Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 10/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

The FA has unveiled plans to bring in an official ‘code of conduct’ for players on England duty.

Pic Courtesy of TeamTalk

Head Honcho David Bernstein wants the guidelines introduced following a string of indiscretions – the most high profile being Ashley Cole’s “Bunch of T****” outburst.

He said: "They are incredible role models with incredibly high profiles and their behaviour is extremely important.

"This really should have been brought in years and years ago." 

Players found guilty of breaking the code could be suspended from international duty, rather than the meagre fines currently handed out as punishment.

Marouane Fellaini is set to miss the next three weeks of Everton’s campaign after suffering a knee injury in Saturdays’ game with Wigan.

The powerful midfielder has been a force to be reckoned with this season, playing a key part in the Toffees’ strong start.

"Fellaini suffered a small tear at the juncture of muscle and tendon in the knee," said a Belgian FA spokesperson.

Meanwhile Fellaini’s boss David Moyes has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for September.

The Merseysiders are sitting pretty in fourth - just five points behind leaders Chelsea. 

Sunderland frontman Steven Fletcher took the player honours after bagging five goals in just four appearances since his £12 million move from Wolves. 

Kettering Town could be out of existence by the end of the month after failing to raise a side for last night’s game against Leamington.

The former Football League club have been in existence for over 130 years, but are facing extinction after a number of players refused to play for the club having not been paid for a month.

The Poppies could only name ten men for Saturday’s encounter with Bashley, which they subsequently lost 7-0.

There is currently no electricity at the club’s Nene Park ground after they failed to pay a supplier, and owner Imran Ladak must find £3,000 as part of a CVA to avoid a winding-up order.

At the other end of the financial scale, Newcastle United have signed a £24 million sponsorship deal with ‘pay day loan’ firm Wonga.

The link-up enables the Magpies to change the name of their stadium back to St James’ Park, rather than the reviled Sports Direct Arena moniker created by owner Mike Ashley.

The deal hasn’t been without controversy however. Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle’s city council, said he was "appalled and sickened" that the club would sign a contract with a ‘legal loan shark’. 

And Michael Martin, editor-in-chief of the Geordies’ True Faith fanzine, said the sponsorship was "shameful".

To add further salt to the wounds, this type of deal infringes Sharia Law, meaning Newcastle’s Muslim quartet of Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote would not be able to don the new shirt.

Bolton Wanderers have relieved manager Owen Coyle of his duties.

The Lancashire club have had a disappointing start to life in the Championship, and currently lie 18^th in the table. They were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Coyle was dignified in his exit. "I had fantastic times here as a player and it has been a privilege to have held the post of manager," he said.

Trotters chairman Phil Gartside has admitted it was "the right time for a change". 

Names in the frame for the Bolton hot seat include Mick McCarthy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Billy Davies.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 8/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

Pic Courtesy of Team Talk

Two moments of controversy this weekend has prompted two managers to call on the FA to act swiftly and decisively.

Alan Pardew believes that Robin Van Persie should be punished for seemingly elbowing Yohan Cabaye during his side’s 3-0 defeat to the Red Devils. The incident was missed by referee Howard Webb.

He said: "He [Van Persie] has looked at Yohan and he has elbowed him. I think that perhaps needs to be looked at, if I am honest.”

Meanwhile, Tony Pulis wants the FA to have a look at Luis Suarez’s ‘light footed’ performance against his team yesterday.

The Stoke boss believes the Uruguayan went to ground far too easily in the goalless draw at Anfield.

"I've been on about and banging the drum about people who fall over," Pulis remarked. "It's an embarrassment. The FA should be looking at this."

The FA is set to take action against Ashley Cole however, following the Chelsea man’s vitriolic tweet from Friday.

The England left back called the Association “a bunch of t****” in the wake of the full report of the John Terry race trial, in which the validity of Cole’s evidence is questioned.

The 31-year-old is still set to link up with the England squad for training later today.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored twice as the spoils were shared in the first ‘El Clasico’ of the campaign.

A typically frenetic game ended 2-2, with Ronaldo’s brace finishing off a remarkable week during which he has found the net eight times in just three games.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 6/9/2012

Enjoy our quick round-up of the football news stories making waves across the globe.

In a ‘sensational’ interview Bacary Sagna has slammed Arsenal’s transfer policy.

The 29-year-old told French paper L’Equipe that he was “surprised” by Alex Song’s exit from the club. This followed the sale of Robin Van Persie to rivals Manchester United earlier in the summer.

"When you see your two best players from last season leave, you ask yourself questions." The defender mused.

Following yesterday’s EXCLUSIVE BOMBSHELL from the Sun newspaper that Neymar was approached by United on Transfer Deadline Day, they’ve followed it with this little gem.

Apparently Ashley Cole is ready to ‘walk out’ on Chelsea unless they offer him more than a one-year contract extension.

The England man is in the final year of his contract, and it is the London club’s policy to only give 12-month deals to players over 30. 

The newspaper failed to mention however that the 31-year-old is the best left back on Planet Earth, and would never be allowed to leave for nothing. Whoopsie.

Whilst Cole ponders his future whilst reclining on the England treatment table, he will be joined by Adam Johnson – who has been ruled out of his country’s game against Moldova with a thigh injury.

Meanwhile, back in London, Florent Malouda will be made to see out the final year of his contract training with Chelsea’s youth team, after falling out with boss Roberto Di Matteo.

The Frenchman revealed via Twitter that he had been banished, after failing to secure a move elsewhere during the summer.

An incredible show of Italian pettiness next, as Fiorentina demand that their summer transfer target Dimitar Berbatov pays the club back for the flights they paid to get the Bulgarian there.

The Italian club are furious that the Berbatov pulled the plug on a proposed move at the eleventh hour, and have invoiced his agent for two airline tickets and other expenses.

And finally, it has been claimed that the ‘Greatest Player in the World™’ is too fat for Serie A!

New Juventus signing Niklas Bendtner has been tucking into spaghetti & meatballs too readily for the liking of the club’s coaching staff, and he has been placed on a strict diet and exercise regime.

The 24-year-old has missed a bulk of pre-season training, but luckily for him stripes are said to be slimming....

Here at Route One we try to keep you abreast of all the latest football news around the globe, so keep your peepers peeled.

The Daily Football News Round-Up

He does look quite sad here

Enjoy our quick round-up of the football news stories making waves across the globe.

Spanish sources have claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at Real Madrid, which has alerted the attention of both Manchester clubs and french big spenders PSG.

Ronaldo scored twice in Madrid’s win over Granada at the weekend, but failed to celebrate with any pomp or vigour.

Afterwards, he is reported to have said: “I am sad and the people at the club know about it. It’s about professional issues. I can’t say any more.”

Meanwhile, Ashley Cole will miss England’s first World Cup Qualifying match against Moldova this Friday through injury.

The Chelsea lothario picked up an ankle knock in Friday’s Super Cup humbling against Atletico Madrid. Everton’s Leighton Baines is tipped to deputise. 

Joining Cole on the sidelines will be Andy Carroll, who tweaked a hamstring on his West Ham debut on Saturday, but there was good news for John Terry, who was able to take part in full training despite having been troubled by a neck injury recently.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has been given a two-match touchline ban for tickling the arm of an Assistant Referee.

The silver-haired assassin did not contest the FA’s misconduct charge, after he was rapped for stroking Peter Kirkup for awarding opponents Tottenham a throw-in. 

Pardew will miss the Magpies’ away fixture at Everton and the home tie against Norwich City. Assistant boss John Carver is expected to take charge.

Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg have forked out an incredible £64 million for the double signing of Hulk and Axel Witsel.

Hulk, the beefy Porto winger, was tipped to join Chelsea this summer, but after the window closed the Russian side quickly swooped with a £32 million deal. Creative midfielder Witsel joins from Benfica for a similar fee.

Wolves have terminated the contract of their Assistant Manager Terry Connor with immediate effect.

Connor had a stint in charge of the West Midlands club at the tail-end of last season, picking up only four points from 13 games in charge. He’s been moved aside following the appointment of new manager Stale Solbakken.

Here at Route One we try to keep you abreast of all the latest football news around the globe, so keep your peepers peeled.