Premiership: Stam launch called off

Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has cancelled the launch of his controversial new autobiography.

The giant Dutchman was set to officially launch his new book 'Head to Head' at a special VIP party at Old Trafford next week.

But now his publishers, Harper Collins, have pulled the plug on the glitzy event.

A spokesman said: "We have had so much publicity from it already it has been decided a launch wasn't really necessary."

However, the decision not to go ahead with the launch may be connected with the controversial nature of Stam's book.

Among several revelations serialised in a British newspaper this week, Stam accused boss Sir Alex Ferguson of "tapping him up" before he had signed him from PSV Eindhoven, and also claimed the Scot had told his players to dive in Europe.

Stam has also made disparaging comments about several of his United team-mates including Dwight Yorke and the Neville brothers.