Mandaric completes Foxes takeover

QPR suspend coach after China brawl

Wigan back Jewell in ref rage

—– Milan Mandaric completes his takeover of Leicester City.
The former Portsmouth owner does not reveal how much he paid for the Foxes (thought to be in excess of £25million) but says he aims to take City back into the Premiership within three years. They are currently in 17th position in the Championship.
Despite earlier speculation, the Serbian-American businessman confirms that manager Rob Kelly will be given the chance to prove his worth: “I have been in dialogue with Iain Dowie and other managers. A lot of managers would like to be at Leicester but we have made a decision to stay with Rob and give him our full support.
“He is an intelligent and honest manager who knows what needs to be done.”
Leicester dropped out of the Premiership in 2004.

—– Queens Park Rangers suspend assistant manager Richard Hill for an indefinite period following last week’s brawl during a training match against China’s Olympic team.
China’s Zheng Tao suffered a broken jaw.
The Football Association is also investigating the incident, and remain in ongoing communication with the Metropolitan Police who confirm that a 43-year-old man was arrested on Saturday on the suspicion of actual bodily harm.

—– Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell is charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his angry confrontation with referee Phil Dowd after the controversial defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
In response, the Latics not only back their boss but lodge a complaint with the FA and Premier League regarding the Staffordshire official’s conduct.
They allege that “a number of their players were verbally abused in an aggressive and menacing manner by Mr Dowd”.

—– Meanwhile, Luton Town manager Mike Newell is fined £6,500 by the FA over his sexist comments regarding female assistant referee Amy Rayner in November.
After the match with Queens Park Rangers, Newell said that the appointment of women referees and assistants was “tokenism for the politically-correct idiots”.

—– In the night’s FA Cup Fourth Round replays, Middlesbrough need penalties to finally end the brave efforts of Bristol City following a 2-2 draw at the Riverside.
City’s League One rivals Blackpool take Championship Norwich City to extra time at Carrow Road but the Canaries run out 3-2 winners.

—– West Bromwich Albion move up to second in the Championship after a 2-1 win at Colchester United.
On their first-ever league visit to the Essex club, the Baggies end the Us’ 14-match unbeaten run at Layer Road.

—– Following Saturday’s 0-5 drubbing at AFC Bournemouth, Leyton Orient’s League One survival hopes suffer another heavy blow as they lose 1-4 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The visitors had scored only once in their eight previous games.