Soccer Digest

Today's others stories in brief

Chelsea launch US site

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has hailed their American website launch as a "groundbreaking venture" for a European club. Chelsea have become the first Premier League outfit to create a dedicated membership site for its fans in America. Kenyon said: "I am delighted that Chelsea is again breaking new ground, this time by engaging with our fans in the United States in a way that no other football club currently does."

The new site will offer content designed, delivered and implemented specifically for soccer fans in North America.

Allardyce assures Harper

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has told Steve Harper his close friend Shay Given will have to fight for his place back once he is fit. The 32-year-old goalkeeper was devastated to miss out after performing well as Given's deputy earlier in the season when Given recovered from a groin injury.

Now with Given facing another fortnight in the treatment room Allardyce has admitted Harper will stay in goal on merit if his performances warrant it. The manager said: "Steve will be in goal for however many games he performs well in."

Coppell backs plan

Steve Coppell has backed the campaign to limit the number of foreigners in the English Premier League. The issue has been debated this week after Fifa chief executive Sepp Blatter revealed plans were being drawn up to enforce a quota of homegrown players.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson criticised Arsene Wenger over a lack of English players in his Arsenal team, and the latter are likely to field an all-foreign starting XI in their next match - away to Coppell's Reading on Monday night.

Coppell said: "I admire so much the football they play . . . but you would hope that given the fact that he has been there 10 years he could create English players who could play that way."

Blatter concerned

The League Managers Association in Britain have welcomed Sepp Blatter's proposal to restrict the movement of managers from one club to another - but not by creating a transfer window.

Blatter believes managers should be subject to the same restrictions that govern the movement of players, who can only switch clubs in January and during the summer.

In brief. . .

Former Netherlands midfielder and Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit was last night confirmed as the new coach of American Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy . . . Brazil midfielder Gilberto hopes to agree a new deal with Arsenal and finish his career at Emirates Stadium . . . Burnley manager Steve Cotterill yesterday left his post by mutual consent, the Championship club announced . . . Benfica midfielder Augustin Binya plans to call Scott Brown to apologise for the challenge which could have broken the Celtic player's leg during Tuesday's Champions League clash at Celtic Park.