SoccerSHORTS

Matteo leaves Scotland:

Scotland defender Dominic Matteo announced his retirement from international soccer yesterday due to persistent knee problems. The 28-year-old, who won six Scotland caps, will carry on playing for Leeds United, but his decision to quit internationals is a blow for Scotland's German coach Berti Vogts.

"Dominic was very open with me about the problems he faces," Vogts said. "He has a long-term knee injury which has already caused him to withdraw from several squads over the past year."

Kanchelskis moves east

Southhampton  have allowed Andrei Kanchelskis to move to Saudi Arabia.

The winger joined the Saints on a free transfer last summer but made just two brief substitute appearances before joining Al Hilal on a four-month deal yesterday.

St Mary's Stadium chairman Rupert Lowe has slashed his wage bill recently by cancelling the contracts of Tahar El Khalej, Imants Bleidelis, Kleber Chala and Neil Moss.

Radebe shows no interest:

South Africa's World Cup captain Lucas Radebe has again turned down a call-up to South Africa's national team, making himself unavailable for a proposed training camp in Spain next week, officials said yesterday.

Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish has also told officials he is not interested in attending and there is also uncertainty over whether the country's leading goal scorer Shaun Bartlett will also make himself available.

An age old problem:

Nigeria have cheated by featuring over-aged players in top international junior and youth competitions, the country's sports minister said yesterday.

"We have for a while now been fielding players far above the ages agreed for some of the international age-group competitions," said sports minister Steven Akiga. "This has not helped our football and as such we must now fight against these age cheats."

Nigeria have won the FIFA Under-17 championship twice, in 1985 as well as 1993. They were also beaten finalists in 1987 and 2001.

Hunt captures first-rate prize:

Bohemians captain Kevin Hunt has been named as Eircom/Soccer Writers Association player of the month for January.

Bohs, of course, won the National League title during the month and nobody played a more influential role than the English midfielder.

The 27-year-old joined Bohs in December 1998 after two years spent plying his trade in the Far East.

Fresh pitch:

Aberdeen have confirmed they intend to have an artificial pitch installed at Pittodrie within two years. The Dons are willing to pay £750,000 on a new fake turf surface in a bid to beat the bad weather that often affects the Scottish fixture list.

Pires back with France

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has been recalled to the France squad for the first time in almost a year. The Frenchman last played for his country against Romania on February 13th 2002, but was forced to miss the Gunners' successful run-in to the Premiership and FA Cup double after sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury against Newcastle in March.

France play the Czech Republic on February 12th.

Younger version of Giggs:

Inter Milan have attempted to end speculation suggesting they are interested in signing Manchester United star Ryan Giggs. The Wales international winger was linked with a move to the San Siro during the transfer window. The Nerazzurri insist they are already well covered on the left side of midfield, with Uruguay forward Alvaro Recoba.

"He (Giggs) is not in our future plans because Alvaro Recoba is younger and potentially stronger in that role," Inter technical director Gabriele Oriali said.

Transfer news:

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has called on Europe's big clubs to gang up on FIFA and force them to ditch the transfer window. The controversial system has been widely criticised throughout football and it thwarted his own hopes of signing Darren Huckerby. He is currently running the rule over out-of-contract stars Milan Rapaic and Stanislav Varga, but he wants an end to the limitations.

"I don't think the whole system has done anybody any favours," O'Neill said. "It's not good news. There is little money about apart from the odd big deal like Jonathan Woodgate from Leeds to Newcastle.

"It was all short-term stuff and I don't think it has worked. I'm quite sure if the big clubs get together then they can change it."

Tyson's killer-punches

Readings' Nathan Tyson lit up his home town with a dazzling double strike on a dream England debut at the Madejski Stadium, where Les Reed's young England beat their German counterparts 2-1 for the second time in four months.

Tyson was handed his opportunity to shine at his home ground in front of watching Royals manager Alan Pardew, and he grabbed it with both hands.

In Brief. . .

The English FA are to consider letting Australia make London their European soccer base. Birmingham's Australian winger Stan Lazaridis has claimed Leeds tried to sign him during last month's transfer window. Lazaridis was the target of a possible swap deal with Leeds defender Michael Duberry. Stoke defender Frazer Richardson is to stay at the Britannia Stadium for a further month after Leeds agreed to extend his loan deal. Sunday's Manchester derby will not be preceded by a minute's silence in memory of the Munich Air Disaster victims. Flags were flown at half-mast at Old Trafford yesterday on the 45th anniversary of the tragedy.