The English Football Association have charged Paul Ince with misconduct following his V-sign after he was sent off in England's Euro 2000 qualifying defeat in Sweden last month - even though Glenn Hoddle had dismissed the incident as "not an issue".

The Liverpool midfielder has already received a three-match ban from UEFA for his red card and the comments he made to referee Pier-luigi Collina as he left the pitch.

Because of that ban, Ince is ruled out of England's next qualifying match against Poland on March 27th. He now has 14 days to respond to the FA charge. If found guilty by the FA, he could find himself fined and suspended from England's two forthcoming friendlies - against the Czech Republic on November 18th and against opposition yet to be named in February.

The England manager's critics will be likely to view the FA charge against Ince as a public slap-down for the England coach. In the aftermath of the match in Sweden, Hoddle declared that he would be speaking to Ince about the matter but failed to indicate that any disciplinary action would be taken against him.

Waterford United yesterday named former England international Mike Flanagan as their caretaker manager. The 45-year-old will take charge immediately and look after the first team until a permanent appointment is made.

Flanagan had stints with Crystal Palace and QPR as a player and is a former first team coach with Charlton. He also has experience of management having had a spell in charge at Gillingham.

Brighton chairman Dick Knight yesterday claimed the English Football League's tribunal ruling that Aston Villa should pay substantial compensation for Gareth Barry was a victory for the little clubs.

Teenager Barry moved to Villa last year for a minimal £3,200 under Brian Little but since the start of the season, he has played an integral part in the Midlands club's rise to the top of the Premiership.

Villa must pay an initial £150,000 and further payments based on appearances, rising to a possible total of £1 million plus.