Torres has a smile on his face after scoring his 4th goal of the season

by

Fernando Torres likely woke up in a good mood this week after scoring his fourth goal of the season while playing in the Chelsea and Wolves match. The final score of the match came out at 6-0, but it turns out that this may not have been enough for his club.

While he may be floating high, it appears that Chelsea is not yet sure about him as they are getting ready to place a very hefty £45m bid on Radamel Falcao. The news that the team is looking for another strong striker is likely not the news that Torres would have wanted.

Chelsea of course knows that Falcao would be a heck of a striker as the 26 year old really showed off his skills during the Super Cup final of last month. He was able to score a 4-1 victory over Madrid putting in a show worth paying top dollar for.

In addition, while playing in Atletico he was able to score a total of 36 goals in only 49 different appearances last season. After this grand season Chelsea has their eye on the Colombian with goals to transfer him over by the close of January.

The Terry case brings other issues to the fore

by

The FA’s role as a selector of the national side, and a governing body at the same time, has been relieved by the Terry case with the captain of Chelsea claiming that conflict made it impossible for him to be selected to play for England. Many would argue that the situation is actually reversed, but since it is hard to narrow down the Wembley separation of powers this is an issue that is causing a lot of problems for the FA.

Disciplinary measures have always caused discontent among players, and therefore it is not very surprising that the Premier League has always been happy to leave these types of matters up to the FA to handle. However, over the last few years since Lord Burns first brought the topic up since 2005, there have been calls for the FA to create an independent disciplinary chapter so that there are no claims of bias.

The FA has firmly resisted this idea and it is likely that it will resist again in the Terry case although Terry will likely believe that all of the charges against him are the result of a FA agenda. David Bernstein, the Chairman, has not yet made a public comment regarding the Terry case because he does not want it to appear that he is interfering with the disciplinary hearings.

Darren Bailey, the head of governance for the FA, ultimately is the person that decided to bring charges against Terry as he was not connected to the Club England set-up.

Racism in British football still a major problem

by

According to a report by a committee from the House of Commons, racism in British football remains a major problem despite improvements in recent years. The report is in response to concerns after the cases against John Terry and Patrice Evra-Luis Suarez. The chair of the inquiry, John Whittingdale MP believes that the recent reports of UK racism highlight the fact that there is still a significant problem.

Homophobia, say MPs, may now have become the most widespread form of discrimination. When Liverpool’s Suarez was found guilty of racial abuse against Evra from Manchester United he was fines £40,000 by the FA and a ban. Meanwhile John Terry, ex-England captain was cleared in July of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, his fellow football player. Mr Whittingdale said that the committee believes the FA should set an example for all football authorities to follow.

Outside of British football, there were moments of racist chanting during Euro 2012 both during matches and at training sessions. A fine of 80,000 euros (£65,000) was given to the Croatian Football Federation for abusing Italian striker Mario Balotelli. During the 1970s and 80s abuse, both racial and otherwise, was common, fortunately the atmosphere and behaviour at football matches has changed hugely.

The report added that charities and initiatives like Show Racism the Red Card helped to reduce the problem where it is worst – in the grounds, on the streets and online – but more work is required. A joint statement from the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League stated that the progress made in these matters has been substantial but there are still challenges to be met.

 

Football fan who lied to get passport back is jailed

by

A football fan that was banned from going to matches abroad and went to the Ukraine to watch England during Euro 2012 will spend five months in jail. Pele Duncan, a Manchester United supporter, told police that he wanted to visit his girlfriend’s father in Germany who was seriously ill so that he could get his passport back.

However the 26-year-old supporter was photographed in Kiev where he was partying with other England fans during the Championships, then in the Olympic Stadium where England played Kiev.

Duncan, who lives near Preston, earlier admitted failing to obey his order from June15-25 and to not handing his passport in before August 8. He said that he went to the Ukraine after having an argument in Germany with his girlfriend’s mother. He later admitted that his defence was a complete lie, at Preston Magistrate’s Court, and there had been no family sickness.

James Towey, defending, said Mr Duncan’s friends had travelled to the tournament and he was jealous. In his defence he said that Duncan should be credited for the fact he told the truth eventually. The original story was told when he was originally arrested; it was not supposed to be heard outside the police station. Mr Towey said that Duncan was simply envious of his friends.

The father-of-one was first handed the order in November 2010 following his eviction from Old Trafford when he was seen drinking alcohol near the pitch. Under the terms of the order he has to surrender his passport to officials when England or Manchester United play a match abroad.

Magistrate Barbara Bennett, when sentencing Duncan to a total of five months in prison, said that he had blatantly disregarded the court orders. She continued by saying that it had been planned in advance.

Work to start on new Man City academy within weeks

by

Manchester City has said that within the next few weeks work will start on their new football academy. The development is to include the construction of 16 training pitches and a 7,000- seater stadium solely for youth matches.

They are also to build community facilities and a sixth form college on the 80 acre site which is next to the Etihad Stadium. The club has chosen as its construction partner BAM Construction, with work expected to be finished in time for the 2014/15 season. Local people will get most of the jobs created.

Ferran Soriano, the Chief Executive, believes this is important for the future of the football club. The club has a central strategy develop young and home-grown players as a way of creating a winning team as well as a sustainable football club. This ambition was outlined in September 2008 by Sheikh Mansour when he bought the club. The club believes that after four years when they have been researching and planning they are in a position to execute the plan. They are pleased to be joining with BAM who will play a large part in the strategy.

Patrick Viera, football development executive for Manchester City, has said how vital it is to invest in the players of the future. He believes it is very important to have a project to develop young players for five or ten years’ time.

A bridge will link Etihad stadium to the academy which will feature facilities for the first team, including an injury and rehab centre, changing rooms, gym and refectory. There is also to be accommodation available on site for both junior and senior players.