Soccer Shorts

A round up of today's other soccer stories in brief...

A round up of today's other soccer stories in brief...

18-month ban for Rooney's agent

WAYNE Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, has been fined €380,000 and banned from working as a football agent for 18 months by a disciplinary commission, the English Football Association announced yesterday.

The independent regulatory commission's sanctions follow charges brought by the FA against Stretford relating to how he acquired the right to represent Rooney in 2002.

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The charges were also for improper conduct in relation to Stretford "making of false and/or misleading witness statements to police and giving false and/or misleading testimony to Warrington Crown Court" in a case about the circumstances of how he came to represent the Manchester United striker.

The ban will not come into force until after any appeal or move to go to arbitration by Stretford.

Liverpool told to fork out for Barry

ASTON Villa have reminded Liverpool they will only sell captain Gareth Barry for €23 million. Villa manager Martin O'Neill has made it clear since Barry became a Liverpool target at the end of last season he will accept nothing less than his full valuation for the England midfielder.

The midlands club have even formally written to Liverpool to spell out their position.

Hamburg's Croat striker Ivica Olic (28) has moved to end speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool by committing his future to the German club.

Liverpool are expecting to complete the signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri for €3.8 million after the Palmeiras player successfully passed a medical this week.

Sidwell snapped up by Villa

ASTON Villa have agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. Villa have settled on what is believed to be a fee of around €6.3 million for the 25-year-old former Reading player, subject to him passing a medical.

Meanwhile, It has been reported in the Spanish media that Robinho's agent has held talks with Chelsea with regards to the Brazilian joining the Premier League club.

Spanish daily Marcaclaims that Wagner Riberio, Robinho's representative, has flown to London for talks with Chelsea sporting director Frank Arneson over a move to England.

Crouch on move

PORTSMOUTH are expected to tie up the signing of Peter Crouch from Liverpool in the next two days.

Crouch has agreed personal terms with Portsmouth and the England striker will complete his move to Fratton Park providing his medical results are acceptable.

The 27-year-old will be joining Portsmouth for the second time, for a fee of around €12.5 million.

Staunton given rap from FA 

LEEDS United coach Steve Staunton faces the possibility of a fine or touchline ban after being charged with improper conduct.

The former Republic of Ireland manager, who joined Gary McAllister's coaching team in February, has been charged by the FA after an alleged clash with doping officials following Leeds' play-off final defeat to Doncaster.

Trezeguet  calls it a day

FRANCE striker David Trezeguet (30) said yesterday he was quitting international soccer.

The Juventus player was left out of France's Euro 2008 squad and had an uneasy relationship with coach Raymond Domenech, who was told last week he could stay in the job despite the country's poor showing in Austria and Switzerland last month.

• THAILAND are close to agreeing a contract with former England player Peter Reid to take over as national team coach for the 2014 World Cup.

Thai soccer president Worawi Makudi said the former Sunderland manager was now the sole candidate and was being offered a long-term contract.

• BIRMINGHAM have signed striker Kevin Phillips (34) on a free transfer from West Brom.

The former England international had been holding out for a two-year contract at the Hawthorns but Albion were only prepared to offer one year.