Other soccer stories in brief
No seconds for Defoe
The English FA have confirmed Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe will not face any further punishment for his alleged "bite" on West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Defoe was booked by referee Steve Bennett when he reacted angrily to a challenge from behind by the Argentinian midfielder during Tottenham's 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Television replays showed Defoe attempting to "bite" Mascherano on the arm but the Spurs player claimed that his reaction, labelled a "comical nibble" by coach Martin Jol, had been blown up out of all proportion.
Bennett's decision to award him a yellow card is the main reason the England striker will not face any further charges from the English FA. The FA deem Bennett's action as having dealt with the matter and as a result Defoe faces no further punishment.
Blues letter
The FA have received a letter from Chelsea about their controversial game at Reading where Petr Cech fractured his skull. The Premiership champions were unhappy with Stephen Hunt's challenge on Cech and concerned with the medical procedure in place to help their stricken goalkeeper.
Jose Mourinho, speaking last week, highlighted the time it took to get an ambulance to Cech but the club insist they are not trying to apportion blame. Chelsea officials, however, are convinced important lessons can be learnt from the experience, which will offer quicker treatment in future for players who suffer serious injuries on the pitch. The London club have put their observations in writing and the FA have promised to look into the points raised.
Clarke on loan
Sunderland have loaned former Stoke City and West Ham left back Clive Clarke out to Coventry City for a month with the 26-year-old lining out last night to make his debut in the Championship game against Colchester, writes Emmet Malone.
Clarke, an Irish international, played just four games for Sunderland after signing for £400,000 at the start of the season. He was unavailable due to a hernia when Roy Keane took over at the club and has struggled since to win a place in the club's starting line-up.
Rovers fail
Shamrock Rovers have failed in their latest attempt to have the three points they were docked for playing Paul Shiels while suspended restored to them, reports Emmet Malone.
The club had pushed the case to arbitration in the belief that the league had failed in their responsibilities by not informing Rovers that Shiels had an outstanding suspension when he signed for the club in the wake of Dublin City's collapse. The club's board will consider this latest setback, which is a significant blow to Rovers' hopes of finishing top of the first division, when they meet this evening.
Real Formula
Real Madrid will sponsor a Formula One racing car at the Spanish Grand Prix next year. "It's a great project. The design work has been done with cars painted white and carrying the club's crest," said club president Ramon Calderon.
"The agreement is with a team with a good chance of winning and will be for one or two grands prix, but at Montmelo for sure. It will be especially good fun to see a car racing in Barcelona with a big Real logo on it."
The idea of Real sponsoring a Formula One car first surfaced in June during the club's presidential election as an idea put forward by aspiring candidate Juan Palacios.
In brief . . .
Macclesfield have unveiled Paul Ince as their new player-manager . . . Bolton captain Kevin Nolan will serve a three-match ban following his sending-off against Blackburn on Sunday . . . Sheffield United have submitted a claim of wrongful dismissal with the FA following Claude Davis' sending off against Everton on Saturday . . . Hearts manager Valdas Ivanauskas has stepped down for two weeks to resolve health problems, the Lithuanian said yesterday.
