Football Shorts.

Marseille president Christophe Bouchet admitted yesterday he is hopeful Fifa will look sympathetically on their bid to sign Manchester United keeper Fabien Barthez.

Barthez has agreed in principle to join the south coast giants on-loan but, with the deal coming outside of the transfer window, Marseille are awaiting clearance from world football's governing body before the move can be completed.

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The Football Association yesterday revealed they were continuing to sift through documents before deciding what charge to bring against Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United defender could face a lengthy ban and fine after failing to take a drugs test. English football's governing body, though, are refusing to be rushed and set a deadline on when a charge will be brought. It could now be the early part of next week as they want to be seen to be doing things right. FA spokesman Adrian Bevington told the FA's website, www.thefa.com: "The FA will today continue its evaluation of all the information gathered concerning Rio Ferdinand's failure to comply with a drugs test. In the interest of all parties concerned, and football in general, the FA will proceed through all the facts with due diligence before making any decision as to what further steps within the process may be taken."

LEICESTER midfielder Muzzy Izzet has spoken for the first time since his x-rated challenge on Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute - and insisted there was nothing malicious about the tackle. Kanoute is facing a possible two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury after the challenge by Izzet in the dying seconds of Sunday's game at the Walkers Stadium which Spurs won 2-1. But Turkish international Izzet, more renowned for creating opportunities than being a hard man for the Foxes, has wished the former West Ham player a speedy recovery.

CLAUDIO Reyna insisted there is no dissent in the Manchester City dressing room over manager Kevin Keegan's squad rotation policy. Keegan has stated that players will be regularly rested this season as the club chase success at home and in the Uefa Cup. Reyna hopes to keep his place in the side to face Chelsea tomorrow after scoring in last weekend's win over Bolton but is aware players will be left out regardless of their performance. "There will be times when we are on the bench or even out of the squad," he said. "That is difficult to accept but we have to do so. Team spirit has been good because everyone knows that being rested can and will happen to them."

DAVID Beckham is almost certain to miss Real Madrid's Primera Liga clash with Racing Santander tomorrow because of a thigh strain. The England captain sustained the injury in last weekend's league win over Celta Vigo and although he managed to play the full 90 minutes in Wednesday night's Champions League win over Partizan Belgrade, he is unlikely to be risked against Racing.

FORMER manager John Gregory's plans to sue Derby for an estimated pounds 2m in the High Court could be complicated now the club has been taken over. Derby have been bought by a consortium fronted by barrister John Sleightholme. But Sleightholme, who revealed the board was being bankrolled to the tune of pounds 15m put up by anonymous backers, said the new owners of the club had no connection with Derby County Limited.