Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson hits out at FA in four-letter rant

The Scot blasts the Football Association for treating the Red Devils unfairly despite the fact that they provide several players to the England international set-up

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the FA, claiming that harsher punishments are dealt out to Manchester United even though the club provides many players to the England national team.

The United boss was handed a five-match touchline ban last season for criticizing referee Martin Atkinson, while striker Wayne Rooney was given a two-match suspension for swearing at a television camera when celebrating a goal.

"The FA may realize who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world," Sir Alex said. "Maybe they will realise how important we are to England instead of treating us like s***."

The Scot's comments come ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales in September, with Fabio Capello set to name his squad for the matches on Sunday evening.

"It's not a problem, it's fantastic," he said. "Maybe they will realize how important we are to England. I am pleased for the players. They are outstanding."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defends bid for Gary Cahill

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be set for a war of words with Bolton and its chairman Phil Gartside regarding the transfer of Trotters defender Gary Cahill.
It was confirmed that the Gunners bid for the England international and the fee involved was reported to be 6 million pounds, an offer that Bolton boss Owen Coyle described being so low that "derisory doesn't even cover it."
However, Wenger reacted bluntly to these reports, stating that the rumored fee was wrong, before confirming the two sides were in negotiations.
“That number is wrong, it is completely wrong. I believe every negotiation is between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price," Wenger said.
"In this case the information is below what has been spoken about."
Gartside reacted angrily to this supposed 6 million pounds bid by re-tweeting a fan on twitter that told Wenger to "f*** right off".
However, Wenger could not understand the anger shown by Bolton, pointing out that if the club doesn’t wish to sell its player then it doesn’t have to and it is as simple as that. But he doesn’t know why the bid – regardless of how small – is “insulting”.
"You only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price. It is not true. You can believe Gartside or you can believe me. It's not right. It's not the truth," Wenger said. "If Gartside can say I am lying I am ready to confront him. The truth is that we never speak about our negotiations.
"They do not need to sell the player, they can keep him. If you ask do I want to buy your house and you are not happy with the price you say no, that's it.

Barcelona 2-0 Porto: Lionel Messi does it again and Cesc Fabregas hits debut goal as Catalans claim UEFA Super Cup

The Argentine gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead late in the first half and the club's most recent signing opened his account to secure victory close to the end.

Lionel Messi's goal late in the first half and Cesc Fabregas' first for his new side gave Barcelona a 12th title under Pep Guardiola and a second already in 2011-12 with a 2-0 victory over Porto in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco on Friday evening.

Messi, named European Player of the Year at UEFA's Champions League draw on Thursday, scored in the only competition in which he had failed to net after he was left all alone by Fredy Guarin's shocking pass-back six minutes before the interval.

Europa League holders Porto started brightly against the Champions League winners, with Hulk a lively presence up front for the Portuguese outfit. Aided by the busy Guarin, Porto rattled their illustrious opponents in the opening exchanges.

Porto was playing the Catalans at their own game, and every time Pep Guardiola's men ventured forward, they were caught out by their rivals' offside trap.

But it doesn't take long for Barca to figure out Porto.

Barca took the lead as Guarin inexplicably played a back-pass into his area where Messi, who would have been offside had the ball been sent through by a teammate, was waiting all alone to pounce, leaving Helton grounded with a glorious feint and slotting into the empty net.

Flashback to 2003, Messi had missed a similar opportunity in his Barcelona debut, but this time he left the Portuguese team with an uphill task.

Barca was the better side and continued to attack in the second half and that pressure brought a rash challenge from Rolando, already booked, who then saw red after a cynical foul on Messi.

And the Catalans took quick advantage as Mess turned provider for Fabregas, who chested down Messi's pinpoint cross and volleyed past Helton to register his first goal in some style.

It could have been three after that, but Barca was comfortable in the end as they lifted a 12th title under Guardiola - and two in two games for Fabregas.

Joey Barton leaves Newcastle United and joins QPR on four-year deal

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Joey Barton has left Newcastle United and joined QPR on a four-year deal.

The 28-year-old was placed on the free transfer list by Newcastle earlier this month after criticizing the club via Twitter for its lack of ambition in the transfer market.

Alan Pardew had previously stated he intended to keep Barton at St James' Park despite the bust up, but hinted that the midfielder needed to 'buy into what the club are doing'.

But having completed his switch to Loftus Road, Barton has revealed the first impressions at the club were a factor in his decision, as well as the club's  ambition in the transfer market.
"The ambition of the club really impressed me," Barton told the club's official website. "There's obviously a great set of lads here already and that's why they had such a great season in the Championship. The gaffer [Warnock] is talking about adding two or three more bodies and that, combined with the potential of the Club and the new owners' ambitions, bodes really well for the future."
QPR boss Neil Warnock was delighted by the capture of Barton, his first signing since Tony Fernandes' takeover of the club last week, and has dismissed the midfielder's negative reputation as a result of his previous outbursts.
"We've got a very, very good player on our hands," said Warnock. "He's coming here to show people what he can do. He wants to get back into the England team. He's very enthusiastic. People will say one or two things about him, but they've said stuff about me in the past too, so I won't worry about that. He's a winner. Even without the armband on, he's a captain every week."
Warnock was also excited to see a player of Barton's caliber in his side.
"He's a lot better play than people give him credit for," he said. "Hopefully we can harness all his positive characteristics and get the best out of him. I think with Tony's backing and Amit coming back on board this is a really positive step for the football club."

Napoli signs Inter's Goran Pandev on loan

The southern Italian outfit get the 28-year-old on a loan deal with his parent club paying the majority of his €3 million per annum wages

From    Inter

Goran Pandev Striker Fee: Loan transfer Contract: Jun 2012

To Napoli

Napoli has announced on its official website it has signed Inter striker Goran Pandev on a season-long loan.

The Macedonia international had long been tipped to leave San Siro and was most recently linked with German club Schalke, and Serie A outfit Genoa.

Though the move has been confirmed by Napoli, Pandev had already revealed he was on his way to the Stadio San Paolo earlier on Friday.

"I am very happy to be able to play the Champions League with a club like Napoli as they are a very important club," he told Sky Sport Italia.
Napoli wasted no time in moving for the forward after being told Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi was unlikely to join them.

Pandev reportedly arrives on a free loan agreement, with Inter paying the greater share of his wages for the 2011-12 season.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini thus lose another striker following Samuel Eto'o's departure last week. However, Diego Forlan could be in line to move to Inter after his agent confirmed talks were taking place.

The 2010 Champions League winners have also been associated with Genoa's Rodrigo Palacio and Lazio's Mauro Zarate.