Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has been arrested and cautioned by police for common assault.
Reports in England said Carragher was questioned about a roadside argument with a man near his Crosby home on Tuesday morning.
Carragher had been on his way to training at the club's Melwood ground at the time. Accepting a caution is an admission of guilt in the eyes of the law. Common assault is the lowest form of assault and can include anything from spitting to shoving.
Mascherano close to Pool deal
Javier Mascherano has moved closer to making his switch to Liverpool a permanent one. Mascherano is currently on loan at Anfield until the end of the season after joining the Reds in the 2007 January transfer window.
"We are really close," Mascherano told the club's official website. "Maybe this week or next week we will be able to say everything's finished. We can't say it just yet but hopefully in a few days everything will be okay."
Ferguson considered overseas job
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he considered working abroad but the appeal of Manchester United proved too strong. The Old Trafford boss was speaking ahead of the league match against Fulham tomorrow when he pits his wits against Roy Hodgson, the much-travelled English coach.
"Roy Hodgson has done what a lot of us would love to have done and work abroad," the United manager told leaguemanagers.com.
"Sometimes I used to say to myself 'I'd love to have tried managing abroad sometime' but then it was difficult for me.
"My choices were cut off simply because I was the manager of Manchester United which is amazing and you don't leave Manchester United."
Keane loses patience with Miller
Liam Miller has been transfer-listed because he kept turning up late for training, Sunderland manager Roy Keane said yesterday.
"The problem is Liam's time-keeping, it is as simple as that. It is nothing to do with Liam as a player," said Keane.
"I have got a lot of time for Liam, but we set a very high standard at the football club and, unfortunately, Liam has not been able to match that."
With the transfer window now closed, Miller only has the limited option of a loan move to a Football League club.
Rijkaard rejects Barca exit talk
Frank Rijkaard has no plans to quit Barcelona in order to take over at Chelsea, according to the Dutchman's brother and adviser.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been targeted for criticism following Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rijkaard has been linked with the Chelsea position in the past but his brother, Herman, said: "Frank is having a very good time at Barcelona.
"He has one season left (after this one) and he has decided to fulfil his contract period with Barcelona. Maybe they (Chelsea) would like to have him because he is a good trainer, but it is not an option at the moment."
Zambrotta hits back at Juve
Italy left-back Gianluca Zambrotta has launched a scathing attack on former club Juventus.
The Barcelona defender left Juventus after the match-fixing scandal broke in the summer of 2006 and was criticised by some Bianconeri fans for deserting a club in crisis.
"I was called a traitor, but I was the one who was betrayed," Zambrotta said. "All of us who gave our all in training and games just to have two Serie A titles taken away, were let down. Besides, with the money they got from selling us they covered a lot of their debts - we gave the club a big hand."
I'm no diver, says Crespo
Inter striker Hernan Crespo has rebuffed suggestions that he dived to get Roma's Philippe Mexes sent off in the final stages of Wednesday's 1-1 draw.
Crespo has insisted that Mexes deserved to be dismissed, adding that he was not guilty of simulation.
"It was a completely clear incident," he said. "It was a booking, which meant a red card when added to his previous yellow.
"I am a fair player and I don't dive. It's not a question of cunning - I just lost my balance. I didn't even know who was behind me."
No Arsenal takeover - Usmanov
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov confirmed yesterday he has no current intention of bidding for English Premier League club Arsenal and would commit to this position for a further six months.
Red and White Holdings, the investment vehicle for the Russian businessman, said in a statement that it had funding to increase its stake further but would not breach the limit which would require making a bid for the football club.
Mourinho gets Nakata invite
Former Japan international Hidetoshi Nakata has invited Chelsea's ex-manager Jose Mourinho to coach in an exhibition game in June, a Japanese newspaper reported yesterday.
Nakata wants Mourinho involved in the game Japan's most recognisable ex-footballer plans to stage in Yokohama on June 7 to raise awareness on environmental issues.