New assistant was all my idea, insists Neville

GARY NEVILLE has insisted the appointment of Pako Ayestaran as his assistant does not undermine his position as head coach of Valencia. Ayestaran was assistant to Rafael Benitez at Valencia and Liverpool. Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna, Neville said: ‘I can be 100 per cent clear it was my suggestion and appointment. I’m the head coach of Valencia, I will be the head coach of Valencia for the rest of this season. If I leave, Pako will leave.’ ÷ FRANZ BECKENBAUER, who won the World Cup as a player and manager with West Germany, has been warned and fined £5,000 by FIFA’s ethics committee after failing to cooperate with an investigation into the bidding process for the 2018/2022 World Cups.

LOKOMOTIV Moscow midfielder Dmitri Tarasov could face a 10-match UEFA ban for revealing a T-shirt with a picture of Russia president Vladimir Putin and the words ‘The most polite president’ after their 2-0 Europa League defeat by Turkish team Fenerbahce. UEFA rules ban political statements at matches. ÷ DIDIER DROGBA has defended Ivory Coast team-mate Serge Aurier after the full-back was criticised for insulting Laurent Blanc and some PSG team-mates on social media. Drogba wrote he was ‘really upset’ with the treatment of Aurier. ‘Yes he made a mistake...but we have all done that. How can young players learn if they are not given proper support and advice?’