Gillingham Want Manchester United's Brandy

After struggling down at the lower end of the Coca Cola League One table with an absolutely awful away record, Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is hoping to minimise his woes with a good bit of brandy.

And also a good bit of Febian Brandy, the talented 20-year-old striker on loan at the Gills from Premier League champions Manchester United.

The England under-20 international has formed a formidable partnership with key player Simeon Jackson, the Canada forward currently courting interest from the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, according to various media reports.

The star striking duo have been instrumental in Gillingham's strong home record at the krbs Priestfield stadium, with Brandy having a big impact in his loan spell at the club so far.

He has scored twice in nine league appearances for the struggling Kent club, as well as making several assists for teammate Jackson, and winning numerous penalties.

Febian Brandy is due to return to Old Trafford in the next few days, but Gills boss Stimson hopes he can reach a deal with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson regarding the player.

"We've put a call into Manchester United to see if we can extend the loan," said Stimson, speaking to Kent Online.

"It was a long shot to get him to the club in the beginning and we surprised a few people by bringing him here."

However, the Gillingham supremo also expects there to be competition from other clubs in League One and the Championship for Brandy's signature.

"He's enjoyed his time here and hopefully we can extend it. I would have thought one or two others will be looking at him."

UEFA to Fine Arsenal and Manchester United £5,000

UEFA will fine both Arsenal and Manchester United £5,000 respectively for fan incidents during last years Champions League semifinals. An Arsenal fan hit Nemanja Vidic with a plastic bottle. A Manchester United supporter hurled a smoke bomb onto the pitch. The actions were potentially serious. The fines are not.

UEFA functions like all bureaucracies. It continues actions without a hint of rational analysis, solely because it was policy beforehand. Has no one questioned the purpose of these penalties?

The sums under discussion are trivial. Both Manchester United and Arsenal measure turnover in the hundreds of millions. Five thousand pounds neither attracts attention nor deters future behavior. It is doubtful Arsenal will now institute a plastic bottle task force.

It does not stop supporters. If you throw a projectile into the pitch, it is assumed you will be banned. The thought of the club paying a paltry fine in addition does not factor into the decision.

The fines are also not cost effective. There must be a meeting to determine whether a meeting to discuss these incidents is required. Someone has to schedule, to organize and to provide amenities for that meeting, which, with UEFA, is probably a lavish lunch. They may even fly people in for it. Someone has to contact the clubs to make statements. Once the issue is deemed punishment-worthy, another meeting must take place. The process takes months. The sum cost exceeds the amount returned in fines.

UEFA penalizing Arsenal and Manchester United accomplishes only one thing. It re-publicizes unsavory events long-forgotten and ultimately insignificant.

Rationales are non-existent. The fines are useless. UEFA should give meaningful punishments, or none at all.