Juventus sign Mutu: Juventus have signed former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu on a five-year deal, the club announced yesterday.
The Romanian international, sacked by the west London side in October after testing positive for cocaine, is serving a seven-month ban but will be available for the last two rounds of matches in Serie A when his suspension come to an end on May 18th.
The 26-year-old is returning to Italy's top flight after stints with Inter Milan, Verona and Parma.
No pressure on Spanish
UEFA will not "put pressure" on the Spanish Football Federation after Atletico Madrid were fined a meagre E600 for the racist behaviour of their fans during Sunday's derby game with Real Madrid.
Robert Carlos received prolonged abuse during the game but it was judged to be only a minor misdemeanour by the committee, hence the relatively small fine.
UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: "The incident was the responsibility of the Spanish football authorities and UEFA views their decision as a positive outcome, in line with our own policy on such matters. The fine was relatively small, but we are the association of associations and we do not interfere with the internal business of any country."
He added: "In Europe, we do not tolerate this behaviour and UEFA has its own standard of fines for these incidents. But we will not be putting pressure on the Spanish authorities."
Agent defends fees
A leading football agent has defended his profession before the publication today of a new report which is expected to reveal a huge rise in the level of transfer payments made by clubs to third parties.
The Football League's second half-yearly Agents Report is expected to show its clubs paid £5 million to agents over the past six months - an increase of £3.6 million on the total for the equivalent period up to June.
Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney has insisted the report - which includes an individual club-by-club breakdown - is necessary for reasons of transparency and accountability.
But its publication has been criticised by First Artist chief executive Jon Smith, who insists agents continue to be made convenient targets.
"There are good agents and bad agents but we are not the catch-all for all the sins of the football fathers. Mr Mawhinney should spend more time helping improve his clubs' financial circumstances and protecting the future of the Football League instead of worrying about third-party commissions," he said.
Leeds, who were relegated from the top flight last year, are expected to be named as the biggest spenders on agents over the last half year, with local reports putting the figure at around £1.6 million.
Boro consider Dacourt
Middlesbrough have added the name of the former Leeds United and Everton midfielder Olivier Dacourt to their list of possible January signings.
Steve McClaren wants a temporary replacement for the injured George Boateng and he may be able to get the 30-year-old Dacourt, now at Roma, on loan for the rest of the season.
Roma, who are in debt, have to offload players and Dacourt has long been touted as one of those who could be sold or loaned out. The France midfielder has not played for Roma since October because of injury but is believed to be approaching full fitness and would be a neat fit for Boateng, who has a broken toe.
O'Brien ignores rumours
Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien has said he is not taking talk of a transfer out of St James' Park seriously and has insisted he wants to stay at the club - despite interest from Aston Villa.
Villa expressed an interest in the Irishman after Jean-Alain Boumsong and Celestine Babayaro signed for Newcastle but O'Brien wants to stay at the north east of England side.
"I'm paid by Newcastle United to give my best for the club and as long as I'm contracted to them I will always give 100 per cent," said O'Brien. "Of course some of the stories are worrying and, yes, it has been an unsettling time. But nobody at the club has said anything to me about my future and I intend to sit tight until I hear something concrete. As far as my own future is concerned, I take the stories with a pinch of salt."
Meanwhile, Sammy Kuffour's agent has held talks with the United chairman Freddy Shepherd. The Bayern Munich defender is still a Newcastle target and will continue to be until Newcastle know if Sylvain Distin, from whom they have bid £5 million, is staying at Manchester City.
Greeks clubs in court
Officials from Olympiakos Piraeus and Panionios will appear before a Sports Court today charged with failing to control their fans following riots that led to the postponement of Sunday's match between the two sides.
Trouble at Panionios began an hour before kick-off as up to 2,500 Olympiakos fans, most of them without tickets, attempted to get into the ground. Olympiakos had been given 322 tickets but about 1,000 supporters got into the ground and began fighting Panionios fans and police.
In brief . . .
Blackburn have rejected a bid from Rangers for Barry Ferguson . . . Chelsea and Liverpool are in the hunt for Leeds goalkeeper England under-21 international Scott Carson, who is likely to leave Elland Road for about £1 million . . . Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has placed seven of his squad on the transfer list. Striker Henrik Pedersen heads the list which also includes Fernando Hierro, Julio Cesar, Florent Laville, Anthony Barness, Blessing Kaku and Kevin Poole . . . Aston Villa midfielder Gavin McCann is facing three months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.
