Today's other stories in brief
Former Busby Babe dies
FORMER MANCHESTER United winger and Busby Babe Albert Scanlon has died at the age of 74. He had been suffering from ill health for some time.
Scanlon was one of the survivors of the Munich air disaster in 1958, in which eight of his United team-mates and three club officials died. He recovered from a broken leg and fractured skull suffered to return to action the next season, scoring 16 goals to help United finish runners-up in the league.
Mandaric to face charges over tax
LEICESTER CHAIRMAN Milan Mandaric is set to face legal proceedings from British Revenue and Customs in connection with tax evasion.
Mandaric is accused of what tax officials have described as “cheating the public revenue”.
Mandaric strenuously denies the allegations, which go back to his time as Portsmouth chairman from 1998 to 2006.
He will face the charges in January alongside Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who was in charge at Fratton Park at the time.
A statement issued by Cartwright King solicitors, who represent Mandaric read: “Milan Mandaric is astounded and dismayed that proceedings are to be brought by HMRC in the new year alleging a connection with unpaid tax on a personal payment he made to Harry Redknapp in 2002. These will be vigorously defended.
“During a two-year investigation he has fully co-operated and has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
“Expert tax advice has confirmed that Mr Mandaric has no tax liability.
United get work permit for Diouf
MAME BIRAM Diouf is poised to make his Manchester United debut next month after finally being granted a work permit.
Alex Ferguson signed the 22-year-old striker from Molde in the summer before allowing him to return to the Norwegian club on loan.
With 16 goals in 29 matches for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former club this season, Diouf certainly offers Ferguson an option in attack where goals have been hard to come by of late.
Diouf is unavailable for the FA Cup third-round tie with Leeds at Old Trafford on January 3rd, but Ferguson feels he has a promising future ahead of him.
“If you’re talking about value then you can look at our young boy Diouf,” the Manchester United manager said recently.
“He’s been training with us and is looking very exciting.
“That’s the kind of situation we’re good at, finding young players who can develop at the club, and at 22 years of age he’s looking very good.”
Levein looking to restore some 'pride and passion'
NEW SCOTLAND boss Craig Levein has vowed to try to end the malaise he feels has engulfed the Scottish game.
After protracted negotiations to conclude his departure from Dundee United, Levein signed a four-and-a-half year deal – and not the two-and-a-half year contract the SFA had earlier indicated – to become national team manager.
Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and Levein becomes the next manager to have a go after succeeding George Burley, who departed last month.
Levein, who cost the SFA a reported €278,000 in compensation, was paraded at Hampden after lawyers tied up the loose ends and immediately talked about bringing some “pride and passion” back to the country. “I think there is a malaise around the game just now,” he said. “I think we need to change some attitudes more than anything else. We need to be a bit more positive in what we are doing, have more pride and passion.”
Arsenal and Hull charged by FA
THE ENGLISH Football Association have charged Arsenal and Hull with failing to control their players following the Premier League clash on December 19th.
A bad-tempered match at the Emirates Stadium erupted shortly before half-time when Samir Nasri appeared to stand on the ankle of Hull’s Richard Garcia.
Stephen Hunt then clashed with Nasri and a mass confrontation took place in front of referee Steve Bennett, with Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia sprinting 100 yards to get involved.
Players from both sides became embroiled in ugly scenes with Bennett eventually booking Hunt and Nasri. Arsenal went on to win the game 3-0. The clubs have until January 13th to respond.
