Rio Ferdinand was booed throughout United's 3-3 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Whilst Rio has never been a popular player with Chelsea fans, given his West Ham and Leeds history, as well as the issues over the England captaincy, it was clear that Rio was singled out for special abuse yesterday thanks to John Terry's charge for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Who should replace Chelsea's John Terry as England captain? Former England and Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor believes that Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard is the ideal candidate for the job, but only if he can prove that he's up to it. Speaking to BBC Sport, Taylor argued:"Gerrard's been captain before and I'd expect [Fabio] Capello to give it to him if he gets his top-class form back.

Photo by Amr Abdallah .

El fútbol genera pasiones, y es tan popular que llega a diferentes tipos de fanáticos, en todo el mundo la violencia cada vez se acerca mas a los estadios.
Recordamos que en los ochentas eran famosos los hoolligans ingleses quienes por vivir una crisis economica y cultural su desahogo era el fútbol, no solo como entretenimiento sino tambien conformados por grupos violentos y todo lo que esto conlleva.

The transfer window came to a close yesterday with some very interesting signings across Europe. Once again attention was centred on the EPL where a host of clubs were keen on bolstering their squads for the remainder of the season.

However, it was to be a bitter sweet day for league leaders Manchester City who despite capturing Roma midfielder David Pizarro on loan, suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Everton.

Liverpool have apologised after they used footage of a fan making a racist gesture towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a highlights package on their official website. A spokesman for Liverpool FC told the BBC: "We can confirm that footage was mistakenly included in the highlights package that appeared on the website.

It seems that a lot of people are not talking about football these days. Whether it be racism, gayism (ok not sure if that's an actual word) or other outrageous incidents not even related to the beautiful game. Here are a few things which I think should be brought back/or removed to help bring the English game back to the glory days of the 90s.

Stoke City defender Robert Huth admits that getting anything out of tomorrow evening's trip to Old Trafford will be difficult but hopes that Manchester United are not at their best.

Huth, who is aware that the Potters have not defeated United in over 30 years, has seen the defending champions bounce back strongly from every setback and is worried that a backlash awaits following this weekend's 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Liverpool.

Anfield legend Alan Hansen believes Jordan Henderson should be exempt from the criticism that is increasingly being levelled against Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's summer signings. Speaking to the BBC earlier today, Hansen expressed concern about the performances of Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, but he was upbeat about the former Sunderland midfielder.

A couple of weeks ago, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson claimed on BBC Radio 5 that the deal to bring Darren Bent to Anfield was 'done', and despite several strong denials from Aston Villa, the rumours about the prolific goalscorer just won't go away. Transfer speculation can sometimes unsettle players, Villa winger Gabriel Agbonlahor insists this is not the case with Bent.

So Long Timmy!The long-running transfer saga involving New York Red Bulls central defender Tim Ream appears to have finally come to an end this afternoon, with the BBC reporting that Bolton Wanderers have secured a UK work permit. There had been considerable doubt about Ream's qualifications for a visa, as he had only played in a total of two competitive fixtures for the US Men's National Team.

By Alan Duffy

Sometimes the world isn't fair. And for League Two Morecambe on Saturday, the world was very very unfair.

After getting the scoreline back to 2-1 in their home clash with Torquay, play-off hopefuls Morecambe pushed for a late equaliser.

According to a flash report on the BBC Sport website, Tim Ream has received his work permit and will sign with Bolton Wanderers. Having no ancestral connection to allow for a passport, Ream needed to apply for a work permit. That procedure has hampered potential American moves in the past. New York had been preparing for Ream to be sold to Bolton.

Neil Warnock says he lost his Queens Park Rangers job as his reputation was "slowly poisoned" by critics both inside and outside the club. He claimed a "lack of football experience" in the hierarchy left QPR open to "manipulative" people.

The 63-year-old said he was unhappy fans and players were able to talk to owner Tony Fernandes through Twitter.

Neil Warnock says he lost his Queens Park Rangers job as his reputation was "slowly poisoned" by critics both inside and outside the club. He claimed a "lack of football experience" in the hierarchy left QPR open to "manipulative" people.

The 63-year-old said he was unhappy fans and players were able to talk to owner Tony Fernandes through Twitter.

Here's what Alan Pardew thought of the second half performance this afternoon at Craven Cottage. Here's Alan Pardew's interview with the BBC after the game and Alan says he was disappointed with the seocnd half collapse and how the team seemed to switch off in that second half. Tell us about it.

"The BBC's governing principles, closely associated with its first Director-General, Sir John Reith, are to educate, inform and entertain the whole nation, free from political interference and commercial pressure. These ideals continue to underpin an enduring vision of the BBC as the "national" broadcaster.

The big story in football this evening is that six players have been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman. Five Brighton players and a Bournemouth player are being questioned about an attack in July last year. The Brighton players are an 18-year-old man, a 19-year-old, two men aged 20 and one aged 24.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Philadelphia Union

Bolton manager Owen Coyle confirms Sebastien Le Toux is trialing with the Premiership club. "We have received good reports about Sebastian, so we thought we would give him an opportunity to come into the group," Coyle told the Daily Mirror. "He will train with us for a week and we will see where we are after that.

On Sunday, January 22, 2012, Manchester United will take the pitch against Arsenal at the Emirates. Cognizant of the simple fact that Manchester United handed Arsenal an 8-2 loss that is counted amongst the very worst in a period of 100 years, no one is giving much reason to believe that the Gunners have a chance against the Red Devils.

Shortly before 12.30pm today @TruroCityTweet declared 'ALL CLEAR FOR CITY -TAX BILL PAID IN FULL' (their capitals not mine but worthy of shouting nonetheless) and it seemed in light of the current cloud of doom hanging over parts of non-league that the sun has broken through over Cornwall at least.

Here's Alan Pardew's interview with the BBC after today's excellent 1-0 win against QPR. The good news is that it seems Yohan Cabaye will be okay, but he was annoyed about the tackle made on him today.

By Chris Wright

Those of you who watched Match of the Day last night will be well aware that, while introducing West Brom vs Norwich, something 'went wrong' with Gary Lineker's autocue that caused him to freeze up live on air for what seemed like an age at the time.

Arsenal will go to Nigeria as part of this summer's pre-season tour.

With Ivan Gazidis announcing that this year's Emirates Cup would be postponed due to the London 2012 Olympics, the club will head to Africa with the objective of extending the Arsenal brand in Nigeria as well as the African continent as a whole.

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes that Spurs are in with a great chance of winning the league this season, but argued that their title credentials are about to severely tested.Speaking to the BBC, Hansen seemed very enthusiastic about Spurs' chances of winning their first Premier League title.

BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson reckons Thierry Henry won't find the net in another competitive game for Arsenal before he jets back to America. The ex-Liverpool defender is refusing to join the Henry love-in and says he would be happy to wager that Henry's days of scoring in the Premier League are over. In his BBC [.

By Chris Wright

Spotted on the Late Late Show the other night, the BBC's velvet owl Gary Lineker making his US chat show debut under the assumed identity of a German student named Philip Weider only to be rumbled almost immediately by host Craig Ferguson...

Sensational spot from @MancTactics.

To those of you who missed it there was a really good program on BBC 1 last night based on depression in sport. The show was presented by and based mainly upon Freddie Flintoff and his own battle against depression whilst very much in the spotlight playing cricket for England.

Flintoff said how there was a lot of pressure on him to be the leader of the cricket team and to motivate others and lead them to victory but there were times when he felt so low that he wasn't able to do this, yet felt unable to admit to his issues in front of his team-mates.

On my way to work this morning I saw a sticker in the back wondow of a car that said 'My daughter plays rugby' in bold, pink letters.
At first I thought, well that's a bit of an odd think to have advertised in your car.
But when I thought about it more I realised, actually it's not.

Glen's in good Kompany terrible tackle by soccermr With a huge degree of inevitability following Vincent Kompany's red card at the weekend, a Manchester City was on the receiving end of a two-footed challenge in last night's match against Liverpool. And it went unpunished. Glen Johnson dived into a challenge with Joleon Lescott.

Green moon rising Roberto Mancini chose his pre-match interview with the BBC ahead of tonight's Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool as the moment to demonstrate his new nostril-shaped hair gel dispenser. There you go, Michael Owen: a free supply of hair gel.

BBC News and Sky News are reporting that American Robbie Rogers has signed a deal with Leeds United of England's Championship. The 24 year old winger has been capped 18 times by the United States National Team and most recently played for the Columbus Crew in MLS. This isn't Rogers' first signing with a European club.

BBC: Luis Suarez right to apologise for 'mistake' Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says Liverpool's Luis Suarez is right to apologise for racially abusing Patrice Evra, as he believes it was just a "mistake" that happened on the pitch.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2012-01-11 10:42:56 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

BBC: Andy Carroll's agent denies transfer link to Newcastle

The agent of Liverpool's Andy Carroll says there is "no truth" in newspaper reports linking the striker with a return to Newcastle United.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2012-01-11 10:35:21 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

BBC: Luis Suarez apology was important, says Roberto Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says it was important that Liverpool's Luis Suarez apologised for his comments to Patrice Evra.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2012-01-11 09:08:33 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Kickoff from the Etihad Stadium at 7:45PM GMT/2:45PM EST

Ways to Watch:

Match televised live on BBC One in England and Fox Soccer Plus in the US.

Match also televised on delay on Fox Soccer Channel in the US (thanks Douggle07).

Wiziwig.

The hunt for Arlo White's replacement ends with Kasey Keller announced as the analyst and Ross Fletcher (formerly of BBC Sport) hired as the new voice of Seattle Sounders FC. Oddly enough Fletcher lived just minutes away from White in the East Midlands. The transition back to a two-man booth will be smoothed by the presence of a man that Fletcher simply calls a "hero.

There may only be a couple of days left to go. Darlington FC continue to stare into the abyss and the comments of the club's joint administrator, Harvey Madden, in an interview with BBC Radio Tees this evening will have offered no comfort to those of the opinion that it is now only a matter of time before this football club folds after one hundred and twenty-nine years.

BBC: Man Utd's ticket restriction at Liverpool lifted for FA Cup clash

Manchester United are likely to be given more than 6,000 tickets for the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Liverpool at Anfield this month after Liverpool Council lifted objections.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2012-01-10 18:50:07 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell is hopeful of signing Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger after agreeing a fee as well as personal terms with the player.
But Jewell says the 27-year-old Irish international, who has made eight league starts this term, has a number of offers to consider.

BBC: Manchester City v Liverpool

Preview followed by live coverage of Wednesday's semi-final first leg between Manchester City and Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2012-01-10 13:16:00 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.