Football

Stevenage Borough, the Vauxhall Conference champions, have been charged by the Football Association with bringing the game into disrepute. The charge relates to comments made by Victor Green, their chairman, during his unsuccessful High Court action against the Football League. Stevenage were denied promotion to the League because they did not meet ground requirements last season.

Birmingham City have escaped the threat of possible ground closure following crowd incidents against Manchester City on 21 September. The Football Association is to take no further action. Alan Jones, the Birmingham secretary, said: "We are happy with the FA decision but we do not see it as a soft option. The FA are aware that we are intent on finding the people responsible and that we will be taking the strongest action."

Bolton Wanderers have confirmed their interest in Chelsea's Mark Hughes, should he find himself out of favour at Stamford Bridge after the arrival of the Italian forward, Gianfranco Zola, from Parma.