FIFPro, the international professional soccer players union, has released a wide-ranging report on working conditions for pro players in Eastern Europe. The Black Book Eastern Europe is available as a pdf download from FIFPro's official site. Representing the experiences of 3,357 players, the report details evidence of racism and harassment of players along with club financial issues, unenforced contracts, and lack of oversight in how soccer operates in the region.

If anybody had any doubts that Alan Pardew loves being the Newcastle United manager, he's made it clear a few times this week that he loves it at Newcastle, and he still has a big job to do on Tyneside. Alan Pardew loves life at Newcastle United We had written yesterday of how much he loved being Newcastle manager, [.

News today thta Mike Ashley flew into Newcastle United's training ground today. Mike Ashley in Newcastle today That's interesting and apparently Mike wanted to talk face to face with Alan on plans for Newcastle's future. The Sports Direct owner arrived in his own private helicopter, as he often does when he visits Newcastle on a quick day visit.

By Alan Duffy

"You see this smile on my face? It's only for the cameras, ok? I genuinely despise you"

Currently doing a spot of pre-season training in Spain with new club Shanghai Shenhua, Le Sulk, Nicolas Anelka, has described the hell he had to endure during his final days at Chelsea.

Newcastle are in negotiations right now with Fab Coloccini's agent, on a new long term deal for the Newcastle captain. Tim Krul could get new improved deal on Tyenside And there will also be new deals offered to Danny Guthrie and Danny Simpson, and as we reported earlier today, for Demba Ba too.

Newcastle are in negotiations right now with Fab Coloccini's agent, on a new long term deal for the Newcastle captain. Tim Krul could get new improved deal on Tyenside And there will also be new deals offered to Danny Guthrie and Danny Simpson, and as we reported earlier today, for Demba Ba too.

The contract talks that Newcastle held with Coloccini's agent last week have not turned out to be successful, so far. Fab Coloccini negotiations are ongoing That's the report in today's Sunday Sun, as the club held talks with Coloccini's Argentine agent last week, but what was expected to be fairly easy negotiating sessions, has [.

The contract talks that Newcastle held with Coloccini's agent last week have not turned out to be successful, so far. Fab Coloccini negotiations are ongoing That's the report in today's Sunday Sun, as the club held talks with Coloccini's Argentine agent last week, but what was expected to be fairly easy negotiating sessions, has [.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

In an interview on MLSsoccer.com's ExtraTime Radio podcast, Sebastien Le Toux tells Union fans who are angry that he was sold to Vancouver that it is important that they continue to support the Union: "To have you in the stands—it is always great to play in front of you and all of the guys who played with me are wonderful players and they need you.

Behind the Axe looks at some of the finances behind the most recent signings for the Portland Timbers. While the contract terms and numbers aren't released, the rules of MLS contracts did provide the Timbers some financial benefits that potentially helped them in the signing of Kris Boyd, a striker from Scotland.

The Philadelphia Union confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Sebastien Le Toux has been traded to Vancouver.

In return, the club receives an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Union head coach Peter Nowak said in the announcement, "While this decision wasn't easy, we are confident that the allocation money we receive will provide the flexibility for us to compile the best possible roster for 2012 and beyond.

Martin Jol has stunned the footballing world by dramatically selling himself to Aston Villa.

"To be honest I expected more from Fulham. It's a small club," he explained while screwing up his nose and sniffing. "And I wanted to be at a big club. You know? With big things."

Jol continued: "I had seen what happened to Mark Hughes after he walked out on Fulham.

Tomorrow may not be a very good day for Newcastle supporters. Demba Ba Liverpool after this player? Last year we lost Andy Carroll to Liverpool in a shock £35M deal on the last day of this window, and even Alan Pardew was not expecting that. Now David Craig of Sky Sports News is reporting there are persistent rumors (that will not [.

It seems the Tories simply can't get involved with altering contracts...it would be utterly unthinkable for then to intervene in RBS boss Stephen Hester's bonus. This is definitely a tricky one but the bottom line is that that bank is just not performing.
The interesting point for me is that whilst the Conservatives hold contracts in the financial services sacred they just take it as a given they can totally rip-up the contracts of all those public sector workers and their pensions agreementsSent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Peter Lovenkrands was signed as a free agent by Joe Kinnear in January of 2009, the season we were relegated. Peter Lovenkrands 29 goals in 81 Newcastle appearances And Peter has been a good player for Newcastle, especially during the promotion season, when he hit 16 goals in 32 appearances for the side.

Th Sunday Mirror is reporting that Demba Ba will leave Newcastle in the summer. Demba Ba - leaving Newcastle in the summer? The 26-year-old is reported to be ready to leave Tyneside at the end of the season, with many top clubs now interested in the striker, which is hardly surprising since he has smashed in 15 [.

Once the January transfer window is over, Alan Pardew and the Newcastle Board will concentrate on getting some of our players signed up to new contracts. Danny Simpson dreams of winning the FA Cup One of those players is former Manchester United full-back Danny Simpson, whose contract runs out in 18 months time, and he seems keen to stay on Tyneside.

The Rapids had an article today about the trialists where they mentioned that Cascio and Yamada were signed to contracts with the league before the draft. Their statuses have been updated in my master list. I've also changed the list so unsigned players are all in one group but I've added a note next to Helmick to note that he was drafted (as our only unsigned drafted player).

Former Independence fan favorite Holmfridur Magnusdottir and her fellow countrywoman, Katrin Omarsdottir signed contracts with the Independence last week, adding more depth to a team looking to make another trip to the WPS Final. Both Magnusdottir and Omarsdottir are midfielders, bringing even more experience to an already strong Independence midfield.

In Alan Pardew's press conference for the Brighton game this afternoon, he would not be drawn on which specific players Newcastle were after before the end of the month. Alan Pardew contracts next up once transfer window ends There's nothing wrong with that of course, but Alan did say that once next Wednesday and [.

In Alan Pardew's press conference for the Brighton game this afternoon, he would not be drawn on which specific players Newcastle were after before the end of the month. Alan Pardew contracts next up once transfer window ends There's nothing wrong with that of course, but Alan did say that once next Wednesday and [.

Still nobody out and, therefore, nobody in and no new contracts. Steve Cotterill's reputation as a wheeler-dealer is under threat... Seat Pitch rounds up the five, desperate, last rumours [...] Read the original post on Seat Pitch

Out of the blue this story came to light over the weekend. There are reports all over the place that Chelsea have made a bid that has been rejected, have been told that the player is not for sale at any price and that seems that.
In addition to all this, AVB has said at the weekend that "he is an interesting player" but wanted to sign players who are not cup-tied for European competition this season.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew wants to get two of his players signed up on new contracts at Newcastle. Coloccini and Guthrie yesterday after Danny scored After the shock of yestreday's second half performance at Fulham, Alan Pardew is hoping to tie down both his captain Fabricio Coloccini and Danny Guthrie to new contracts, and the sooner the [.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew wants to get two of his players signed up on new contracts at Newcastle. Coloccini and Guthrie yesterday after Danny scored After the shock of yestreday's second half performance at Fulham, Alan Pardew is hoping to tie down both his captain Fabricio Coloccini and Danny Guthrie to new contracts, and the sooner the [.

There was a report on Sky Sports that Newcastle may miss out on Manchester United's 18 year-old whiz kid Ravel Morrison. Ravel Morrison - Roma in with 500K bid Morrison's current contract runs out in June and he could be picked up for a reasonable fee this month, and it's likely he will leave Manchester United.

It seem's their are alot of footie agents looking to jump on the PSG gravy-train now that the club have more money than even Manchester City.
Former Chelsea manager Ancelotti told La Gazzetta dello Sport:

"I have received hundreds of phone calls from agents offering me players ever since I signed with PSG.

The Newcastle Journal is reporting today that the release clause in Demba Ba's contract doesn't take effect until the summer. Demba Ba - unplayable as shown here against Manchester United We have to hope that's true because if it is, it's small wonder that the Newcastle hierarchy were said to be relaxed about the Demba Ba contract situation.

The Newcastle Journal is reporting today that the release clause in Demba Ba's contract doesn't take effect until the summer. Demba Ba - unplayable as shown here against Manchester United We have to hope that's true because if it is, it's small wonder that the Newcastle hierarchy were said to be relaxed about the Demba Ba contract situation.

IMS had obtained lists of players on multiple year contracts who have had their options renewed or declined by the 7 returning NASL teams. In late November the Minnesota Stars made public the list of it's players who the organization had contracted with for multi-year contracts. The Stars gave the names of each player they [.

"We paid our wages on time," say Hearts.
"Naw. You didnae," say the SPL.
A prize to whoever identifies the voice of reason and truth in the parcel of rogues contributing to the latest farrago over Hearts and the saga of the paid/unpaid wages.
As it stands Hearts are to be charged "under SPL Rule A3.

At the end of yesterday, Darlington FC remained alive albeit on life support. Today, however, stories started to emerge which threaten to fragment an increasingly fractious fan-base as the matter of this club's survival draws closer and closer to its denouement.
There have been words of encouragement and support funds and fury from many supporters that a situation such as this should be allowed to happen to the same club yet again but, at the time of writing, we are still nowhere near knowing whether the club will saved or, if it will, who by.

Manager Alan Pardew is a busy man these days at Newcastle. Alan Pardew difficult January for the Newcastle manager First of all, Newcastle would like to bring in a couple of new players in January, but there are also some contracts that need to be completed at the club. And they include new contracts for captain Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Simpson and Danny Guthrie.

Manager Alan Pardew is a busy man these days at Newcastle. Alan Pardew difficult January for the Newcastle manager First of all, Newcastle would like to bring in a couple of new players in January, but there are also some contracts that need to be completed at the club. And they include new contracts for captain Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Simpson and Danny Guthrie.

It's going to be a busy week for KC in the last week of the offseason. There's plenty of information that looks like it will be coming out this week. Let's take a look real quick chronologically.
Tomorrow, as I posted earlier today is the Supplemental Draft. KC will possibly add 5 more players that would be coming into preseason this year.

"Twenty years ago, we sponsored Crystal Palace and they got to the FA Cup final. Then last week, we sponsored Newcastle and they beat Manchester United 3-love." "So we're a lucky brand, and may the luck continue throughout the rest of the season." The words of Sir Richard Branson, (3-love?? clearly a tennis fan!

Danny Guthrie put in a great performance for Newcastle yesterday in the game against QPR. Danny Guthrie - will get a new deal on Tyneside Guthrie came straight back into the team after recovering form his groin strain, and he picked up where he left off about six games ago - when he played very well indeed in Newcastle's great 1-0 win, that [.

The People is reporting today that Danny Guthrie will be given a chance to stay on Tyneside. Danny Guthrie Pardew to met with his agent this week Danny's four year contract he signed when he came for about £2.5M from Liverpool in the summer of 2012, runs out this June, and it would appear that Newcastle will offer him a new deal.

The draft is over and next Friday players report to Portland and the Portland Timbers are hinting they are not done adding to their roster. Rumors are swirling as to who and what position said player plays. All of these leaves us fans in what seems like an internal state of nervous energy.

So lets take a look at what the roster looks like and what we can piece together from tweets and quotes over the last few weeks.

Eric Wynalda's NSCCA Seminar

A full transcript isn't out yet, but this Storify of tweets by Philly.com writer Tannenwald captures the essence of Wynalda. That essence shows a certain affinity for pro/rel, split schedules, incentivized contracts and professional training.