Rangers undaunted by big losses

Rangers have announced trading losses of £19.1m and operating losses of £31.9m for the year to 30 June 2002. The results are compared to the £7.9m and £16m losses respectively of the previous year.

The former, now honorary chairman, David Murray said he expected such results, having spent heavily on a new training complex and players. "Expenditure of £55m over the last three years on the current playing squad has created a team of European quality," Murray said. "At the same time our investment of £15m in the Murray Park training facility is to ensure we can maintain this standard in the future."

Manchester City could have a Schmeichel in goal for years to come after Kevin Keegan signed up Peter Schmeichel's 15-year-old son Kasper on a long-term contract. The teenage goalkeeper has signed a deal covering schoolboy, scholar and professional terms.

The Manchester City defender Laurent Charvet has been ruled out for an unspecified length of time after breaking his hand in an accident at home. The 29-year-old Frenchman made only three appearances last season.

The Professional Footballers' Association has given its backing to Manchester United's decision to "discourage" members of their staff from writing books – but said a move to block newspaper columns would be a step too far.

In the wake of the controversies that have enveloped Roy Keane, United are to review their policy of allowing players to write autobiographies. The club are also looking at the recent trend of newspaper columns and whether they should also be discouraged, or at least subject to copy approval.

"We totally support the club's action in not allowing players to write books while they are still pursuing their careers," said the PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire. "We have seen over the last few weeks the difficulties that can arise by trying to write what you consider to be a true reflection of events.

"The approach Manchester United are taking now is a sensible one, although I cannot see how they can extend that to newspaper articles."