Soccer Shorts

Fifa pull plug on videoFifa have ruled out allowing video evidence being used retrospectively to punish players who dive. The game's world administrative body said in a statement: "Fifa received yesterday a formal communication from the (English) FA regarding the use of video evidence to apply retrospective disciplinary action in cases of diving.

"According to the Fifa disciplinary code, although a disciplinary committee may rectify serious and obviously incorrect decisions taken by a referee, particularly regarding disciplinary sanctions, a referee's discretionary decision cannot be classed as such."

Fowler kept in dark

Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler (30) admits he is still in the dark over whether he will be offered a new deal at Anfield. Fowler rejoined the club on a six-month contract in January and is determined to prove to manager Rafael Benitez he is worth an extension.

Fowler said: "I've had no indication what the decision will be yet. It won't be taken lightly by the manager. He's obviously not made up his mind yet, or if he has he hasn't told me about it. All I can do is sit and wait."

In brief . . .

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (34) has indicated he will leave Middlesbrough when his contract expires at the end of the current season . . . Middlesbrough's Spanish midfielder Gazika Mendieta (32) will miss the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his foot in training yesterday . . . Inter Milan have been fined €25,000 after their fans targeted Messina's Ivory Coast defender Marc Zoro with racist abuse during last Saturday's Serie A match

. . . Coventry City's Michael Doyle (24) has signed a new contract which will keep the Republic of Ireland capped midfielder at the English Championship club until the end of the 2007-'08 season.