Football: Papin joins Bayern
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Your support makes all the difference.BAYERN MUNICH'S desire to field a team to match their lofty ambitions and magnificent arena was strengthened yesterday when they paid Milan pounds 2.1m for the Italians' unsettled striker, Jean-Pierre Papin.
Eighteen years have elapsed since Germany's most famous club dominated Europe, and their standing slipped lower earlier this season when Norwich City passed their way to victory in the Olympic Stadium. Bayern see Papin as the man to lead them into Europe next term, when they should be playing in the Champions' Cup.
Before heading over the Alps, the 30-year-old Frenchman will complete an unhappy season with Milan, whom he joined for pounds 6m two years ago. 'Our policy is to keep only those players who are happy and prepared if necessary to stay on the bench,' Milan's managing director, Adriano Galliani, said. 'If they want to go we don't stop them.'
Papin, a short-lived Tottenham target whose salary will halve to pounds 500,000, has managed only five goals this term, his chances restricted by injury and Fabio Capello's team selections.
Steve Bull returned in style from a two and a half month lay-off through injury last night, the Wolves striker scoring twice in the reserves' 3-1 win over Notts County - a result Graham Taylor would love to repeat in the First Division at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
Michel Hidalgo, the former France coach and Marseille official, has been placed under investigation for suspected fraud, forgery and misuse of funds at Stade Velodrome.
Barcelona and Milan remain on course for the European Cup final following the conclusion of the Champions' League last night. The Bulgarian striker, Hristo Stoichkov, scored early in the first half to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory at Monaco that left them three points clear of their French rivals in Group A. In the semi-finals on 27 April, Barcelona will entertain Bobby Robson's Porto, who shared a Group B stalemate with Milan last night. Italy's champions await Monaco.
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