Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

Spurs cleared

The English Football Association have cleared Tottenham of blame following the FA Cup replay against Chelsea when a fan aimed a punch at Frank Lampard. Chelsea's quarter-final win at White Hart Lane was overshadowed by an incident after the final whistle when Timothy Smith (18) ran onto the pitch and swung at Lampard. It led to the FA looking at the security provisions at Spurs and, after club officials also submitted a safety report, the club will not face punishment. Smith has been given a three-year ban from football matches after pleading guilty at Haringey Magistrates' Court. He is banned for life from White Hart Lane.

Flamini may go

Mathieu Flamini has admitted a lack of first-team opportunities could force him to leave Arsenal. The defensive midfielder was recruited by the Gunners from Marseille in 2004, but has failed to secure a regular place in the team. "The next three years will be important for me," he told L'Equipe. "I want to play, to go to the next level."

Barthez stays

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez still has a future at Nantes despite his weekend blunder and subsequent walk-out. The 1998 World Cup winner spilled a seemingly harmless cross in at his near post during his side's Ligue 1 clash with Sedan on Sunday - handing the relegation rivals a 1-0 win and leaving Les Canaris bottom of the division.

Moments after his mistake he was substituted and chose to leave the stadium before the final whistle. But Nantes president Rudi Roussillon said: "I have spoken to him several times on the phone since Sunday," he said. "There isn't the least ambiguity between us. There is total confidence."

In brief . . ..

David Beckham was back training yesterday as he stepped up his recovery from a knee injury . . . Coventry striker Kevin Kyle was given 120 hours community service yesterday for brawling in a street after Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying win over France last October . . . Aston Villa winger Gabriel Agbonlahor has signed a new four-year contract.