UEFA is to take control of negotiations with the European Commission over the future of the transfer system, after a climbdown by FIFA yesterday averted a major split in world football.
In a hard-hitting meeting in Zurich, FIFA acceded to UEFA demands that it withdraw a controversial document outlining its proposals for a new transfer system and allow European football's governing body to assume full control of how the system can be amended to comply with European labour laws.
The FIFA president Sepp Blatter was told by UEFA's president Lennart Johansson that unless UEFA's demands were met and the EC notified that the document would be withdrawn, UEFA would open direct negotiations with the EC and introduce its own transfer rules and regulations.
The meeting was called after FIFA unilaterally submitted its own transfer proposal - that players should be allowed to move on three months' notice - to the EC last week, causing widespread anger within European football and prompting rumours of a possible split.
The Premier League will have a new sponsor for next season after Carling yesterday pulled out of the bidding. Carling have sponsored the Premiership almost since its inception. Parent company Bass blamed "indecision" among Premier League chairmen for their decision. However, the real sticking point in the negotiations was the amount of money they were prepared to pay to continue their eight-year association with the Premiership.
It is believed Carling had offered £39 million over three years, while rival bidder Budweiser were offering £45 million.
Leeds and South Africa star Lucas Radebe is set to retire from the international game after next week's World Cup qualifier with South Africa.
The latest tug of war which has raged over the last few days between Leeds and the South African Football Association has "deeply affected" Radebe.
The 31-year-old central defender is understood to find the position he has been left in is untenable, but for the sake of his long-term future, feels he is making the correct decision.
A group of Manchester United fans hope to head off any future takeover by unveiling ambitious plans to buy a 10 per cent stake in the club.
Shareholders United, a pressure group set up two years ago to fight BSkyB's controversial plans to take over the club, claims to have the backing of Alex Ferguson and wants fans to buy the shares as a way of ensuring United remain independent.
"A 10 per cent stake would make us the biggest single shareholder and act as an automatic block to future threats of hostile takeover," said Oliver Houston, a spokesman for Shareholders United.
Houston conceded that the scheme was hugely ambitious given that a 10 per cent stake in United would cost £57 million. Even if 10,000 fans committed to spend £10 a month each on shares it would take them more than 47 years to reach their target.
The real significance of the scheme is that it is being launched with the blessing of the club and is an indication of how relations between the United board and rebel fan groups are improving.
Newcastle have finally parted company with stay-away defender Didier Domi after accepting a £3 million bid from his former club Paris St Germain.
The 22-year-old returned to PSG after United cut their losses on a player who went absent without leave a month ago.
One of Domi's new teammates, striker Nicolas Anelka, is set to face police questioning after allegedly assaulting a journalist from French sports daily L'Equipe.
Sebastien Tarrago, who was attending the French first division side's daily training session, has lodged a complaint to police alleging Anelka had "lightly assaulted" him.
Leicester City have completed the signing of striker Dean Sturridge from midlands rivals Derby county, the club said yesterday. Sturridge, 27, moved for £350,000 after passing his medical and agreeing personal terms and could make his debut in today's home league game against Arsenal.
He is also qualified to play in Leicester's FA Cup fourth round tie against Aston Villa.
West Ham United's Chilean international defender Javier Margas has retired from soccer because of a knee injury.
