SOCCER SHORTS

A round-up of other soccer news

Angry Hughes says Bruce 'confused everyone'

STEVE BRUCE has made a conciliatory telephone call to Manchester City’s executive chairman, Garry Cook, following his outspoken criticisms of the club earlier this week, but trying to make the peace did not spare him a withering put-down from an angry Mark Hughes.

“He’s confused everyone, including himself,” said Hughes, in an episode that says much about how these one-time Manchester United team-mates are now barely on speaking terms.

Relations between the two have been strained for some time and they reached a new low on Tuesday when Bruce castigated City because of the role he suspected they had played in Wilson Palacios leaving Wigan for Tottenham Hotspur.

Bruce’s information was that City had made an unofficial arrangement with Tottenham not to pursue their own interest in the player – on the condition that Spurs did not rival them in trying to sign Craig Bellamy.

“They (City) used the boy as a weapon and used our club as a vehicle to get Bellamy,” Bruce said. “I have to say Manchester City’s behaviour was absolutely disgusting. They took the piss out of us, to be honest. They have shown a lack of respect for this football club and the player himself.”

But Hughes rejected the allegations as “cheap shots”.

“I really don’t understand what Steve is suggesting,” he added. “I think it’s unfair and bizarre. We were trying to do our business.”

GuardianService

Fifa won't change transfer window

FIFA have ruled out any changes to the January transfer window despite rising opposition from English Premier League chairmen.

A number of top-flight chairmen and managers are unhappy about the January slot, but a senior Fifa source said the system was agreed with the European Commission, Uefa and players’ unions, and all bodies would have to agree to any changes.

“The Premier League cannot impose unilateral changes to the transfer window,” The Fifa source said, “it would have to be agreed by all the organisations including Fifa, Uefa and the EC.”

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is strongly opposed to the slot.

“In my time as chairman this has been the most demanding month – in fact it has surpassed all ridiculousness,” Quinn said.

“The other day I heard someone say that football was losing the plot and I’m inclined to think that the removal of the January window might help the game to regain some sanity.”

Boost for England 2018 bid

ENGLAND’S hopes of winning the contest for the 2018 World Cup have been given a major boost after Fifa president Sepp Blatter cast doubt on whether joint bids were allowed.

Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are preparing joint bids to rival England’s campaign, but Fifa rules do not permit them.

Speaking in Asuncion, Paraguay, Blatter said: “As long as we have single-country bids which provide all the necessary guarantees we will reject co-hosting bids.”

Chuck Blazer, a Fifa executive committee member from the US, also confirmed a new ruling would be needed if this was to change. He said the experience of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan had led to the executive committee imposing the original ban.

For 2014, the situation did not come up as there was just one bid, from Brazil.

West Ham sign Czech midfielder

WEST HAM have signed Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac (29) on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season. Kovac, who was captain at Spartak, can also play in central defence and brings a wealth of experience from his country's World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008 campaigns.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said the club have an option to make the signing permanent if it is agreeable to both parties.

Celtic bid for Fletcher rejected

CELTIC'S bid to sign Steven Fletcher was knocked back by Hibernian yesterday on the day Willo Flood became their first major capture of the transfer window.

Hibs confirmed they had received a verbal approach from another Scottish Premier League club for their star striker, who is under contract at Easter Road until 2013.

A statement on the Edinburgh side's website, hibs.co.uk, read: "Hibernian FC today rejected a verbal approach from an SPL club to discuss the potential transfer of Steven Fletcher. No further discussion is planned."

Despite Hibs' official line, there have been reports they may accept a bid in the region of €3 million for the 21-year-old Scotland forward.

There are also rumours Celtic could be offering a player-plus-cash deal for Fletcher, who has scored six goals this season.

Celtic agreed an undisclosed fee with Cardiff for Flood, who could make his debut in tomorrow's clash at Inverness after completing his move from Cardiff.