Other soccer stories in brief
Thaksin's committed to City 'vision'
THAKSIN SHINAWATRA remains committed to his "10-year vision" for Manchester City, according to executive chairman Garry Cook.
The Premier League club's owner is seeking refuge in Britain after he and his wife skipped a court hearing in Bangkok. However, Cook has denied that the shock development would destabilise the club.
"City's future is not in jeopardy," Cook said. "In the short term, it is business as usual. We don't rely on Dr Thaksin's money.
"When Mark Hughes makes a decision we go through the normal process, which can include banks, finance, or a whole bunch of different things just like any other club."
Cook claims that the former Thai Prime Minister - who denies all charges against him - might look in the long term to get extra investment in through "partnership" deals. "He is willing to look at whatever it takes to make City a great football club," said Cook.
Grant survives a close call
THE FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant and his family have emerged unharmed after a light aircraft crashed close to them in Namibia.
Grant, who was in the country doing charity work, was on the tarmac with his wife, Zofit, and two children waiting to board the plane.
As it approached, the plane failed to activate its landing undercarriage and crashed into trees 10 metres away from Grant and his family.
Sanchez bought to back up Spurs
TOTTENHAM HAVE confirmed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez from Spanish club Real Zaragoza.
The 36-year-old is expected to be the understudy for Heurelho Gomes, who has been signed from PSV Eindhoven as Paul Robinson's replacement.
Sanchez, who earned a Spanish cap earlier in his career, played in the Champions League final for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.
Monaco forward Nene claims he is a target of Tottenham and Roma.
The 27-year-old confirmed no official offer has yet been made, but expects developments in the next few days. "I have had contact with representatives of those two clubs (Tottenham and Roma)," Nene said.
"They asked Monaco about my situation and about the chance of buying me."
Nene has spent the majority of his career in Spain, having had spells with Real Mallorca, Alaves and Celta Vigo before moving to the principality club last summer.
Top-flight captains to aid referees
TOP-FLIGHT clubs have flung their support behind a Premier League initiative which will place more responsibility on club captains to control their team-mates and respect referees in a bid to curb the ugly scenes which have marred some high-profile games in recent seasons.
The Get On With The Game campaign, a response to the English FA's recently launched Respect scheme, is supported by all 20 clubs and will see captains and senior coaching staff present at the exchange of the team sheets in advance of every league fixture in a bid to open another line of communication with referees.
Officials will also seek the captains' cooperation on the pitch at flash points in matches, while television monitors are to be removed from technical areas in a bid to avoid overt dissent over decisions.
Cuellar exit gives Rangers cash for Loovens bid
RANGERS ARE poised to utilise funds made available from Carlos Cuellar's €9.9 million move to Aston Villa by reigniting their interest in the Cardiff City defender Glenn Loovens. Negotiations over the player broke down last month, with City seeking €3.8 million for the Dutchman and Rangers only willing to pay €2.5 million.
However, a bid of €3.2 million is now thought to be imminent, with Rangers' unwanted Gabon striker Daniel Cousin also a potential makeweight in the deal. Cardiff are aware that Loovens, out of contract next summer, will be a January Bosman target for the Ibrox club.
Meanwhile, the former Rangers striker John MacDonald believes the club's embarrassing European exit at the hands of FBK Kaunas was the spur for Cuellar's move to Villa.
MacDonald said: "If Rangers had still been in Europe I think Carlos would have stayed for another season. He would probably have liked another go at the Champions League, after all he isn't going to get that at Aston Villa."
Eto'o gets another chance at Barca
SAMUEL ETO'O will remain a Barcelona player for the coming season, coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Eto'o was one of three high-profile Barca players who were told earlier this summer they would be allowed to leave Camp Nou, the others being Ronaldinho and Deco.
But while Ronaldinho has joined AC Milan and Deco moved to Stamford Bridge, Eto'o has remained at Barca and, after impressing at pre-season, Guardiola has decided the Cameroon international has a future at the club.
"Josep Guardiola has explained in the press conference . . . that Samuel Eto'o will continue one more season as an azulgrana (Barca player)," said a Barcelona spokesperson.
