No trip to hell for England

[Mark]

England's concerns at the prospect of having to play in the intimidating atmosphere of Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium are likely to be allayed with the return qualifier of this week's 2-0 Group Seven victory, on Oct 11, expected to be staged in Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu ground.

The Turkish Football Association do not have to confirm the venue until 60 days before the game but with the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, famous for the "Welcome to Hell" banners, due to undergo building work, the game is expected to be at Fenerbahce's 50,000-capacity arena.

However, with the game still set to go ahead in Istanbul, the Football Association are still considering the option not to take up England's allocation of tickets following several controversial incidents before, during and after the game in the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

Senes Erzik, Turkey's FIFA executive committee member, said: "My information is that the game will not be played at Galatasaray's stadium - it needs to have a total renovation and may even be under construction in October."

Police made more than 100 arrests before Wednesday's game and the goals sparked minor pitch invasions. At the end of the game, Turkey defender Alpay was involved in a fracas with an England fan and UEFA are to investigate the incidents.

FA spokesman Paul Barber added: "If we consider that the best option is not to take the tickets then that is something we will look at very seriously.

"Clearly, taking tickets in the current circumstances is a potential risk in terms of potential violence both inside and outside the stadium."

However, Barber added: "Not taking tickets runs the risk of fans travelling on their own with us not knowing where they are, how they are travelling or even where they are in the ground of they buy off the black market."

Meanwhile, Tugay has denied making death threats to David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand during the game. Tugay was alleged to have claimed that the players would suffer when they travelled to Turkey.

But Graeme Souness, Tugay's manager at Blackburn, said: "I have spoken to the player and he said he did not say anything like that at all to David Beckham or any other player. I believe him and I would ask the public to believe him as well."

Real Madrid will rest Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League, quarter-final first leg against Manchester United in Spain.

Coach Vicente del Bosque has left them out against Rayo Vallecano this weekend after the French pair sustained minor injuries while on international duty.

Del Bosque has, however, included experienced centre back Fernando Hierro at the Bernabeu. The Real captain is set to play his first league match since damaging knee ligaments against Real Betis at the beginning of February.

Aston Villa and Birmingham City are to seek personal hearings to answer FA charges following last month's derby.

Birmingham's Christophe Dugarry has been handed a misconduct charge for allegedly spitting at Villa midfielder Joey Gudjonsson.

Both clubs are facing charges of failing to control their players during the Villa Park meeting which the Blues won 2-0. In addition, Villa's Dion Dublin has been charged with two counts of misconduct following his dismissal for butting Robbie Savage.

England Under-21s have chosen Hull City's new Kingston Communications Stadium as the venue for their friendly international against their Serbia & Montenegro counterparts on Monday, June 2.

One player who may not be involved in Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant, who was sent home from the camp by David Platt after reportedly defying the coach's curfew following Friday's 4-2 defeat to Portugal in an Under-21 qualifier.

Glenn Roeder, the West Ham manager whose position was under threat earlier this season, has won the Barclaycard manager of the month award for March. West Ham had climbed to 17th in the Premiership thanks to an unbeaten month.

[Horsey]

Shouldn't take the tickets. Just dangerous going out there because of the history, for well-meaning fans as well as thugs.