Football: Fine for `sleepy' Fowler

ROBBIE FOWLER is at the centre of another row as Liverpool's squabbling season continues. The England striker overslept and missed training days after his public spat withGraeme Le Saux.

Fowler scored twice in the defeat ot Derby on Saturday but has been fined for his lie-in. Manager Gerard Houllier was reported in one Sunday newspaper to have fined him a week's wages, about pounds 32,000, though sources close to the club suggest that the figure was much less, around pounds 2,000.

A club spokesman said: "Robbie Fowler overslept and missed a training session organised for last Sunday, at which point he telephoned [Houllier] to apologise for his absence."

Fowler still faces FA action after the incident at Stamford Bridge, where he is alleged to have taunted Le Saux.

Rangers chairman David Murray, has launched a bid to buy an English club, according to a report. Murray made contact with Manchester City towards the end of last year about a possible pounds 20m investment.

Manchester United and Internazionale fans risk being sold around 10,000 forged tickets for their Champions' League match at the San Siro on Wednesday, according to Italian police. Inter have warned fans not to buy tickets from touts before the game. Police will use sophisticated checks at the turnstiles.

The call from Inter came two days after police in Naples arrested three men and confiscated printing and computer equipment used for making forgeries, along with 5,000 counterfeit match tickets.