Kolinko may quit Palace after spat

Alex Kolinko is ready to leave Crystal Palace and go home after his row with the club's manager, Trevor Francis.

The Latvian goalkeeper was sporting a large bruise under his right eye after Francis's so-called "clip round the ear" during the Bradford City game on Tuesday night.

Francis was dismissed from the dug-out during his side's 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park after apparently taking offence when he saw the Latvian laughing just after Palace had fallen behind to Andy Tod's 76th-minute goal. The incident was noticed by a policeman, who drew the attention of the fourth official, Neil Perkins.

Kolinko was also hurt by Francis's attempts to shrug off the incident, which he described as "a bit of fun", and infuriated that the Palace chairman, Simon Jordan, gave him little support at a meeting yesterday.

Jordan had on Wednesday described the incident as a "storm in a tea-cup" and said that Francis will receive no internal club discipline. But police are investigating an allegation of "common assault" and the Football Association confirmed yesterday that they would launch their own investigation.

While Jordan does not want Kolinko to press any charges, the player feels the club has let him down and says he may leave.

Police are investigating the incident, but said they wish to act as "mediators" between the two sides.