• Rooney set to miss Milan return with knee injury• Fábregas pulls hamstring in win over BurnleyManchester United and Arsenal may have to play their Champions League second-leg matches this week without key players Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fábregas.Rooney is expected to sit out United's home tie against Milan with a knee injury, while the Arsenal captain's pulled hamstring looks likely to leave him on the sidelines for the visit of Porto. "How big the damage is we don't know yet," said Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, whose side face Porto on Tuesday trailing 2-1. "We have to make a late decision over whether he plays."Rooney missed United's 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee problem during England's 3-1 midweek victory over Egypt. Sir Alex Ferguson was not...

Fabio Capello has no right to tell his players to behave off the pitch – what they do in private is none of his business, or oursI know practically nothing about the game of football. Paradoxically, however, I have of late become very interested in the social milieu in which the game is played in this country. If football had remained the amateur working-class pastime which was how it began, my concern might have remained confined to its place in the social history of Great Britain. But as we all know, it has metamorphosed into a billion-pound, media-obsessed and media-hungry industry, in which the key workers – the players – can and do earn fantastic sums and can and do command huge popular followings. Does that mean that they lose their entitlement to rights that other British...

• England manager says good behaviour is paramount• Steven Gerrard says squad will follow Capello instructionsFabio Capello has warned his England players that they must make sacrifices off the pitch over the next three months to avoid any repeat of the recent controversies that have threatened to deflect the national team's attention from this summer's World Cup finals.The Italian pinpointed the wealth lavished on young players in the modern game as the root of the problems which have flared up too often to wreck the reputations of the likes of Ashley Cole and John Terry, his deposed captain, over the past month.The England manager will seek evidence that standards have not slipped on the pitch against Egypt this evening having reminded his squad of their wider responsibilities with...

The IFA is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland to argue that players with no connection to the Republic of Ireland, other than their passports, should not be allowed to play for the FAI football team, rather than Northern Ireland.Now I’m sure that the Football Association has taken the finest legal advice, but in case Raymond Kennedy reads Three Thousand Versts, let me remind him what we actually need to be arguing.If players who choose to play for Northern Ireland, but hold ROI passports, can only do so because of inferred British nationality, then the IFA will lose. Players who hold dual nationality can choose an international team which represents either nationality. If players can play for Northern Ireland by virtue of their Republic of Ireland nationality,...

Sportpong is a virtual way to play full body ping-pong. First, the player puts reflectors on their feet. Then a projector is used to create the playing field. Next, players either block or hit a virtual ball using the reflectors. It’s a neat and innovative way to play ping pong with the feet. The sport turns the ground into a playing surface. The device works using projectors and motion sensors that detect the reflectors. Sportpong is an interactive physical computer game that requires at least two players. The game may be more fun if more players are involved. In this case, the players can team up against each other. The game is a little experimental but could be fun for individuals that enjoy traditional ping-pong. Via Technabob This is a post from Geeky Gadgets, who bring you...

Although Pokémon was popular in the 1990’s, there is no denying that for many the Pokémon franchise has managed to garner more than its fair share of fanatics that still take interest in the latest Pokémon Company releases. The Pokémon franchise is second only to the Mario Series in Nintendo game success, so Pokémon products are still wildly popular. The latest release in the Pokémon world is the Pokéwalker. The Pokéwalker is a new accessory that can be used for two new Pokémon games, the Pokémon SoulSilver and the Pokémon HeartGold version for Nintendo DS systems. The Pokéwalker is designed to allow players to take their favorite characters with them wherever they go. By using the Pokéwalker, players can wirelessly transfer one of the characters to the device and walk...

• Troubled Portsmouth miss self-imposed pay deadline• PFA's Nick Cusack says club 'cannot carry on like this'Portsmouth have been accused of threatening the "integrity" of football and the Premier League as the club missed a second, self-imposed deadline to pay the squad their December wages.Nick Cusack, the senior executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, was outspoken over the club's inability to come up with the money and questioned Ali al-Faraj's ownership of the club."When two teams take the field, it's 11 versus 11 and you would expect all 22 players to have been paid," Cusack said. "If one set of 11 has not [been paid] then that can call into question the commitment of that team and therefore the integrity of the game itself."That in turn puts into question the...

• Tottenham players did not breach contract with party• Harry Redknapp holds amicable meeting with 16 playersTottenham Hotspur's players have escaped formal sanction for travelling to Dublin for an unauthorised Christmas party last week after a frank but amicable meeting with the manager, Harry Redknapp.The players accepted they had effectively deceived Redknapp and apologised for their conduct, though it is understood they pointed out that, technically, they had not breached the terms of their contracts and were not eligible to be fined.Redknapp said last week that the 16 first-team players involved would be "dealt with severely". But he mellowed his stance and has agreed for them to make donations, believed to total £300,000, to a charity, most likely the Tottenham Hotspur...

Bookmakers had stopped taking bets on it. The press talked about his 'last day in charge'. After their 4-3 victory over Sunderland, it was confirmed that Mark Hughes was dismissed as Manchester City manager. The statement exaplained that 2 winds from 11 matches wasn't acceptable. Obviously you need a return on investment when you spend £207 million on players but The replacement I found a bit surprising - Roberto Mancini. Potentially a great coach - but is this really a step forward for Manchester City? Certainly there was a feeling that some of the new players didn't feel comfortable with the management set up. I agree with the timing of the appointment, if you have infinite funds for players then let the new boss get his players in so that he can be properly assessed. The existing...

• Suspension of transfer embargo provides safety net• Blues will not spend lavishly in JanuaryCarlo Ancelotti will only dip into the transfer market during the midwinter window in January if injuries to key players leave his squad depleted. The Italian was speaking after the Court of Arbitration for Sport froze Fifa's 12-month suspension on Chelsea registering new personnel over the Gaël Kakuta affair pending the hearing of the Londoners' appeal.Chelsea expect the case to be heard in Lausanne early next year, most likely at the beginning of February, having opted against asking the CAS to fast-track their appeal. They will now be able to purchase players in January in the knowledge that, should the CAS uphold Fifa's ban, this would be their final opportunity to bring in fresh blood...

Genius or Madness? Recently, an article by ESPNSoccernet was brought to my attention by one of our faithful readers about the Reserve league in England. The Premier Reserve League is a valuable resource for clubs in the Premiership.  Each club in the Premier League is able to play in the top league against the reserve clubs from other members of the top flight. It offers teams a chance to give fringe players a run out and give players returning from injury, a competitive environment in order to integrate them to game shape.  However, this season, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has thrown caution into the wind by removing his reserve team from the PRL and instead chosen to maintain a large squad with players most on the fringe being sent out on loan. Redknapp believes that the...

Genius or Madness? The Premier Reserve League is a valuable resource for clubs in the Premiership.  Each club in the Premier League is able to play in the top league against the reserve clubs from other members of the top flight. It offers teams a chance to give fringe players a run out and give players returning from injury, a competitive environment in order to integrate them to game shape.  However, this season, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has thrown caution into the wind by removing his reserve team from the PRL and instead chosen to maintain a large squad with players most on the fringe being sent out on loan. Redknapp believes that the move gives him a much greater mobility when it comes to his personnel.”You are restricted when you have reserve fixtures set in...

It’s been over 20 years since Liverpool last lost four games in a row and it is time for some changes at Anfield. Rafa Benitez has enjoyed a big support from the fans even though he did little to deserve it but it is more than clear he has taken this team as far as he could. He’s had his ups and downs at Liverpool but for the team that should be fighting for honours to lose four games in a row is simply inexcusable. Something needs to be done if the Reds are to save this season and seeing it’s impossible to change the players in the midst of the season, the only solution is to sack Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard had five years to make this team his own, to bring players capable of winning the Premier League title but all he could do during this period was to win the Champions League...

Liverpool supporters talk about European nights at Anfield, but it was French side Lyon who “did a Liverpool” Tuesday night with an injury-time goal to seal a 2-1 come from behind victory on Merseyside. The win for Lyon was a bit of a harsh result for the Reds especially since Rafael Benitez’s side played far better than they did against Sunderland. However, that was until Lyon equalized in the 72nd minute from a goal by Gonalons. Not surprisingly for Liverpool, the equalizer for Lens came from a corner kick and the defensive weaknesses were again exposed as several Liverpool players stood frozen watching Jose Pepe Reina pull off too impressive saves only for the third attempt on goal to sail in near the far post. Prior to that goal, the man of the match was Lyon...

Interesting trivia question there “Who were the first Liverpool FC players to play for England?”. It is of course a trick question because 4 players of Liverpool Football Club (as in Rugby Football) took part in the very first rugby international in 1871.   Step forward J. H. Clayton, A. Lyon, E. Tobin & E. Kewley. Liverpool Football Club players representing their country a full  7 years before Everton were formed and 13 years before Everton’s offspring stole your club’s name.   Almost as good is the one “Name three Russians to play for Everton”...the answer, of course, being “Bilyaletdinov, Kanchelskis and Gethathibbertoff” or “Name three Israelis to play for Liverpool....Cohen, Rosenthal and Judas...

1. Each player shall furnish his own equipment for play, normally one club and two balls. 2. Play on a course must be approved by the owner of the hole. . 3. Unlike outdoor golf, the object is to get the club in the hole and keep the balls out 4. For most effective play, the club should have a firm shaft. Course owners are permitted to check the shaft for firmness before play begins. 5. Course owners reserve the right to restrict the length of the club to avoid damage to the hole. 6. The object of the game is to take as many strokes as necessary until the course owner is satisfied that play is complete. Failure to do so may result in being denied permission to play on the course again. 7. It is considered bad form to begin playing the hole immediately upon arrival at the course....

Who are the very best young players in the world?  For the purposes of this article, “young players” are those no older than 22. First there are the obvious: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Alexandre Pato, Francesc Fabregas, Karim Benzema, etc.  Their class has been established before this mysterious “young” label vanished, and subsequently they command enormous transfer fees, if their clubs are even willing to part with them.  They often aren’t and for good reason.  These are players who will win Ballon d’Ors, change Champions League finals in a single play, and will also sell shirts. Then there is a second tier of young players who might becomes world class, but aren’t quite there yet: Chelsea’s Mikel, Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi,...

They really are coming thick and fast - but of all the advances for women's rugby in recent months an announcement today is not only the most unexpected, but also one that could be one of the most significant.The Professional Rugby Players' Association - effectively rugby players' trade union for players in the Guinness Premiership - today announced that is will be reorganising itself to become the Rugby Players' Association (RPA), expanding its membership to include players from the Championship (the level below the Premiership)... and also "elite women players" - a term that isn't defined by which presumably includes members of the England squad if not slightly wider.At the very least this is a huge mark of genuine recognition for the women's rugby - its senior players now being treated...

• Chelsea midfielder backs under-fire Ferdinand• Lampard says Heskey was right to consider club futureFrank Lampard believes that Wayne Rooney's injury will give other players in Fabio Capello's England squad the chance to shine in the final World Cup qualifier, against Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday.Rooney has pulled out of the match with a calf injury. Lampard said: "He's obviously a good player, he's been in fantastic form. He's been the player of our campaign for sure, but it's quite nice for us to have to get along without him. There are other good players waiting for a chance. If we can see other players coming through then it's a good thing for us."The Chelsea midfielder also backed Rio Ferdinand, whose mistake led to the situation which saw the goalkeeper Robert Green sent...

• Squads of 25 must include eight 'home-grown' players• 'To make rather than buy is intent' says ScudamoreLiverpool and several other Premier League clubs will have to dramatically overhaul their playing staffs for next season, when new rules will be introduced forcing them to limit squad sizes and encourage the development of "home-grown" talent.The league's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, revealed that the 20 top-flight clubs last week agreed to the new rules. They are broadly based on Uefa's regulations for clubs competing in the Champions League and the Europa League but applying them to the Premier League as well will force some to slim down their squads in the face of accusations they are "stockpiling" talent.Under the rules, clubs will have to name a squad of 25 players...

• Wives and girlfriends will be allowed in one day at a time• Focus now shifts to make-up of squad for South AfricaEngland boss Fabio Capello will allow Wags at the World Cup next year – but only for one day at a time, after each match in South Africa.The wives and girlfriends of players were present during the 2006 tournament in Germany. Rio Ferdinand last season referred to the England camp having become a "circus" under Sven-Goran Eriksson. Capello's regime has been strict but the Italian feels his players should see their loved ones for limited periods."I like what we made here at training where the players stay together," Capello said. "When we are in South Africa the players need the wives, friends, the girls. One day after each game."Capello, however, warned: "We are there to...

Sony have announced two new blu-ray players named the BDP-S560 and the BDP-S760. Both players are designed to give high quality 1080p picture quality along with 7.1 surround sound. Both of the Blu-ray players are wireless at 802.11n speeds allowing you to not only grab the latest firmware updates over your network, but also connect to the web so you can utilise the BD-Live service. Also both players can receive JPG files from other DLNA devices such as Vaio laptops and PC’s even if they are not in the same room. “The BDP-S560 and BDP-S760 both have Wi-Fi and DLNA capability built-in to make connecting your Blu-ray player to your home network easier than ever before”, says Julien Dalle, Senior Business Manager, Home Video Marketing of Sony Europe. “These two new Blu-ray players...

The window has shut and once again Arsenal fans are left scratching their heads.  Where has our team re-building gone, were we really that close to success last season that we did not need to add to our squad? Arsene said, after the purchase of Vermaelen that he would like two more players in before pre-season training starts.  He then intimated that once Adebayor leaves, then Chamakh is a target.  Rumours and stories had us link with Hangeland, Chamakh, Melo, van der Vaart and Matuidi.  In the end we did not buy anyone.  Some stories state we were not prepared to pay the extra £7million to secure both Chamakh and Matuidi.  We had offered £5million for Chamakh and £6million for Matuidi, their clubs wanted £10million and £8million respectively.    If this is true this is very...

RFUW want to hear from former U18s who "retired" from junior rugby last season. They are conducting a survey to help them supporting players in their transition from U18 to senior rugby. RFUW say that they want to retain players in the game and "be able to provide you with opportunities to continue playing Regional rugby and to attend ETCs (Elite Training Camps)". They also want to be able to put you in touch with your local CCO. Please fill the survey in - its is very short. Apart from anything else it is important that players at all levels (not just elite regional players) let RFUW know about their plans. It is important that they get to know how many ordinary players are interested in regional rugby (for...

Marantz has released a couple of new Blu-ray players which will feature DivX HD 1080p playback. Both the BD7004 and BD5004 Blu-ray players are readily available in the US and Canada, enabling users to playback their 1080p DivX HD videos in a jiffy. DivX format videos boast the advantage of offering a superior media experience without taking up an insane amount of hard drive space, where a full length high definition movie is able to fit onto a standard DVD instead of the usual Blu-ray disc. No idea on pricing of the BD7004 and BD5004 Blu-ray players, although if you’re willing to invest good money in them, they ought to offer a decent playback experience especially if you’re an avid Torrent downloader - just keep a close eye on your door for RIAA officials to bust into your...

Arsene Wenger has decided to take a different tact.  He has sold Adebayor and Toure and Eboue is due to follow.  That is three of Arsenal’s four Africans.  The move can be explained as a massive u-turn by Arsene. A few years ago Arsenal set-up an agreement with Beveren in Belgium, whereby the Belgian club brought players over from the Ivory Coast and Arsenal were to be given first refusal once the players acquired a Belgian passport. Arsenal had several players on trial, Yaya Toure, Emanuel Eboue, Marco Ne and Giles Yapi Yapo.  Only Eboue was signed by Arsenal whilst the others went elsewhere in Europe. The Beveren relationship ended, and so it appears did Arsene’s love for African players.  Not because of their technique or skill or athleticism, but because of the African Cup of...

India's unfancied rugby sevens side must bulk up if they hope to make an impact at next year's Commonwealth Games, eating seven meals and at least 15 eggs a day, the country's South African coach said yesterday."I have told them (his players) they must eat at least 15 eggs a day, six for breakfast and the remaining nine any time, any how, during the day," the country's South African coach Norman Laker said."The players have three meals a day and that's not enough. In South Africa, elite rugby players have seven meals a day." India is rated a lowly 83rd out of the 95 teams in the International Rugby Board rankings which are currently headed by South Africa."Indian players weigh 72-77 kg on an average whereas the international players weigh between 88 and 100 kg. That is the weight...

The RFUW have made some very significant changes to the process for selecting next season's U20 team.Full details are here, but the headline news is that it will not be an Open Trial. Players will be selected for U20 trials from this season's HPAs. This includes existing U20 players who will have to go through the HPA process.Of course, what this means is that anyone not at HPAs will not be able to go to the England U20 trials. If in operation last years this would have probably meant that Sasha would not have been selected to trial (after all, she was not selected for the TDGs), never mind make the final squad and play in four internationals this season! As it stands it also means that Hayley - who narrowly missed out on U20 selection last time - cannot go to trials this time around.In...

Nigeria cracks down on over-age players The Nigeria Football Federation has announced it will be checking out its players bones to catch cheats. Nope, it’s not dubious dressing room shower activities but MRI scans to find over-age players trying to gatecrash the Under-17 World Cup. Nigeria’s youth squads have long faced accusations of fielding ineligible players in [...]...

When we look around the Premier League I see a different picture from that portrayed by the media. The media is obsessed with Arsenal’s lack of transfer activity and that pressure is building on Wenger to deliver silverware this season. What the media fails to recognise is that most of Arsenal’s activity this summer has been aimed at securing contract extensions of key players, namely van Persie, Walcott, Gibbs, Ramsey, Fabianski and Wilshere.  In addition to these players, I imagine that something is happening in relation to either Gallas or Toure behind the scenes.  Securing these signings is as important as bringing in new players.  Furthermore, we hope to see Eduardo and Rosicky make invaluable contributions in the forthcoming season.  These facts are swept under the carpet by...