I stumbled across this story when catching up on all the latest football news and thought i would highlight here not because it is one of the biggest transfer stories on this last day of the transfer window, but rather because of its almost near obscurity.

Frankly, speaking , i thought Toni had retired from the game so imagine my shock when i read that he had actually been with Juventus all this time.

Well, I didn't see the match v Racing this past weekend, but from all accounts, it was yet another shit performance from both Unai Emery and his players. Emery tried to play some nice offensive football away in Santander, starting both Tino Costa and Éver Banega in midfield, and within 2 minutes VCF was down 1-0.

Philadelphia Union

Sebastien Le Toux tweeted this morning, "I spent a great week at BWFC. Great club with great people. Now back in Philly." We are waiting for confirmation on this from the Union on this and if this means there will be no transfer to Bolton.

Following the successful appeal to secure Tim Ream the UK work permit necessary to complete the defender's move to the Wanderers, Owen Coyle tells The Bolton News that he plans to "add one or two more to take us on to the second half of the season" before the close of the transfer window on January 31.

David Trezeguet (front) in training for new club River Plate

Argentinian giants River Plate, who are currently playing in their country's second division following last season's shock relegation, have showed their ambition to get back into the top flight by signing former France international David Trezeguet.

FC Dallas has emerged from its offseason slumber in a big way.

The club signed Panama striker Blas Perez and young Colombian defender Hernan Pertuz on Tuesday, addressing two areas of need with international-caliber talent. Neither deal was classified as a Designated Player signing according to a team release.

Just what is 'verbal abuse'? It must be relative, as the line drawn in some areas is much different than, say, the one in the United Arab Emirates.

Diego. He's less than the ideal role model off the pitch. And now he's been fined for calling an opposing coach 'quite rude', which would probably qualify as the nicest thing said in a Premiership press conference this week.

Morocco will become the first African country to host the FIFA World Club Cup finals in 2013 and 2014 after a successful tournament in Japan this year. The tournament will however remain in Japan in 2012 before moving to the North African nation in 2013.

The world governing football body revealed that Morocco won the rights to host the tournament after the withdrawal of bidders South Africa, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Please forgive the lateness of the match report at I was out all day and didn't finish watching the game until 1 a.m. Mountain Time.
It was a cold and brisk evening in the United Arab Emirates Manchester where Arsenal would line up with JG's expected squad as mentioned in his preview.

Steven Gerrard is scheduled to return to full training with Liverpool on Monday after recovering from an ankle infection.
The club captain has spent the past week continuing his rehabilitation in the United Arab Emirates, with club doctors believing the warmer climes would enable him to return to fitness sooner.

By Majid Abdalli, writing from the United Arab Emirates

When Asamoah Gyan arrived at Sunderland for a club record £13 million fee, it seemed like the dawn of a new era for both club and player. However, the new era has become true only in the case of the player, while Sunderland are back where they were under Roy Keane – struggling at the wrong end of the table.

New developments are emerging in the Carlos Tevez transfer debacle after PSG sporting director Leonardo confirms that the club are interested in bringing the Argentine to France.

Truth be said, PSG is the last club Tevez would sign and i don't mean this disrespectfully, but the French side really competing against some of the best and most successful clubs in the world to land his signature.

Despite admitting his admiration for new manager Martin O'Neill, Asamoah Gyan has outlined his reluctance to return to Sunderland, perhaps even after his loan spell with Middle Eastern outfit Al Ain has finished.
Ghanaian goalscorer Gyan – who has netted 27 times in 54 matches for the Black Stars – is in the United Arab Emirates as a result of a deal struck back in September and, although rumours to the contrary have circulated this week, the 26 year-old ruled out a return to Wearside this January.

What are the odds Asamoah Gyan plays for Sunderland this season? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

After conducting his first training session at Sunderland this week, Martin O'Neill said he was impressed with the squad. He then spent three days trying to bring Asamoah Gyan back from his loan deal in the United Arab Emirates.

photo by Ben Queenborough/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Phil Neville is in favor of manager David Moyes bringing in reinforcements to the club during the winter transfer window in January, but one player the Everton captain doesn't see being brought in is Landon Donovan.

By JOEY SAMUEL

In previous years, many viewed the FIFA Club World Cup as a minor tournament that was inevitably going to be won by the European or South American teams. This time around, that could still happen, but the 2011 edition is shaping up to be the most competitive yet.

All eyes will be on Asamoah Gyan at the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January as he attempts to help Ghana go one better than their second place finish two years ago.
The Ghanaian striker was voted African player of the year in 2010 and was one of the players to make the biggest impact on the World Cup in South Africa as he helped his side become only the third African country to make the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Frenchman Pierre Barrieu, who served as fitness coach on the last three U.S. World Cup teams, has taken a post as head fitness coach and assistant coach with the United Arab Emirates' national team.
Barrieu, who relocated with his family to Dubai in September, was out of a job when Jurgen Klinsmann took over as U.

FC Barcelona, FIFA Club World Cup champions in 2009, will face either African champions Esperance Tunis or Asian champions Al-Sadd in the semi-finals of the 2011 edition.

The tournament, which returns to Japan this time following a two year stint in the United Arab Emirates, will open up on December 8th with the Japanese national champions, as yet undecided, facing off against Oceania champions Auckland City with both clubs hoping for a quarter-final meeting with North and Central American winners Monterrey CF three days later.

Wrong sport Watch this footage from the World Cup qualifier between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait and see if you can spot Ali Abbas' subtle tug on opponent Bader Al Mutawa. The eagle-eyed referee somehow spotted the incident and dished out a yellow card to Abbas. Harsh.

Carlos who? Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak led the line in a manner Edin Dzeko would be proud of as he helped a United Arab Emirates All Stars team to victory in a charity match. The clinical targetman coolly rounded the keeper for his first before finishing with aplomb for his second. He was [.

Carlos who? Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak led the line in a manner Edin Dzeko would be proud of as he helped a United Arab Emirates All Stars team to victory in a charity match. The clinical targetman coolly rounded the keeper for his first before finishing with aplomb for his second. He was [.

Last week on the blog we mentioned the U-17s trip to Spain to participate in the AGS Cup. The team earned two victories and two ties to finish in second place. The team started off the tournament with a 1-1 tie against Mexico with a goal from Chris Lema (New York Red Bulls) before playing the United Arab Emirates to the same scoreline, courtesy of an Herber Mejia-Flores (McLean Youth Soccer) goal.

The U.S. U-17 Men's National Team is in L'Alfas Del Pi, Spain (yes, we had to look it up, too) getting ready for the 2011 AGS Cup, which kicks off tomorrow. The U.S. will face Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Russia and Spain during the trip.
U.S. head Coach Wilmer Cabrera traveled with 22 players, 17 of whom are from Development Academy clubs.

Manchester United has signed a two-year partnership with Du, the leading mobile telecoms company in the United Arab Emirates.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Inter Milan just cannot seem to catch a break.

Inter's early-season woes continued as Wesley Sneijder was ruled out of the club's upcoming Champions League match with CSKA Moscow as he nurses a thigh problem. Sneijder's absence in Tuesday's match is a big blow to Inter, which needs points after losing its Champions League opener against Trabzonspor last week.

RIP United Arab Emirates player Awana Diab (aka Theyab Awana) scorer of this summer's most famous penalty has died in a car crash. The 21-year-old star came to the attention of the world's media and won many plaudits with his cocky penalty against Lebanon in July, despite being substituted and given a public [.

There are a couple of little nuances in the following press release so we are going to publish the whole thing and give full thoughts and analysis later on. Contents after the break.

*******

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (Sept. 20, 2011) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club, in conjunction with Atletico Madrid, Club América and Sport Club Internacional announced today a strategic alliance enabling for greater relationships between the Fire and its partner clubs in Spain, Mexico and Brazil.

Al Diego Argentine legend Diego Maradona's first match in charge of Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates ended in disappointment when his side lost 4-3 in injury time to rivals Al Jazira (not the news agency). Both teams benefitted from a penalty but in the end it was a goal from Brazilian striker Baré [.

Morning all,
Welcome to the blog. In the real world (away from computers) there's supposed to be a horse race or two in town today.
More importantly, FP is told, there is supposed some fine fashion on display. Offices in this town are known to shut down for the afternoon, just so the ladies can get out there and enjoy the festivities.

Forget Arteta, Crouch, Barton or Bellamy. Surely the transfer of all transfers this summer was Brighton's signing of Valencia legend Vicente Rodriguez on a free transfer last week!

Gus Poyet is exactly right to call this signing a "major coup" for the club which already sit top, and needless to say undefeated, after six games in their first season in the Championship since 2006.

Steve Bruce has hit out at Asamoah Gyan after the Ghana striker left Sunderland to join United Arab Emirates side Al Ain on loan.

I'm not sure how this works outside of the transfer window, but Asamoah Gyan has left Sunderland. From Sunderland's official website: Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is set to join United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain on loan. Officials from Al-Ain made contact with Sunderland earlier in the week with a view to signing the player on a permanent deal.

The big game here at HTIOT is this afternoon's friendly between the United States Men's National Team and Belgium. Kick-off is at 1:30 PM CST. Both ESPN and ESPN3.com are advertised to be carrying the game. In addition to the USMNT, there is a whole slate of 2014 World Cup Qualifiers and 2012 Euro Qualifiers taking place today.

Back in 2008 Malaysia were drawn against Thailand, Vietnam and Laos in the ASEAN Football Federation Cup. After defeating Laos 3-0 hopes were high in the homeland that finally the Hariamau would make an impression in the region's leading competition. But successive defeats against Vietnam and Malaysia soon ended those hopes.

21 year old Awana Diab should watch his back after his cheeky back-heel penalty in the United Arab Emirates 6-2 thrashing of Lebanon at the week-end, I'm sure there's many a defender and midfield hard man ready to snap him in half with a tackle after rubbing salt into the wounds of the Lebanese players.

Backheels! Backflips! Jacko spins! Endless retakes! Awana Diab and the weirdest penalties ever!

United Arab Emirates player Awana Diab is the talk of the interweb after taking this amazing penalty kick in their 6-2 friendly rout of Lebanon yesterday.

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-07-18 16:12:41 from: The Mirror

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

Midseason Friendlies? – Poor Spoertsmans Almanac | Union Dues

So Everton is coming to PPL Park on July 20th, and the great unwashed masses of American "soccer" are in raptures. As the beloved Col. Sherman T. Potter would say "Horse Puckey!"

Ruiz says he's happy with Union | Philadelphia Daily News | 07/15/2011
CR: Well, they must know something I don't.

The FIFA World Under-17 Championship has been won by hosts Mexico in what was a thrilling climax to a hugely successful tournament.

Mexico got to the final having topped Group A ahead of Congo, North Korea and European champions the Netherlands before getting past Panama, France and Germany in the knockout rounds.

The £400 million stadium sponsorship deal of West Asian-based airline Etihad with English Premier League club Manchester City will face an investigation of the European continental football body, UEFA. Etihad Airways is the national airline of Abu Dhabi, whose ruler is the half-brotherof the football club's owner, Sheikh Mansour.

Manchester City have confirmed that the City of Manchester Stadium, aka Eastlands, will be renamed the Etihad Stadium after signing a 10-year deal with the airline. The Abu Dhabi-based company is already the club's shirt sponsor.

"We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with Etihad Airways through this partnership agreement," said City chief executive Garry Cook.