Sporting Digest: Football

KARL-JOSEF ASSENMACHER, the German referee whose controversial decision in The Netherlands probably cost England a place in the World Cup finals, will not be going to America either next year. Assenmacher's name was missing yesterday when Fifa announced a shortlist of 30 referees and 25 linesmen, including the referees Philip Don (England) and Leslie Mottram (Scotland).

THE Swindon Town manager, John Gorman, has appointed his club captain, Ross Maclaren, player-coach.

FA TROPHY First round draw: Alfreton v Runcorn; Gretna v Warrington; Halifax Town v Emley; Halesowen Town v Gateshead; Stalybridge Celtic v Colwyn Bay or Guisborough; Winsford v Guiseley; Grantham v Witton Albion; Consett or Billingham Synthonia v Frickley; Stockton or Spennymoor v Hyde; Blyth Spartans v Bishop Auckland or Murton; Hednesford v Whitby; Boston United v Macclesfield; Morecambe v Northwich Victoria; Telford v Goole or Northallerton; Marine v Southport; Altrincham v Stafford Rangers; Trowbridge or Cheltenham v Nuneaton Borough or Aylesbury; Dulwich Hamlet v Kingstonian; Welling v Chelmsford; Kettering v Stevenage; St Albans v Merthyr Tydfil; Billericay v Slough; Kidderminster Harriers v Dagenham and Redbridge; Waterlooville v Bromsgrove Rovers; Farnborough v Grays; Dorchester or Bashley v Woking; Weston-super-Mare v Dover; Yeovil v Bath City; Sutton United v Chesham; Enfield v Purfleet; Wealdstone or Harrow Borough v Worcester or Crawley; Worthing v Marlow. (Ties to be played 22 January).

TRANSFERS: Vasili Kalogeracos, forward, Perth Athena (Aus) to Birmingham City ( pounds 55,000); Louie Donowa, forward, Birmingham to Shrewsbury (loan); Ian Bryson, striker, Barnsley to Preston ( pounds 42,500).

SUNDAY'S LATE RESULT: Italian League: Internazionale 2 (Sosa 33, pen 90) Juventus 2 (R Baggio 55, Moller 76).