Viduka fined by Leeds for lateness
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Your support makes all the difference.The Leeds United striker Mark Viduka has been hit in the pocket for turning up late for training. The Australia international had a meeting with the Leeds manager, Peter Reid, yesterday when he was disciplined for his tardiness. The club refused to confirm that Viduka had been penalised but it is understood that the forward was fined one week's wages, or £65,000.
Viduka had expected to be fined up to two weeks' wages. A spokesman said: "The manager is saying that he (Viduka) was disciplined and it is an internal matter."
Viduka turned up late for training and was then dropped for Saturday's game against Arsenal. Reid said of Viduka on Monday: "There is a discipline at the club and he (Viduka) has gone beyond those boundaries."
Viduka's agent, Andrea D'Amico, has done little to smooth things over between his client and the club. Speaking before yesterday's meeting between Viduka and Reid, he said: "I don't know about Mark's future - I am working day by day."
"Mark is a professional, so he knows that during a career there are lots of things that can happen," he added. "This is just another moment in a career and I think it can pass. He wishes the season had gone better for Leeds and himself."
Asked if Viduka would play for Leeds again if selected, D'Amico added: "Yes, he is a professional."
The Moroccan international Mustapha Hadji has rejected a loan move to West Ham because he still believes he has a future at Aston Villa. Hadji was wanted for a two-month spell by the West Ham manager, Alan Pardew, which would have taken him up until the reopening of the transfer window in January.
But the 31-year-old, who has managed just 20 minutes of first-team football this season, believes he is still good enough to play in the Premiership.
The former Coventry player said: "The move to West Ham would have taken me to the start of the transfer window but I would have only played a few games and then I'd be back, and what was the point of that?
"If it had been any longer, I'd have thought about it but I know I am good enough to play for Villa. The manager says we need some creativity in the final third of the pitch and I think I would help the team.
"I have to stay positive and always think that I will get back in. I still know I am good enough for the Premiership.
"It's really disappointing not to have had a chance but I've got to try and stay optimistic in the hope that one opportunity comes along."
Hadji's only action at senior level this season was a 20-minute spell against Manchester City and the last campaign he featured in the starting line-up on only eight occasions.
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