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 - 28/9/2012

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

Picture Courtesy of Never Captain Nicky Butt

Chelsea captain John Terry has been fined £220,000 and suspended for four matches after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR man Anton Ferdinand. 

The FA reached their verdict following a four day hearing. Terry was said to be "disappointed" with the verdict, with many observers questioning why the FA’s decision was different to that of the criminal proceedings back in July.

The former England man will wait for the written judgment before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.

In his own imitable style, Joey Barton hit out at the FA’s level of punishment.

“Twelve games!!! By the FA's perverse reckoning, I'd of got less of a ban for racially abusing the Man City players, than tickling them as I did,” the Marseille man wrote on Twitter.

Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker was also incredulous. “The FA find John Terry guilty and give him a 4 match ban and 220K fine. Just one game more than a regular red card?” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew has signed an incredible EIGHT YEAR contract extension.

The Newcastle boss will now be at the club until 2020, and has been joined by his coaching staff John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman in signing the longer term deals.

Chief Scout Graham Carr – famed for unearthing the talents of Yohann Cabaye, Cheick Tiote and for being comedian Alan Carr’s father - has also penned a deal that will keep him in the North East until he is 75 (he’s 68 now by the way).

Jermaine Jenas will be looking to resurrect his career at his hometown club, after joining Nottingham Forest on a one month loan deal.

The Spurs midfielder’s career has been plagued by injury, and he has only made a handful of appearances in the last few seasons. 

Tipped as an England regular when he first broke onto the scene, Jenas will be hoping for more first-team football at the Championship club.