Foxes appoint Megson

Northern Ireland players involved in bust-up

Salisbury City win away

Leicester City have appointed Gary Megson, 48, as their new manager. The former Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest boss will give Gerry Taggart and Frank Burrows roles in his coaching staff. Megson will be the Foxes’ fifth manager in 18 months and the fourth since Milan Mandaric took control of the club in February. The previous man in charge, Martin Allen, was sacked on 29 August just four games into his tenure following a disagreement with Mandaric. Speaking on the club’s official website, Megson said:

“Leicester is a Premiership club in everything but its divisional status. The stadium and training ground are both of the highest standard whilst the support is both Premiership standard in its quality and quantity. In coming to Leicester I am not just working at a Championship club that is happy to plod along. This club has got ambition to get back into the Premiership and that appeals to me greatly.”

Northern Ireland stars Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United) and George McCartney (West Ham United) were involved in a fight on an aeroplane before it flew the team from Iceland to London. The incident came after a verbal exchange and punches were thrown before other players were forced to intervene.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had issued an apology after he was involved in an incident that overshadowed his side’s Euro 2008 qualifying match against Serbia. The Group A rivals drew 1-1 but Scolari, 58, appeared to lash out at Ivica Dragutinovic after the Serbian defender was sent off in added time. UEFA have launched an investigation while Portugal’s Football Federation is also examining the evidence. After initially denying that there was need for punishment Scolari issued an apology, accusing Dragutinovic of insulting his family.

“I apologise to Portugal and to the Portuguese people, because I feel at home here. It was a situation with a lot of confusion and I was only protecting my athletes. Words in Spanish directed at my family, I understand perfectly well. As such when I reacted, it was the wrong reaction but sometimes even rational and normal people err.”

Uefa president Michel Platini’s controversial plans to give domestic cup winners a Champions League place will not be supported by G14 member clubs. Platini’s proposals would give 16 cup winners a separate qualifying route into the Champions League and an allocation of four automatic places in the lucrative group stages. Meanwhile the G14, which represents 18 of Europe’s top clubs, intends to expand its membership to around 50 by the end of the year.

In the Blue Square Premier league, Salisbury City beat Forest Green Rovers 0-3 at the New Lawn.

Nathan Davies