Soccer Digest

Bans for United duo

A turbulent summer for Manchester United took another demoralising turn yesterday when the English Football Association ruled Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes must serve three-match bans for being sent off in a pre-season tournament in Amsterdam.

United had appealed against the red cards but an independent disciplinary commission upheld the referee Ruud Bossen's decision that Rooney had struck a Porto player in an aerial challenge and Scholes had been guilty of serious foul play with a tackle from behind.

Rooney and Scholes will be eligible for Sunday's visit of Fulham, but will miss the subsequent matches against Charlton Athletic, Watford and Tottenham Hotspur.

The announcement is the latest setback in a summer that has seen Ruud van Nistelrooy leave for Real Madrid and an increasingly frustrated Alex Ferguson thwarted in his hunt to find a replacement as well as a combative midfielder to fill the void left by Roy Keane.

Ferguson had been openly confident about Rooney being let off when video evidence was reviewed. There was no official comment from Old Trafford last night but Ferguson is thought to be livid and, once again, to be questioning the FA's treatment of the club. Earlier this week Ferguson claimed Rooney was being unfairly targeted because of his notorious temperament and, speaking about the FA's hearing, said he was "surprised it had carried on this far". - Guardian Service

Kuyt set for Anfield

Dirk Kuyt is edging closer to joining Liverpool after reaching agreement with the Dutch club Feyenoord. He will be permitted to leave Rotterdam for Anfield once a fee has been thrashed out. Reports in Holland last night suggested the striker had already met the Merseysiders' manager, Rafael Benitez, to discuss the transfer. Funds are relatively tight at Anfield and, while Liverpool could offer Feyenoord a deal worth up to £10m for the international, they would look to stagger payments over the course of his contract.

Healy earns 50th cap

Leeds striker David Healy will tonight win his 50th cap for Northern Ireland and captain the side in a friendly against Finland. The match is a warm-up for the opening Euro 2008 qualifier on September 2nd when Iceland visit Windsor Park. Healy looks set to partner James Quinn up front while Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan is poised to win his third cap. A good display could see Clingan replace Damien Johnson as he is suspended for the opening two matches against Iceland and Spain.

Nedved bows out

Pavel Nedved has announced he will retire from international football following the Czech Republic's friendly clash with Serbia tonight. The midfielder hung up his international boots after Euro 2004 but opted to return to the national team during qualifying for this summer's World Cup. Nedved will continue to play for club side Juventus in Serie B.

In Brief

Jose Antonio Reyes yesterday said he does not want to return to training with Arsenal. Real Madrid will attempt to use the Spain international's unrest as leverage to complete his transfer, sending a delegation to Arsenal in the next 48 hours armed with a "final offer"

. . . Portsmouth are ready to to push through a deal to sign Nigerian star Kanu . . . Manchester City completed the signing of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson from Stade Rennes yesterday for £2 million . . . Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is winning his fitness battle ahead of Sunday's Premiership opener against Manchester City . . . Middlesbrough were last night discussing terms with Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin after having an offer for the Frenchman accepted . . . Newcastle are ready to invest £5 million in the surprise signing of Collins John from Fulham.