TUC backs players in TV money dispute

The Professional Footballers' Association's dispute with the Premier and Football Leagues, which may result in a players' strike over the allocation of television income, has won the support of the TUC.

The TUC executive has agreed to support the PFA, which they said was doing "valuable work" for all players. The TUC general secretary, John Monks, said: "It is right that as more money comes in from television the PFA should get a fair share of it. I am sure that trade unionists who are also football fans will recognise the justice of the PFA case and will support them in this dispute."

Monks said that professional football was a precarious profession in which only a few achieved celebrity status and he praised the PFA for trying to make sure that the increased money coming into the game is shared out among all players.

Parma have received an approach from Aston Villa for their French international midfielder Johan Micoud. The Villa manager, John Gregory, wants to bolster his midfield and Micoud is one of his prime targets. It is understood that Micoud could initially join Villa on loan before completing a £7.5m move.

Parma's sporting director, Enrico Fedele, said: "I do not deny that there is a contact with Aston Villa. They [Villa] may be the right solution for this player who has to play regularly otherwise he would risk not being part of the next World Cup. He refused to join Torino and Nantes – now we all hope he decides soon in this case."

Gregory is also to increase his efforts to sign the Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet. Izzet, who is at present out of action with a neck injury, claimed last week that he is "unhappy" at Filbert Street. Gregory is believed to be prepared to offer up to £8m for the player.