Soccer Shorts

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

Dundee appeal as 25 points deducted

DUNDEE ADMINISTRATOR Bryan Jackson has accused the Scottish Football League of threatening the club’s future after they were hit with a deduction of 25 points.

Jackson immediately vowed to appeal against what he called the SFL board’s “outrageous” punishment for going into administration for the second time in seven years.

Dundee were instantly transported to bottom spot in the First Division, 20 points behind nearest rivals Morton.

They have also been hit with a transfer embargo until they exit administration, and face further sanctions if they do not achieve that goal by March 31st.

Dundee went into administration after being unable to pay a tax bill which then stood at €485,000 and Jackson warned there was only enough money to continue trading until Christmas.

Former referee Wiley backs Clattenburg over Nani goal

FORMER PREMIER League referee Alan Wiley has backed Mark Clattenburg following the controversy over Manchester United’s second goal in their win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Nani slotted home a match-clinching second for the home side while Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes looked on, believing he had lined up a free-kick following a handball by the Portugal winger.

Wiley, who now coaches the 16 select match officials as part of his role with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), believes Clattenburg did the right thing.

“First and foremost, what we have to remember is that the goal is within the laws of the game,” he told Radio Five Live.

“The game hadn’t stopped and so, in essence, Mark was right in law.”

Wiley, who retired from refereeing in July, also rubbished the theory that Clattenburg should have chalked the goal off on the basis that Tottenham had not received an advantage.

Wenger happy as Wilshere commits 

ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger believes midfielder Jack Wilshere could reach the pinnacle of the sport after he signed a new long-term deal with the club.

The 18-year-old England international, who has been with the club since he was nine, has made eight Premier League appearances this season and has figured in all three of the club’s Champions League games so far.

And Wenger, who has overseen Wilshere’s development, including making the decision to loan him to Bolton last season, is confident the teenager can now kick on to even better things.

“It’s such great news that Jack has committed his long-term future to the club,” he said.

“Jack is a fantastic footballer with a huge amount of potential, and we have all seen with his performances so far that he is a very gifted player who could be an extremely influential player at the top level of the game.”