Soccer Digest

Tigana on the attack: Jean Tigana has broken his silence over the Steve Marlet transfer scandal and revealed his anger over suggestions he acted improperly in the £11.5 million deal.

Fulham are heading for a courtroom battle with the 28-year old France striker's agents over their bumper commission fee, reported to be £2 million.

Marlet's representative Pascal Boisseau, who along with his brother Sebastien arranged Marlet's August 2001 transfer from Lyon, said he plans to contact the Football Association's transfer watchdogs in the Compliance Unit to show "nothing illegal happened".

Tigana vowed to protect his "honour", saying: "I've never once had discussions alone with an agent to finalise an issue. I always discuss transfers with representatives of a club."

Fulham said on Sunday there was "not a shred of evidence to suggest Tigana has behaved improperly" - and Chester Stern, the club's controller of affairs, added yesterday: "We will begin legal proceedings against the agents."

Marlet is serving a three-match domestic suspension but is available for tonight's UEFA Cup third-round, second-leg tie with Hertha Berlin at Loftus Road. Fulham trail 2-1 from the first leg.

Wenger waits on Vieira

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is anxiously waiting to discover the extent of the latest injury problem to afflict captain Patrick Vieira. Vieira will almost certainly miss Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham after suffering a fresh groin problem against Valencia on Tuesday.

Security increased for Wise

Millwall will increase the security around Dennis Wise for his return to Leicester on Saturday. Wise received death threats following his decision to sue the Foxes for wrongful dismissal following a pre-season incident which left team-mate Callum Davidson with a fractured cheekbone.

The London club's security and operations adviser, Ken Chapman, said: "We've looked at every aspect of security and tightened up on certain areas because we'd anticipated this was going to be a difficult match."

In brief . . .

Wimbledon are planning to move into the National Hockey Stadium at Milton Keynes following delays surrounding a new, temporary ground at the National Bowl. The Dons confirmed yesterday the Hockey Stadium is now their preferred option for a temporary base until a new 18,000-seater home can be built at Denbigh North in Milton Keynes.

West Ham chairman Terence Brown has told his critics he would step down if a suitable replacement backer emerged. Brown has been under fire from the fans who blame him and his board for the team's current plight, with the Hammers bottom of the Premiership.

Former Liverpool player Neil Ruddock yesterday settled a wages dispute with his current club Swindon.

At an employment tribunal in Bristol an agreement was reached in which the club admitted not paying him wages and a loyalty bonus worth a total of more than £57,000.

The tribunal chairman ordered that the club pay Ruddock that amount.