Soccer: Disco visit costly for Kahn

Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich announced yesterday that they will fine German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn for a late-night discotheque visit in his home-town during an injury break.

"Oliver Kahn was in the disco. He passed his curfew and there will be a fine," Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.

The coach did not disclose the amount of the fine, but did say "it will correspond to his salary."

Kahn earns €5 million ($10.2 million) a year and the fine could run into five figures.

Bayern gave Kahn several days off because he is recovering from a torn thigh muscle.

The goalkeeper spent the weekend with his family in Karlsruhe and even played nine holes of golf on Sunday, which Hitzfeld defended, even though Bayern struggled to a 3-3 home draw against Hanover.

But visiting local discotheques, reportedly until 5.30am on Monday with his brother Axel was too much for the Bayern coach.

"He took the break to free his head. That doesn't mean he should go to the disco until early in the morning. This is disappointing for me," Hitzfeld said before his team flew to Spain for their do-or-die Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruna.

Kahn returned to Bayern's training grounds yesterday for further tests on his injury.

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A late own goal by Sunderland defender Phil Babb enabled Bolton Wanderers to scramble a 1-1 home draw and summed up a dire battle between the English premier league's bottom two clubs yesterday.

Sunderland, who lost goalkeeper Thomas Myhre and key midfielder Claudio Reyna to early injuries, went ahead in first-half injury time when Michael Gray's speculative 30m effort swerved beyond the reach of Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton had barely mustered a shot on goal in a ragged performance, but took a point after Sunderland failed to clear a long throw, the ball eventually skidding off Babb's head and into his own net.

The draw was of little use to either side. Bolton remain last, on eight points, with Sunderland, now under the management of Howard Wilkinson after the sacking of Peter Reid this month, one place and one point above them.

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Former Everton and Manchester City manager Joe Royle has been appointed coach of English first-division club Ipswich Town in place of George Burley, sacked after 22 years' association with the club.

Royle said he hoped to lead Ipswich, relegated from the premier league last season and 17th in the 24-team first division, to the playoffs this season.

Royle, a former Everton, Manchester City and England player, urged Ipswich supporters to give him a chance.

"I want the fans to give us a little bit of time. They are always fervent fans and rightly so."

- AGENCIES