Football: Bosnich under threat of ban

MARK BOSNICH has been charged by the Football Association for allegedly swearing at Everton fans at Goodison Park on 15 August. The Aston Villa goalkeeper is likely to face a suspension if he is found guilty, having been warned about his future conduct two years ago for making a Nazi-style salute at Tottenham.

Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United, has escaped without sanctions over his outburst against the referee Stefano Braschi following last month's Champions' League draw against Barcelona.

Nicky Butt, however, will sit out United's Champions' League game against Brondby next week after being given a two-match ban. The England midfielder missed United's last match, against Bayern Munich, following his red card for handball against Barcelona and Uefa, European football's governing body, has suspended him for another game.

Blackburn's Scotland striker, Kevin Gallacher, learned yesterday that he will be out for three months with a badly broken arm. It is a significant setback for Blackburn to lose their leading scorer at a time when Chris Sutton is troubled by an ankle injury and Kevin Davies is recovering from a throat abscess.

To make matters worse, Martin Dahlin, who was due to start a three-game ban on Saturday, wants to leave Ewood Park, and is joining the German side, Hamburg, on loan for the rest of the season. Blackburn will pick up a loan fee of pounds 150,000 and have agreed a price of pounds 900,000 for Dahlin if the deal becomes permanent.

Another departure from Ewood is the Swedish midfielder Anders Andersson, signed yesterday by Aalborg on loan until next June. The deal gives the Danish side the option of buying the 24-year-old international.

The West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp, has denied claims that the club is refusing to allow fans into the training ground following the fracas involving John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic. "I was very upset to read how we were supposed to have turned away a father and his young son yesterday," Redknapp said. "That is blatant lies. As long as I am at this club, the fans will always be welcome to come and watch us."

Brian Deane's proposed transfer to Middlesbrough from Benfica was put on hold yesterday after Fifa's intervention. Sheffield United, who sold Deane to Benfica, said they had received confirmation from the game's world body that the Portuguese FA had been asked to block Deane's move until both associations had received documentation proving the Blades had been paid. They say Benfica still owe them pounds 500,000.

Queen's Park Rangers have denied reports that Gerry Francis has returned to the club as director of football. A spokesman said: "We are interviewing but nothing has been decided. We hope to make an announcement in the near future."

John Rudge is to remain as manager of Port Vale after the club's board reversed an earlier decision to cut the number of coaching staff as a cost-cutting measure.

Wigan Athletic are to sign the Barnsley striker Andy Liddell in a pounds 500,000 deal today.