Soccer Digest

Other soccer news in brief.

Ferguson apology 'half-hearted'   SOCCER SHORTS

ALEX FERGUSON'S apology for his attack on referee Alan Wiley was yesterday criticised as "half-hearted". The Manchester United manager was fuming with Wiley's handling of the recent 2-2 Premier League draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford and made a series of personal statements about Wiley's fitness.

The views outraged Wiley's colleagues, amid claims that the referee felt like quitting the game because he was so upset.

Ferguson has said sorry for his outburst. However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of the union Prospect, was unimpressed by the Scot's apology, saying: "I think it's a half-hearted apology at best really, and it probably exacerbates the position, rather than resolving it.

"He clearly hasn't retracted the statement about Alan being unfit so it's not an apology for the main offence caused - and then he widens it to question the fitness of other referees, so he seems to be opening another can of worms which I don't think is very helpful."

Ferguson has been asked to submit his own thoughts to the FA by Friday and could be facing a hefty fine, or a touchline ban.

And Leighton continued: "I think the punishment should be a Uefa-type coaching ban, which is rather more than a touchline ban."

Another injury blow for North

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington suffered his latest injury blow yesterday when Manchester United defender Jonny Evans became the eighth player to pull out of their final Group Three game away to the Czech Republic in Prague, citing an ankle injury.

Worthington has seen eight of his original squad withdraw through injury or illness for tomorrow's match.

Four of them are attack-minded - Kyle Lafferty, Martin Paterson, Andrew Little and Jamie Ward - with George McCartney, Sammy Clingan and Chris Brunt also sidelined.

It means Dunfermline striker Andy Kirk ( 30) has been recalled after a five-year absence from the international scene.

Unless there are a string of freak results on Wednesday, a play-off spot is now effectively out of the question following the home defeat to group leaders Slovakia.

Second-placed Slovenia only need a point away to San Marino to end Northern Ireland's chances.

Cannavaro cleared over drug test but remains angry

JUVENTUS DEFENDER Fabio Cannavaro has criticised the press after he was yesterday cleared of any wrongdoing over a failed drugs test.

Cannavaro tested positive for the banned substance cortisone after taking a medicine to treat an insect sting in August.

The Italy captain had requested an exemption from taking drugs tests, on the grounds of having taken a medication in an emergency situation, but failed to include a document necessary to complete the application.

The national anti-doping tribunal have now dropped the case, as expected, after it was recommended by the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor on Saturday, and Cannavaro has lambasted the media for making a mountain out of a molehill. "It really annoys me. And in case you didn't understand properly I'll repeat that, it really annoys me," he raged.

"Someone gets stung by a bee and finds themselves in the paper as if they were a drug user."

McParland sacked by Notts County

NOTTS COUNTY have sacked manager Ian McParland

McParland's position has been in question since the takeover of the club by Swiss-based Middle East consortium Munto Finance, who brought in former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson as director of football in the summer.

McParland lost just three of his side's 12 league matches this season. But the club's progression was not deemed quick enough by the new owners and Sunday's 2-2 home draw against Torquay was the final straw.

Kalou signs new three-year deal

CHELSEA STRIKER Salomon Kalou has signed a new three-year contract with the club.

Kalou's new deal will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2012 and is believed to be worth around €64,000 a week.

Kalou (24), is in his fourth year at Stamford Bridge and has made 93 starts, 66 substitute appearances and scored 31 goals.

His contract was set to expire at the end of the season.