president Jean-Claude Hamel claimed earlier this week that it was "out of the question" that Cisse would leave in the summer.
But the 22-year-old striker has reiterated his desire to move to Anfield despite being contracted to Auxerre until 2007.
Cisse, whom Liverpool believe they can sign for around £12 million, told France Football magazine: "I dream of joining this club now. Everyone needs to know that. I am strong enough to leave, I want to go and see what happens in England. In life you have to take risks and I know at Liverpool they want me. If I don't join them now I will be disappointed."
If Cisse does finally get his way to join Liverpool, he will find plenty of his compatriots around Anfield, including Gerard Houllier's new first team coach Christian Damiano, who was assistant to Jean Tigana at Fulham until April.
Amoruso wanted
Rangers' Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso has claimed Manchester United and Arsenal have joined the chase to sign him. Blackburn have already tabled an offer. "It is obviously very flattering but, as I have said all along, my dream would be to finish my career in Glasgow and I really mean that - no matter who wants to sign me. But I have to be realistic, and if that can't happen, then I will look at my options."
Africans seek cup
Football's world governing body FIFA confirmed yesterday that six African countries have entered the preliminary race to host the 2010 World Cup finals. Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia all applied by the May 31st, 2003, deadline to stage the finals in Africa for the first time, said a statement from FIFA.
In brief . . .
AS Roma's Brazil international Cafu is close to completing a move to Champions League winners AC Milan, according to Italian news agency ANSA yesterday . . . Leeds have denied they are in talks with Arsenal over Australian international Harry Kewell . . . Gabriel Batistuta is set to sign for Qatari club Al-Arabi, the Argentine press reported yesterday, but Chelsea are also believed to be interested in the striker whose 54 goals in 78 appearances make him Argentina's leading scorer.
