OTHER UNITED NEWS

FIFA, football’s world governing body, has confirmed that an official complaint has been lodged by Metz against Fulham over money that the French club claim is owed to them after the sale of Louis Saha to Manchester United.

Metz, where Saha played between 1997 and 2000, say that they should have received 15 per cent of the profit that Fulham made after the France striker moved to United for £12.8 million in January and insist that there is a shortfall of about £1.3 million.

A swift resolution to the complicated saga is unlikely, however, given that the investigation must take into account submissions from all parties involved. It is not the first time that Fulham have found themselves investigated by Fifa over non-payments of transfer fees.

Last year, the Premiership club were reported after withholding the final payment of Steve Marlet’s £11.5 millon transfer from Lyons because of a row over the involvement of agents. Fulham, who are aware of the proceedings but declined to comment, were eventually ordered to pay the balance of £3.2 million by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

From the Sun:

Rio Ferdinand reckons his younger brother Anton is BETTER than he was at the same age.

Manchester United defender Rio saw the West Ham defender make his debut for England Under-21s in the 3-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday.

Anton, 19, was called up for the first time by manager Peter Taylor after becoming a Hammers regular this term. And England star Rio, 25, said: “Anton did well at centre-half and it’s great to see my kid brother wearing the same England shirt that I’ve worn.

“I told him that when you get the chance you have to take it and he did what was asked of him.

“Everyone says he is better than me at the same age and I agree with them. But it is what he does next that counts.

“At his age it is all about keeping your feet on the ground — and Anton certainly does that.”

Unlike his older brother, eh?