Diouf charged

Soccer Shorts: El-Hadji Diouf is likely to be banned until after Christmas when he faces a English Football Association disciplinary charge on Thursday for spitting in the face of the Portsmouth captain Arjan de Zeeuw.

While an offence of spitting usually carries a three-match ban, the FA has the power to increase the punishment in particularly serious cases. Officials at Soho Square have been appalled by the incriminating television evidence from Bolton's 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday and Diouf might even face a heavier punishment than the four-match suspension and £30,000 fine meted out to Patrick Vieira for spitting at West Ham's Neil Ruddock five years ago.

At the very least, the 23-year-old will miss Bolton's forthcoming trips to Everton and Norwich, followed by the home game against Manchester City on December 18th, but the FA feels so strongly about the subject that the ban could be extended until the new year.

Diouf's previous record will certainly stand against him. He was fined £5,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court 14 months ago for spitting at a Celtic fan while playing for Liverpool and there have been similar allegations on at least two other occasions. Bolton have fined him two weeks' wages, the maximum they are allowed, and are so concerned by his repeat offending they will ask him to undertake counselling, probably in the shape of anger management lessons.

Henry makes shortlist

Barcelona's Ronaldinho, Andriy Shevchenko of AC Milan and Thierry Henry of Arsenal make up the three-man shortlist for the 2004 World Player of the Year award. The winner will be announced on December 20th. None of the three have won the award before.

Brazil's Ronaldinho, a World Cup winner in 2002, has transformed Barcelona since arriving at the Nou Camp at the beginning of last season from Paris St Germain. The consistent goal-scoring of Ukraine's Shevchenko helped Milan to last season's Italian title and his goal ratio during five seasons in Italy has been outstanding. Henry finished second behind fellow Frenchman Zinedine Zidane in voting for the 2003 award. He finished top scorer in the English Premier League with 30 goals, helping Arsenal to the title last season.

The three candidates for Women's Player of the Year are Mia Hamm of the United States, Birgit Prinz of Germany and Marta of Brazil.

Stubbs bid favourite

Norman Stubbs' consortium is on course to take over Leeds next Monday despite the re-emergence of Sebastian Sainsbury as an interested party. Sainsbury sought alternative backing following the withdrawal of the US-based Nova Financial Partners, after the proof of funds for their takeover bid was deemed inadequate by Leeds' current board 18 days ago.

However Stubbs, recently returned from holiday, is in the process of securing guarantees from various potential investors. "Of all the takeover bids we've received, this is the one we have most confidence in, because they are die-hard Leeds fans," said a source in the Leeds boardroom. Sainsbury is understood to have received his funding from former clients from his time as an investment banker. His offer document outlines a minimum £25 million venture, involving the buy-back of the Elland Road stadium and Thorp Arch training complex sites. As part of this, £5 million would be pledged to Kevin Blackwell for use in the transfer market.

Leeds suffered a setback last night at Millmoor when losing 1-0 to Rotherham, their first win of the season. Martin McIntosh was the hero with a goal in the second half after Leeds had dominated play in the first.

Clear-the-air meeting

Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp wants to put an end to speculation regarding his departure from the club in a very public clear-the-air meeting with owner Milan Mandaric.

Pompey will host a specially-convened press conference today when Redknapp hopes everything will be brought out into the open.

Redknapp resigned last week citing his desire for a break from the game and insisting he had not been forced out by the appointment of executive director Velimir Zajec. Mandaric also stressed the split was amicable split, but then re-opened the debate with reported comments concerning payments to agents during Redknapp's tenure - remarks he later claimed had been misconstrued.

Smith for Scotland

Walter Smith is expected to be appointed as the new Scotland manager on Thursday. The SFA have tried to play down speculation Smith had been offered the job yesterday, but his appointment would come as little surprise.

The 56-year-old has been widely touted as the man to replace Berti Vogts ever since the embarrassing 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Moldova signalled the end of the German's two-and-a-half year reign.

SFA chief executive David Taylor and office-bearers interviewed Smith earlier this month, although the former Rangers and Everton boss expressed surprise that details of the meeting had leaked.

In brief . . .

Aston Villa have officially lodged an appeal against Lee Hendrie's sending off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Manchester City at Eastlands. Hendrie feigned as if to headbutt Danny Mills but television pictures showed the midfielder made no contact. Blackburn's injury-plagued striker Matt Jansen could be out for three weeks after having an operation yesterday to treat a cartilage problem. Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has said he will appeal against Frank Queudrue's red card at Tottenham. Queudrue was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge at Noe Pamarot six minutes before half-time at White Hart Lane. Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho wants extra security for next week's Champions League clash with his former club Porto. The 41-year-old was abused and spat at when the Portuguese side visited Stamford Bridge in September. Argentina's Carlos Tevez is set to join Corinthians of Brazil after Boca Juniors agreed on Monday to transfer the forward for close to $20 million (€15 million). Bobby Robson is close to reaching an agreement with Newcastle over his pay-off. Bradford are finally poised to exit administration after former chief executive Julian Rhodes took another step towards purchasing the club. The League One outfit have been in the hands of administrators since February. And FIFA insist no compensation will be paid to clubs who release players for international duty. Speaking in Dubai yesterday, a spokesman for soccer's governing body said it was not FIFA's responsibility to fund Europe's clubs when their players play for their country.