Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

Wenger stays defiant

Manchester United will end Chelsea's two-year reign as English Premier League champions if they avoid a derby defeat at Manchester City today, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday.

Wenger, whose team face Chelsea tomorrow, said he did not care who became champions, but pledged Arsenal would do their utmost to beat Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

"I think the championship will be decided on Saturday and if Manchester United do not lose, they will be the champions."

League stand ground

The English Premier League is confident it will successfully defend any legal challenge over the decision to fine West Ham £5.5 million rather than deduct points over rule breaches in the Carlos Tevez-Javier Mascherano transfer affair.

Chairmen and chief executives from relegation-threatened Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton met in London yesterday to discuss possible legal challenges to the ruling.

League sources said yesterday that as shareholders in the league the clubs would effectively be suing themselves. ...

Writers opt for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association. The Manchester United winger topped the journalists' poll ahead of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Heighway's parting shot

Former Liverpool academy boss Steve Heighway has described Rafael Benitez' decision to assume control of the coaching of the club's up-and-coming players as "crazy".

Heighway oversaw the club's triumph in the FA Youth Cup final last week and announced that he would be leaving the academy after 19 years.

The former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland winger said: "Rafa is a terrific manager . . . but in my view I'm the best coach of 17 and 18-year-old players in this club. But I no longer get the chance to do that. That's crazy, that's mad; it's to the detriment of the young players at this club."

Benitez answered the criticism by pointing out that his coaching career began working with the youth team at Real Madrid. "I was working for 10 years with Real Madrid and we had 40 players go on to play Premier League football in Spain, so I have some experience," he said.

Gerrard opens talks

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is one of five players who have begun talks over new contracts, manager Rafael Benitez confirmed yesterday.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso, defenders Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan and goalkeeper Jose Reina are also being offered new deals.

Gerrard could agree a new four-year deal before this year's Champions League final against AC Milan on May 23rd.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will wear their red home kit for the Champions League final. They had been named as the away team for the match in Athens but Milan have chosen to wear their all white strip.

PFA back Cork City

Cork City expect a ruling on their bid to unshackle Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly, writes Paul O'Hehir. Fifa is preventing the former Irish internationals from playing until July 1st as they have already played for two other clubs this season.

However, the Professional Footballers Association in England has now adopted the case as both Healy and Farrelly are members of their union having played most recently for English clubs.

The PFA are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the Premier Division club are now hopeful of a successful outcome.

Webster pays the price

Fifa have ordered Andy Webster to pay Hearts £625,000 as compensation for breaking his contract "without just cause" prior to moving to Wigan last summer. He is also suspended by Fifa for the first two matches of next season, in whichever league he plays.

Webster is currently on loan at Rangers.

In brief . . . .

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been named Premiership manager of the month for April

. . . Primera Liga side Recreativo Huelva have signed on loan striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle (22) from Liverpool for £2.7 million . . . Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder yesterday warned Valencia not to bother setting their sights on £10 million striker Obafemi Martins should the Spanish side sell David Villa to Liverpool.