Fiba have given member associations until January to review the position of the clubs who are taking part in Euroleague and of the

Fiba have given member associations until January to "review the position" of the clubs who are taking part in Euroleague and of the match referees who are officiating in the breakaway competition.London Towers originally accepted a Suproleague berth but switched to the Euroleague, and now Fiba claim there is a "conflict of interest" if referees contracted to Uleb officiate Towers' games. The EBA chief executive, Simon Kirkland, said: "Fiba's argument is that Uleb employs the referees and it is in Uleb's interest that their club, Towers, are English champions."Nevertheless, the repercussions are already being felt across European game. Federations in Italy, Greece, Israel and Sweden have suspended their Uleb referees, prompting action in those countries' "sports courts", which will try to adjudicate before civil actions.Fiba are finally flexing their muscles after taking fright during the summer when the Spanish communications giant Telefonica, who fund the Euroleague, stated their aim was to control all major European sports outside of the jurisdiction of any governing bodies. Telefonica provided a pot of £20m for the 24 Euroleague clubs, while each of the 20 in Fiba's Suproleague can expect only £200,000.Such sums dwarf the financial resources of EBA, who are wary of expensive court actions which could follow if referees or clubs claim their freedom of employment and choice is being restricted..

Richard Johnson will partner the 14-1 chance Windross for Alan King in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury. The Barbury Castle trainer has two entries in the race, but has not yet decided on whether to run Spendid, whom Johnson rode into second place 12 months ago. Richard Johnson will partner the 14-1 chance Windross for Alan King in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury. The Barbury Castle trainer has two entries in the race, but has not yet decided on whether to run Spendid, whom Johnson rode into second place 12 months ago. Johnson and Windross finished 23 lengths third to Flaked Oats at Wincanton earlier this month. "I was pleased with Windross at Wincanton," King reported yesterday. "He stayed on well, he definitely wanted the run that day and he hasn't gone backwards."A test of stamina wouldn't worry him, the softer the better for him I think and I hope he'll run very well. It's obviously a tough race, but I'm delighted with my horse."Among the leading contenders, Foxchapel King was cut to 13-2 from 15-2 with Coral-Eurobet yesterday, Beau is 7-1 from 8-1 with William Hill, Alexander Banquet 8-1 from 10-1 with Ladbrokes, while the Tote make Kingsmark 7-2 favourite from 9-2 and have Lady Cricket at 7-1 from 9-1..

You think you know what might be coming when a trainer has horses by the names of Beau and King's Road. But then Nigel Twiston-Davies emerges from the fog on his Gloucestershire gallops. You think you know what might be coming when a trainer has horses by the names of Beau and King's Road. But then Nigel Twiston-Davies emerges from the fog on his Gloucestershire gallops. The sartorial expectancy is immediately shattered The blue corduroys are baggy, the hair scrambled He looks a bit of a mess Yet this is what we have come to assume of old Twiston. This is the man who shares a wardrobe with Paddington Bear, duffel coat and wellingtons a part of his racecourse vestments.Twiston-Davies does not disappoint either in his other great characteristic, of not using five words when none at all will do.

This is the trainer who once told Des Lynam, in the immediate aftermath of Earth Summit's Grand National victory, that "I don't do interviews".So you never expect that much from Twiston-Davies, which is just as well. We had just watched his horses scramble up the Eiger gallops near Grange Hill Farm. Twiston had come coughing through the mist, as if he was clearing his throat for conversation Sadly, it was not to be. The topic came round to the thrill of having Beau and King's Road, a fancied tandem force in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. "It is," he revealed, "nice."The phrases you are unlikely to use in Twiston's company are "can't you give it a rest", "funny you should say that" and "if I could put what you're saying into a nutshell".Bob Sims, a co-owner of Earth Summit, says: "The stable never has and, I suspect, never will, break a blood vessel when it comes to publicity."Yet, while by breeding, shape and road temperament, Twiston-Davies may be very similar to Toad of Toad Hall, all is not lost when you go to the village of Naunton. For on site there is also the figure of Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer, work rider, former champion jockey and, most helpful of all, himself a member of the media, both written and commentary.Scudamore and Twiston-Davies have been chums since they were charging around at pony club under the disapproving eyes of the well-connected matronly organisers.

By now Scu understands Twiston, but he realises that others might not. "He'd really like to be a farmer, down the pub telling people he'd grown more corn than them, because the one thing he is is competitive," Scudamore says. "He feels we don't get a lot of money to go and spend on horses. You see other people buying £200,000 horses, but we don't do that. We buy chasing horses to come through the system."But Nigel can't expect those horses. He doesn't do the big social thing so he can't complain too much about that It's a way of life and social thing with him Now he feels he's got a good team of owners behind him.