Porto to report Arsenal to Uefa

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

BY CATHERINE RILEY

Porto have threatened to report Arsenal for making an illegal approach to their manager, Bobby Robson, who flew back to Portugal yesterday in a quest to pave the way for his return to English football.

However, Jorge Pinto da Costa, the president of the Portuguese champions, is adamant that he will not release Robson from his contract. "Porto have a valid, signed contract with Robson to be manager of the club for the next two years," he said. "We are thinking of presenting a complaint to Uefa and Fifa over the way Arsenal are proceeding."

Neil Warnock has resigned as the manager of Huddersfield Town after guiding them to the First Division via last week's play-off final victory over Bristol Rovers.

"After a lot of soul searching, I have decided it is in the best interests of both myself and the club that I leave now," Warnock said. "My departure is on amicable terms, and it is only fair that the board have as long as possible to choose my successor."

There had been several clashes of opinion between him and the Huddersfield chairman, Terry Fisher, and Warnock revealed that his decision had also been influenced by events during his four-year period in charge at his former club, Notts County. "I found myself in a similar situation when differences arose. I stayed on then and the consequences for both myself and the board were horrendous.

"I don't want to jeopardise Huddersfield's future by staying on when, deep down, I know it is the right time for me to move." Warnock is on the short-list for the manager's jobs at both Plymouth and Derby; while Steve Coppell, Mike Walker and Ian Porterfield have all been linked with the vacancy at Huddersfield.

Sporting Lisbon have pulled out of a deal to sign the Manchester City striker, Niall Quinn, because of last-minute "contractual differences". Reports in Portuguese newspapers said that City were unwilling to pay Quinn pounds 300,000 under the terms of his contract if he left the club to play abroad.

Warren Barton became England's most expensive defender yesterday when he signed a four-year contract to complete his pounds 4m move to Newcastle. "As soon as I spoke to the boss [Kevin Keegan] I didn't have any hesitation," he said. "You don't have to sell Newcastle."

Alex Ferguson will today decide whether to accept Internazionale's pounds 7m offer for Paul Ince. The Manchester United manager returned from holiday yesterday and was expected to go straight into a meeting with his chairman, Martin Edwards, to discuss the bid.

The 27-year-old England midfielder has already insisted that he would love to remain at Old Trafford, but Ferguson is keen to strengthen his squad and has been told he must sell to raise funds for new players.

Nottingham Forest have targeted Sweden's Martin Dahlin as a replacement for the unsettled Stan Collymore - but Dahlin's club, Borussia Monchengladbach, are reluctant to part with the 27-year-old striker, even though Forest's pounds 4m offer more than doubles what they would receive when his contract expires next year.

Barry Fry pledged his future to Birmingham City by signing a three-year contract yesterday, ending speculation that he was set to leave the Midlands club.