A round-up of other soccer news in brief...
Newcastle fear Keegan claims decision
NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley could be forced to put the club into administration if former manager Kevin Keegan wins a massive compensation pay-out.
It is understood some at the club fear Keegan could be awarded far in excess of the £9 million which has been reported if he successfully argues his case.
That would have major financial implications for the cash-strapped championship club, with administration the most stark of a range of options.
Keegan’s claim for constructive dismissal, which is being heard by a Premier League independent arbitration panel, is expected to reach a conclusion tomorrow.
Should Ashley choose administration, the club would lose 10 points, a penalty which would undermine their efforts to drag themselves back into the Premier League at the first attempt.
Everton demand Diouf apology
EVERTON have called on Blackburn striker El-Hadji Diouf to apologise and retract his claim that he was subjected to racial abuse during Sunday’s Premier League match at Goodison Park.
Diouf is being investigated by Merseyside Police for alleged racial abuse of a 14-year-old ball boy at the match. Diouf told police after the final whistle – and repeated the claim on Monte Carlo Radio – that bananas were thrown at him from the Everton crowd.
Officers immediately scoured the area next to the pitch and in the stands but no bananas were found. No pictures have surfaced to back up his claim either.
Everton’s director of communications Ian Ross said that Diouf’s claims about bananas being thrown were false.
He said: “That is a wholly false allegation and I really would like him to retract that allegation and apologise to the supporters and staff of this football club.”
Fenlon confirms Bohemians will retain full-time squad
BOHEMIANS manager Pat Fenlon has confirmed that the club will retain a full-time squad of players for next season after being told what his budget for the 2010 season will be, reports Emmet Malone.
“The budget is between me and the club to be honest and I’m not going to discuss it,” he said yesterday. “But I do know what it is and as far as I’m concerned, in the current climate it’s a decent enough budget to work with so I just have to get on with it.”
Asked whether it was enough to keep the squad full-time, he said it was before adding in relation to the current group: “Well we’ll do our best to hold onto them all – the ones that I want to hold onto anyway.” The league leaders have, he said, “about five or six” players under contract for next year which according to league director Fran Gavin is actually high in percentage terms. “Eighty seven per cent of players are out of contract at the end of the season,” he said. “That’s nearly 300 players and it means clubs can dictate the market.”
McGeady could miss two games
CELTIC manager Tony Mowbray admits he only has himself to blame after Aiden McGeady limped out of Wednesday nights 4-0 Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk..
Mowbray made eight changes and rested several first-team players for the third round tie at the Falkirk Stadium but opted to throw McGeady into the action when Celtic were leading by three goals
However, he is now lamenting that decision after the Republic of Ireland international was forced out of the match in the closing minutes with an ankle injury and could now be considered a doubt for this weekends league game at St Mirren and possibly even next weeks Europa League tie against Rapid Vienna.
Mowbray said: We have a concern for Aiden, who took a knock on his ankle, and Ill probably beat myself up tonight about why I brought McGeady on when I left five at home.
I should have resisted putting him on and he has got a knock but lets hope its not a bad one.”
Van der Sar considers United future
MANCHESTER United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has revealed that he will make his mind up over his future in December.
The 38-year-old is currently on the sidelines nursing a hand injury but admits that the time to call it a day is getting ever closer.
With Ben Foster challenging the Dutchman for the number one jersey at Old Trafford, despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, Van der Sar may opt to hang up his gloves while he is still at the top of his game.
Ive said for a few years that it sometimes may be my last season, he said. Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.
I wait each season to see how or where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can get motivated.
But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.”
Ireland gets the all-clear
MANCHESTER Citys Stephen Ireland has been given the all-clear after being taken to hospital following the 2-1 extra-time League Cup win over Fulham.
The 23-year-old was substituted in Wednesday’s victory at Eastlands after complaining of dizziness and feeling unwell. However, precautionary tests revealed nothing was wrong. Ireland is expected to resume training over the weekend.
Celtic land Hearts clash at home
HOLDERS Celtic have been drawn at home to Hearts in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
Dundee, the only non-Premier League survivors, host Scottish champions Rangers.
Dundee knocked out Aberdeen in the third round on Tuesday.
St Johnstone host a Tayside derby, with Dundee United making the short trip to Perth, while Motherwell travel to Paisley to take on St Mirren.
Meanwhile, China captain Zheng Zhi has arrived in Scotland and will complete his move to Celtic on Friday.
The 29-year-old defender, who can also play in midfield, left English League One side Charlton when his contract expired in June.
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP - Quarter-final draw: Celtic v Hearts; Dundee v Rangers; St Johnstone v Dundee Utd; St Mirren v Motherwell. Ties to be played in the week commencing October 26th.
