UEFA have not ruled out the prospect of Ryan Giggs being banned for the second leg of Wales' Euro 2004 play-off with Russia - but it appears unlikely because of the timescale involved.
The Russian Football Union have forwarded a tape of the first leg in Moscow to UEFA, with a view to them looking at what the Russians claim was an elbow by Giggs on full back Vadim Evseev.
However, UEFA have not yet received the tape and would need to have it in their possession by this morning at the latest for any action to be taken that would affect Giggs's participation in the match at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow.
Wales were furious with Russia's approach to the game and Giggs complained one tackle on him by Evseev was "one of the worst I have had to contend with in my career". Mark Hughes's side were also angry over Russia's refusal to give the ball back to Wales after play was halted by a flare thrown on to the pitch.
UEFA have all but ruled out the possibility of rescinding Christian Dailly's booking to enable the Scot to face the Netherlands in Amsterdam tomorrow.
The West Ham defender was shown the yellow card by Norwegian referee Terje Hauge during Saturday's play-off first-leg victory.
Dailly was cautioned for kicking the ball away and Hauge later admitted that he made a mistake when he realised that the player had genuinely not heard the whistle.
But, despite that, UEFA insisted there was little chance the decision would be overturned for him to take on Dick Advocaat's men again.
"We haven't received any official complaint or protest yet from the SFA," said a UEFA spokesperson. "The only possibility of this being overturned is when there is a case of mistaken identity and then you can cancel the yellow card."
Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde fainted during a television interview yesterday, but the Dutch FA have said he would be fit to play in tomorrow's return leg.
Van der Meyde, a constant danger against the Scots despite the 1-0 defeat in Glasgow, suffered constriction of the blood vessels, aggravated by heat from the TV spotlights during an interview at a Dutch team news conference.
Meanwhile, Ireland under-20 manager Gerry Smith has lost a third member of the World Youth Cup squad he named last month, with Sunderland midfielder Seán Thornton withdrawing yesterday with an ankle ligament injury, reports Mary Hannigan.
Charlton Athletic's Adrian Deane and Newcastle United's Stephen Brennan pulled out of the squad last week. St Patrick's Athletic's Keith Fahey has been called up as Thornton's replacement.
The team plays its final warm-up game against Paraguay at Richmond Park tomorrow night before departing for the United Arab Emirates the next day.
Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue heaved a sigh of relief yesterday when he was cleared of violent behaviour following a clash with Southampton striker Kevin Phillips.
Doncaster have confirmed the signing of Wolves midfielder John Melligan on a one-month loan deal.
Rovers boss Dave Penney has acquired the Irishman's services in an attempt to halt a recent slump in form and provide some attacking impetus.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Gareth Farrelly has ended his loan spell with Burnley and has returned to Bolton.
