A round-up of other soccer news

Tevez wait continues

Manchester United are facing up to the prospect of beginning the new season without Carlos Tevez - and they may even have to wait beyond the transfer window to secure the striker.

Fifa have been called in to end the deadlock surrounding the Argentinian's move from West Ham United. Both clubs believe only the game's world governing body can end the impasse over the 23-year-old and have asked the Premier League to send the case to Fifa.

Manchester United remain confident he will eventually become their player but there remains a strong possibility Tevez, who has now been allowed to start a short holiday, might not be signed before the start of the season and the delay could even go beyond the August 31st transfer deadline.

No deal for Gordon

Craig Gordon's agent insists Sunderland have made no increased bid for the Hearts goalkeeper. Roy Keane's side had an offer for the Scotland goalkeeper rejected last week and reports have claimed they have increased their offer to a potential €13.5 million.

Gordon, however, trained with his Hearts team-mates yesterday morning and the club insisted it was "business as usual".

And the 24-year-old's agent, Andy Evans, said: "There are absolutely no developments."

When asked if he had been informed of an increased offer from the Stadium of Light, he said: "No, but that's because there isn't one."

The Hearts captain has two years left on his contract and has repeatedly stated he is in no rush to leave Tynecastle.

Newcastle delisted

Newcastle United have been delisted from the Stock Exchange following businessman Mike Ashley's takeover.

Ashley completed his purchase of the club on June 15th when his buy-out offer was accepted unconditionally and shares in Newcastle officially stopped trading at 8am yesterday morning.

City reject Vassell bid

Manchester City have rejected a bid from Turkish club Besiktas for striker Darius Vassell.

The 27-year-old England forward appears to have little chance of establishing himself in Sven-Goran Eriksson's first team following the arrival of Italian striker Rolando Bianchi.

However, the club have dismissed the offer for player who is currently on pre-season tour of Sweden, where City beat Orgryte 4-1 last night.

Debutant Rolando Bianchi opened the scoring for City, Bernardo Corradi, Georgios Samaras and Shaleum Logan also struck.

Vassell came on in the 56th minute but was substituted 13 minutes later as a precautionary measure after appearing to twist his knee.

Everton in for Pienaar

Everton are reported to be in discussions with a view to signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Steven Pienaar (25).

The Premiership are believed to have opened talks with the Bundesliga club about the transfer of the South African and hope to strike a deal in the coming days.

Everton ideally want to take Pienaar on loan with a view to a permanent switch and it seems Borussia may be willing to do a deal.

Ireland down a place

The Republic of Ireland have dropped one place to 39th in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday. Scotland (22nd), Northern Ireland (28th) and Wales (74th) have all moved up one place.

Brazil's Copa America victory has helped moved them back to the top of the rankings. The South Americans climbed up from third after beating Argentina 3-0 in the tournament's final on Sunday.

Argentina are themselves up to second place, with World Cup champions Italy slipping from top place to third

England and Ireland's Euro 2008 Group D rivals the Czech Republic have both slipped out of the top 10. The Czechs fell one place to 11th and England dropped from eighth place to 12th.

In brief . ..

Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas (20) has underlined his commitment to Arsenal by stating his willingness to captain the club . . . Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce is reportedly ready to table a €3 million bid for West Brom left back Paul Robinson . . . Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland under-21 international midfielder Paul Tierney (24) has joined League Two side Stockport County until January after finding first-team opportunities limited since arriving at Blackpool last summer . . . Real Zaragoza have signed centre back Francisco Pavon (27) from Real Madrid on a four-year contract . . . Reading have snapped up 16-year-old South Korean youth internationals Nam Taehee, Ji Dongwon and Kim Wonsik, while in the Far East nation participating in the pre-season Peace Cup tournament.