FOOTBALL SHORTS

÷AGENT Willie McKay will argue that he paid for six flights to help Cardiff City if the club attempt to claim he deceived them in the process which saw Emiliano Sala sign for £15million, Sportsmail can reveal. McKay’s paperwork on the deal shows he twice paid for manager Neil Warnock’s flights to Nantes to see Sala, once with assistant Kevin Blackwell in tow. He also paid for return flights to Cardiff for Sala and his agent Meissa N’Diaye, once to see the club and once to sign. He told Sportsmail: ‘I stand by the work we did to help Cardiff City see Emiliano Sala. Cardiff City were well aware of the work we did for them.’ Sportsmail revealed Cardiff could try to avoid paying the full transfer fee by using McKay’s admission that he spread false stories about interest in Sala. McKay says this is part and parcel of the transfer business.

JOHN MOTSON has been reprimanded by talkSPORT chiefs after describing Millwall striker Tom Elliott as ‘big, black and brave’ on air at the weekend. Motson made the comments during the station’s coverage of Millwall’s 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

STOKE will try to offload Saido Berahino this summer after the striker was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at 3am in London yesterday. He reportedly told police he was fleeing a gang.

WEST HAM are working on a plan to move stands closer to the pitch at the London Stadium. West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: ‘Seating is something supporters wanted us to explore and we have listened.’