Sky Sports sources understand that Liverpool have decided not to appeal against the red card shown to goalkeeper Pepe Reina for violent conduct at Newcastle.
Reina's frustration boiled over in the 82nd minute of Sunday's match as he pushed his head towards James Perch during an angry confrontation.

Welcome to Spirit of Mirko's first ever weekly review of African football. It's likely to be skewed somewhat towards the more obscure, it'll be an interesting experiment nonetheless. I hope you enjoy it.

Team of the Week

Africa Team of the Week

In goal we have Joslain Mayebi who plays for Wrexham of the Conference National (fifth-tier in England).

Chelsea's up coming against Queens Par Rangers will be the first meeting for both John Terry and Anton Ferdinand since claims that Terry racially abused Ferdinand surfaced last October.

And according to chief racism campaigner, Lord Herman Ouseley, he expects the duo to diffuse the tension surrounding the incident by shaking hands during the customary pre match formalities.

Telegraph: Liverpool fans 'should show support for Tom Adeyemi, not Luis Suarez'

Liverpool fans should repair their "damaged" reputations by showing support for Tom Adeyemi, rather than Luis Suarez, according a leading anti-racism campaigner.

View the full story here: The Telegraph

A news article on 2012-01-11 10:54:50 from: The Telegraph

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

Guardian: Hillsborough campaigner's anger over FA Cup crowd barrier plans

• Barriers to be trialled at Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham • Margaret Aspinall calls plans 'insensitive' A campaigner for justice following the Hillsborough disaster has claimed it is "insensitive" to use crowd control barriers for an FA Cup game at the stadium this weekend.

Liverpool urged to abandon appeal against Luis Suárez's eight-game ban

• Head of Fare warns against damage to club's reputation • Liverpool have until 13 January to respond to FA's decision Liverpool have been urged to abandon any thoughts of appealing against the eight-match ban and £40,000 fine that Luis Suárez received for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, with a leading anti-racism campaigner warning the club that their vehement support of the Uruguayan is damaging their reputation.

In looking back at 2011, in my capacity as a particularly grizzled campaigner of many seasons, I've decided to pick out some highs and lows that have stuck in my Peroni-soaked mind, Arsenalistically speaking.

We started 2011 very much in the title race and in contention for all four trophies and early on that year my favourite goal of the season was scored.

Backlash after Liverpool players wear T-shirts supporting Luis Suárez

• Squad and manager wore shirts to show support for Suárez • Critics say gesture conflicted with zero tolerance on racism Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish and his players have been criticised for reacting to Luis Suárez's eight-game ban by wearing T-shirts showing their support for the striker.

Liverpool's reaction to Luis Suarez racism ban condemned by former Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard

The retired left-back turned anti-prejudice campaigner believes that the Reds' decision to wear T-shirts in support of their penalised forward gave the wrong impression

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-22 10:47:00 from: Goal

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

Bernard condemns Suarez stance

Former Newcastle defender and Show Racism the Red Card campaigner Olivier Bernard has condemned Liverpool's reaction to Luis Suarez's ban.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-22 09:53:14 from: Sky Sports

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

Hillsborough families warn they are still far from satisified

Time those involved in the tragedy accepted responsibility says campaigner

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-18 17:22:42 from: The Mirror

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

PFA's Gordon Taylor offers to mediate in Luis Suárez-Patrice Evra row

• 'It's something we've done in the past,' says chief executive • Liverpool want Evra ban if race claim is groundless The Professional Footballers' Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, has offered to act as a mediator in the Luis Suárez-Patrice Evra race row .

A unique ball and auction in memory of former England manager Sir Bobby Robson and brest cancer campaigner Sally Balch are being held this October.
The event aims to raise a fantastic £250,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Please see below press release:

Cancer charities team up to present unique online auction
Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation join forces to offer money can't buy prizes.

The summer verdict must be one of failure, late flourish or not. It was all left far too late, the boss and indeed the board too had the chance to get our house in order well before the start of the season after a shambolic late winter and spring. Look back over 2011 and there have been a handful, literally, of victories.

Fabio Capello concerned Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will miss crucial England matches report

The Three Lions' manager is increasingly worried that the seasoned campaigner will be unavailable for Euro 2012 qualifiers after being ruled out of action with infection

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-08-02 12:18:00 from: Goal

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

When I were a lad summer was a very different beast.
Inspired by Seve we'd take to the fairways, dedicated to mastering the Royal and Ancient game well enough to give Nick Faldo the beating he so richly deserved.
We'd take to the tennis court to out boom-boom Boris Becker.
Football would take a back seat, save for the odd snippet of transfer gossip and the release of the official squad photograph, never fully complete without a sprinkling of mullets and a selection of ill advised moustaches.

Here is an excerpt of another great article on the positive influence of the college game on Major League Soccer, courtesy of Zack Ssebatindira of The Triangle.
Having started out writing this piece three weeks ago, I was adamant that the college game was indeed an impediment to the development of the professional game in this country, and it has only been through the subsequent reading up on the state of the game and exposure to other opinions on the matter that I have had a change of heart.