Gould survives as Wales manager

Bobby Gould was retained as the manager of Wales yesterday after the Football Association of Wales' management committee accepted his apology for making alleged racist remarks. Gould's future had been in doubt after the Bolton Wanderers and Wales striker, Nathan Blake, accused him of racism two weeks ago.

Gould, who has fiercely denied any racist intent, welcomed the decision. "I have been cleared and I am delighted with that, but I knew in my own mind I had done nothing wrong," he said. "As far as I am concerned the matter is now closed and I am not going to say anything about it. All I want to do is get on with the job I am paid to do."

The issue is likely to rumble on, however. Blake has stated that he does not wish to play for Gould again, although he hinted yesterday that he may reverse that decision. "I don't know whether I will change my mind and play for Wales again if selected, because I haven't really thought about it yet," he said.

"I have spoken to my manager at Bolton, who says that I ought to play for my country, and I have spoken to my agent, who says that I should stand by my original decision."

Blake was particularly incensed by Gould's remarks about the Nottingham Forest striker, Pierre van Hooijdonk, following Wales' home defeat to the Netherlands in October. Gould has admitted calling Van Hooijdonk "a black bastard", but insists no offence was intended.

Blake has also cited a training ground incident before another World Cup qualifier, against Belgium, in which Gould told him he would "play for the blacks [black bibs]". Blake subsequently withdrew from the substitutes' bench rather than sit alongside his manager during the game.

Gould's apology, rejected by Blake, appears to have been pivotal to the FAW's decision to back him. In a written statement, the association said it had taken into account a letter from Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, expressing admiration for Gould's apology and explanation of events.

Officials from England and Germany will outline their arguments for hosting the 2006 World Cup to the executive committee of Uefa, the governing body of European football, in Geneva today. The meeting was called after complaints from the Football Association that senior figures in Uefa were already committed to support of an exclusive European bid by the Germans.

"We will be asking Uefa if they are prepared to take a neutral position between our bid and Germany," Alec McGivan, the director of the FA's World Cup campaign, said. "If not, if they want to come out for one or the other, we want to know how they are going to do that, how they will achieve a democratic process that fairly assesses the merits of both bids."

The FA, which is budgeting pounds 8m to pounds 10m for its campaign, has made it clear it will continue with its bid regardless of the outcome of today's meeting.

The FA has also said it will support the Football League in its efforts to reinstate a place in Europe for the winners of the Coca-Cola Cup. Next season Uefa Cup places will no longer be open to the winners of lesser cup competitions in countries where the top division has more than 18 teams.

Chelsea look set to sign the Nigeria international Celestine Babayaro from the Belgian club Anderlecht. They are understood to have agreed in principle to purchase the 18-year-old defender, who was a member of the Nigerian team which won gold at last summer's Atlanta Olympics.

The Middlesbrough manager, Bryan Robson, has confirmed his interest in signing Des Walker, whose contract at Sheffield Wednesday expires this summer. Walker, 31, may be available on a free transfer if the Bosman ruling is extended to include transfers between English clubs. Robson is likely to face competition from Nottingham Forest for the former England defender's signature.

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