More soccer news in brief.

McGowan furious over cancellation

FORMER FINN Harps manager Patsy McGowan has blasted the Eircom League for their decision to postpone the Finn Harps-Drogheda United game that was scheduled for this Saturday. "This is the most outlandish decision ever in the history of the Eircom League," he said.

And he fears Finn Harps could be plunged into a major cash-crisis that could jeopardise the club's existence.

Club sources estimate the cancellation could cost Harps more than €20,000 in lost revenue.

The game was called off to accommodate the Louth side as it prepares for its Champions League round two qualifier clash against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

McGowan, who is a Harps director, added: "We already accommodated Bohemians by changing a game earlier in the season due to a European game. Finn Harps could be put to the wall, and may be driven out of football."

United to target India market

MANCHESTER UNITED will turn their attention to India as they seek to expand their commercial interests. The country represents one of the last significant untapped markets for football in the world and United's chief executive, David Gill, said yesterday the club would be making a concerted effort to capitalise on the popularity of the Premier League on the subcontinent.

Speaking during United's pre-season tour of South Africa, Gill said gaining a commercial foothold in India was a priority as they seek to retain their position as the richest club in England. United are likely to play a friendly in India, perhaps as soon as next summer.

"India is interesting. We have been approached to go there and we are looking at some soccer school opportunities there. We would not rule out going there," he said. - Guardian Service

Owen blames mumps for missing friendly matches 

MICHAEL OWEN yesterday blamed mumps for slowing his pre-season progress. The Newcastle United striker explained he had been diagnosed with the illness in late May and was consequently ruled out of England's friendlies with the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, he said its after-effects had left him unable to exert himself fully in pre-season training and that was why he was not involved in the friendly at Hartlepool last Saturday and would not be on the bus to Doncaster with the team tomorrow.

Puzzlingly, Newcastle's manager, Kevin Keegan, had claimed Owen did not feature at Hartlepool because of "a sore calf" and suggested his absence was largely a precautionary measure. - Guardian Service

Zenit fined for racist behaviour by fans

UEFA CUP winners Zenit St Petersburg were fined €37,000 yesterday for racist behaviour by their fans during their match against French side Olympique Marseille last season, UEFA said.

"Our disciplinary committee fined Zenit for racist conduct by their fans, the use of pyrotechnics and the display of a political banner during their match against Marseille," a Uefa spokesman said.

The Russian side, who booked a place in the quarter-finals after winning the second leg against Marseille 2-0 in Russia on March 12th, have three days to appeal, the spokesman added.

Rangers ponder move for Etuhu

RANGERS ARE considering a move to sign Sunderland's Nigerian international midfielder Dickson Etuhu. Etuhu, 26, joined the English Premier League club from Norwich City in July 2007 for €1.9 million and made 20 appearances for Roy Keane's side last season. The player won the first of his five caps for Nigeria at this year's African Cup of Nations tournament.