Leeds United yesterday expressed "grave concerns" over the possibility of their UEFA Cup third round first-leg tie with Spartak Moscow being played in the southern Russian town of Vladikavkaz, 31 miles from war-torn Chechnya.
Spartak received the offer after they beat Alania Vladikavkaz 3-0 in their final league game of the season at the weekend, a victory which helped them to clinch the title. by seven points from local rivals Lokomotiv.
Spartak officials are believed to be considering such a proposal due to the warmer weather in the town. Leeds secretary Ian Silvester sees no reason why the game cannot be played in Moscow, despite the severe wintry conditions which are likely to hit the city for the tie on November 25th.
UEFA have rejected Tottenham's official protest after Kaiserslautern changed their starting line-up 40 minutes before the kick-off of their UEFA Cup second-round second-leg tie in Germany.
Tournament rules dictate that the German side should have handed in their starting XI on a team-sheet to match officials an hour-and-a-quarter before the game. UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body met yesterday and a statement read: "After having examined the facts, the disciplinary body decided to reject Tottenham's protest."
The English FA have charged Middlesbrough striker Brian Deane with misconduct for elbowing Sunderland defender Paul Butler in the face.
Video evidence was used by the FA's disciplinary department to assess the incident and the former Leeds and Sheffield United player has 14 days to respond to the charge.
The flash-point, in the north east derby at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday was missed by Warwick referee Graham Barber but not by the Match of the Day cameras.
Derby midfielder Francesco Baiano is to leave Pride Park and return to Italy.
The 31-year-old former Italian international, signed from Fiorentina for £1.3 million in August 1997, had his contract with Derby cancelled by mutual consent yesterday.
Leeds United and Manchester City yesterday played down talk that they could be thrown out of the FA Cup because of their involvement with BSkyB.
Claims that the two clubs could be in contravention of FA Cup Rule 30 because Rupert Murdoch's corporation holds a 9.1 per cent stake in the Elland Road outfit and last week secured 9.9 per cent of the shares at City, have been dismissed. Both clubs are confident that they will not fall foul of the rule book.
