Soccer Shorts

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Newcastle facing two ‘tapping-up’ allegations

NEWCASTLE United have been reported to Fifa and the Premier League over allegations of tapping up the Mali striker Modibo Maiga and the Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Rob Elliot. The French club Sochaux have accused Newcastle

The French club Sochaux have accused Newcastle representatives of an illegal approach to Maiga in an official complaint to world football’s governing body. The 23-year-old has admitted speaking to Newcastle and has gone awol from the Sochaux squad since declaring his desire to move to St James’ Park.

Maiga said: “I want it to be done with Newcastle. I want to leave. It is necessary that the president agrees to negotiate. I met everybody, they want me and it is not any club.”

Sochaux responded to that admission and Maiga’s subsequent refusal to report for training by contacting Fifa on Monday.

Charlton, meanwhile, have contacted the Premier League over what they allege to be another illegal approach from Newcastle to Elliot, a 25-year-old goalkeeper.

GuardianService

Eto’o nets a €30 million deal

RUSSIAN club Anzhi Makhachkala have reached an agreement with Inter Milan to sign Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o in a deal which will make him one of the world’s best-paid players.

Anzhi spokesman Alexander Udaltsov confirmed today that the club will pay Inter €21 million for the 30-year-old, who will earn €30 million over his three-year contract.

Eto’o scored 21 goals in 35 Serie A appearances for Inter.

Peamount to face Paris St Germain

DUBLIN’S Peamount United were yesterday drawn against French Championship runners-up, Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 32 knock-out phase at the Uefa Women’s Champions League draw.

Peamount United, winners of last year’s FAI Umbro Women’s Senior Cup will host the French club in Dublin on September 28th or 29th with the return leg set to take place in France on October 5th or 6th .

Peamount United became the first-ever Irish team to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Uefa Champions League after emerging from a group which included Spanish Champions Rayo Vallecano, Pärnu of Estonia and Slovenian champions, Krka.

Norwich and Swansea bow out early

LEAGUE CUP ROUND-UP:

Aston Villa struggled for almost 80 minutes before goals from Eric Lichaj and Nathan Delfouneso finally saw off Hereford 2-0 in the Carling Cup second round.

American defender Eric Lichaj made the breakthrough against the visitors from r League Two, and Villa sealed their victory when substitute Delfouneso popped up with a second goal two minutes from time

Mick McCarthy’s second-string Wolves strolled to a 4-0 victory at League Two side Northampton.

Two goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Nenad Milijas’s classy free-kick and a fourth goal from Sam Vokes eased Wolves – who made 11 changes from Saturday’s side against Fulham – to a comprehensive win.

Premier Division newcomers Norwich City crashed out of the competition in humiliating fashion courtesy of a 0-4 home defeat to League One side Milton Keynes Dons. Luke Chadwick scored twice for Dons.

Samuel Baldock and Daniel Powell completed the rout.

Premier League newcomers Swansea also bowed out. They were beaten 3-1 by Shrewsbury Town.

Blackburn sign winger Vukcevic

BLACKBURN manager Steve Kean has completed his fourth signing of the summer with the capture of Montenegro winger Simon Vukcevic from Sporting Lisbon.

The 25-year-old has signed a three-year contract, and although he has yet to collect a visa and work permit, it is hoped he will be available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton at Ewood Park.

“Hopefully he’ll be back in the country some time tomorrow,” said Kean, whose side are at home to Sheffield Wednesday in a Carling Cup second-round tie tonight.

“If he comes back with all the appropriate paperwork then he will train with us on Thursday and Friday in preparation for the Everton game.”

Uefa to investigate Maribor’s complaint about Bocanegra

UEFA will investigate a complaint from Maribor about the eligibility of Rangers’ Carlos Bocanegra for the Europa League play-off first-leg last week.

The American defender completed a transfer from St Etienne to Ibrox last Wednesday, the day before the Scottish club lost 2-1 in Slovenia. Bocanegra played in that game but did not appear in a Scottish Premier League match at Motherwell on Sunday.

His absence at Fir Park was because a work permit had not been granted so Maribor are questioning whether he was eligible to play in Europe. The permit has now been issued.

“How can the player have the right to play in the European competition on the Thursday night but [not] have clearance to play for Rangers in a domestic match in Scotland three days later?” said a Maribor spokesman.

A Uefa representative said: “NK Maribor have raised a protest about the eligibility of the Rangers player Carlos Bocanegra.”