SOCCER SHORTS

A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Agent arrested following complaint from Downing

A LICENSED football agent has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after a formal complaint by Middlesbrough and England midfielder Stewart Downing.

Cleveland Police yesterday confirmed a 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with allegations made by the player.

Downing, 24, contacted police on the advice of his club.

In a statement, Middlesbrough said: "Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that it was approached some time ago by Stewart Downing with concerns he had regarding the way his and his company's affairs have been handled.

"The club advised him to involve lawyers and accountants to investigate these concerns. Having established his position, Stewart made a formal complaint to Cleveland Police who have since been investigating matters."

Phelan to replace Queiroz

MANCHESTER UNITED have promoted Mike Phelan to the role of assistant manager, replacing Carlos Queiroz who quit in July to become Portugal coach.

Phelan, 45, who had been first-team coach at United since 2001, is appointed "with immediate effect," the club said in a statement. Rene Meulensteen, described by United as a skills development expert, takes on Phelan's former position.

"He (Phelan) is a very talented and professional coach, whose ability and contribution to the club's success has often been understated," United manager Alex Ferguson said in a statement.

United have also been boosted by the news that they have received a work permit for Angola striker Manucho, who joined the club last year. Manucho signed for United last December but joined Panathinaikos on loan for the remainder of the 2007-08 season while he awaited clearance.

Injury ends Niemi's career

FULHAM GOALKEEPER Antti Niemi has announced his retirement from football. The 36-year-old Finland international also played for Southampton, Rangers and Hearts spending almost 11 years in the British game following his move from FC Copenhagen.

Niemi joined Fulham in January 2006 and made 62 appearances during his two and half years at Craven Cottage and also earned 67 international caps.

Niemi revealed he had planned to end his career at the end of his current contract which runs out next summer. However, a wrist injury meant he would not be able to resume training for another two months, prompting the player to bring his retirement forward in agreement with the club.

Ballack misses German ties

CHELSEA MIDFIELDER Michael Ballack has been ruled out of Germany's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland.

The German football federation revealed that Ballack is suffering from a bruised foot and will miss the opening games in Group Four.

The 31-year-old suffered the knock in Chelsea's opening-day victory over Portsmouth on August 17th.

Spain stay at top of rankings

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS Spain remain top of the FIFA world rankings for a third consecutive month, mainly due to last month's 3-0 friendly victory in Denmark.

With European countries not due back in competitive action until the start of 2010 World Cup qualification this weekend, Spain stayed ahead of world champions Italy and Euro 2008 runners-up Germany.

Brazil are the best ranked non-European team in sixth place, followed immediately by South American rivals Argentina.

The Republic of Ireland are up three places to 38th but England have fallen a place to 15th - just one spot ahead of Scotland, whose position remains unchanged from last month. Northern Ireland stay 32nd with Wales dropping two to 53rd.

FIFA rankings (previous position in brackets) 1. (1) Spain; 2. (3) Italy; 3. (2) Germany; 4. (4) Netherlands; 5. (5) Croatia; 6. (6) Brazil; 7. (7) Argentina; 8. (8) Czech Republic; 9. (9) Portugal; 10. (13) Turkey.