Soccer Shorts: Malcolm Glazer's family are expected to review security arrangements after supporters attempted to confront them at a Manchester city-centre hotel after Sunday's game against Fulham.
Riot police were called to disperse what is understood to have been a pre-planned, yet unsuccessful, attempt to attack Manchester United's owners by a 30-strong group five hours after the match at Old Trafford.
The incident occurred at the Victoria and Albert hotel close to Granada's studios after news had spread that Glazer's sons, Bryan and Avi, might have had rooms booked there. The police confirmed hotel staff had rung 999 because of a threat of violence and that a fire alarm had been set off.
The family insist on travelling in cars with blacked-out windows, although Bryan Glazer stated earlier in the summer they had now been "accepted" by United's fans.
Boulahrouz at Bridge
Khalid Boulahrouz has become Chelsea's sixth summer signing after completing his move from Hamburg. Versatile defender Boulahrouz (24) signed a three-year contract after passing his medical and agreeing personal terms over the weekend.
The fee is reported to be about £6 million and the Holland international is eligible for Europe because he did not play in Hamburg's Champions League qualifier against Osasuna.
But William Gallas faces a year in football oblivion after Chelsea's patience finally snapped over the France international's attempts to move. Chelsea's hierarchy is poised to order the World Cup finalist to spend the final year of his contract in the reserves, a decision that has Jose Mourinho's blessing.
Gallas might be able to leave the club as the bargaining chip in a swap deal for Ashley Cole. But Chelsea may prefer to take Cole in a cash deal worth between £15 million and £20 million and condemn Gallas to 12 months out of the first team.
Vennegoor warning
Eindhoven striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has warned Celtic they will have to improve the personal terms they are prepared to offer if they want to sign the Holland international.
The 27-year-old was expected to fly to Glasgow early in the week to discuss terms. However, Vennegoor of Hesselink told Scottish Television the Parkhead club would have to meet his demands.
He said: "There is a big difference between what Celtic are offering and what I'm wanting."
Roeder wants Martins
With Newcastle's chairman, Freddy Sheperd, said to be relaxed about the latest takeover speculation regarding the club, he and manager Glenn Roeder spent yesterday trying to make progress with incoming and outgoing transfers.
Jean-Alain Boumsong was due in Turin for talks with Juventus over a move - Newcastle apparently persuading Juve's new manager Didier Deschamps to part with more than £4 million for the error-prone defender - and any money brought in will be used in an attempt to recruit, also from Italy.
Internazionale's Obafemi Martins remains the sort of pacy striker that Roeder wants to see play alongside Shola Ameobi. Newcastle are still negotiating with Internazionale and ideally would like to have the Nigerian signed in time for the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Juve may change tack
Juventus will ask a civil court to overturn their relegation to Serie B for match-fixing after their appeal with Italy's top sports body failed, the club said yesterday. The soccer club said in a statement it would also consider filing a fresh appeal with the sports body's arbitration court. A tribunal in July stripped Juve of their last two Italian titles and demoted them to Serie B, where they will start the coming season with a 17-point deduction following the match-fixing scandal.
In brief . . .
Sam Allardyce is hoping Fenerbahce will finally relent and allow Nicholas Anelka to make his Premiership return with Bolton after an 18-month exile in Turkey. French midfielder Robert Pires will miss most of his first season at Villarreal after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee. Udinese have refused Portsmouth permission to speak to Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari.
