Soccer Shorts: Bobby Robson's future as adviser to Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton could be decided at the end of next week when he is due to meet FAI chief executive John Delaney at his home in the north east of England, reports Emmet Malone.
"We'll talk then," said Delaney yesterday, "but any future Bobby has with us will be decided entirely on medical grounds. I've been talking to him a couple of times a week since his latest bout of illness but it hasn't been possible to meet before this. The meeting will take place on Thursday or Friday after which we'll make whatever decision we reach known," he added.
FA charge Barton
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute by the FA after exposing his backside to Everton fans at the end of last Saturday's Premier League game. Barton lowered his shorts after being barracked by the Everton fans at Goodison Park during the 1-1 draw. An FA statement said a disciplinary commission would hear the case next Tuesday.
Recall for Anelka
Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka has been recalled to the France squad to face Scotland and the Faroe Islands in their Euro 2008 Group B qualifiers.
Anelka has been drafted in because of injury doubts over Sidney Govou and Louis Saha. Anelka, 27, has not played since a 2-1 home defeat by Slovakia in a friendly on March 1st and was overlooked for the World Cup in Germany.
Gibraltar bid rocked
New Spanish objections yesterday further delayed Gibraltar's seven-year quest to be awarded full Uefa membership nation status. European football's governing body had looked set to finally approve the Rock's admission at talks in Slovenia.
The move had been on hold for years following Spanish protests that only countries recognised by the UN should be permitted as members.
However, Spain's latest objection, reportedly over facilities for Uefa-level games, has prompted the organisation to defer a decision until December.
Barthez retires
Former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has announced his retirement from club and international football, citing family problems. "I quit the French team, I quit club football," Barthez, 35, told French TV channel TF1 yesterday.
After quitting Marseille last season he returned to his birthplace near Toulouse to be with his mother who is ill.
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