Soccer News: BSkyB tune into Leeds

More boardroom dealings between media groups and top clubs in England are in the offing following BSkyB's purchase of a 9.08 per cent stake in Leeds United's parent group, Leeds Sporting.

That is the belief of leading telecommunication and football analyst Nigel Hawkins, who was speaking after yesterday's move by Rupert Murdoch's media giant which gave Elland Road manager David O'Leary a £13.8 million windfall for squad strengthening.

Hawkins says major media companies are positioning themselves in readiness for negotiations for the Premier League television contract in 2001.

"I am not surprised by the move at all," said Hawkins. "BSkyB have been looking for a stake in Premier League clubs over the last few weeks, particularly to be in pole position for 2001 where the new television contracts will be signed.

"Those contracts will be worth several billion pounds, and this move by BSkyB is all about positioning. That is where BSkyB want to be, and I suspect they will be trying to buy one or two other stakes below 10 per cent so they don't fall foul of regulators."

Hawkins added that the English top flight is in danger of becoming "unbalanced" in favour of the bigger clubs as the media companies aim for the bigger names.

Shiela Spiers, of the Football Supporters' Association, has reservations about the deal. "Having failed with their bid for Manchester United we are concerned that BSkyB is trying to have an influence in a number of football clubs."

BSkyB is paying about £13.8 million for the stake and will put one of its directors on the Leeds Sporting board after the deal is completed.

Manchester United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Massimo Taibi from Italian side Venezia. But the Treble winners have pulled out of negotiations with Deportivo La Coruna for their Moroccan international defender Noureddine Naybet.

United have called off their pursuit of Naybet because they could not clinch a deal before last night's Champions League transfer deadline. Taibi (29), who has joined United in a deal which is worth a reported £4.5 million, has signed a four-year contract.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson is set to continue talks with club chairman Dave Richards over the future of Benito Carbone.

The Owls' striker walked out before the 2-0 defeat at Southampton after being named as a substitute for the game. Wilson held discussions with his chairman yesterday but talks will continue before any further action other than the club fine, already imposed, is taken.

Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson is hoping to complete the signing of Argentinian teenager Arturo Marinelli this week after agreeing a fee of £1.5 million.

Boca Juniors have accepted Boro's offer and Robson is due to meet the 17-year-old and his family in South America within days to discuss personal terms. Marinelli, dubbed `the new Maradona' at home, impressed the manager and his coaching staff during a tournament in Northern Ireland recently.

Meanwhile, defender Curtis Fleming could take a significant step on the comeback trail tonight by turning out for the reserves.

Fleming, who has been out of Robson's side since February, is pencilled in to play some part in the reserves' derby clash with Newcastle United at the Riverside Stadium. It will be a welcome return for 30-year-old Fleming, who picked up a knee cartilage problem while on international duty and missed the closing months of last season.

The Scottish Premier League's delayed hearing into Rangers' part in the disturbances at the Old Firm title decider at Parkhead on May 2nd will start tomorrow.

Celtic have already been fined £45,000 by a separate commission into their share of the blame for the hostile scenes which included referee Hugh Dallas being struck by a coin and three players red-carded.

The central charge against the Ibrox club will be the Rangers' players post-match on-field celebrations which angered the remaining Celtic supporters in the ground as they mocked the home team's `huddle'.