Southampton manager David Jones has been questioned by officers investigating allegations of child abuse, it emerged yesterday. The former Everton defender voluntarily visited a police station in Liverpool yesterday in connection with Operation Care.
In a statement, Merseyside police said: "A 42-year-old man from the Southampton area was arrested yesterday in connection with Operation Care.
"The man was subsequently bailed to reappear at a police station in Liverpool on September 17th.
"Operation Care is an inquiry into incidents of historic child abuse," the spokesman added.
Jones's club, Southampton, ensured their survival in the Premiership by beating Everton 2-0 at The Dell on the last game of the season.
Born in Liverpool, Jones made his Everton debut in 1976 playing as a full back after joining the club as a junior in 1974. He made 95 appearances for Everton before moving to Coventry City in 1979.
A spokeswoman for Southampton Football Club confirmed that Jones had made a "voluntary visit" to police on Tuesday, but she stressed he had not been arrested.
"The club has no statement to make. It's a personal matter for Dave," she said. Jones is currently on holiday along with the rest of the coaching staff at the club.
World Rankings: England and Scotland's struggles in the Euro 2000 qualifiers were yesterday reflected by slides in the latest FIFA world rankings.
In the top 10 at the turn of the year, England have continued their apparent free-fall under Kevin Keegan and are now 13th.
That follows the recent failures to defeat Sweden and Bulgaria. Scotland's Group Nine rivals the Czech Republic are now up to third in the rankings after becoming the first country to qualify for Euro 2000.
Craig Brown's men performed well in Prague to lose 3-2, but their 1-1 draw with the Faroe Islands sees a dip of six places from 21st to 27th.
The Republic of Ireland have fared better, rising three places to 35th, while Northern Ireland are unchanged in 69th position.
1 Brazil 808pts, 2 France 781, 3 Czech Republic 753, 4 Italy 750, 5 Germany 733, 6 Spain 732, 7 Croatia 723, 8 Argentina 716, 9 Romania 704, 10 Holland 700, 13 England 684, 27 Scotland 601, 35 Republic of Ireland 571, 69 Northern Ireland 462, 84 Wales 423.
Transfers: CSKA Sofia president Ilia Pavlov is optimistic a joint £5 million deal with Celtic for Stilian Petrov and Milen Petkov can be sealed within the next few days.
It is understood the Bulgarian duo are remaining in Glasgow for at least the next 24 hours for further talks with the Parkhead club about their projected double transfer.
Celtic head coach John Barnes met both players last night but possible work permit delays may yet mean the pair not sign contracts on this visit.
Neither Petrov, 19, nor Petkov, 25, are European Union nationals but both are current internationals and it is anticipated they should be able to join the club once formal approval is granted.
