Football: Di Lella angers Fulham

HARTLEPOOL HAVE launched an investigation into an incident in the players' lounge at Fulham after their 4-2 FA Cup second round defeat on Saturday.

The club have been contacted by Fulham amid claims of a clash between the Argentinian midfielder Gustavo Di Lella and Fulham's Simon Morgan.

Mick Tait, the Hartlepool manager, said: "We have received correspondence from Fulham. I did not witness the incident and want to find out exactly what happened. If any action needs to be taken, then we will take it."

Di Lella was substituted 75 minutes into the game at Craven Cottage with a cut eye, and later claimed that he had been hurt when he was stamped on by Morgan, who went on to score his side's third goal.

"I was on the floor and he just stamped on me," said Di Lella. "I was very dazed and had to go off even though I didn't want to. It is all right now, but I was not happy."

Fulham released a statement which read: "Following Fulham's FA Cup second round tie with Hartlepool on Saturday an incident occurred in one of the club's lounges.

"Fulham have sent a full account of the incident to Hartlepool United - who we under- stand have already taken disciplinary action against one of their players - and to the Football Association."

John Ward, the former Bristol City manager, is set to become Colin Lee's assistant at Wolves. Ward, who lost his job with City last month, will move to Molineux on a non-contract basis. He was due to meet Lee last night at a reserve match with Sheffield Wednesday.