Arsenal face fine for their early start

Football

Arsenal will be fined for starting the season too early. The Gunners are in breach of a regulation stating that competitive games cannot be played on home soil before 15 July. Having played a friendly at St Albans on Tuesday, they may incur a pounds 10,000 fine.

They have also been warned that the punishment could double if they fulfil their game against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Dozens of other clubs have rearranged games scheduled for the weekend and rearranged on or after the deadline. Those who ignore the rule will also be charged, the FA confirmed.

Arsenal sold their goalkeeper Lee Harper to Queen's Park Rangers have paid an initial pounds 125,000 for the 26-year-old which could rise to pounds 250,000 subject to appearances.

Aston Villa and Tottenham lost out yesterday when Roberto Baggio signed for Parma for pounds 3.3m. The two Premiership had followed Derby in inquiring about the Italian international, but the lure of the Champions League proved irresistible.

The Italian side, who have just endured their worst season for a decade, are negotiating to buy the Brazilian midfielder Leonardo from Paris Saint- Germain and are also trying to sell their Croat midfielder Zvonimir Boban

In Spain, Atletico Madrid have put a huge price on the head of Juninho. Any club wanting to buy the Brazilian before the end of his five-year contract will have to stump up pounds 36m, according to a clause in his contract.

West Ham have signed the Metz defender David Terrier, but the Frenchman will be on trial for the first three months at Upton Park. Terrier has signed a three-year contract, but the Hammers havea clause enabling them to release him if he does not impress.

Geoff Thomas has joined Nottingham Forest, turning down the chance of Premiership football.

The 32-year-old former England midfielder, released by Wolves at the end of last season, had attracted interest from Crystal Palace and Barnsley, but has completed a free transfer on a one-year contract.

Birmingham City have finalised personal terms with striker Peter Ndlovu, who will move from neighbours Coventry in a pounds 1.6m deal.

Everton are to give Tal Banin a trial. The Israeli international captain, who is a free agent, will play in the Dave Watson testimonial against Rangers next Wednesday. The midfielder, who had a trial with Liverpool last season, will join Everton for training next week.

The Everton manager, Howard Kendall, also plans to field the Danish international right-back, Thomas Rytter, against Rangers.

The Austria Vienna midfielder Thomas Flogel has signed a two-year contract with Hearts.

Bolton were finalising a three-year deal with the Icelandic international striker Arnar Gunnlaugsson last night.

Chris Fairclough will miss the start of the season. The 33-year-old central defender injured his knee in Bolton's final game of last season at Tranmere in a collision with team-mate Gudni Bergsson.