Other soccer stories in brief
Chelsea appeal to Fifa
Chelsea are asking Fifa to investigate what they describe as an illegal approach by Real Madrid for their Dutch winger Arjen Robben.
Meanwhile, Fabio Capello was named the new coach of Real yesterday, a day after resigning from Juventus.
England midfielder David Beckham has been given assurances about his future at the club by the newly elected Real president Ramon Calderon.
Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, another of Calderon's targets, remains far from certain to become a Real player, according to the player's agent.
Bowyer comes clean
Lee Bowyer was fined £600 yesterday by Newcastle Court after he admitted starting an on-pitch clash with then-Newcastle team-mate Kieron Dyer. Bowyer, who joined West Ham United last month, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs. The incident occurred during Newcastle's 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa in April last year. Both players were sent off.
Talks for Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is in talks with Celtic over a move. The striker was not given a contract by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate. Celtic have also been linked with a swap deal with want-away midfielder Stilian Petrov and Manchester City's Joey Barton.
Three in at Anfield
Liverpool have gained a work permit for Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez. They have also signed Argentinian defender Gabriel Paletta from Banfield and Valencia's Brazilian full back Fabio Aurelio, with Fernando Morientes going the other way for £3 million.
Ban for Richardson
Cork City manager Damien Richardson is unlikely to appeal a €3,000 fine imposed by the FAI yesterday following his outburst after his side were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Longford Town in May, but has asked the club to consider appealing the severity of the four-match touchline suspension that was also given to him.
Richardson was livid at the award of a penalty and sending off of goalkeeper Michael Devine with his side leading 1-0 with eight minutes of the second-round tie remaining at Flancare Park. Longford converted the penalty and then scored a dramatic late winner.
In brief . . .
West Ham have completed the signing of Carlton Cole (22) from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. The Upton Park side yesterday had a £4 million bid for Wigan's Pascal Chimbonda rejected . . . Bradley Wright-Phillips (21) has joined Southampton from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee. . . Shaka Hislop (37) has joined American club FC Dallas from West Ham . . . Finn Harps will ask their players to take a 50 per cent pay cut following dwindling attendances at Finn Park this season . . . Shamrock Rovers yesterday completed the signing of striker Andy Myler from Longford Town.
