A decision will be made on August 12th whether the European Group 9

World Cup qualifying match between Albania and Northern Ireland can be played in Albania as scheduled. FIFA said yesterday that it had decided to wait another three weeks before deciding whether the match should be switched from the Albanian capital, Tirana, to another venue.

The match is due to be played in Tirana on September 10th but has been put in doubt by the volatile political situation in Albania.

Two of Albania's previous home matches, against Germany and

Ukraine, were played in Spain for security reasons.

The bureau of FIFA's World Cup organising committee said recent developments in Albania necessitated the further delay in making a decision.

In England, Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson is to have talks today with striker Fabrizio Ravanelli over the Italian star's future at the Riverside Stadium.

The former Juventus forward is flying in from Italy with his agents to discuss the next move of his career, after being unable to agree personal terms with Everton over a £7.5 million transfer.

Unless there is a breakthrough, Ravanelli could start the new season in the Nationwide first division with relegated Boro.

Robson said: "If Ravanelli does not go to Everton and no-one else comes in with the money, then he will stay here. I want to find out what has gone on.

"I also need to find out about Ravanelli's own feelings. I am not prepared to accept anything but a positive attitude from all my players this season."

Meanwhile, Les Ferdinand, the Newcastle striker linked recently with Premiership rivals Tottenham and Everton, wants to stay at St

James' Park.

The 30-year-old England international is aware that both Spurs and

Everton are ready to break the bank to sign him.

But he said yesterday: "I have never said that I want to go. I

would love to stay. Don't forget Alan Shearer and myself formed the most successful partnership in the Premiership last season as far as goals are concerned.

"Why would I want to walk away from all that? All I want to do is to get on playing with Newcastle United."

Meanwhile, the Juventus forward, Attilio Lombardo, could sign for

Crystal Palace for £2.1 million this week.

The Italian is set to discuss personal terms of around £

500,000 a year with manager Steve Coppell.

Palace have already bought Watford goalkeeper Kevin Miller and have also targeted Blackburn's versatile player Paul Warhurst.

The Dutch soccer association yesterday settled a dispute between

Feyenoord and Henrik Larsson, clearing the way for the Swedish striker to join Scottish side Celtic.

The two parties had disagreed over a clause in his contract allowing Larsson to leave for a foreign club for £993,000

before the contract runs out in 1999.

The Dutch FA ruled that Larsson was free to move to Celtic on payment of the sum.