Today's other stories in brief

Hughes asked to explain comments on Clattenburg

MANCHESTER City are prepared to use video evidence, recorded in the players’ tunnel, to contest any FA charges following Mark Hughes’ criticism of the referee Mark Clattenburg over his dismissal of Craig Bellamy.

The FA has written to Hughes asking him to explain his comments made in the wake of the draw at Bolton, which saw Bellamy wrongly shown a second yellow card for diving. Afterwards, Hughes called the decision “laughable” and added, “I don’t appreciate it when refs go out for the second half telling my support staff who they like and who they don’t in my team.” Sources at Eastlands allege that Clattenburg turned to one of the Manchester City physios before the second half began and asked him: “How do you work with Craig Bellamy all week?” The club will ask for footage recorded in the tunnel to back up their claim.

Estudiantes book place in final

SOUTH American champions Estudiantes booked their place in the Club World Cup final with a nervy victory over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers, who finished the game with eight men following a flurry of second-half cards in Abu Dhabi.

Leandro Benitez was the match-winner, scoring in first-half injury time to give his side the lead before adding a second eight minutes into the second period.

Denilson set up a tense finish when he netted 19 minutes from time but Estudiantes were able to hold on for victory.

Estudiantes will play the winners of today’s semi-final between Mexicans Atlante and European Cup winners and Spanish champions Barcelona.

Mourinho says no to public apology

INTER MILAN coach Jose Mourinho has admitted he verbally abused a journalist after Sundays 1-1 draw with Atalanta but denied that there was physical contact.

League officials and Inter president Massimo Moratti are investigating the incident outside the team bus after Italy’s sports journalists’ union complained.

“It’s true I insulted one of your colleagues with a word I cannot repeat that was offensive. But it is not true that there was aggressive intent or physical contact,” Mourinho said yesterday.

Mourinho, who has lamented the grilling he gets from Italian media so much that reports have speculated he could quit in May, said he snapped because the journalist had been standing by the team bus for months despite his protests.

“I will not make a public apology because the situation was not public but private,” added the Portuguese, whose Serie A leaders host Livorno in the Italian Cup tonight.

Eriksson to stay at County

FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has pledged his future to English League Two club Notts County after manager Hans Backe resigned yesterday. “I am aware that Hans’ decision has led to speculation about my own position here,” the director of football said. “I believe the management buyout is a positive first step for the club and we look forward to confirming further investments.”