Football: Sugar bitter about leaks over loans

(First Edition)

THE Football Association yesterday denied responsibility for apparent leaks over the financial charges facing Tottenham Hotspur. Alan Sugar, the Spurs chairman who was unhappy about details of the FA charges being published at the weekend, is to ask the FA chief executive, Graham Kelly, for an explanation.

David Davies, an FA spokesman, said: 'We are keeping strict confidentiality on this matter. To my knowledge none of the information published has come from the FA.'

Sugar was angered by reports alleging that three players signed by Spurs during the 1980s - Mitchell Thomas, Paul Allen and Chris Fairclough - received 'under-the- counter' payments. 'These allegations are inaccurate,' he said. The players received loans, but not before they joined us.'

More than 7,000 fans blocked roads in and around Dublin Airport yesterday to see off Jack Charlton and his Republic of Ireland squad, as they departed for the World Cup Finals. 'We'll have a go out in America and we'll be difficult to beat,' Charlton, the Republic's manager, said. 'We have a bit of a chance.'

Dave Bassett has accepted a one-year extension to his contract as the manager of Sheffield United, which will keep him at Bramall Lane until June 1996. Sheffield Wednesday are keen on the Derby striker, Paul Kitson. Their manager, Trevor Francis, said: 'I have spoken to Roy McFarland, the Derby manager, about Kitson, and I am interested.' He also plans talks this week with Port Vale's midfield player, Ian Taylor.