Mixed day for SmithOn the same day Leeds United striker Alan Smith earned his first England call-up for 13 months he was arrested over allegations he threw a bottle into the crowd at Elland Road last month.
The 23-year-old was picked for the England squad for Sunday's friendly with Denmark at Old Trafford after being questioned and later released on bail about the alleged incident at the English League Cup clash with Manchester United on October 28th.
A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said Smith would have to return to a police station at a later date and a file would be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Gerrard forced out
Steven Gerrard has withdrawn from the England squad to face Denmark on Sunday with a back problem, adding to manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's injury problems.
And there is also a doubt over the fitness of Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell, who picked up a knee injury in a friendly match for his club in Dubai on Wednesday night. Eriksson has already had Gareth Southgate withdraw through injury.
An English FA spokesman said yesterday: "Gerrard has a back problem and further to discussions between ourselves and Liverpool, he has withdrawn from the squad."
Stam still uncertain
Scotland's chances of getting a result in tomorrow's Euro 2004 first leg play-off against Holland at Hampden Park were give a boost as Dutch central defenders Jaap Stam and Andre Ooijer missed training yesterday.
Stam, recently recovered from a hamstring injury, is bothered by a slight ankle problem. Ooijer has a shoulder injury.
Scotland manager Berti Vogts has worries of his own as Gavin Rae, Steven Pressley and Jackie McNamara did not train yesterday, but all are expected to be fit.
Meanwhile, the Welsh team arrived in Moscow yesterday for tomorrow's play-off duel with Russia without Mark Pembridge.
The Fulham midfielder is getting treatment on a calf injury and hopes to be fit for the return leg at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
United look east
Manchester United are close to signing teenage Chinese striker Dong Fanzhou according to manager Alex Ferguson.
The 18-year-old is currently playing for Dalian Shide in his native country and Ferguson confirmed yesterday: "We're signing a Chinese boy, hopefully in the next few weeks."
Dong had a trial at Old Trafford in September and his club manager Lin Lefeng added: "What United have offered is not meant to be disclosed, but I can assure you it is more than a million (pounds) we are talking about here."
Signing Dong would of course give United added appeal to the millions of Chinese television viewers who follow the Premiership.
Italy about to strike
Italy's top flight could grind to a halt on November 23th after five Serie A clubs threatened not to play their scheduled fixtures in a long-running dispute over TV royalties.
Yesterday's Lega Calcio assembly in Milan failed to find a solution to the current dispute between the league and the group of five clubs.
The five Serie A clubs - Brescia, Chievo, Ancona, Perugia and Empoli - are still unhappy over a TV revenue deal.
"On Sunday 23rd we will not play because today we have not given any promises," Brescia president Gino Corioni said.
The dispute almost prevented the season getting underway but the five clubs relented when they were assured a solution was in the pipeline. However, they have now threatened once more to withdraw with no sign of the money they had budgeted for.
No joy for O'Brien
Newcastle's Andy O'Brien has failed in his bid to overturn the red card he was shown in the 5-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend.
The Republic of Ireland defender's appeal to the English F A was unsuccessful and his suspension now begins on November 23.
West Ham striker Jermain Defoe also failed in his appeal against a dismissal.
Kinnear wants return
Former Republic of Ireland international Joe Kinnear has thrown his hat into the ring to become Crystal Palace's sixth manager in just three years.
The 56-year-old former Wimbledon manager was sacked by second division Luton Town last summer but is looking to return to the game.
He said yesterday: "There has been no contact but Palace would have a big attraction for me. I have always regarded them as a club of huge potential.
"I have been waiting for the right opportunity to get back into football and we will have to see what happens."
Kit Symons is temporarily in charge of Palace following the exit of Steve Kember.
Iran in hot water
Iran face FIFA sanctions after crowd trouble prompted opponents North Korea to walk off in the second half of their Asian Cup qualifier in Tehran on Wednesday night.
The game was abandoned when the visitors walked off in protest after one of their players was injured by a firecracker thrown from the crowd and the game was later abandoned. Iran were 1-0 up at the time.
Robson hits back
Bobby Robson has hit out at Lomana LuaLua after the striker criticised the Newcastle United manager for picking him only twice in Premiership starting line-ups this season.
"LuaLua has been a pretty poor professional about all this," said Robson. "What he should do is keep his mouth shut and get out there and do what he is paid for."
Tonight'sFixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
NATIONAL LEAGUE - Premier Division: Bohemians v Shelbourne (Live on Network 2, kick-off 8.05); Cork City v Derry City; Longford Town v St Patrick's Ath (8.00); Shamrock Rovers v Waterford Utd; UCD v Drogheda.
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - First Round, Second Leg: Mali v Guinea-Bissau; Algeria v Niger; Mauritania v Zimbabwe.
EURO 2004 UNDER-21 PLAY-OFFS - First Leg: Germany v Turkey (7.30); Serbia & Montenegro v Norway (5.00).
SCOTTISH LEAGUE - First Division: Clyde v St Mirren (7.30); Falkirk v Raith; Inverness CT v Ross County.
