Victor Sproule, 32, attacked Jim Edwards after he abandoned a game in south Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The same match saw another player barred for five years for racial abuse directed at Edwards, a Scot.

Northern Ireland Referees' Association secretary Basil Marshall praised the bans, saying: "It's setting an excellent example that senior football should now follow."

Donald Fry, secretary of the Old Boys' League, said the referee was assaulted when he went to the pavilion to collect his gear.

"He went to the office to get the key for the referee's room from the lady attendant," Fry said.

"When he turned to come out of the office, the player had stood in front of the doorway, put a hand on either side of it, and headbutted the referee, knocking him straight across the room."

FREDDIE KEEPS FINGERS CROSSED
AFP, London

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg hopes to begin training again next week, after a brain scan designed to find the cause of his severe migraines showed nothing seriously wrong.

The Sweden international has been so badly affected by migraines in recent weeks he has missed the champions' last two matches and will sit out the third-placed team's trip to Portsmouth on Sunday.

"I went to see a specialist and had a brain scan, the result of which was normal," Ljungberg explained Friday.

"They confirmed that I have been suffering from a severe migraine attack. The doctor felt the second one occurred because I pushed myself to train too soon after the first migraine."

COSTA STAYING AT AC MILAN
AFP, Lisbon
Veteran Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa denied press reports Friday that he was about to join Atletico Madrid from AC Milan.

"I don't know anything about that issue and it is not worth commenting on. My contract is to be carried out until the end," he told Portuguese sports daily Record.

His contract with the Italian club expires in 2006.

Spanish daily As reported Thursday that AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had offered Rui Costa on loan to Atletico to the end of the season but the move was blocked over the 32-year-old's wages.

Atletico reportedly wanted AC Milan to contribute a hefty per centage of Costa's salary before agreeing to the deal.

FADIGA CLEARED FOR TRAINING
AFP, London
Bolton's Khalilou Fadiga has been given the green light to resume training with the English Premiership side's first team squad, the club announced Friday.

The Senegal international midfielder's career appeared to be in the balance after he fainted in the warm-up to last month's League Cup match against Tottenham.

Afterwards the 29-year-old travelled to Belgium for specialist treatment where he had a defibrillator inserted to try to cure his recurring heart problems.

Bolton said Fadiga, backed by his wife Jill, had decided to return to playing football.

"The player has decided to resume training with a view to playing first team football again.

"Bolton Wanderers, having taken several opinions, will support the player's decision and monitor his health very closely.''

CHELSEA WON'T GO JAN SHOPPING
AFP, London
Jose Mourinho has insisted he plans to make no new signings in the January transfer window, despite reports Chelsea have had a bid for Spanish winger Joaquin turned down by Real Betis.

"I do not want to sign any players in the January transfer window. I just want to keep my players and avoid injuries," said the Chelsea manager.

And he admits he has enough trouble trying to keep all his current players happy.

"The hard thing for me in England is to have only five players on the bench. I go to Arsenal and have to leave Joe Cole and Alexei Smertin in the stands. Why? They should be there to give me more options," he said.

"Players on the bench think they can jump onto the pitch. It is different in the stands."

STRACHAN SAYS NO TO POMPEY
AFP, London
Portsmouth were expected to give caretaker boss Velimir Zajec the manager's job after Gordon Strachan turned down the offer.

Pompey have taken eight points from four games under executive director Zajec and first-team coach Joe Jordan.

And chairman Milan Mandaric was now expected to make the Croat the successor to Harry Redknapp who has left for south-coast rivals Southampton.

Strachan was Mandaric's first choice but the Scot has declined the chance to return to management and that should prompt Mandaric to confirm Zajec for the rest of the season before Sunday's visit of champions Arsenal.