Football: Gascoigne 'fined' by shocked Lazio

PAUL GASCOIGNE has been fined pounds 9,000 by Lazio for his belch into a TV microphone when he was asked how he felt about being left out of the team against Juventus, according to reports in Rome. Lazio have not confirmed the fine and the amount, some observers think, may be exaggerated but sophisticated Rome, it seems, is becoming a little tired of Gazza's rustic gaucherie.

His coach Dino Zoff called his behaviour 'not a pretty gesture' and the player has been attacked in the Italian parliament. Mel Stein, his agent, accused the Italians of lacking a sense of humour.

As Gascoigne has appeared in only eight of Lazio's 17 matches this season, more transfer speculation seems likely. He has, however, won a place in the team, at the expense of Thomas Doll, for tonight's Italian Cup quarter-final first leg against Torino.

Queen's Park Rangers yesterday signed Devon White, 28, the giant Cambridge United striker, for pounds 100,000 and although Gerry Francis insisted that White is cover for a team much depleted by injuries, other clubs will assume that White's arrival could mean Les Ferdinand's departure for pounds 3m-plus.

Leeds United are reported to be renewing their interest in the Aberdeen and Scotland Under-21 full-back, Stephen Wright.

Andy Turner, Tottenham's former England schoolboy winger, is in the Republic of Ireland's senior squad for their friendly with Wales in Dublin on 17 February.