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EMRE INVESTIGATED BY FIFA

Newcastle's midfielder Emre is one of five people who have had individual disciplinary proceedings opened against them by FIFA after the violent scenes at the end of the Turkey v Switzerland World Cup play-off.

FIFA have now completed the first round of their investigations into the violence at the match in Istanbul on November 16 and the world governing body have announced proceedings against three players, the Turkey assistant manager Mehmet Ozdilek, the Swiss physio Stephan Meyer and the Turkish FA.

The players are Turkey's Emre and former Aston Villa defender Alpay (now at FC Cologne) as well as Switzerland's Benjamin Huggel (Eintracht Frankfurt). The Swiss players were pelted with missiles at the final whistle and Huggel was pictured on television kicking a member of the Turkish coaching staff as he ran off.

Later on, Swiss defender Stephane Grichting was taken to hospital and needed a catheter inserted after being kicked in the stomach in an apparent free-for-all in the tunnel. FIFA conducted the first round of hearings in Zurich on Monday and Tuesday this week related to the main proceedings against the Turkish football association.

A FIFA statement said: "A total of 22 people were questioned as witnesses or testifiers, in some cases more than once, about the incidents. In addition, the persons involved in individual cases were called as defendants. The results of the investigation will determine whether additional individual proceedings are brought against those concerned or whether further hearings and more evidence are necessary."

Grichting was unable to attend the hearings for medical reasons and submitted his statement in writing. The FIFA disciplinary committee's decisions are not expected until early 2006.

PFA CHIEF FANCIES ENGLAND'S CHANCES

Players' chief Gordon Taylor insists the recognition of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the European Footballer of the Year poll is further proof that England "have the CV" of world champions. The England midfielders finished second and third in the voting for France Football's Ballon d'Or prize behind Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

With Lampard's Chelsea team-mate John Terry also inside the top 10, the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive believes the signs are good for next summer's finals in Germany.

"You have to say, Europe is where the best players are playing for the most part, and we've got lads who feature prominently in this poll," Taylor said.

"There are world-class players throughout the team. Wayne Rooney was voted as the best young player in the world at the FIFPro awards by his fellow professionals, and now we've got recognition in the Ballon d'Or. The CV is there. You don't play on paper, but on paper it's looking exciting."

Taylor is confident the ingredients are in place for a triumphant run after the England team reached the quarter-finals in the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2004.

The PFA boss added: "If you polled every World Cup manager they would be quite happy to be in charge of the group we've got now. In England we say third-time lucky and with a little bit more experience the time will be right.

"You would have to put Brazil as favourites because of their outstanding record in World Cup competitions and because they have a player like Ronaldinho who can set the game alight.

"Having said that, we've got a proven goalscorer in Michael Owen and a lad of exceptional talent who now looks to be harnessing his temperament better. The world could be his stage. There is a very strong squad of players who are not on the decline.

"There are one or two who are getting a bit mature, who are now the elder statesmen of the side, but mainly the side has players who have not yet come to their peak or who could well be at their very peak next summer. With these awards, it's nice to know they're appreciated."

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WORLD CUP GOAL FOR FABREGAS

Arsenal teenager Cesc Fabregas has revealed his dream of forcing his way into Spain's World Cup plans. Fabregas, 18, has yet to make the breakthrough into the senior side, but has already featured for the Under-21s - scoring against England last November - and was a leading figure at the World Under-17 Championships last summer.

Spain have now qualified for the World Cup through their play-off win against Slovakia, and Fabregas knows there is competition in central midfield from the likes of Xabi Alonso, Ruben Baraja, David Albelda and Xavi. However, the Arsenal midfielder has not given up all hope of impressing coach Luis Aragones before the final squad is chosen in May next year.

He declared: "Everyone thinks about the World Cup, even me. You never know. I didn't expect to play so many games for Arsenal last season, so why not? You just have to believe in yourself, to work hard, keep playing like that and stay focused. Nothing is impossible in football. Life has told me that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can always get positive things. That's what I will try to do."

Fabregas told the club's official programme: "The [Spain] boss has said I am still young, and that is his opinion, but I am playing for Arsenal and I am making assists for Thierry Henry. Of course, I know I am young and I respect his opinion, but I will try to work hard to get into the full team. If it's not possible this season then maybe next season.

"I'm in the Under-21s and I'm 18. But I'm working really hard and if the national coach can see the way I play and thinks I can get an opportunity, it would be brilliant."

Fabregas only made his Premiership debut at the start of last season, but went on to make 46 appearances in all competitions during his first full campaign. He has again been fully involved this season and a measure of his rapid development is that he has not even been included in the reserve-strength squad named for tomorrow's Carling Cup tie against Reading.

While Robin van Persie, Jose Antonio Reyes, Mathieu Flamini and Pascal Cygan have all been selected, it will otherwise be an experimental side designed to give younger players some experience. Fabregas, however, has developed well beyond that stage in his career, having had to shoulder even greater responsibility following the departure of Patrick Vieira.

"Everyone knows how important Patrick was to this team. Now he's gone, you have to be more secure in yourself. You have to try to replace him as a group, not as an individual player," he said.

"He's a legend at Arsenal. I have the opportunity to play for one of the great teams in the world, so of course one day I would like to become a legend like him. I will give everything for this club." Fabregas also scored his first Premiership goal of the season in the weekend victory against Blackburn, which delighted Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal boss concluded: "He has been close for a while and I smelt that there were some goals in his game. He will gain confidence from scoring and I think he is worth 10 goals a season. We don't want to take anything away from Patrick but that has gone now and I feel that, every month, Fabregas is a better player."

BECKHAM RUBBISHES BONUS CLAIMS

David Beckham insists England players are not being greedy over their bonuses for next year's World Cup. There have been reports that players stand to earn up to £300,000 each should they win the tournament in Germany next summer. England captain Beckham however claims that figure is wide of the mark.

He told the London Evening Standard: "The truth is that we are earning less for this World Cup than we were for the last tournament. I know for a fact that every one of the players in our team would play for our country for nothing. There is money in football and we talk about bonuses every time a big competition comes around - and there is always criticism of the players when bonuses are agreed.

"But money isn't the motivation - not at all. When you are a 15-year-old watching the World Cup, you don't dream of playing in it because you can make loads of money. Players don't think like that, you want to be there to play on that stage.

"We don't go into a game thinking we can make money for winning. There is too much pride and passion in our team to even suggest that. The FA make money and the players always get bonuses, that is a fact. And if we do not succeed then the money is not there."

COE OFFERS HELP FOR WORLD CUP BID

Sebastian Coe, the man who helped win the 2012 Olympics for London, says he would like to assist any England bid for the 2018 World Cup. Coe led the London team that beat Paris in July for the right to host the Games and says he would be available, should the Football Association make a bid.

He told the Sunday People: "Of course I'd help. From the experience of the last two years I know I can be of use. I can't think of anything better than my children watching a World Cup here."

Lord Coe and his London 2012 bid team defied the odds to win hosting rights, and the double Olympic gold medal-winner believes England can win the race for the World Cup as well.

"By 2018 we wouldn't have had the World Cup for 52 years," added Coe. "It is a great opportunity to showcase the game in this country. I am not completely alien to football. I helped with the FA's review on drugs plus I have been a Chelsea season ticket holder for 38 years.

"I won't lay down a blueprint for the FA because they have to decide what they want, but they have to be bold about the vision. They have to go out and sell it. We'll work together with the FA on a feasibility study.

"There have got to be UK-wide benefits and serious understanding about costings and the chance to win. I'd like to think the successful Olympic bid has given a boost to UK confidence and it has shown that we don't have to lose these things."

The FA has already said that a decision on whether to make a bid will not be made until autumn 2006. England missed out on hosting rights for the 2006 World Cup, with Germany getting the vote.

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