Soccer Shorts

Woodgate ruled out:England defender Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out of tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel because of a knee injury.

The centre-back, on loan at Middlesbrough from Real Madrid, will not travel to Tel Aviv but will continue his treatment in England and could be available for the match against Andorra in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Threat investigated

Uefa have launched an investigation into claims that Belgium plan to deliberately injure Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo during the Euro 2008 qualifier tomorrow. The Portuguese FA have made an official complaint to Uefa after a newspaper report quoted Belgium keeper Stijn Stijnen making threats against Ronaldo.

Stijnen, who plays for FC Bruges, was quoted in the Gazet Van Antwerpen as saying: "After two minutes we will have to attack Ronaldo so much that he will have to leave the pitch." The goalkeeper has since denied making the remarks.

Jewell fined and banned

Wigan boss Paul Jewell was handed a two-match touchline ban - suspended for 12 months - and a £2,000 fine for his finger-pointing rant at referee Phil Dowd following Wigan's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on February 11th.

Sevilla request denied

Sevilla have been told they cannot switch the date of their Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg against Tottenham. Uefa have told the Spanish club they must stick to the April 5th date at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. The club and Seville town council had asked for permission to move the quarter-final first leg because it clashed with a major religious festival in the city with huge crowds due to attend.

Fines for United, Lille

Uefa have fined Manchester United £6,300 for the improper conduct of their fans during last month's Champions Leaguematch against Lille and slapped a £42,000-penalty on the French side for a range of offences.

The match at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens was disrupted when United fans became crushed into a section of the ground and police responded by firing tear gas.

Lille have been fined by Uefa for breach of security provisions and a lack of proper organisation, and also for the reaction of their players after Ryan Giggs' winning goal in the first leg. The French team threatened to walk off the pitch after the goal, which came from a quickly-taken free-kick.

Uefa's control and disciplinary body imposed the fine on United after some fans let off fireworks, and others were involved in disturbances at the entrance to the stadium.