Bowyer may play tomorrow

The soccer world faced fresh criticism today as it emerged that shamed Leeds star Lee Bowyer may be picked for the team tomorrow.

The £15million midfielder has been allowed to buy his way back into the team by agreeing to a fine of up to £80,000. Though Bowyer was cleared of two charges at Hull Crown Court after the attack on Sarfraz Najeib, the club said his drunken behaviour broke its rules.

According to the Daily Mirror, the player has a sickening record of violence. Today Nick Taylor, a special constable, claimed Bowyer beat him up during a holiday in Cyprus in 1999. At the same time, West Ham faced further criticism as newspapers revealed the identity of the player thrown out of a London nightclub for drunken behaviour.

Australian defender Hayden Foxe, 24, is reported to have been fined £14,000, after urinating on a bar at the West End Sugar Reef club during the club's Christmas party.

The scandal erupted after Hammers boss Glenn Roeder admitted he had warned players to behave themselves only hours earlier.

The squad, who ran up a £1,800 drinks bill, faced fresh allegations today. One waiter claimed a second player vomited over tables and chairs while a third led a barman around in a headlock. One observer said: "They got blind, stinking drunk - absolutely hammered. They were ordering drinks every two minutes. They were going mental."

At Leeds, the club confirmed that Bowyer is now available for selection-The two parties struck a deal shortly after Najeib confirmed he will seek damages from Bowyer and Jonathon Woodgate, the Leeds defender found guilty of affray.

Leeds chairman Peter Risdale said: "A financial contribution equivalent to that previously stated has been agreed between the three parties and will be put towards the club's community programme for work within inner city communities.

"Leeds United would like to make it clear this is an internal disciplinary issue and in no way relates to the case at Hull Crown Court."

The issue of violent and drunken behaviour by footballers has now been raised in Parliament. Yesterday Liberal Democrat peer Lord Dholakia hit out at "thugs who masquerade as footballers".

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