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Today's other news in brief

Crystal Palace request for replay is turned down

THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL League have turned down a request from Crystal Palace to sanction a replay of Saturday's stormy Championship game with Bristol City.

Referee Rob Shoebridge failed to award a goal to Palace striker Freddie Sears, even though his shot clearly bounced out of the back of the net before City went on to record a 1-0 win.

The refusal of Bristol City’s players, or their manager Gary Johnson, to alert the official to his error prompted Palace chairman Simon Jordan to brand them as cheats, while manager Neil Warnock has been equally critical.

The Football League have ruled out the option of a replay, saying: “To do otherwise would be contrary to the laws of the game.”

City boss Gary Johnson yesterday claimed the goal was not given because of “an infringement”.

Referees’ chief Keith Hackett said the Derbyshire official would not be appointed to another game for “a couple of weeks” and apologised to Palace for Shoebridge’s error.

Defoe accuses police of harassment

JERMAIN DEFOE accused police of harassment yesterday after he was pulled over just days after announcing he would sue the force for wrongful arrest.

The Tottenham striker was at the wheel of his Ferrari on Sunday, hours after taking part in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, when he was pulled over by an Essex Police patrol. After checks were made on his identity he was allowed to continue.

Essex Police said the footballer was stopped as part of an operation to tackle a spate of burglaries in which valuable cars have been taken.

The stop check came three days after the striker announced he would sue the force over his “wrongful” arrest on suspicion of driving while disqualified.

The Tottenham striker was pulled over while driving a Range Rover on July 27th and held for about five hours at a police station in Harlow, Essex.

Dundalk look to history books

DUNDALK WILL look to the history books as they head to Dalymount Park for their FAI Cup fourth-round replay against Bohemians this evening.

The Louthmen are looking to emulate their success at the venue in March 1993 when they beat their hosts 4-2 after another goalless cup tie at Oriel Park. The club has endured a pretty miserable run of results in Phibsborough during the intervening 16 years and Friday’s draw was the first time they had avoided defeat against last year’s double winners this season.

Paul Keegan (stomach) and Jason McGuinness (back) are doubts for the home side while Shaun Kelly is suspended for the visitors having been sent off at the weekend. Chris Turner is likely to return from injury.

Waterford United will be without David Grincell for their replay against Crumlin United at the RSC tonight.

FAI cut ticket prices for Thomond game

The FAI have confirmed that they have cut the price of tickets for the Republic of Ireland's second game at Thomond Park, writes Emmet Malone.

Admission to the friendly against Douth Africa on September 8th will start at € 7 again for the limited number of schoolboy tickets being made available but all of the other categories will be lowered.

Tickets for the north and south terrace will be priced €20 with the east and west terraces costing €10 more. Adult tickets for the stand will this time be priced at €40 rather than €55 while there will also be child stand tickets priced at €20 on this occasion.

Ticket prices for the recent game against Australia were widely criticised and some 8,000 tickets, almost all of them in the stands, went unsold

Duff set to finalise Fulham move

DAMIEN DUFF is expected to finalise his move from Newcastle United to Fulham this morning after passing a medical at the Craven Cottage club yesterday.

A number of minor issues in relation to the 30-year-old’s contract are due to be sorted out when the two sides meet again this morning but with the Dubliner believed to have agreed to take a cut of around a third to the €77,000 weekly wage he was on at Newcastle, the €4.5 million move is expected to go through without a hitch. The player would then be in line to make his debut against Chelsea this weekend.