The FA
Premier League fixtures 09/10 season
The new Premiership fixtures have been released today by the FA and as usual there are some interesting fixtures and run ins for the big four. The season starts on August 15th and finishes on May 9th which is 2 weeks earlier than last season in order to allow players to prepare for the world [...]
Story of the season so far: November 08
As the Premier league entered the month of November there were 2 teams making the headlines on and off the pitch and that was Arsene Wenger’s up and down Arsenal and Big Phil Scolari’s Chelsea.
Story of the season so far: October 08
The month of October saw the Premier Leagues managers make all the headlines. Joe Kinnear proved that ‘fiasco’ and ‘farce’ weren’t the only ‘F’ words they know at Newcastle whilst Harry Redknapp was branded a Judas on the south coast yet again, turning his back on Portsmouth for the second time in just 4 years.
Story of the season so far: September 08
Its time for part 2 of our review of the season as we move onto the month of September where things really started to hot up on and off the field. The first managerial casualties were claimed, the first of the top 4 clashes produced asurprise and one of the top 4 were all but out of the title race by the end of the month.
Story of the season so far: August 08
Here is a recap of the Premier league season so far including all the most memorable moments from the PitchSlap point of view that is, starting with the month of August
Charity shield Ref suspended
Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has been suspended from duty pending an FA inquiry into his alleged debts. Clattenburg is one of the divisions elite referees and was due to officiate the Community shield this sunday but the FA and Premier Game Match officials LTD have acted swiftly to replace him in light of the [...]
Evra charged over Chelsea fight
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has been charged with improper conduct by the FA following a lengthy investigation into the ‘brawl at the Bridge’. The incident occured after United lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the end of April, as United players warmed down they became involved in arguements with Chelsea groundstaff which escalated [...]
FA ban child football leagues
The FA Director of football Sir Trevor Brooking, today announced a ban on all competitive football leagues for Children under the age of 8 years old. The move which takes effect from next season is an attempt to bring FA policy in line with the rest of Europe and promote an emphasis on skill and ability over victory and trophies.
Ince is the new Blackburn manager
Paul Ince has been named as the new manager of Blackburn Rovers after weeks of speculation following the departure of Mark Hughes to Manchester City. Ince has excelled as the MK Dons manager winning the Football League trophy and the League 2 title this season but he does not hold the UEFA pro License required [...]
Premiership fixtures 08/09 season
The new Premiership fixtures have been released today by the FA and as usual there are some interesting fixtures and run ins for the big four. The season starts on August 16th and finishes on May 24th which is the latest the Premiership has ever finished. On the opening day Arsenal host newly promoted West [...]
FA to investigate Drogba bookings
Didier Drogba has caused more controversy with new revelations in his autobiography that he conspired with Jose Mourinho to deliberately pick up bookings so he could go on holiday during the middle of the season. The Ivory coast international shocked Chelsea fans last week when he admitted flying to Italy to talk over a proposed [...]
FA sets semi target for Capello
The English FA launched its strategic vision for English football today which included a minimum target for Fabio Capello and a vow to bring the World Cup Finals to England in 2018. Capello has been told by Brian Barwick that he must ensure qualification for the next 2 tournaments and reach the semi finals of [...]
Has Hleb played last game for Arsenal?
Aleksandr Hleb’s season may be over and his Arsenal future is in doubt amidst growing specualtion in Italy that he is set to sign for Inter. Hleb was caught on camera slapping Reading captain Graeme Murty in the face in an unprovoked off the ball incident. Although the slap in the face was quite blatant [...]
Everton think pink
Everton supporters can calm down, these aren’t pictures of the new away kit (although who knows, the trend for feminine rugby kits might make the crossover into footie). In fact these limited edition shirts have been created to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign.
The pink shirt idea came about to promote breast cancer awareness [...]
FA to investigate match fixing claims
The Independent newspaper is reporting that a lower league player got himself sent off and insured 3 of his teammates were booked to write off a £50,000 debt to a bookmaker. The revelations have leaked out of a seminar held by Sporting Chance the charity set up by Tony Adams to help Athletes deal with [...]
Mascherano ban extended
Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano was fined £15,000 and given an additional two match suspension at an FA disciplinary hearing today. Mascherano admitted a charge of improper conduct in relation to his behaviour after being sent off during Liverpool’s game at Manchester United two weeks ago. He has already served a one match ban for the sending-off, [...]
Fergie and Queiroz charged by the FA
Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson and Assistant Manager Carlos Queiroz have both been charged with improper conduct. They have been charged in relation to comments they made following Manchester United’s FA Cup Sixth defeat against Portsmouth in March. Ferguson’s charge concerns comments about referee Martin Atkinson and PGMO General Manager Keith Hackett, whereas Queiroz’s charge [...]
Wembley woes continue
The FA have lost the bid to have the 2010 Champions League final held at their showpiece Wembley stadium because of taxes. UK tax law means that players could have been taxed for playing there. The UEFA line is that footballers should only be taxed in their domicile country, which is understnadable. Spain has no [...]
Mascherano faces FA ban
Javier Mascherano has been charged by the FA with improper conduct following his sending off against Manchester United on sunday. The vague charge relates to the length of time it took the Argentine midfielder to leave the field and could lead to a further 3 game ban in addition to the 1 match automatic ban [...]
