Football: Bruno to take the City line

PASQUALE BRUNO, the 30-year-old Torino defender, yesterday confirmed that he is to join Manchester City next season for pounds 750,000.

City wanted Bruno, who is renowned in Italy for his uncompromising tackling, to sign immediately but he is under contract until June. 'I spent the last weekend in England and trained with Manchester City,' Bruno said. 'If I had any doubts, these last few days removed them.'

Sam Hammam, the Wimbledon owner, will be Vinnie Jones's staunchest supporter when he appears before the Football Association today. Jones, 27, is appealing against a record pounds 20,000 fine imposed for his part in narrating the video Soccer's Hard Men and Hammam is right behind him. 'They have gone over the top,' he said. 'The punishment was unjustified and unfair.'

Tottenham will today reveal their next move in the dispute with the FA over Nick Barmby. Spurs are desperate to hang on to Barmby - named in the England squad for the World Youth Championship in Australia next month - for their FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on 7 March.