The English Football Association have charged Wimbledon defender Ben Thatcher with misconduct after the game against Sunderland on Monday.
The FA requested video evidence of an incident where Thatcher was seen elbowing Sunderland winger Nicky Summerbee in Wimbledon's 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park.
"We requested a video of the game yesterday morning and have charged Ben Thatcher with misconduct," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said.
The incident lead to Carl Cort's winner in the game but was missed by referee Graham Poll.
Thatcher was apologetic after the incident but insisted the challenge was accidental and said: "I was running flat out for a 50/50 ball.
"He pulled out of the challenge after I'd already braced myself for contact. If my elbow caught him I apologise. It was certainly unintentional."
Summerbee was forced to leave the field with concussion and Thatcher now has 14 days to respond to the charge.
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was told yesterday that he would not need a second operation on his troublesome ankle.
The England forward underwent a third scan on Tuesday as Liverpool's medical team attempted to find a reason for the discomfort in the ankle joint.
Fowler has been complaining of pain when running since an operation in October to remove a spur from the bone.
Liverpool's French manager, Gerard Houllier, said yesterday: "The doctor is adamant the problem will not need another operation and we hope the rest will help."
Barcelona's European Footballer of the Year Rivaldo bowed to the authority of his coach Louis van Gaal yesterday, agreeing to return to the team on the left side of the attack.
The Brazil midfielder was dropped from the Barcelona squad before Christmas after telling van Gaal he would no longer play up front on the left, arguing his most effective position was as a central midfielder.
But yesterday Rivaldo relented, meeting the Dutch coach for half an hour after his latest solitary training session to tell him he would return under the coach's orders.
"After speaking with my family here in Barcelona and back in Brazil I've decided to play as the coach wants me to," Rivaldo said.
Celtic and Rangers have still to decide whether to protest against the Scottish Premier League opting against switching the date of the next derby game despite a clash with a host of international friendlies.
Neither have formally complained about the ruling, but the matter will be discussed at senior level at both Glasgow clubs in the coming days.
Celtic are due to play Rangers at Celtic Park on Wednesday, February 23rd but both sides are likely to face demands from countries that their players be released for international duty.
The SPL's guidelines stipulate that at least three players must be called up by their countries for a match to be postponed, but there remains the potential for further friendlies to be arranged.
Bradford midfielder Peter Beagrie (34) yesterday signed a new extended contract to keep him at the club until June 2001.
