The Fan

Macclesfield will investigate the incident when play was suspended in the FA Cup draw with Walsall after a number of balls were thrown on to the pitch.

About 20 balls were launched from outside the club’s Mose Rose stadium, landing at the Star Lane end.

From: BBC with picture

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Last week, Arsene Wenger was promoting the use of video evidence. This week he might not be so sure:

The Football Association has, meanwhile, asked for video evidence of their [Wenger and Pardew’s] altercation and several other incidents that followed West Ham’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.

From: The Guardian

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Ronaldinho heads FIFPro poll of 40,000 players

Italians and French dominate best eleven

Barcelona and Brazil’s Ronaldinho has been named the world’s top player for the second time in succession in FIFPro’s poll of over 40,000 players worldwide.

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Late Drogba goal leaves Barcelona in trouble

Barcelona 2 - Chelsea 2

After Didier Drogba’s injury time equaliser you could be forgiven for thinking Mourinho’s Chelsea had beaten Barcelona, such was the the psychological blow that the Spanish club’s players seemed to receive.

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Fifa has revealed that 58% of players who were given treatment for injuries at the World Cup turned out not to be injured.

From: The Sun

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You can only wonder what the reaction to this would have been if the foreigner had done this to the England international, and not vice-versa.

West Ham’s Javier Mascherano believes Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe should have been sent off for appearing to bite the midfielder in Sunday’s match.

From: BBC

Any chance of action by the FA is slight because the referee dealt with the incident at the time, deeming it a bookable offence. FIFA does not permit further action unless the referee has not seen it.

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Platini believes no country should be allowed more than three teams in the competition. The Premiership has four in action.. with Italy and Spain also entitled to a quartet, while France and Germany have three apiece.

From: The Guardian

Here’s a cunning idea: why not only allow champions to enter the Champions League - the clue’s in the trophy’s title isn’t it? Oh, and make it a straight knockout tournament again while you’re at it.

The difference in intensity in the recent Chelsea/Barcelona game from the previous seasons’ encounters is evidence enough that the group stages are a waste of time.

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Following wins over Latvia and Spain, Northern Ireland have soared to 45th, breaking into the top 50 for the first time in over 10 years. They are are now four places above the Republic of Ireland, who have fallen six places to 49th following five defeats in seven matches under Steve Staunton, including a 5-2 rout by Cyprus.

Under Sanchez, Northern Ireland have risen from 124th place

From: The Guardian

See also: FIFA Rankings

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League Two side Darlington have outlined their reasons for sacking manager David Hodgson.

The club said the decision followed their own investigation into an alleged breach of Football League rules concerning payments to agents.

From: BBC

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Media knives out for England and McClaren

New coach's honeymoon period over

A sample of the media criticism levelled at the England team and management after their dismal 2-nil defeat to Croatia.

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