Sam Allardyce is charged by the Football Association for improper conduct.
The Bolton Wanderers boss is the bookies favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Manchester United duo of Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo also face disciplinary charges.- Sam Allardyce, the bookies favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England head coach, is charged by the Football Association for improper conduct. The charges relate to comments the Bolton Wanderers boss made after the 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 14 January about referee Mike Riley. Allardyce was quoted as saying: “The stats just don’t stand up when he referees us. In my opinion it is not good enough - he nearly caused a riot.”
- Manchester United duo of Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo also face disciplinary charges. Neville’s FA charge relates to his wild celebrations following Rio Ferdinand’s last-gasp winner in the 1-0 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday when he appeared to taunt the visiting supporters. Ronaldo is charged by UEFA with misconduct for a gesture aimed at Benfica fans during a Champions League match that was clearly seen by the TV audience.
- Birmingham City are stunned by the news that managing director Karren Brady is to undergo brain surgery next week. 36 year-old Brady, who has been with the St Andrews club since 1993, is to receive treatment for an aneurysm and expects to be absent for about a month.
- Aston Villa announce losses of £9.4million in the half-year to December. They grew £600,000 from the same period in 2004, and revenues dipped from £19million to £17.7million mainly due to a fall in television income. A consortium of Irish property developers the Comer Brothers and life-long Villa fan Michael Neville have been in talks for three months about a buyout at Villa Park.
- Tunisia and Guinea progress to the Quarter Finals of the African Cup of Nations from Group C. Tunisia, the reigning champions, confirmed their last eight place with a 2-0 win over South Africa while Guinea advance after coming from behind to beat Zambia 2-1.
- Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Pele backs Brazil to retain the World Cup: “I think England has a good team this year, Italy has a very good team but of course Brazil is the favourite, without a doubt.”