SOCCER DIGEST

More soccer news in brief.

Ronaldo 'happy where he is'

CRISTIANO RONALDO has reiterated he is happy at Manchester United and "would love to continue" at Old Trafford.

The Portugal winger has been persistently linked with Real Madrid by the Spanish media and has not helped quell the speculation by announcing he would make a decision on his future shortly.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico, the 23-year-old confirmed he would like to play in Spain one day but that he is satisfied with life in England.

"I have never hid from anyone that I would like to play in Spain one day," he said. "It's a dream, but sometimes dreams don't happen.

"I can guarantee that I am happy at Manchester United and that I would love to continue."

Gannon ends Wembley nightmare

JIM GANNON finally ended his Wembley nightmares as his Stockport County side came from behind to clinch promotion to League 1 via the play-offs.

Gannon had appeared at the old Wembley four times as a player with Stockport - and headed home a loser on every occasion.

But this time there was no denying the former Dundalk and Shelbourne player as his team ran out 3-2 winners over Rochdale to join Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough and Hereford in League 1 next season.

"It was great to finally taste victory at Wembley and bring so much pleasure to the players and fans. That's what pleases me most."

Gannon lost at Wembley in the 1992 and 1994 play-off finals and in the 1992 and 1993 Football League trophy finals.

Iraq faces year in soccer wilderness

IRAQ FACES a year in the soccer wilderness after Fifa suspended it from all international competitions yesterday and issued an ultimatum to Baghdad.

The world governing body announced it had imposed the ban after the Iraq government dissolved its National Olympic Committee and national sport federations in breach of Fifa and Olympic regulations.

The board will recommend that the Fifa Congress, which meets in Sydney on Friday, suspends Iraq from all tournaments for 12 months, but left the door open for a reprieve if Baghdad reversed its decision by 1400 GMT on Thursday.