Soccer Shorts

Other soccer news in brief

Saudi prince close to Liverpool deal

THE SAUDI prince keen to buy shares in Liverpool has confirmed talks are close to a conclusion.

Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah revealed that following extensive meetings with Liverpool co-owner George Gillett, his F6 investment company could reach an agreement for the purchase soon.

"Our negotiations to buy shares in Liverpool are ongoing, meetings are taking place and we might be in the final stages in the coming days," Prince Faisal said.

Prince Faisal's initial negotiations with Gillett were said to be merely over establishing a Liverpool academy in the Middle East, but it appears those talks have progressed to include investment in the club.

Gillett has been in Riyadh in the last week to discuss Prince Faisal's investment. This could be complicated by a rumoured agreement between Gillett and partner Tom Hicks, by which one partner has first refusal on the other's shares.

Megson leaps to Ferguson's defence

BOLTON MANAGER Gary Megson believes Alex Ferguson has been "hung out to dry" over his controversial attack on referee Alan Wiley. Ferguson has until tomorrow to offer the Football Association an insight into his comments, which followed Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford 10 days ago.

Despite an apology from Ferguson, referees' chief Alan Leighton, has called for a Uefa-style touchline ban which would prevent Ferguson having any contact with his team during a match.

For Megson, it's just another example of someone grabbing cheap publicity at Ferguson's expense.

"Fergie couldn't have done any more," said the Bolton boss. "He gets hung out to dry because of who he is. He has apologised and then everyone criticised the apology."

Old Firm differ on Atlantic 'option'

THE POSSIBILITY of the Old Firm being invited to join a north Atlantic league could be resurrected after the president of the Dutch FA revealed he plans to lobby Uefa on the issue.

The idea for Celtic and Rangers to compete against clubs from the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Scandinavia was first mooted at the end of the 1990s but never took off.

Dutch FA supremo Michael van Praag - a leading member of Uefa's executive committee - believes that while the timing was flawed, the concept was not.

He said: "There was no way we could push that through because Uefa at that time were conservative and full of fear. . . It makes sense to start the lobbying now."

Both Old Firm clubs are open to quitting the Scottish Premier League, preferably for its English counterpart. But this proposal could divide the rivals, with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell branding the concept "Frankenstein", while Rangers broadly welcomed Van Praag's intervention.

Eriksson has no interest in managing North Korea

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has stated he has no interest in taking charge of the North Korea national side for next summer's World Cup.

It is understood the North Korean FA made an initial approach for the former England boss but the Swede has denied receiving any offer.

North Korea have qualified for the finals for the first time since they played in England in 1966.

Eriksson, who is now director of football at Notts County, told Sky Sports News: "I don't have any offer and I have no plans to be manager, or whatever it is, for North Korea, absolutely not."

When asked whether he could assure people he would be staying at Meadow Lane, the 61-year-old added: "Of course I can, absolutely." Eriksson, the England manager from 2001-06, last worked in international football as head coach of Mexico but was sacked earlier this year after a run of poor results.

He has since taken up his role at League Two Notts County following a high-profile buyout at the East Midlands club.

O'Neill mulls over Heskey's claim

MARTIN O'NEILL admits he will "sit down and have a think" about Emile Heskey's claims he may have to quit Aston Villa to keep his World Cup hopes alive before making any public comment.

Heskey admitted his lack of starts for Villa since his move from Wigan in January was giving him cause for concern after Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine.

O'Neill has preferred to start with Gabriel Agbonlahor as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

And he has told Heskey not to get "overly concerned" at this juncture about the finals in South Africa next summer. O'Neill said: "You can ask me as much as you want about it, but I won't have anything to say at this moment (about Heskey's comments). I've been away from my desk for a couple of days, so I will genuinely have to sit down and have a think about it before I make any comment on that."

Jagielka closer to comeback

PHIL JAGIELKA has moved a significant step closer to a first-team comeback after being out for six months following a cruciate knee injury.

The Everton and England defender suffered the injury against Manchester City in April and missed the club's FA Cup final appearance at Wembley against Chelsea.

But the 27-year-old centre-back has at last been given permission this week to resume training with a football.