Leeds closing in on Brolin's signature

GUY HODGSON

Leeds United's prolonged search for a partner for Tony Yeboah, which has centred on Parma for three months, will end tomorrow when they confidently expect to sign the Swedish international striker, Tomas Brolin, for pounds 4m.

Having failed to tempt Faustino Asprilla from the Italian club, Leeds appear to have succeeded with Brolin, who will travel to Elland Road tomorrow after playing for Sweden in a European Championship qualifier against Turkey tonight. "As far as we're concerned it's all done and dusted," Bill Fotherby, the club's managing director, said after confirming that terms had been agreed with Parma and the player.

So, too, is the pounds 500,000 transfer of Exeter's 19-year-old winger, Martin Phillips, to Manchester City. Exter's chairman, Ivor Doble, and manager, Peter Fox, travelled to Maine Road yesterday when a payment schedule for the fee was agreed.

Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson, has escaped censure from the Football Association for describing the England striker, Alan Shearer, as "greedy" in a video released this week. "We do not see this as an issue," an FA spokesman said.

Sunderland have been given planning permission by Tyne and Wear Development Corporation to build a 34,000 all-seater stadium on the former Wearmouth Colliery site, with completion due for the start of the 1997/98 season. Portsmouth are to be floated on the stock market next year in an attempt to raise pounds 2m for ground improvements.

Fifa, world football's governing body, has suspended the Swiss referee, Kurt Rothlisberger, for three months for misuse of a Fifa logo while running for political office.