Reid hoping to make a point
Peter Reid has the perfect incentive to keep Leeds in the Premiership as it has emerged he is being paid £5,000 per point. Leeds' caretaker manager, though, is dependant on the players pulling their weight on the pitch for if they fail to perform then the 46-year-old will not be earning. Reid, who will pick up an estimated £500,000 bonus for ensuring Leeds stay in the top flight, will be hoping for his first proper pay packet following the club's visit to Charlton on April 5th.
**********
Bellamy's 'not a racist'
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has insisted that controversial striker Craig Bellamy is not a racist. The 23-year-old Welshman was allegedly involved in an incident at a Cardiff nightclub over the wekend. South Wales Police are understood to want to question him over an incident. Shepherd has strongly denied that he is a racist.
"Craig Bellamy is no racist, there's absolutely no doubt about that," he said. "He may be a rascal, but he is certainly no racist." Shepherd's belief is borne out by Bellamy's relationships with United team-mates Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas, Titus Bramble, Olivier Bernard, Shola Ameobi, Lomana LuaLua and Carl Cort.
**********
Everton complain about referee
Everton have made an official complaint to the Premier League concerning comments allegedly made by referee Alan Wiley about Toffees striker Duncan Ferguson against Arsenal on Sunday.
The club say they have been "inundated" with calls from supporters reporting the remarks, with Wiley believed to have told the fourth official to "keep an eye" on the Scottish striker when he was coming on as substitute.
In Brief . . .
Newcastle and Sunderland will find out today if either of their bids to stage next year's UEFA Cup final has been successful. They are among nine contenders - including Hampden Park in Glasgow - to host the final. Michael Hughes has been drafted into the Northern Ireland squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Greece even though he has not played a club match this season. The midfielder offered his services to manager Sammy McIlroy after Norwich's Phil Mulryne withdrew with a hip injury and McIlroy is happy to have Hughes - who is training with Portsmouth - on board. Leeds have received assurances from the Football Association that their transfer dealings are not being investigated.
