Roy Keane insists there will be no repeat of his harassment of referees this season. The Manchester United captain admitted yesterday he had been "bang out of order" in his treatment of referee Andy d'Urso last season, when he led a posse of United players in angrily contesting a penalty decision at Old Trafford.

The English FA announced a disciplinary crackdown yesterday, with the protection of match officials at the heart of the new measures.

Keane said of the incident with d'Urso: "I was wrong and I think the team were wrong."

While he escaped with no more than a booking, he would be suspended for at least three matches and fined a week's wages if he were to step out of line in a similar way this coming season. A repeat offence in the same season would lead to a further suspension of at least four games, while threatening behaviour and words combined would lead to a similar ban.

Any player who lays hands on a referee will be given a ban of at least 12 games and a year-long suspension for any repetition. Dissent will be punished by the ball being moved forward 10 yards.

If three or more players from the same team were to intimidate or harass a referee their club would be heavily fined.

Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson is in Spain trying to sign Barcelona striker Dani in a £12 million deal. The club is also interested in Lazio's Croatian striker Alen Boksic, who could cost £2.5 million.

Jamie Redknapp's knee operation in the US has been deemed a success by specialists according to Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier.

Sunderland have signed Slovakian international Stanislav Varga for £875,000 sterling. The 6 ft 5 in, 27-year-old defender has joined from Slovan Bratislava subject to being given a work permit.

Sunderland, on tour at present, drew 2-2 against Mechelen in Holland on Wednesday night, with Niall Quinn scoring both goals. Kevin Phillips has had to return from the tour with an injury which Reid says is not serious.

Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland under-16 team beat hosts Northern Ireland in the play-off for fifth to eighth places in the Milk Cup tournament yesterday. Their game against Wales or Co Down today will determine whether the Republic finish fifth or sixth. Dean Buckley scored the only goal after a Mark O'Brien header came back off the bar.

Republic of Ireland: M Cranley; M Byrne, K Brennan, P Ennis, K Sharkey; P Power, S Bradley, S Rice, M O'Brien; D Buckley, D Behan. Subs: J Salmon for Buckley.