:: SOCCER NEWS ::

Leeds United have parted company with manager Peter Reid after his turbulent 22-match reign at Elland Road.

Reid's exit comes in the wake of the embarrassing 6-1 defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday, the club's worst loss since 1959.

Reid held talks with new Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch on Monday and the club later confirmed his departure.

Former Leeds favourite Eddie Gray will take over temporary charge with chief coach Kevin Blackwell becoming his assistant.

The Football Association has suspended four Arsenal players and handed out fines totalling £275,000 in one of the biggest crackdowns in English club football.

Arsenal received a record fine of £175,000 for failing to control their players in the controversial goalless draw against Manchester United on 21 September.

Lauren, Martin Keown, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour and Patrick Vieira were all also fined after pleading guilty to improper conduct.

Vieira was sent-off for two yellow cards during the game while the other four were involved in the ugly scenes after the final whistle.

The club apologised for the conduct of it players but said it was "considering its position" as far as the penalties imposed were concerned.

Lauren has received the most severe punishment and been suspended for four games as well as being fined £40,000.

An FA statement read that Lauren was guilty of "violent behaviour in forcibly pushing Van Nistelrooy in the back following the final whistle.

"And for improper conduct in confronting Van Nistelrooy after Patrick Vieira's sending-off and kicking out at Quinton Fortune following the penalty award."

Keown has been suspended for three games and been fined £20,000 "for violent behaviour in his actions towards Ruud van Nistelrooy."

Vieira and Parlour will both miss one game each for their offences with the Frenchman picking up a £20,000 fine and the English midfielder fined £10,000.

Vieira's reprimand comes "for improper conduct in failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off".

Parlour was guilty "for his improper conduct in separate confrontations with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gary Neville after the final whistle".

Cole has been warned as to his future conduct by the FA and fined £10,000 for his part in the confrontation which saw him involved in an incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thailand's billionaire prime minister is considering making a bid for Fulham.

Thaksin Shinawatra has just returned from a four-day trip to Britain, where he watched the Cottagers' 3-1 Premiership defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Fulham, who are owned by Harrods store boss Mohamed Al Fayed, announced yearly losses of £33.6m on 28 April.

"I'm considering this, but I still haven't decided. It shouldn't take too long to decide. 'Yes' or 'no' has to be fast, not slow," said Thaksin.

He added that he was "so impressed with some of Fulham's star players".

Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon whose business is now in the hands of his family, went to England immediately after hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Fulham, who are managed by 33-year-old Chris Coleman and are playing at QPR's Loftus Road, have made an excellent start to the season and are fifth in the Premiership table.

The English and Turkish football associations have both been charged with improper conduct over the half-time fracas in the Euro 2004 qualifier earlier this month.

Television pictures showed a melee involving players from both teams during the interval in Istanbul.

No individual players will be charged but instead the associations will attend a hearing on 30 October.

The game ended 0-0 - earning England a place at the Portugal finals.

During the bitterly contested tie flares were lit and missiles thrown onto the pitch - and charges against the Turkish FA on those matters will be heard at the same hearing.

Uefa decided to pursue the associations rather than players after considering video evidence, match reports from referee Pierluigi Collina and the match observer, and statements from both countries.

Turkey defender Alpay and David Beckham clashed during the first-half of the match when the England captain missed a penalty.

Those two players had another spat as they walked off at half-time and Collina called them into his room during the break to tell them to cool off.

The Italian referee was also seen ordering other players to their own dressing-rooms during the flare-up.

However, Collina is believed not to have mentioned any individual player as being guilty of violent behaviour in his match report.

It is expected that both FAs will be fined - and that participation in the Euro 2004 finals is not in doubt.

"On the basis of the evidence we have seen and the impartial reports, as well as the limited number of other cases, we are looking at some sort of fine," confirmed a Uefa spokesman.

Football has been rocked by a new scandal as it emerges two players have tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy in the last three months.

UK Sport, the Government's anti-doping agency, revealed in its quarterly results that two footballers had failed the tests.

The unnamed players were among 272 footballers from the Premiership, Football League and Conference tested between 1 July and 30 September.

The FA has refused to confirm the identities of the players involved in a scandal which comes in the wake of the discovery of designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) in athletics and the Rio Ferdinand affair.

Liverpool have been drawn to face Southampton's conqeurors Steaua Bucharest in the second round of the Uefa Cup - while Newcastle have also drawn tough opposition in FC Basle.

Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan will be happier after drawing Polish unknowns Groclin, while Scottish representatives Hearts meet Bordeaux.

Bucharest will be hoping to repeat their success against the Saints when they face Gerard Houllier's side, with the first leg in Romania.

Sir Bobby Robson's side will be well-briefed about FC Basle after they sent Celtic and Liverpool out of the Champions League last season.

Former Spurs boss Christian Gross also saw his side take the lead against Manchester United before they lost in Switzerland.

City will have high hopes of progress against Groclin, while Hearts will hope to advance against Bordeaux, who are currently struggling in the French first division.

Uefa Cup second round draw in full

Dinamo Zagreb v Dnipro
Borussia Dortmund v Socheaux
Manchester City v Groclin
Barcelona v Panionios
Benfica v Molde
Slavia Prague v Levski Sofia
Rosenborg v Crvena Zvedzda
Valencia v Maccabi Haifa
Spartak Moscow v Dinamo Bucharest
Gaziantepspor v Lens
Brondby v Schalke 04
Aris v Perugia
Utrecht v Auxerre
Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool
Valerenga v Wisla Kracow
PAOK Salonika v Debrecen
FC Copenhagen v Real Mallorca
Parma v Austria Vienna
Basle v Newcastle United
Hadjuk Split v AS Roma
Genclerbirligi v Sporting Lisbon
Torpedo Moscow v Villareal
Feyenoord v Teplice
Bordeaux v Hearts

The first leg matches will be played on 6 November with the return ties on 27 November.

Arsenal and five of their players have admitted a total of nine separate misconduct charges following the ugly scenes which marred their goalless draw at Manchester United last month.

Arsenal face a sizeable fine after admitting the overall charge of failing to control their players during the confrontations which occurred during and immediately after the game at Old Trafford.


Martin Keown, Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira, Ashley Cole and Lauren face punishment by the Football Association after admitting a mixture of charges, including improper conduct and violent behaviour, while Jens Lehman has been warned as to his future conduct.

United duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs have, meanwhile, both denied charges of improper conduct and will defend themselves at personal hearings since it is not as serious.

These are expected to take place around the end of this month and the FA are keen for all of the cases to be heard in a group, rather than being spread out over a long period.

Arsenal have nevertheless considered their position carefully and, having delayed their official response to the FA's charges on two occasions, they have decided to plead guilty on virtually all counts.

The club will hope that this spares them from the worst punishments, with the fear having been that mass suspensions could undermine their title challenge.

It seems clear that Arsenal will not face the same sort of points deduction with which they were hit in 1990 after a brawl in the same fixture they are lucky not to get one again.

However, Vieira is already banned from this weekend's fixture against Chelsea due to his red card at Old Trafford and the Gunners cannot afford to lose five players at the same time next month.

The FA, meanwhile, have still not revealed whether any action is planned against Wenger, who was asked to explain his outspoken post-match criticism of van Nistelrooy.

Wenger had declared: 'Van Nistelrooy does not help himself. He's a great player but his attitude is always provoking and diving. He looks a nice boy but, on the pitch, he doesn't always show fair behaviour.'

The full charge-sheet, according to the FA's website and possible penalties are:

Arsenal have admitted a charge of 'failing to ensure the proper behaviour of their players'. They face a large fine.

Martin Keown has admitted one charge of violent behaviour towards Van Nistelrooy. While another charge of improper conduct has been dropped, he could face a three-match ban.

Lauren has admitted a charge of violent behaviour for 'forcibly pushing Van Nistelrooy in the back following the final whistle'. He has also admitted two charges of improper conduct 'for confronting van Nistelrooy after Patrick Vieira's sending-off, and for kicking out at Quinton Fortune following the penalty award'. Another charge of improper conduct relating to actions towards Giggs has been dropped, but he could still be banned for up to five games.

Ray Parlour admitted two charges of improper conduct 'for separate confrontations with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gary Neville after the final whistle'. One of these was downgraded from a violent conduct and he faces a potential two-match ban.

Ashley Cole has admitted a charge of improper conduct 'for his involvement in a confrontation with Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle'. He could face a one-match ban.

Patrick Vieira has admitted a charge of improper conduct for 'failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off'. He could also face a one-match ban.

Jens Lehmann had faced a charge of improper conduct for 'his behaviour towards match officials' but this will be withdrawn and he will be warned to his future conduct.

Ryan Giggs has denied a charge of improper conduct for his 'involvement in a confrontation with Lauren after the match had ended'. He could face a one-match ban if found guilty.

Cristiano Ronaldo has denied a charge of improper conduct for 'confronting Martin Keown, also at the conclusion of the match' and, if found guilty, could also face a one-match ban.

The FA statement revealed that 'dates for the hearings for the above cases will be scheduled in due course', although it is understood that the governingbody are keen to avoid any further delay.

Police have been given more time to question a Leeds United footballer over an alleged serious sex assault on a 20-year-old woman the city.

West Yorkshire Police say two men remain in custody after being detained on Monday in connection with the alleged attack.

One of the men is believed to be a Leeds United player who was arrested at the club's training ground at Thorp Arch, near Wetherby, in West Yorkshire on Tuesday.

Now officers have been given a further 12 hours to interview the player who spent Tuesday night in the city's Chapeltown Police Station.

The other man being questioned is not thought to be a footballer.

Officers investigating the case are understood to have spoken to a second player from the club at Wetherby Police station, but he was not arrested.

Police will not confirm any connection between their investigation and players at the Elland Road club, but Leeds United have issued a statement pledging full support to the investigation.

On Wednesday a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "All I can confirm is that two men are still in custody."

Forensic experts and police officers spent Tuesday evening carrying out a detailed search of a lay-by in open country on the main A58 Leeds to Wetherby Road.

The area was taped off and experts in protective suits carried out a meticulous search under spotlights.

Group A

Bayern Munich looks the strongest in this group but I still do have some doubts when they proceed to the next level.  Nevertheless, gaining 3 points against the Scottish side and a point away to Anderlect is a good start for them and they should be able to get another pair of 3 points from their home fixtures to progress.  Let's home playmaker Ballack won't get himself injured again.  

Celtic does have something to prove as a runner up for last season's UEFA Cup after was beaten by Porto.  Looks good and shape, managing to score against Munich but lost at the end of it by Roy Makaay's goals.  Celtic did give a good show against Lyon, beating them 2-0.  I believe Lyon will not make it in this group stage because of their inconsistency and same goes with Anderlect.  

Group B  

No one will disagree with me that Inter Milan is the strongest among the rest.  Giving a trashing win against the gunners and beating Dynamo Kiev.  With 2 more home games in hand, they should go through comfortably.  

Dynamo Kiev, Arsenal and Lokomotiv are pretty equal.  Each of them does have their weakness.  Arsenal is extremely weak for their defense and Lokomotiv for their weak away fixtures.  Don’t understand why the Russians can’t perform away like they performed at home which is so much better and organized.  It totally looks like a complete different team.  

Though I still favour Inter and Arsenal to go through so that the competition will look more complete and challenging.  

Group C  

Well done for the French, Monaco is leading not only their own French Ligue but also the UEFA Champions League group stage.  They have the confidence and determination, winning both fixtures so far unlike the inconsistency of PSV and the struggling AEK.  

I will still favour Deportivo to go through with Monaco because they are a good side both defensively and their attacking capability though the sale of Roy Makaay could reduce their striking options.  

Group D  

Looks like both rivals are on equal points of 6, the mighty Juventus and Real Sociedad.  Everyone was shocked to see Sociedad been undefeated over 20+ games last season finishing 2^nd behind Real Madrid.  With capable players like Nihat, Kovacevic, Xabi Alonso and Valeri Karpin… etc, they are surely a side not to be under rated.  

Galatasaray surprised me.  I expected much from them but guess they aren’t as strong as they were in the past.  With the likes of Hakan Suker, Hasan Sas… etc, can they be able to turn the game around.  I do have doubts though and same goes with Olympiacos.  

Group E  

Rangers surprised everyone isn’t it, leading the table with 4 points and no one expected Man Utd to taste their 1^st defeated so soon, loosing 2-1 to Stuttgart.  

Apart from the weak Scottish league, what is wrong with the red devils?  They are still trying to mix around with the new recruits, gel them and play like a team but to be honest, they are still struggling in the midfield without the likes of Veron and Beckham and this season their defense is awful.  They lost to Southampton, a terrible draw with Arsenal and now a lost to Stuttgart.  Just hope Ferguson knows what he is doing in order to improve his squad if not I don’t think they are going to make it in the Champions League.  

Stuttgart is quite similar to Real Sociedad, a team build with youngsters with good capabilities, fast and aggressive, trying to prove a point on the pitch.  To gain a win against the red devils is never easy but after watching the match, my first time I get to watch how Stuttgart plays, I am convenience.  They are a fantastic side and Man Utd defense just couldn’t hold Stuttgart speedy counter attack.  

Panathinaikos, what can I say about them.  They lost and they are done for.  Don’t see them making it in this competition for sure.  

Group F  

The millionaire club, what can I say, if they won’t win it, who else can especially in this group which personally Porto did play well against Real Madrid, scoring an early goal against the Spanish champions.  It was a worth match to watch and Porto should have won the game but lack a bit of luck in finishing.  Time is given to Real Madrid to get back to the game, only to see the fall of Porto then.  

Porto won’t be the champions of Portugal and last seasons UEFA Cup for nothing.  I truly see them making to the next round as compared to Marseille and Partizan.  Deco is a fantastic player and he makes a difference in the team.  

Group G  

What a let down by Chelsea, loosing 2 goals to Besiktas.  I seriously have no idea what Ranieri is thinking, making different changes every week in week out just to make sure his over populated players get to play?  When you are prepared to bring in so many star players, then why keep the old.  Guess the Russian revolution should think of spending money on a new manager than players.  

Lazio, yet another Italian club holding on to the lead, having to chase back 2 goals after been 2 goals down against Sparta which I feel they should at least get a win here.  

This is a very close group to call but I still think Lazio and Chelsea will go through to the next round.  

Group H  

Finally, the defending champions, AC Milan, apart from Real Madrid, who can have a bigger squad then them with a solid defense, strong midfield and inform strikers.  With the likes of Cafu, Maldini, Nesta, Costacurta, Martin Lausen, Gattuso, Rui Costa, Rivaldo, Seedorf, Pirlo, Kaka, Ambrosini, Serginho, Shevchenko and Inzagi, who can mess with this squad.  No doubts they will go through comfortably.  

I will see that Ajax could beat Vigo for the 2^nd spot but Brugge won’t be able to make to the next round

Police investigating an alleged rape involving eight Premiership footballers are examining hotel CCTV footage.

Scotland Yard has confirmed a 17-year-old girl made a complaint at a central London Police station on Saturday.

The alleged incident happened over the weekend at London's Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane.

Scotland Yard forensic experts have also been examining rooms at the five-star hotel for DNA evidence.

Internet 'naming'

Detectives from Operation Sapphire, the Metropolitan Police's task force to tackle sex crimes, will take a full statement from the girl within the next few days.

They will then decide whether to make further inquiries with anyone she says was involved in the alleged attack.

No footballers or clubs have been named by police in connection with the allegation.

The Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association have also refused to comment.

The girl has undergone medical examination at a rape counselling suite.

At least 2 are alleged to have raped the the girl.

The assault is alleged to have taken place in the early hours after the players had been t o a bar and a nightclub in Central London.

There were 3 premiershp fixtures i London over the weekend.  Newcastle played at Arsenal on Friday night, Chelsea hosted Aston Villa on Saturday and Charlton played Liverpool on Sunday.

Which club do you think the suspects belong to?  Make your discussion here.

Meanwhile concern has been raised over controls of the internet as names of footballers allegedly involved in the incident were widely circulated on websites.

One well known internet discussion site was closed on Tuesday after some contributors named individuals.

The Attorney General has warned the press about possible prejudicial reporting because of the high profile of the people involved.

The hotel where the alleged incident took place has refused to comment. 

I just wonder if anyone is out there to get even with the players or out to ruin the players reputation.  Can all these be just a story to bring business to the publishing industry.  Lets wait and see.