Sporting Digest: Football

JOHN CLARKE, a public relations executive and former journalist, yesterday paid pounds 1m for the majority shareholding in Coventry City, thus ending the Robins family's 30-year controlling interest in the club.

ALL but one of the 16 young players who graduated from the FA National School at Lilleshall yesterday will shortly start careers with Premier League clubs. The exception, the goalkeeper Neil Cutler, has joined West Bromwich Albion, having turned down Arsenal and Manchester United.

TRANSFERS: Joe Parkinson, midfielder, Wigan to Bournemouth, pounds 35,000 plus a further pounds 35,000 depending on appearances; Andy Dow, full-back, Dundee to Chelsea, fee to be set by independent tribunal.

WORLD CUP ASIAN ZONE First round Group B qualifiers: (Damascus): Oman 7 Taiwan 1; Syria 1 Iran 1. Final standings: 1 Iran (P 6, Pts 9); 2 Syria (6-9); 3 Oman (6-6); 4 Taiwan (6-0) (Iran qualify for second round on goal difference).