Other soccer storiesin brief

FA decide to take no action on Drogba

DIDIER Drogba will not face any disciplinary action from the English FA over comments in his autobiography saying he wished he had punched Nemanja Vidic in the Champions League final.

The Chelsea striker was sent off in the final in May for slapping the Manchester United defender and in his book said he now wishes he had punched Vidic.

The FA have studied the remark in the context of the book and have decided to take no action.

Drogba wrote: "I have seen the match on video and I believe I should not have been sent off with three minutes to go. If I had punched him, I would have understood. Now I wish I had."

The FA did not view those comments as being in the same vein as those made by Roy Keane, when the former United captain said he had deliberately injured a rival player, Alf Inge Haaland.

In 2002 Keane was fined €188,000 and banned for five games.

'Famine' remark sparks Healy death threats

NORTHERN Ireland striker David Healy hit out last night after his life was threatened following a bizarre allegation against him on the internet. In a television interview, the Sunderland player welcomed a recent international goal he had scored by saying it had thankfully ended his "drought or famine" in front of the net.

But the Healy's comments were portrayed as a reference to a sectarian chant relating to the Irish famine sung by Rangers fans which has hit the headlines.

A video clip of his post-match interview on UTV placed on an internet site has received thousands of hits and spawned online threats. "I made reference to famine and people have maliciously represented those comments. I am hugely disappointed in this. I am very angry," said Healy.

Boruc gets fine and reprimand

CELTIC goalkeeper Artur Boruc yesterday escaped with a €630 fine and a severe reprimand over gestures he made to Rangers fans during the last Old Firm derby. Boruc has seven working days to appeal the decision.

ZABEEL Investments have pulled out of a deal to buy Charlton, the Championship club confirmed yesterday.

AALBORG have parted company with coach Bruce Rioch with immediate effect, the club announced yesterday.

NEWCASTLE defender Habib Beye is free to play in tomorrow's derby clash with Sunderland after an appeal against his red card was upheld.

Eduardo back in contention

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger revealed striker Eduardo could be back in contention for a first-team return "in three weeks".

The Croatia international has been sidelined since he suffered a horrific broken leg at Birmingham in February.

"Eduardo is three weeks away from playing competitive football," Wenger said yesterday.