Giving Tongue!

YYer actual Keith Telly Topping's beloved (though unsellable) Newcastle United pulled off a stunning comeback against Everton to edge closer to Premier League safety. Trailing two-nil at the break, Rafa The Gaffer's side went on to win three-two thanks to two late goals from Ayoze Peréz and a quality strike from Salomón Rondón. The result lifted The Magpies into thirteenth place in the Premier League with thirty four points and eight games left to play this season. The victory was particularly timely given that three of the clubs below United at the start of the day - Cardiff, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albinos - also won of Saturday. However, the game's biggest talking point was a first-half foul by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on Rondón. The former Mackem Filth goalkeeper - who wasn't even booked by Bolton official Lee Mason - saved Matt Ritchie's subsequent penalty and seem to really enjoy childishly sticking his tongue out to the Magpies fans afterwards like he was so clever. Everton, already leading through a Calvert-Lewin goal, went two-nil up soon afterwards through a strike from Richarlison. However, spurred on by a sense of righteous injustice - just as they had been in another famous come-from-behind victory against Sheikh Yer Man City a few weeks ago - United fought back superbly after the break and claimed all three points whilst Pickford was left to slink off the pitch at the end, his tongue firmly stuffed inside his big gob. Newcastle made a promising start, but they didn't test Pickford before Everton got their eighteenth-minute breakthrough. Lucas Digne delivered a ball from the left which was headed past Martin Dúbravka by Calvert-Lewin from close range. The game's big moment of controversy came in the twenty ninth minute when Pickford crudely brought down Rondón after spilling a shot from Ritchie. Mason pointed to the spot but the official, inexplicably, did not send off Pickford or, indeed, even yellow card him.

Pickford, off his line, inevitably stopped Ritchie's penalty and Everton promptly went up the other end and were two ahead less than a minute later. Dúbravka palmed a low cross from the right to Richarlison and he tapped the ball home from close range. Mason further angered United fans before the break with several further highly debatable decisions and he left the pitch to a chorus of boos, chants of 'you're not fit to referee' and, some even less complimentary queries about the state of his parents relationship at the time of his birth. Ironically, however, Mason's decision to leave Pickford on the pitch ultimately worked hugely in United's favour as the blundering keeper made some right howlers in the second-half to aid the Black & Whites fabulous fightback. Benitez replaced Jamal Lascelles, booked for a shoulder barge on Richarlison late in the first half, with Paul Dummett for the second half, the team reverting to a four-three-three system. Rondón went close with an effort early in the half, but the striker didn't miss in the sixty fifth minute after playing a one-two with Peréz. Rondón volleyed the return past Pickford for his ninth goal of the season. Rafa, not normally a man prone to exaggeration, compared Pérez's pass to Lionel Messi and Rondón's finish to Alan Shearer. 'Once we scored,' Benítez said, 'everyone started believing we could score again.' Benitez sent on Kenedy for the last seventeen minutes and Jonjo Shelvey, making his comeback from injury, followed him shortly afterwards. Peréz levelled with an eighty first-minute shot after the once again highly impressive Miguel Almirón had a shot saved. The forward capped a stellar performance when he scored a close-range winner three minutes later after Everton failed to clear a corner and Isaac Hayden found Rondón who set up Peréz to score. The strike, Peréz's sixth league goal of the season, almost lifted the roof off at a rocking St James's Park and there were gleeful chants of 'dodgy keeper' aimed at pantomime villain Pickford as he ruefully picked the ball out of his net with a face like a smacked arse. Which, to be fair, was funny. The Toffees faded badly in the face of Newcastle's second-half onslaught and are now only three points in front of Benitez's side on thirty seven points.

Police are reported to be investigating complaints made by Cardiff City football club in the wake of the death of Argentinian striker Emiliano Sala. It follows claims in a Sunday newspaper that the club has accused the former sports agent Willie McKay of 'making threats' against Cardiff officials. McKay's son, Mark, was Nantes' acting agent in the deal for the footballer, who died in a plane crash last month. McKay denies the allegations. The Sunday Torygraph reported that the alleged threats were made on the weekend of Sala's funeral in Argentina last month. In a brief statement, a police spokeswoman said: 'South Wales Police can confirm that a complaint has been received from Cardiff City Football Club and is currently being investigated.' The club said it had been 'necessary and appropriate for South Wales Police to be engaged on the matter. We will not be commenting further at this time,' added a club official. Last week, McKay told the BBC that he felt Sala was 'abandoned' by Cardiff City and had to arrange his own travel following his fifteen million knicker transfer from Nantes. The body of the twenty eight-year-old was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu light aircraft in the English Channel on 4 February, after the plane disappeared near Guernsey on 21 January. The pilot, David Ibbotson, is still missing and his body has not been found. It emerged on Saturday that Ibbotson had dropped out of training for his commercial pilot's licence before it was completed. He was not licensed to carry paying passengers, which has led to speculation that the flight was illegal. An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch on Monday said that Ibbotson held a private licence in the UK and the US, meaning he could not carry paying passengers within the EU, other than on a cost-sharing basis. But McKay, who commissioned the fight for Sala, told the BBC last week that the trip was not on a cost-sharing arrangement. The AAIB's investigation into the fatal crash is continuing, including examining the validity of the pilot's licence.

Pep Guardiola claims that Sheikh Yer Man City's critics are 'pushing' to 'find a reason' to 'punish' them, as the club is investigated by football's authorities. UEFA launched an investigation on Thursday in response to a series of claims made against the club by the German publication Der Spiegel. On Friday, the Premier League said that it was 'looking at' City's academy recruitment and financial matters. 'People press and push to find something wrong,' Guardiola whinged. Speaking before the Premier League announced its investigation, the Spaniard added: 'They want to underestimate what you achieve. I am not too concerned or worried about what people say if we win the title because what happens now with UEFA, they don't give us any credit for what we have done, believe me. I don't care. Absolutely zero.' In fact, it would appear, he doesn't care so much he used a press conference to tell everybody how much he doesn't care. Der Spiegel has published a series of claims, based on leaked documents, that league champions City have violated FFP rules. The publication also claims Sheikh Yer Man City made 'a banned payment' of two hundred thousand knicker to Jadon Sancho's agent when the England winger was but fourteen years old. 'The Premier League has previously contacted Manchester City to request information regarding recent allegations and is in ongoing dialogue with the club,' a Premier League statement read. 'The league has detailed financial regulations and strong rules in the areas of academy player recruitment and third-party ownership. We are currently investigating these matters and will allow Manchester City every opportunity to explain the context and detail surrounding them.' This season they have been investigated by the Premier League, UEFA, FIFA - over allegations they broke third-party ownership rules - and the Football Association, over the claims relating to a payment to Sancho's agent. Sheikh Yer Man City claim the allegations are 'entirely false.' One or two people even believed them. Guardiola is adamant the investigations will not tarnish his achievements at City, which include winning last season's Premier League with the highest number of points and goals. He said: 'If we have made mistakes we will be punished - it is what it is on and off the pitch - but I am pretty sure what we have done is incredible. I trust what the club has done a lot because I know them but hopefully it can solves as soon as possible.' Sheikh Yer Man City are competing for the quadruple of trophies this season as they remain in the chase for the league title, FA Cup and Champions League - after already claiming the Carabao Cup in February.

Moscow Chelski FC say that they are 'astonished' after their request to freeze a transfer ban while they appeal was denied. Because, obviously, Moscow Chelski FC - like, it would appear, Shiekh Yer Man City - believe that the rules which apply to all football clubs, do not apply to them. The Blues have been extremely banned from registering any new players until January 2020 for breaking rules over the signing of foreign under-eighteen players. The Premier League club deny any wrongdoing and have appealed against the decision. But FIFA - for once showing a bit of backbone when dealing with a club with more money than God - says it has denied measures which would see the transfer ban frozen during the appeal process. Moscow Chelski FC were charged after FIFA said it found breaches in twenty nine cases of ninety two investigated, including that of striker Bertrand Traore, now at Lyon. The Blues have also been fined four hundred and sixty grand, while the Football Association has been fined three hundred and ninety thousand smackers for letting them get away with it. In previous cases, involving Spanish clubs, FIFA has relaxed the measures so transfer bans were not enforced during the appeal process. 'Chelsea Football Club is astonished by the FIFA appeal committee's decision not to suspend its sanction pending completion of the appeal process,' read a shocked an stunned statement. 'So far as the club is aware, in all previous cases where a registration ban has been imposed by FIFA, a decision has also been made to suspend the sanction until the appeal process has been completed. In this case, Chelsea considers that it is being treated inconsistently in comparison with other European clubs.' The ban, which covers two transfer windows, does not prevent the release of players and will not apply to the club's women's and futsal teams. It was first reported in September 2017 that Moscow Chelski FC were being extremely investigated. Based on documents from Football Leaks, French website Mediapart claimed in November 2018 that nineteen Moscow Chelski FC signings had been 'looked at' during a three-year investigation and that fourteen of those signings were of players under the age of eighteen. Burkina Faso international Traore signed his first professional contract at Moscow Chelski FC in 2013, at the age of eighteen, but was not registered until January 2014. That deal, it is alleged by Mediapart, was for four-and-a-half years, despite the limit for under-eighteens being three years. In addition, it is claimed that Moscow Chelski FC paid for Traore to attend the twenty thousand quid-a-year Whitgift School in Surrey. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both received bans for breaching rules over the signing of minors in early 2016 and fellow Spanish club Barcelona were given a fourteen-month ban after breaking rules for signing international under-eighteens in 2014. However, a Barcelona appeal saw their punishment pushed back a year, allowing the club to sign Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Jeremy Mathieu, Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

West Hamsters United midfielder Robert Snodgrass has been charged with allegedly abusing anti-doping officials, the Football Association has said. The alleged incident allegedly took place at the Hamsters' training ground on 6 February. The thirty one-year-old Scotland international, who faces a one-match ban and an eight thousand smackers fine, has until 18 March to respond to the charge. BBC Sport suggested Snodgrass was not scheduled to be tested, nor did he refuse to take a test. 'Robert Snodgrass has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3(1),' the FA said in a statement on Monday. 'It is alleged the player used abusive and/or insulting words towards UK anti-doping officials who were visiting West Ham United's training ground on 6 February 2019 to conduct out-of-competition testing.' Snodgrass has played thirty two times for West Hamsters this season, scoring four goals in all competitions.

Twelve fans have been given football banning orders after 'mass disorder' broke out during a derby game. Thousands of pounds of damage was caused to Port Vale's stadium when they played Dirty Stoke's Under-Twenty Ones on 4 December, Staffordshire Police said. More than one hundred and fifty officers were deployed to Vale Park as seats, toilets and windows were broken in the away stand and a geet rive on with kids gettin' sparked and aal sorts. Chief Superintendent Wayne Jones said at the time tat his officers had faced 'shocking levels of hostility.' The twelve men were banned from attending all football games for three years - even a kick-about in the local park - after being extremely convicted at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday for throwing missiles onto a football playing area. The force said there was 'mass disorder before, during and after' the Checkatrade Trophy tie where Vale beat Dirty Stoke four-nil. It had been the first Potteries derby since February 2002 and almost four thousand Stoke fans swelled the attendance to seven thousand nine hundred. Some fans had tried to set fire to a toilet block and officers had to use protective helmets and riot shields. Detective Inspector Steve Ward said: 'Since the fixture my team of detectives have been working hard to identify and locate all those responsible for the behaviour that resulted in thousands of pounds of damage at Vale Park. Violence and disorder at sporting fixtures will never be tolerated and the banning orders will go some way to preventing such behaviour in future.'

'Raging and furious' Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster said that 'nothing is off the table' after Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier was 'confronted' by a fan at Easter Road. The supporter attempted to kick the ball away from Tavernier as he moved to pick it up to take a throw in. The two then laid hands on each other before the fan was led away by police. Police Scotland confirmed that a twenty one-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident - and, presumably, given a damned good kicking down the cells. It comes just six days after Scott Sinclair was almost struck by a glass bottle thrown from the crowd at Easter Road during Glasgow Celtic's Scottish Cup quarter-final win. An irate Dempster told BBC Radio Scotland that the fan would be banned for life and that she will personally apologise to Tavernier. 'They've embarrassed this club tonight again, it's completely and utterly unacceptable,' she said. 'What are we going to be talking about tomorrow? What is going to be on the back pages of the paper? What are you going to be asking me about? You're going to be asking me about this utter idiot. There is a big debate, a healthy debate going on in the Scottish game. But I'm going to bring it back to personal responsibility. Who thought it was okay to come in here with a glass bottle and throw it? Who thinks it's alright to jump over an advertising hoarding? Ninety-nine-point-nine per cent of the people in here don't think it's okay and we ought to remember not to tarnish these guys as well. This individual will be banned for life. He's in custody at the minute and that's where he should remain as far as I'm concerned. This person and people like him are going to feel the full weight of what we, and hopefully Police Scotland, can deliver.'

His career has never followed a traditional path and now ex-Linfield striker Paul Munster has swapped India for the Pacific Islands as he continues his global football odyssey. The thirty seven-year-old from Belfast, whose playing and coaching career has included spells in Canada, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Germany, has been appointed the national team manager of Vanuatu. It's about a thousand miles East of Australia if you're geographically challenged. Currently one hundred and sixty third in the FIFA world rankings and with a population of roughly two hundred and seventy six thousand - slightly less less than that of their new manager's home city - it is, perhaps, unsurprising that Vanuatu was not previously on Munster's managerial radar. 'To be honest, I had to do a search on Google to find out exactly where the country is,' Munster admits. So, if you are geographically challenged, don't worry about it, you're not alone it would seem. 'When I saw the job was available and did some research, I really liked the look of it. There were over one hundred and eighty applicants for the position and I had to do two Skype interviews with the Vanuatu Football Federation, who are very ambitious. They have given me a totally free rein to do the job my own way and, as I'm also in charge of the under-twenty three and under-twenty teams, I can really put my own stamp on things.' Munster took the Vanuatu job soon after resigning as head coach and technical director of Indian top-flight club Minerva Punjab FC, where he won two trophies during seven months in charge. He has wasted little time in getting to work on researching players and is very clear about the key targets in his new role. 'I see this as a three-year project with the biggest aim being qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,' the former Slavia Prague forward explained. 'It's something the country has never done before so I realise the size of the task, but other smaller countries have done it so you have to believe it can happen. I want to increase our FIFA ranking to one hundred and fifty or higher and, in the shorter term, we have the Nations Cup to look forward to after a few friendlies in June. Our under-twenty threes will also have the qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics starting soon. I've watched lots of videos to assess the squad and we have some decent players. Eight or nine of the panel play outside Vanuatu, in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, while I also plan to introduce a few new faces.' After resigning from Minerva Punjab in February, Munster had returned to live in Sweden - where he had been a player and coach - and it was from here that he made the nine thousand-mile journey to the South Pacific. He is unfazed by the travelling and has found it easier to settle in his new surroundings than he did in India, where his dislike of spicy food was, he claims, a major challenge. 'I think once you've lived in India, you can live anywhere,' Munster said. 'My girlfriend and I are living in a lovely villa with a pool, which is just a five-minute walk from the national stadium in Port Vila. The weather is great and I've already had lots of friends getting in contact asking if they can come and stay with us. I've never been afraid to take on new challenges, such as this one. I see them as an opportunity rather than a risk and, when you consider I'm an international manager at the age of thirty seven, that's not too bad at all.' While he is a long way from home, Munster aims to instil what he describes as 'a Northern Ireland mentality' into his new players. 'Developing an "us against the world" ethos has helped the Northern Ireland team punch above their weight and that's what I want to do with Vanuatu.'

Brendan Rodgers' wife and stepdaughter are believed to have been inside his East Dunbartonshire home when it was broken into. The BBC reports that Charlotte Searle and her six-year-old daughter hid as burglars ransacked the property and stole some of the family's possessions. Police confirmed that the Bearsden home of the former Glasgow Celtic manager was broken into on Wednesday morning. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'At around 1:55am on Wednesday 6 March, police received a report of a break-in at a property in Bearsden. No one was injured in the incident but a number of items were stolen from the property.' Police added that an investigation had begun and 'inquiries were ongoing.' Rodgers was appointed Leicester City's new manager at the end of February after leaving his job at Celtic.

Just Pay What You Owe Already

A sublime goal by Fabian Schär helped to ease yer actual Keith Telly Topping's beloved (though unsellable) Newcastle United's relegation worries as Burnley's unbeaten eight-game Premier League run came to an end on Tuesday evening. Schär set Rafa The Gaffer's side on the way to a fourth win in six league games with an outstanding strike from around thirty yards which went in off the post at rockin' St James' Park. Burnley, who have picked up more points in 2019 than leaders Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws, fell further behind when they failed to clear Matt Ritchie's cross and twenty one-year-old academy graduate Sean Longstaff pounced for his first league goal for the club. James Tarkowski wasted Burnley's best chance when he fired over from inside the six-yard area. Newcastle's second successive win lifted them above Burnley into thirteenth in the table, seven points above the relegation zone. There is still work to do for Benitez's team to secure a third successive season in the top-tier but this was a performance full of positives. United's record signing Miguel Almirón was, again, the catalyst as he followed up his full debut against Huddersfield at the weekend with another dynamic display. His explosive pace caused Burnley's defence all sorts of problems and the Paraguayan forward is quickly being taken to by United fans who have been crying out for a new hero, with his attitude and never-say-die spirit. After he was thwarted by Tom Heaton after beating the off-side trap, he responded with a smile and was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Paul Dummett towards the end after running himself into the ground. Longstaff, too, seemingly has a promising future at Newcastle. After Schär's exquisite finish set the hosts on their way, he showed great composure to double the lead from an acute angle. 'He is working hard, listening to staff and learning which is the main thing,' said Benitez about Longstaff. 'Having a young lad from the academy is a great example for people to follow. It is ideal for any club to have players through academy because they are cheaper and they give you more.' Newcastle were in the relegation zone as recently as 12 January following a defeat at Moscow Chelski FC left them third bottom. Almirón's mid-season arrival seems to have put a collective spring in the step on Tyneside, while the emergence of Longstaff and rediscovering the knack of winning at St James' have also elevated the mood significantly. They are slowly edging away from danger but Benitez knows that more performances like this one are needed before they can relax. This was Burnley's first league defeat since 26 December. Anchored in the relegation zone two months ago, Sean Dyche's side have transformed their season with eye-catching performances against Stottingtot Hotshots and The Scum. At St James' Park, however, they fell below the standards they have recently set.

Moscow Chelski FC goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been fined a week's wages and has grovellingly apologised for refusing to be substituted during Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat by Sheikh Yer Man City. The Spaniard refused to be replaced by Willy Caballero at Wembley which led to the extraordinary sight of Moscow Chelski FC manager Maurizio Sarri having a reet angry strop on the sidelines. 'Although there was a misunderstanding, on reflection, I made a big mistake with how I handled the situation,' Kepa claimed in a Moscow Chelski FC statement. One or two people even believed him. Sarri claimed that he and Kepa had, since, 'had a good conversation.' Sarri, who reacted furiously when Kepa refused to leave the field towards the end of extra-time, also claimed the incident had been 'a misunderstanding.' But he added: 'Kepa realises he made a big mistake in the way he reacted. He has apologised to me, his team-mates and the club. It is up to the club if they want to discipline him according to the club rules, but for me this matter is now closed. The team performance as a whole was extremely positive and it is a shame to see how this incident has overshadowed our efforts in what was a very competitive cup final.' Kepa, the club's record seventy one million knicker signing, defied Sarri's attempt to substitute him for Caballero before Sheikh Yer Man City eventually won the cup on penalties. The Italian appeared furious and, at one point, appeared to be in the process of walking down the tunnel before quickly returning. The twenty four-year-old former Atletico Bilbao player said: 'I wanted to take the time today to apologise fully and in person to the coach, to Willy, my team-mates and to the club. I have done this and now I want to offer the same apology to the fans. I will learn from this episode and will accept any punishment or discipline the club decides is appropriate.' The club will donate Kepa's fine to the Moscow Chelski FC Foundation. Subsequently, for all Sarri's claims that he and Kepa had, merely, had 'a misunderstanding,' Sarri made the goalkeeper 'pay' for his 'big mistake' by extremely dropping his ass to the bench before the team cast aside an air of crisis with a thoroughly deserved Premier League win over Stottingtot Hotshots on Wednesday.

Hotshots striker Harry Kane will not face any punishment following an incident with Moscow Chelski FC defender Cesar Azpilicueta on Wednesday. England captain Kane appeared to move his head towards the Spaniard in an incident during Chelsea's two-nil Premier League win at Torpedo Stamford Bridge. Kane was not punished by the referee at the time and, as the incident was seen by officials, no further action will be taken. Obviously, the fact that he is Harry Kane and not, say, Harry Smith of Rochdale, factors into the football authorities' decision to let him off with sticking his long face in where it shouldn't be. A bit like his tackle on Florian Lejeune in the opening game of last season that put the Newcastle defender out for six weeks but didn't even earn Kane a yellow card, it would appear that there is one rule for King Harry and another for everyone else.

FIFA is reportedly investigating the transfer payment for Emiliano Sala after Nantes made a claim against Cardiff City. Cardiff were due to pay the first of three instalments for the fifteen million quid striker on Wednesday. Sala, the Bluebirds' record signing, tragically died aged twenty eight in a plane crash in the English Channel on 21 January. 'We can confirm we have received a claim. We are looking into the matter,' said a spokesman for world football's governing body. As Sala's move was an international transfer, it had to go through FIFA's mandatory system. The International Transfer Certificate was completed but there were 'issues' with 'the separate matter of Premier League registration.' The ITC was registered with the Football Association of Wales and confirmed that Sala as a Cardiff player, which meant the Welsh club were liable to pay Nantes the transfer fee. A Cardiff spokesman said: 'Cardiff City remains committed to ensuring fairness and accountability with respect to the agreement between Cardiff City and FC Nantes but, first and foremost the relevant authorities must be allowed to determine the facts surrounding this tragedy. It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage.' Cardiff were due to make the first of three payments on 20 February, but they agreed with French Ligue Un side Nantes to extend the deadline by a week. Nantes wrote to Cardiff on 5 February requesting the first instalment. But Cardiff said they were withholding payment until crash investigations were complete and they were satisfied about 'anomalies' around the deal. What these 'anomalies' were and whether, had Sala not been tragically killed, Cardiff would now be whinging about these alleged 'anomalies' are not known. Chairman Mehmet Dalman claimed that Cardiff will be 'honourable' with Nantes if they are contractually obliged to pay. Which, it would appear, they most certainly are given that the transfer was completed. Bordeaux are due fifty per cent of the fee because of a sell-on clause when they sold Sala to Nantes in 2015. Sala's body was recovered from the plane wreckage but pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.

The Football Association is investigating claims that Sheikh Yer Man City made a banned payment of two hundred thousand knicker to Jadon Sancho's agent when the England winger was fourteen years old. The allegations were made in documents published by Der Spiegel. It is alleged that Sheikh Yer Man City paid Emeka Obasi when they signed Sancho, now at Borussia Dortmund, from Watford in March 2015. Young players cannot be represented by an agent until the year they turn sixteen. A Sheikh Yer Man City statement read: 'The attempt to damage the club's reputation is organised and clear. We will not be providing any comment on out of context materials purported to have been hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people.' London-born Sancho joined City as a fourteen-year-old, when the Premier League champions paid sixty six grand in compensation to Watford. FA rules state that clubs are not permitted to offer financial inducements to a player under sixteen. Der Spiegel - which has published a series of revelations in recent months, including allegations Sheikh Yer Man City 'deceived' UEFA over financial fair play rules - claims the club wrote a letter to Sancho's father which outlined how much they were willing to pay the player once he turned professional. The German magazine also claims that a Sheikh Yer Man City lawyer was 'alarmed' that the letter 'could be deemed as a financial offer' and, therefore, breaking the rules about offering inducements. Der Spiegel alleges Sheikh Yer Man City paid two hundred thousand quid to Obasi as part of 'a scouting contract' to find players in Central and South America. It claims the payment was, in fact, in relation to Sancho's transfer from Watford. Sancho never made a first-team appearance for Sheikh Yer Man City before moving to German side Dortmund for eight million notes in August 2017. He has been one of the star players for the Bundesliga leaders this season, with the club describing him as 'one of the most exciting players in Europe' when they announced he had signed a new long-term contract in October. In April 2017, Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws were fined one hundred thousand smackers by the Premier League and handed a two-year ban on signing academy players from other clubs for offering inducements to a twelve-year-old academy player at Dirty Stoke.

Fulham have extremely sacked their manager Claudio Ranieri after just one hundred and six days in charge at Craven Cottage, with Scott Parker taking caretaker charge of the club, who are currently nineteen in the Premier League. The Italian's last game was Wednesday's two-nil defeat by Southampton, which left The Cottagers ten points from safety with ten league games remaining. Ranieri took over in November after the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic. Ranieri won only three of his seventeen games as manager. It included a three-two victory over Southampton in his first game, but eleven defeats have followed including an FA Cup third-round exit against League Two Oldham. Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said in a statement: 'Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon. Scott's immediate assignment is merely to help us stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club. If Scott can answer that challenge and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead.' Former Moscow Chelski FC manager Ranieri, famously, led Leicester City to a miraculous Premier League title triumph in 2016, but was dismissed by The Foxes just nine months later and was in charge for a season at French Ligue Un sides Nantes. He took over on a 'multi-year' contract at Fulham when The Cottagers were bottom of the table with five points from their opening twelve matches, but failed to oversee a significant upturn in fortunes. Ranieri added: 'I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment. Finally, I would like to thank the club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me during my time at the club.'

Beth Mead's spectacular winner helped England ladies come from behind to beat Brazil two-one in the opening game of the SheBelieves Cup. The substitute's long-range goal capped a fine comeback after The Lionesses had gone behind early on in Philadelphia. Andressa Alves put Brazil ahead from a controversial penalty after sixteen minutes. But Ellen White levelled from a tight angle early in the second-half, before Mead's brilliant screamer gave Phil Neville's side victory. A year after taking the job, Neville has now won eight of his thirteen games in charge of The Lionesses. Speaking before the match, the former England international said that even though the SheBelieves Cup is an invitational event, the results were 'crucial' with the Women's World Cup only three months away. While it was not a vintage performance from start to finish, his side's second-half showing will give them huge confidence for tough games against World Cup holders USA and Japan, who are in their group at France 2019. England's first-half performance somewhat below-par. They had few clear-cut chances and looked laboured at times, but they may have had reason to feel hard done by after the shockingly poor penalty decision. Legendary Brazilian Marta went on a blistering run into the box and was forced off the ball by Lucy Bronze. And, while England felt it - and television replays subsequently appeared to prove - was a perfectly timed challenge, the referee pointed to the spot and Andressa scored. The second-half was a different story. Just three minutes after the restart, White latched on to a lovely through-ball from Fran Kirby and, even though she was off balance, she managed to find the bottom corner for her fifth goal in the competition. England's dominance continued and substitute Mead secured the win in style with her sensational cross-shot from the right.

Dirty Leeds and the Football Association are investigating after a fan was filmed allegedly using sick racist language and gestures towards Queens Park Strangers supporters on Tuesday. A statement from the Championship club said that it was 'aware' of 'a video circulating on social media.' It continued: 'Racism will absolutely not be tolerated by Leeds United and anyone found to be racially abusive will be banned from attending all games indefinitely.' If not sooner. The Leeds United Supporters' Trust posted on social media: 'We are disappointed to see allegations of racism by a Leeds fan at the QPR game, there is no place for racism on or off the field. This is not a representation of our support base and we will ensure the club are made aware.' Queens Park Strangers said they 'take all accusations of racial abuse very seriously' and that anyone found to be guilty of such abuse will be banned from Loftus Road for life. A statement added: 'The club also received a number of videos showing the alleged offences. These videos have been passed over to the club's dedicated football officer, who will in turn forward them to his counterpart in Leeds. QPR is a family club and will not tolerate such abuse at Loftus Road.' Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out added that it had contacted both clubs and the FA and 'offered support in any potential investigation.' Dirty Leeds lost the game at Loftus Road one-nil. They would have gone top of the Championship with a victory but instead they are third in the table, two points behind leaders Norwich City with twelve games of the season remaining.

The fuzz in Scotland are investigating reports of sectarian singing at Tynecastle, as well as coin-throwing from Glasgow Celtic fans, during the league leaders' Scottish Premiership win on Wednesday. Footage showed what appeared to be 'an object' almost hitting Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal during the game, which finished two-one to the league leaders. Police have not confirmed in what area of the ground the singing was reported. But, they have urged anyone with 'information' to contact them. Presumably, that's information related to incident in question not just, general, information - you know, like the fact that La Paz in the capital of Bolivia, for instance? It comes as Police Scotland have warned of a rise in 'sectarianism and consistently thuggish behaviour' at Scottish football. Earlier this month, Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd criticised Glasgow Celtic fans after being hit by a coin and subjected to sectarian abuse while warming up as substitute during the sides' meeting at Rugby Park. 'It's going to take someone losing an eye or somebody being seriously injured before they do something,' Boyd told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. 'Why not address it before it actually happens. There's an opportunity right now to go in and fix the problem. How we do it? I don't know. I do take that into consideration that it isn't easy to fix.' Glasgow Celtic's victory at Tynecastle, in the first game of Neil Lennon's second stint as manager, was secured thanks to a stoppage-time Odsonne Edouard goal against the ten-man hosts.

Scottish football should lift the alcohol ban at games, says Dundee United's new American owner Mark Ogren. Serious, sick disorder at the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic led to the introduction of the ban. But the Scottish FA, Scottish Government and Police Scotland are all said to be 'considering' a pilot using Euro 2020 games at Hampden. 'It would be nice if the fans could have a beer. In the States, that's part of the entertainment,' Ogren said. 'They socialise, you go out with your friends, and it would be nice for people to have a pint or two because that would enhance the entertainment value.' As it stands, Glasgow would be the only one of twelve Euro 2020 host cities where fans can not buy alcohol in the stadium.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has been given a two-game European ban by UEFA for 'clearly receiving a yellow card on purpose.' Ramos fouled Kasper Dolberg in the eighty ninth minute with Real leading two-one, meaning he is suspended for the second leg. The Spain defender told reporters afterwards that he would be 'lying if I said I didn't force [the booking].' UEFA opened an investigation and gave him with an additional one-match ban for obtained a booking deliberately.

La Liga games will no longer take place on Mondays, says the Spanish FA's president Luis Rubiales. Alaves supporters held a mock funeral during their win over Levante in protest at the match being switched to Monday night for live TV coverage. Alaves fans also protested about fixture changes during their game against Atletico Bilbao, held on a Monday in December. 'Business is important, but fans more so,' Rubiales said on Twitter. He added: 'There will be no more football on Mondays. From next season in La Liga, there will be football on Saturdays and Sundays. We will see what happens on Fridays, if we reach a good agreement for all.' Spanish top-flight games have been played on Mondays since 2010 and while the league's organising body says the matches have 'large television audiences,' they have led to a fall in attendances at the grounds.

How's this for - perhaps, foolish - confidence, dear blog reader? The Russian Premier League side FC Ufa are so confident that they will win their home game against Dynamo Moscow on Sunday, they have offered to refund fans' their ticket prices if they lose. And, 'as a bonus' the club will offer free tickets to their next home game. 'This suggests that the guys are confident in their abilities,' Ufa general director Shamil Gazizov said. Ufa are currently third from bottom in the league in fourteenth, two places below Dynamo.

And Only Four Of Those Had Shorts

Record signing Miguel Almiron impressed on his full debut as yer actual Keith Telly Topping's beloved (though unsellable) Newcastle United eased past ten-man Huddersfield Town to move four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. After The Magpies missed several chances in the first half, striker Salomon Rondon swept in the opener fifty nine seconds into the second period. Ayoze Perez drilled in the second ten minutes later although Paraguay forward Almiron could not add the goal that his display deserved. Huddersfield, who stay marooned at the bottom of the table, had skipper Tommy Smith sent off after twenty minutes for a high tackle on Almiron. Newcastle recorded their third successive Premier League win at St James' Park - for the first time since last April - to move up to fourteenth place in the Premier League. United boss Rafael Benitez's only gripe may be that they should have won by a more convincing margin against a Huddersfield side which managed but one shot on target in the ninety minutes. Newcastle's Kenedy and Sean Longstaff both hit the woodwork in the final half-hour, while Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl produced some superb saves as the home side peppered the away goal with twenty nine shots. Town have lost all four of their matches under new manager Jan Siewert and remain fourteen points adrift of safety.

John Motson has personally apologised to the Millwall striker Tom Elliott after describing him as 'big, black and brave' on TalkSport. All of which are, one could suggest, factually accurate statements so it's difficult to see what Motty has actually felt he needed to apologise for. The seventy three-year-old broadcaster, who came out of retirement last summer to join TalkSport after fifty years with the BBC, made his remarks before Millwall’s FA Cup fifth-round win at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. TalkSport has said it has treated the incident 'very seriously' and has removed the broadcast from its website. Elliott is according to some smear of no importance at the Gruniad Morning Star, 'understood to have acknowledged the private apology from Motson and to be keen to draw a line under the matter.' Unlikely, seemingly, the Gruniad Morning Star itself. TalkSport, responding to a story first reported by the Daily Scum Mail, said: 'We reviewed a live commentary by John Motson and decided to remove it from replay. TalkSport and all of its broadcasters take such matters very seriously and would never wish to offend.' Though they still haven't actually explained exactly who was,allegedly, offended by these comments and, indeed, why.

Championship promotion hopefuls Dirty Leeds have been fined two hundred thousand smackers by the English Football League for watching opponents train before matches. A member of Leeds' staff was nabbed 'acting suspiciously' outside Derby's training ground before the fixture between the two sides on 10 January. Dirty Leeds manager, Marcelo Bielsa, said that he had sent a member of staff to watch every team they have played this season train. The EFL found Dirty Leeds had breached rules over 'treating teams with good faith.' Whatever the Hell that means. Dirty Leeds have also received a formal reprimand from the EFL, which is bringing in a rule to prohibit clubs from viewing their opposition training in the seventy two hours preceding a game 'unless invited to do so.' The EFL said in a statement that Dirty Leeds' conduct 'fell significantly short of the standards expected' and it 'must not be repeated.' EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey added: 'The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future. We will now look to move on from this incident and commence the discussions about introducing a specific regulation at a meeting with all clubs later this month.' The Football Association has also issued a formal warning to Dirty Leeds, Bielsa and a club video analyst. 'The FA will take appropriate action should further evidence of this nature come to light in the future,' a spokesman said. In an extraordinary news conference in the week after Dirty Leeds' match against Derby, Bielsa proudly claimed that he had 'observed all the rivals we played against and watched the training sessions of all opponents.' That led to widespread criticism, though there is no specific rule stopping teams from observing opponents training. Yet. During Bielsa's briefing, he showed journalists how much preparation and analysis he and his staff carry out on each opponent before every game. Dirty Leeds said in a statement: 'We accept that whilst we have not broken any specific rule, we have fallen short of the standard expected by the EFL. We apologise for acting in a way that has been judged culturally unacceptable in the English game and would like to thank Shaun Harvey and the EFL for the manner in which they conducted their investigations. Our focus can now return to matters on the field.' Dirty Leeds beat Derby two-nil in their match last month and Rams boss Frank Lampard described Dirty Leeds's conduct in the build-up to the game as unethical. 'I've never heard of going to a training ground on your hands and knees with pliers trying to break into private land to watch,' he added in a geet huffy strop after the match. Swansea City manager Graham Potter said that he had 'no problem with it' but Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert said the incident was 'not right.'

Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws forward Sadio Mane's house was burgled while he was playing in the Champions League last-sixteen tie against Fußball-Club Bayern München on Tuesday. Items including watches, mobile phones and car keys were stolen. The incident happened at Mane's house in Allerton while the twenty six-year-old was at Anfield. No-one was in the property at the time. Forensic examinations are under way and a police investigation is ongoing. They say they have narrowed a list of suspects down to 'everyone on Merseyside.' Detective Inspector Phil Mahon said: 'We are appealing for anyone with information in relation to this burglary to please come forward and assist our inquiries. While the occupants were not present at the time of the incident this will no doubt be a distressing experience for them and I would ask the offenders to do the right thing and return the stolen items to the owner in any way possible. We know the watches in particular are of significant monetary value and I would also like to appeal to anyone who might have been offered the items for sale since the burglary to contact police.' Senegal international Mane was previously burgled in November 2017 while he was at Anfield for a Champions League game against Maribor. A gang was thought to have broken into his home first before smashing a patio door at the nearby address of team-mate Dejan Lovren before they fled when a woman shouted she was calling the police.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock admits the fifteen million knicker transfer of Emiliano Sala 'could have been better conducted,' but insists chairman Mehmet Dalman 'will do things in the right way.' Sala was Cardiff's record signing but never played for the club. He died when a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, who remains missing, crashed. The Bluebirds were due to make the first payment to Nantes on 20 February, but the clubs have agreed a delay of one week. 'Certain things were done that in reflection should not have been done. That stirred everyone up,' said Warnock. 'But I have complete faith in Mehmet that things will come to a conclusion in the future. I don't really want to go into detail on that, but it created stories that shouldn't have been there. The matter should have been kept between the two clubs really [Cardiff and Nantes]. I have every confidence in Mehmet. I know a lot has been written, people surmising things, but I've known Mehmet since I arrived here and I'm quite confident he'll deal with it in the right way. They've asked for an extension and I think Nantes have agreed with that.' Sala died when a plane taking him from Nantes to Cardiff crashed into the English Channel on 21 January. The twenty eight-year-old's body was recovered from the crash site and his funeral took place in Argentina on 16 February, with Warnock and Cardiff chief executive Ken Choo attending. Nantes wrote to Cardiff on 5 February with a request for the first of three instalments to be paid. Cardiff said that they were withholding payment while 'seeking clarification' on 'details' of the accident and want to wait until crash investigations are complete. They are also querying 'anomalies' in contract details, but claim they will be 'honourable' with Nantes over the transfer fee if they are 'contractually obliged' to pay. All of which does beg the obvious question; if there are 'anomalies' over the contract and Sala had not been killed and had by now made his debut for Cardiff, would the club be quite so keen to highlight these alleged 'anomalies.' Warnock says 'certain issues' should not have become public and also walked back on comments he made that 'certain journalists' covering the story have 'a vendetta against him.' The Cardiff boss also defended his son, James, an agent, whose involvement in certain Cardiff transfers has led to accusations of a conflict of interest. 'I feel sorry for James if I am honest,' said Warnock. '[Cardiff captain Sean] Morrison was mentioned as one of his players. We turned down five million pounds from Sheffield Wednesday for him, so it was sensible to put him on a longer contract. Rhys Healey was mentioned, an up-and-coming player and all the other players were already here before I joined the club. Vendetta was probably the wrong word for me to use really. I just think a couple of journalists in particular, over the last fifteen years, when I look at the columns they have written ... It's not just journalism really. All I can talk about is the football side. The board deal with the financial side. But Mehmet will bring it to a conclusion in the next I don't know how many days.' Warnock would not comment on remarks from agent Willie McKay, who said last week that Cardiff 'had hung him out to dry.' Football agent McKay says that he arranged the flight which Sala took from Nantes, but was not involved in selecting the plane or pilot. When asked about McKay's comments, Warnock said: 'I think everything has been said. If you keep talking about it, they'll keep writing about it.'

Fulham's Ben Davis has reportedly missed his mandatory national service in Singapore and could face a spell in The Slammer according to the country's Ministry of Defence. The eighteen-year-old signed for the Premier League club on a two-year deal in July but his government denied his application to defer his military duties. All men from Singapore over eighteen must serve in the armed forces, police or civil defence force for two years. If Davis evades service for two years he may face up to four months in jail. That's if the Singapore authorities can catch him, of course. The sentence rises in accordance with the length of time service is avoided, with a maximum of three years in The Joint for those who evade duty for seventeen to twenty three years or more. Davis could be fined ten thousand bucks instead of, or in addition to, time in The Pokey. 'Mister Benjamin Davis is a national service defaulter,' a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said. 'He failed to report for national service as required. He is also staying overseas without a valid Exit Permit.' Deferments for sportspeople are rarely granted by Singapore's Ministry of Defence who sound like a right barrel of laughs. It said in July that such deferments are only given 'to those who represent Singapore in international competitions like the Olympic Games and are potential medal winners for Singapore.' The midfielder became the first player from Singapore to sign a professional contract at a Premier League club when he joined last summer. He has featured for Fulham's Under-eighteen side ten times and has been called up by the Singapore team but is yet to make an appearance.

Fußball-Club Bayern München's Bundesliga game against FC Augsburg was reportedly due to be shown on Iranian TV but the broadcast was cancelled ... because the referee for the match, Bibiana Steinhaus, was a woman. And, that sort of thing is not allowed in Iran. Oh no, very hot water. IRIB are said to have cancelled their scheduled coverage because Iran, specifically its Islamic laws, 'do not approve' of showing images of women wearing clothes that reveal large amounts of skin. Iran regularly censors movie scenes where actresses' clothing is considered to be revealing and it appears as though there was an issue with Steinhaus wearing football shorts. Natalie Amiri, the Iran correspondent for German public broadcaster ARD, tweeted to say that the broadcast in Iran was 'scrapped' due to the fact there was a female official in charge. This is not the first time that such disgraceful malarkey has occurred; a game between FC Köln and Fußball-Club Bayern München that Steinhaus took charge of in May 2018 was broadcast in Iran but, there were reportedly 'a load of random shots of supporters in the stands whenever the camera was on her.' Such nonsense, of course, takes the gloss off Steinhaus and her unprecedented achievements in the game. She enrolled on a referees course aged fifteen and, after leaving school, initially juggled being a career as a police officer alongside her refereeing career and still works twenty five hours a week in the local department. From 2007 onwards, 'Bibi' officiated games in the German second tier and then experienced career highlights when she was assigned to the 2011 women's World Cup final, the 2012 Olympic women's final and then the 2017 women's Champions League final. In September of that year, she made history by becoming the first woman to referee a Bundesliga game, inspiring many young girls in the process. 'It has always been my dream to be a Bundesliga referee,' she told the official DFB website. 'That this dream will come true naturally fills me with joy. On one hand it is confirmation of my hard work, and on the other hand it is a great incentive to continue to work hard.'

If you think your team was on the receiving end of a right hammering last weekend dear blog reader, then spare a thought for Italian minnows Pro Piacenza. The Serie C Group A strugglers were beaten twenty-nil at league rivals Cuneo on Sunday afternoon. They were trailing sixteen-nil at half-time, with Cuneo's Hicham Kanis scoring six goals before the interval and fellow striker Edoardo Defendi getting five. In Pro Piacenza's defence, there were some mitigating factors. Currently bottom of Italy's third tier, the Northern club are in serious financial trouble. They were deducted eight points earlier in the campaign and have reportedly failed to pay their players since August - resulting in the resignation of the majority of their first-team squad. They had failed to play any of their past three fixtures prior to Sunday's defeat and another no-show at Cuneo would likely have resulted in their disqualification from Serie C. The visitors managed to field enough players for the game to go ahead. Unfortunately for them, that meant starting the match with a seven-man team that included six teenagers. And only four of them had shorts. With no coaching staff available, eighteen-year-old captain Nicola Cirigliano also had to take on the role of manager. They finished the match with an extra player after one of the younger members of their squad was able to locate his identity papers after the game had kicked-off. Cuneo had only scored eighteen goals in their twenty four league matches before Sunday's game, but managed to double their tally for the season in ninety extraordinary minutes. With severe financial difficulties confronting them, Pro Piacenza are set to face an Italian Football Federation hearing to decide their fate on 11 March. Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, described Sunday's result as 'an insult to sport. In this surreal situation, the FIGC had a duty to enforce all the rules,' he said. 'Our responsibility is to protect the passion of the fans, healthy entrepreneurs and the credibility of our championships. The one we unfortunately witnessed will be the last farce.'

Holes

This blogger's beloved (though unsellable) Newcastle United's new record signing, Miguel Almiron, finally arrived in the UK this week after his work visa was granted and was photographed sitting on the steps of St James Park. Is it worth pointing out that, with his - one presumably pretty sizeable - singing on payment from the reported twenty one million knicker transfer fee, he'll be able to afford a new pair of jeans? Smarten yerself up a bit, young man, you're not playing in America now!

Newport County's goalkeeper, Joe Day, has said that he did not know his wife had given birth to twins until his team's FA Cup match this week had ended. The twenty eight-year-old was playing against Middlesbrough whilst his wife, Lizzie, was in labour. Day was seen running from the pitch at Rodney Parade to get to the Royal Gwent Hospital as soon as the game ended on Tuesday evening. He said that he and his wife 'always knew there was a chance' she would give birth during the game. He added: 'Lizzie backed me and made it an easy decision for me to play the game. Nothing was really happening at midday on Tuesday, but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called me to say that her waters had gone. I got to the ground when she was being taken to the labour ward but she told me to concentrate on the game. I didn't know the girls had been born when I ran off the pitch at the end.' Speaking to the BBC's Good Evening Wales programme, Day said that they were 'all doing well.' He added: 'There were two precious little girls waiting for me when I got here.' His wife said they were delighted with their newborn daughters: 'Joe turned up for the nice bit, to have cuddles. We're absolutely over the moon and the midwives have been so good with me.' Day explained that he did not know he had become a father until he got into his car to drive to the hospital. 'The whole evening was a bit surreal,' he said. 'To beat Middlesbrough two-nil, to get through to play Manchester City in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, playing the game, winning, two twins being born - I'm feeling very lucky and proud of Lizzie.'

French club Nantes have demanded payment from Cardiff City over the fifteen million knicker transfer of Emiliano Sala, BBC Wales has learned. Sala, along with pilot David Ibbotson, was on board the Piper Malibu N264DB which lost radar contact near Guernsey on 21 January. The Argentine striker was Cardiff's record signing. Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are 'satisfied' with the documentation. BBC Wales stated the transfer fee is due to be paid in instalments over three years. It is understood that Nantes are threatening legal action if they do not receive a payment within ten days. An alleged - though anonymous and, therefore, possibly fictitious - 'source' at Cardiff allegedly said that they will honour the contract - which they're legally obligated to do - but not until they have 'clarified all the facts.' Whatever that means. It is unclear whether or not the club have insurance covering the cost of the transfer. And Cardiff are reported to be 'surprised' Nantes have made the demand whilst attempts are being made to recover a body from the plane that was carrying Sala and Ibbotson. The body was recovered from the Piper Malibu on Wednesday, two weeks after the plane vanished near Guernsey and was, eventually, confirmed as having been identified as that of Sala. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said that specialist contractors joined the operation in 'challenging conditions.' It was carried out in 'as dignified a way as possible' and the men's families were kept updated throughout, it added. French club Bordeaux are also entitled to a cut of the fee, thought to be fifty per cent - Sala was on their books from 2012 to 2015 before joining Nantes. The plane carrying Sala and Ibbotson disappeared en route to Cardiff after the footballer returned to Nantes to say goodbye to his former team-mates.

Brighton & Hove Albinos boss Chris Hughton says it is up to the Football Association to take action over an alleged derogatory chant aimed at Gaetan Bong by West Bromwich Albinos fans. Bong was booed after coming on as an extra-time substitute in Wednesday's three-one FA Cup win over The Baggies. Last season Bong accused West Brom's Jay Rodriguez of directing an alleged racist comment towards him, a charge which the FA said 'could not be proven.' Hughton said that it was 'down to the authorities' to 'deal with.' Bong was making his first return to The Hawthorns since he claimed Rodriguez told him: 'You're black and you stink' during a game last season. The Baggies forward strenuously denied making the comment and the FA came to its verdict after employing two lip-reading experts to watch slow-motion footage of the incident. Bong was also booed by Burnley fans last season when he played against Rodriguez's hometown club, with Hughton calling it 'shameful.' He came on to loud boos from the West Brom supporters after one hundred and five minutes in his side's FA Cup fourth round replay. 'It's not nice but the game has done very well in recent years in picking up on anything they need to and the original case was dealt with very well by the FA,' said Hughton. 'You are going to hear things you think are unfair and don't want to hear and that then becomes the responsibility of others. I heard [the boos], it's difficult not to but I prefer to talk about the individual. We have an outstanding individual and our support goes to our players.' When asked by Brighton newspaper, the Argus if he specifically heard the words in the chant, Hughton replied: 'No. I could hear a chant, I couldn't hear what the wording was. I certainly heard lots of boos. When it started I knew that it wasn't going to stop.' Brighton fans also reportedly aimed derogatory chants at Rodriguez, who was substituted after forty five minutes - something which, oddly, Hughton had nothing to say about. Meanwhile, Brighton's forward Florin Andone has been charged with violent conduct after appearing to elbow West Brom's Sam Field during the game. 'The incident was not seen by the match officials but was caught on camera,' the FA said.

An arrest has been made after a man was slashed across the face during a violent brawl between Millwall and Everton fans. The victim has 'a life-changing scar' as a result of the attack, before an FA Cup tie in London on 26 January. A twenty seven-year-old man was very arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of wounding with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. The Metropolitan Police described the brawl - with kids gettin' sparked and aal sorts - as 'some of the most shocking football violence seen for some time.' Detective Sergeant Matt Simpson said the disorder involved 'dozens' of people and lasted for a number of hours. 'We have hours of CCTV and hundreds of images which we are closely reviewing and we have a team of experts working to identify those involved,' he said. Trouble between fans started in the Hawkstone Road area of Southwark, near Millwall's stadium The Den. A police officer was among the injured and the Met said that a number of coaches carrying Everton fans were damaged. Because the violence happened outside Millwall's stadium the Football Association said it would not be investigating. The match, which Millwall won three-two, was also marred by allegations of racist chanting.

An angry football fan faces reportedly being banned from all football grounds in the country after he threw a pie onto the pitch during a match. Bournemouth supporter Adam Cox launched the pastry onto the pitch during a Carabao Cup match at Moscow Chelski FC's Torpedo Stamford Bridge in December. He was extremely convicted in his absence of one count of throwing a missile (a pie!) onto a football playing area. He had previously served a three-year football banning order, applied in 2012, for a similar offence. City of London Magistrates' Court heard Torpedo Stamford Bridge steward Dominic Agbo 'spotted something being thrown' from the South Stand shortly after kick-off in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match on 19 December. In a written statement, he said: 'I saw the Bournemouth fan throw something [onto the pitch] between the corner flag and the goal.' Yes. It was a pie. PC Kerry Jarrett said that Cox initially told security staff he was responsible, but said he thought admitting guilt meant he could 'go home.' He was wrong. She said: 'Initially I thought he was going to be dealt with by way of a community resolution, but he had already been the subject of a football banning order. He continued to say he already admitted it. But then he looked at the statement and said I was writing lies and he wouldn't sign it.' She said Cox 'became agitated' and was handcuffed, taken into custody and driven down the cop shop for a good talking-to. He was convicted in his absence with bench chairman Sarah Houston telling the court that the matter 'had been proved.' A warrant was issued for Cox regarding the imposition of a new football banning order. It is not known what type of pie was thrown, whether it was hot or cold (although, given that it was purchased inside a football ground, it's almost certainly the latter) or if it hit anybody. Moscow Chelski's FC match day menu includes lamb, rosemary and garlic pies. Oooo, get them. Everywhere else you have make do with mince. The match on December 19 ended one-nil to Moscow Chelski, with Eden Hazard scoring a eighty sixth-minute winner.

Players making a 'TV-style gesture' with their hands should be given a yellow card according to UEFA. The guidance has been given to referees ahead of VAR being introduced into the Champions League next week. The gesture is already a bookable offence but the policy was not enforced in the World Cup last summer or in other competitions where VAR is in operation. 'If players make the VAR signal and if they surround the referee, there must be disciplinary action,' UEFA said. At a briefing ahead of UEFA's congress in Rome, UEFA's chief refereeing officer, Roberto Rosetti, used a clip of Harry Maguire during England's World Cup match against Colombia to demonstrate when players should be booked. The Leicester City defender made the sign believing - rightly, as it happened - that Jordan Henderson had been headbutted. 'Where Maguire is standing making the square signal - that is a yellow card,' Rosetti said. 'We want action in these situations, we don't want players interfering with referee on reviews.'

Glasgow Rangers have appealed against Alfredo Morelos' sending off against Aberdeen on Wednesday, the striker's third dismissal against the Pittodrie club this term. Morelos and Scott McKenna, who were involved in an incident in the first game of the season, were both shown red cards by Bobby Madden after appearing to aim kicks at each other. The hearing will be held on Friday, meaning that the Colombian could be available for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie with Kilmarnock. Morelos had an appeal upheld after being sent off at Pittodrie in August when he was deemed to have swung a leg at McKenna. He was then sent off when the sides met at Ibrox in December, after receiving a second booking for throwing an arm at Graeme Shinnie. In the aftermath of Wednesday's four-two win over Aberdeen - in which Morelos scored twice - manager Steven Gerrard said that the Colombian must 'channel his aggression' if he is to 'go to the next level. I haven't had the chance to analyse the incident so I can't tell you if Scott deserved a red or whether Alfredo did,' he said. 'They've had a fantastic battle up until that point. But, if Alfredo is in the wrong, he'll deserve the red card. He'll then be missing for two games and that's how he'll get punished because he hates missing games.'

YouTuber - it's 'a thing', apparently - and Marseille fan Mohamed Henni has told the BBC World Service that he breaks TVs whenever his team loses 'to make people happy' (particularly shops that sell new TVs, one imagines) and 'not for theatre.' One or two people even believed him.

A Briton has been arrested and detained in the United Arab Emirates after reportedly being assaulted when he wore a Qatar football team shirt to a match. Ali Issa Ahmad, from Wolverhampton, is said to have been 'unaware' of a law against 'showing sympathy' for Qatar - brought in amid a diplomatic dispute. His friend claim he was held after telling police that he had been attacked. The UAE embassy in London said Ahmad has been charged with 'wasting police time' and 'making false statements.' And, 'looking at us in a funny way.' Probably. Responding to earlier media reports, a UAE official claimed that Ahmed was 'categorically not arrested for wearing a Qatar football shirt.' The Foreign Office said it is 'providing assistance' to a British man and is 'in touch' with the UAE authorities. Telling them to grow the fek up, one hopes (although, knowing the Foreign Office, almost certainly not). The UAE - and four other countries in the region - are currently engaged in a political and diplomatic tiff with Qatar after they accused the state of supporting radical and Islamist groups. On its website, the Foreign Office warns UK travellers to the UAE of a June 2017 announcement 'that showing sympathy for Qatar on social media or by any other means of communication is an offence. Offenders could be imprisoned and subject to a substantial fine.' Ahmad is said to have travelled to the UAE 'for a holiday.' He was arrested after watching Qatar play Iraq in an Asian Cup match in Abu Dhabi on 22 January. Speaking to the BBC World Service programme Newshour, his friend Amer Lokie said Ahmad had called him from a police station on 30 January to tell him about the arrest. Lokie said: 'After he left the stadium he was followed by a couple of people and they assaulted him.' Ahmad had been wearing a Qatar football shirt and was holding another one in his hands, he said. 'They took away his T-shirt and he went home. Afterwards he went back to police station to report the assault and they held him,' Lokie said. Asked whether Ahmad had indicated whether the people who attacked him were members of the public, police or security officials, Lokie said: 'I was trying to ask him to clarify but he could not clarify because his time was limited. He was just a person who loved sport so much,' Lokie added. 'I don't think he knew he could get into problems for wearing a T-shirt or supporting a particular team.' The UAE embassy in London initially claimed that it was 'unable to comment specifically' on the case, adding 'allegations of human rights violations are taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.' In a later statement, issued through the embassy, a UAE official said Ahmad was a dual Sudanese-British citizen. The official said Ahmad had gone to a police station to say he had been 'harassed and beaten up' by local football fans for cheering the Qatar team. 'Police took him to hospital where a doctor who examined him, concluded that his injuries were inconsistent with his account of events and appeared to be self-inflicted,' the official claimed. They said Ahmad was charged on 24 January, adding: 'We are advised that he has since admitted those offences [wasting police time and making false statements] and will now be processed through the UAE courts.' The tiny oil-and-gas-rich Qatar has been cut off by some of its powerful Arab neighbours - including the UAE - over its alleged support for terrorism. The continuing tiff meant there were very few Qatar fans in attendance during its Asian Cup matches. When Qatar knocked the UAE out in the semi-final, objects including shoes were thrown at their players. Which, frankly, isn't very nice. Remember, shoes have soles too. Qatar went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan three-one in the final on 1 February.