The footie powers-that-be in the Virgin Islands lost the run of themselves last week when they announced that they want to raise transfer fees in the country from the current $15 limit. Football Association president Andy Bickerton said the Caribbean island planned on introducing a conventional free market transfer system - as things stand clubs receive a $15 when a player is transferred . . . a fee that is paid by the player himself (count your blessings, Rio Ferdinand).

After losing 14-1 on aggregate to Bermuda in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, thus ending their hopes of making it to Japan/Korea, it would appear to us that $15 is an excessive fee for a Virgin Islands' player. So, they've lots in common with Rio Ferdinand, then.