Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady has scoffed at the attitude of Football Federation Australia towards transfer rules. In her diary for The Sun, Karren wrote: "Here is an exclusive. If we go up, I think we will sign Steve Gerrard, as I have always admired him.

"It is not true, of course. But that does not matter because, according to Aussie rules, an illegal approach is OK provided it is made innocently and naively. On these grounds, the Football Federation of Australia will not therefore be reporting Perth Glory manager Dave Mitchell to FIFA for claiming our under-contract striker Kevin Phillips would be their player next season.

"That lot would have cleared Ned Kelly of wearing a helmet."