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Cesc Fabregas says he is in talks with Arsenal about a new contract.
The Spain midfielder, 21, signed an eight-year extension in 2006, and is committed to the Gunners despite rumours of a move to Barcelona.
He told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: "I have six years remaining and they are interested in renegotiating.
"I want to succeed at Arsenal and the club wants me. I am from Barcelona and have played there, but I only think of winning many titles here."
Fabregas, a key member of Spain's squad for Euro 2008 has been regularly linked with his hometown club and Real Madrid.
Recent speculation linking Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a move to Barca has added further fuel to those rumours.
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Raith Rovers will welcome back Marco Pelosi back for training following his recuperation from knee surgery.
The 21-year-old defender was farmed out on-loan to the Kircaldy side from Hearts last summer, and signed a permanent deal in January.
Pelosi has not trained for four months through ligament damage, but should resume light training on Thursday.
Raith assistant manager Paul Smith said: "We will get him in, have a look at him and see how he is."
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Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson has appointed his son, Stephen, as chief executive with immediate effect.
The announcement was made to shareholders at the club's Annual General Meeting.
Thompson has been understudying his father's role at Tannadice since the family took control in September, 2002.
He has recently taken on a more active role, working closely with the chairman and also with manager and director of football, Craig Levein.
The new chief executive position completes recent changes to the management structure of the business, including a strengthening of the financial department.
Eddie Thompson and wife Cath remain as the principal shareholders, holding approximately 90% of the overall shareholding between them.
Meanwhile, the AGM approved the Company's annual accounts to June 2007, according to the club website.
Stephen Thompson and Derek Robertson were re-elected to the Board and the appointment of Cath Thompson was confirmed.
Eddie Thompson, who has terminal cancer, has invested over £5m of his own money into Dundee United in recent years.
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Manchester United have moved from fourth to second in the list of the world's richest clubs, as Real Madrid stayed top for the third straight year.
Deloitte's Football Money League, which is based on revenues generated during 2006/7, was headed by United for eight years until the Spaniards deposed them.
Chelsea are fourth in Deloitte's table, even though the Blues regularly make huge losses. Arsenal are fifth.
In all, there are seven British clubs in the top 20 positions.
Three of the four clubs that dropped out of the list were also British - Manchester City, Rangers, and West Ham United.
And, looking ahead to next year's report, the authors state that "2007/08 could see England providing half the Money League clubs".
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Celtic have reported comparatively reduced pre-tax profits of £10.07m for the six months to 31 December 2007.
Although down from the corresponding period in 2006, the club also slashed its net debt from £15.02m to £6.81m.
"They're exceptional figures for a Scottish club, everyone is delighted," said chief executive Peter Lawwell.
"It's slightly down on last year but there are reasons for that - some outwith our control - but we have again turned in a very good set of results."
Interview: Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell
The club's retained profit for the period of £10.07m compares with £17.94m last year.
This is mainly due to the club having to share Champions League revenue with Rangers, as well as pulling in less money from player sales.
The Parkhead side also played two fewer home matches compared to the same period in 2006.
"The effect of having two Scottish participants in the Champions League makes a difference of over £2.5m to our bottom line," said Lawwell.
"We see ourselves as a Champions League club. We must be in the competition every year."
"That way we're getting short-term revenues, but equally as important, we're getting the club the longer-term exposure around the world that comes with it."
And the chief executive promises to plough money back into developing the playing personnel.
"I don't think we can be accused of not reinvesting over the last few years," he said.
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john the tinca
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Celtic have reported comparatively reduced pre-tax profits of £10.07m for the six months to 31 December 2007.
Although down from the corresponding period in 2006, the club also slashed its net debt from £15.02m to £6.81m.
"They're exceptional figures for a Scottish club, everyone is delighted," said chief executive Peter Lawwell.
"It's slightly down on last year but there are reasons for that - some outwith our control - but we have again turned in a very good set of results."
Interview: Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell
The club's retained profit for the period of £10.07m compares with £17.94m last year.
This is mainly due to the club having to share Champions League revenue with Rangers, as well as pulling in less money from player sales.
The Parkhead side also played two fewer home matches compared to the same period in 2006.
"The effect of having two Scottish participants in the Champions League makes a difference of over £2.5m to our bottom line," said Lawwell.
"We see ourselves as a Champions League club. We must be in the competition every year."
"That way we're getting short-term revenues, but equally as important, we're getting the club the longer-term exposure around the world that comes with it."
And the chief executive promises to plough money back into developing the playing personnel.
"I don't think we can be accused of not reinvesting over the last few years," he said.
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Exeter City midfielder Dean Moxey says he hopes to follow former team-mate Jamie Mackie into the Football League.
But Moxey, who is part of the England C squad to face Wales Under-23s at St James Park on Wednesday, says he wants to do it with the Grecians.
"I'd love to get my home town club into the League and hopefully go on from there," he told BBC Radio Devon.
Mackie left Exeter to join Plymouth Argyle last month and scored twice on his debut against Barnsley.
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Woking's teenage keeper Ross Worner has signed a full-time contract with the Cards after breaking into the first team at Kingfield.
The 19-year-old has been picked ahead of the more experienced Nick Gindre for the recent games with Burton Albion and Exeter City.
Worner has now agreed a contract that ties him to the club until the end of next season.
He made his debut back in August in a 0-0 draw with Cambridge United.
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Liam Daish's Ebbsfleet maintained their promotion hopes with victory
John Akinde kickstarted a narrow win for promotion hopefuls Ebbsfleet in a tense match at the Broadfield Stadium.
The home side took an early lead when Jamie Cook slotted into the bottom corner from six yards.
However, Ebbsfleet drew themselves level on the quarter-hour when Akinde was played in by Sasha Opinel on the left and he coolly converted.
Town then took the lead when Glenn Wilson turned a cross into his own net and that proved enough for the win.
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Defender Jack Haverson has left Grays to join Bromley, reports BBC Essex.
Haverson is the second player to leave Grays in the space of 24 hours, following the departure of unsettled midfielder Karl Murray.
According to manager Justin Edinburgh, Murray, 25, had initially wanted to go at Christmas but having opted to stay, has now asked to leave Bridge Road.
A club statement said: "Both Justin and the club are disappointed but have allowed him (Murray) to leave."
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Newport County goalkeeper Tony Pennock will miss his side's 1,000th game after almost losing part of his foot in a freak lawn-mowing accident.
Pennock, 36, will be out for a month after fracturing one toe and slicing open three more in the incident.
"I feel very stupid," he told the South Wales Argus. "I tripped over a tree in the garden and fell backwards.
"The lawnmower landed on my foot, sliced my shoe in half and there was blood everywhere."
Pennock was rushed to hospital for stitches and doctors told him he'd been extremely lucky not to have lost his entire foot, though he will be in plaster from toe to knee for the next week.
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Cambridge United defender Michael Morrison has handed the club a major boost by agreeing a new contract.
The 19-year-old initially refused a new deal and looked set to leave the Abbey Stadium in the summer, but he has now agreed terms until June 2010.
"Michael knows what we're trying to achieve and he's changed his mind," boss Jimmy Quinn told the U's website.
Morrison, who has started almost 100 league games for Cambridge, had been a transfer target for Southend United.
He has also had spells training with Preston and Premier League clubs Newcastle, Everton and Chelsea.
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Crawley have signed Southampton winger Josh Dutton-Black and Stevenage striker Oliver Allen on month-long loan deals.
Twenty-year-old Dutton-Black has yet to make his Saints debut.
Allen, 21, has started just one league game for Stevenage but scored four times for Barnet in League Two last season.
Both players could make their Reds debuts in Saturday's Blue Square Premier game with Kidderminster as Crawley bid for a first win in three.
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Former Wolves striker Steve Bull has confirmed that he is in talks to become the new manager of Stafford Rangers.
The former England man told BBC Radio Stoke: "Things should be finalised in the next three or four days.
"The club have told me their plans and what they expect from me over the coming years. Stafford Rangers is a club that I want to be part of."
Neil Grayson and Kevin Street have been in charge at Marston Road since Phil Robinson left in December.
Rangers are currently 15 points from safety in the Blue Square Premier relegation zone, having only won twice all season, however Bull feels he could be the man to turn the club around.
"I think the players just need a little discipline and maybe someone to give them a good kick up the backside. I'll be trying to put Stafford on the map again."
Bull played 13 times for England scoring four goals and was part of the squad that reached the World Cup semi-final in 1990.
He has often spoken of his desire to get into club management, particularly with his beloved Wolves but he says the chance to earn his stripes at a club such as Stafford is a great opportunity.
"I don't ever want to be looking back on missed opportunities, I want to try new things. I fell I can suceed but if don't I'll hold my hands up and walk away."
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Gillingham midfielder Craig Stone is to have his spell on loan at Brentford extended for another month.
The Gills will have the option to recall Stone, 19, at 24 hours' notice.
"He has made three appearances for Brentford and they have liked him," Gillingham manager Mark Stimson told his club's website.
"We think it is in the best interests of Craig and the club if he stays there for another month. We can call him back and that is a massive bonus for us."
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Manager Sammy McIlroy has called for Morecambe supporters to give the players rousing support in their next two games at Christie Park.
The Shrimps will be looking for first-leg advantage when they play Grimsby in the Northern Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday.
That match comes three days after they welcome Shrewsbury in League Two.
"We need a good performance to bring the fans in on Tuesday," McIlroy told BBC Radio Lancashire.
Morecambe's greatest triumph came when they won the Conference play-off final at Wembley in May 2007, and McIlroy is hoping for a return to the national stadium.
"Even though survival is my number one aim, a nice trip to Wembley would be lovely."
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Milton Keynes Dons have signed midfielder Felix Bastians on a month's loan from Nottingham Forest.
The Germany Under-19 international has previously had loan spells with Northwich Victoria, Gillingham, Notts County, Chesterfield and Halifax.
Bastians, 19, scored against the Dons for Chesterfield earlier this season.
He is likely to make his debut for Paul Ince's side against Wrexham on Saturday and will act as cover for Lloyd Dyer, who has tonsillitis
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Lincoln have announced that defender Jack Cotton has had his contract terminated by mutual consent.
The 19-year-old centre-back worked his way through the club's scholarship scheme before signing his first professional deal last summer.
But he failed to make an appearance for the Imps first team.
Cotton had a loan spell at Ilkeston Town earlier this season and was made available for transfer last month.
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Teenage left-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two side Rotherham on a month's loan from West Ham.
Widdowson, 18, completed the loan move after featuring for Rotherham's reserve team in a match against Leeds.
He could make his Millers debut in their match against Wycombe Wanderers this weekend.
Widdowson spent a short spell training with League One club Carlisle United late last year and has been a key player for West Ham's Under-18 team.
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Midfielder Steve Leslie has signed a new contract keeping him at Shrewsbury Town until the end of next season.
"Steve has a lot of potential, and at times shows unbelievable ability," said Town manager Gary Peters.
"He's shown in spells what he can do in the first team, but now we've got to get him doing it consistently."
The 20-year-old came through Town's youth system and signed his first pro-contract last summer.
"He's got enough on his plate as a young lad coping with first team football without thinking he's got to play well because if he doesn't he won't get a contract," Peters told the club's website.
"We've taken that pressure off him, and now we've got to stick him out there and see what he can do."
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Chester have appointed former manager Steve Mungall as Bobby Williamson's new assistant in a bid to halt an alarming slide down the League Two table.
Mungall, 49, replaces former St Mirren boss Jimmy Bone, who had only been at the Deva Stadium since December.
But Bone was shown the door following a clear-the-air meeting involving staff and senior players on Wednesday.
Mungall, who spent his playing days at Tranmere, had a brief spell as City boss in their Conference days in 2001.
He was one of five Chester managers during the 2001/02 season, taking over from Gordon Hill in early October.
But, after starting with two victories, City were to win just one of their next 10, and he departed following the 3-1 Boxing Day defeat at Northwich.
His last management post, as assistant to Dave Pace at non-League Droylsden, ended just before Christmas.
Mungall's return to the Deva is the second addition to Williamson's backroom team this week following the appointment of ex-Liverpool, Blackburn, Bolton and Tranmere midfielder Jason McAteer to the coaching staff.
That is Chester's response to a sorry return of just two points out of a possible 33 since Christmas Day.
This nightmare 11-game run, in which they have shipped 30 goals, has seen them fall away from being likely promotion challengers to even be considered outside relegation candidates.
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Lincoln manager Peter Jackson is to undergo treatment for throat cancer.
Coaches Iffy Onuora and Grant Brown will be placed in caretaker charge when Jackson has radiotherapy next month, reports BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Jackson said: "It's cancer cells in my throat which have turned to cancer in the last four weeks.
"I'll have to go on a series of lengthy treatments in March. I will be off for one month with maybe two to three weeks recovery after that."
Jackson took over as Imps boss in October last year having previously had two spells in charge of Huddersfield Town.
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Brian Little is hoping bottom club Wrexham can complete the double over League Two leaders MK Dons when they travel to Buckinghamshire on Saturday.
The Dragons are unbeaten in five after last month's 1-0 win over the Dons ended a run of seven straight defeats.
That run has included a win at home to second-place Darlington and a draw at promotion-chasing Peterborough.
"I think it proves how much progression has been made in a short period of time," said Little.
"But I remind myself in this business that it takes just one bad result or performance to change your mindset.
"What we've got to do is be fair and honest with ourselves but put ourselves in a position that we don't let ourselves down.
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez believes his side are showing the signs of playing like champions as they head to bottom club Port Vale on Saturday.
The Spaniard described parts of their performance in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Walsall as "well above" League One standards.
He said: "To see the players express themselves tells me there is a huge belief and confidence there.
"In a way, that's synonymous of playing like champions."
Martinez will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the rare slip-up against Port Vale's fellow strugglers Crewe who held the Swans to a 2-2 draw last weekend.
Vale are bottom of League One 11 points adrift of safety, while Swansea are eight points clear at the top.
But Martinez said: "I don't think the encounter is going to reflect their position in the table.
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Leyton Orient defender Tamika Mkandawire, 24, could be out of action for a month because of a groin problem.
The injury forced him to be replaced in Tuesday's 1-0 loss against Crewe.
Meanwhile Sean Thornton and Alton Thelwell have returned to full training following absences with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
Midfielder Thornton, 24, last played on 25 January and defender Thelwell, 27, has been out since the end of December.
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Huddersfield Town academy graduate Shane Killock has joined Blue Square North outfit Hyde United on a month-long loan deal.
The 18-year-old defender has made one first-team appearance for Town this season in the 2-0 defeat at Crewe.
Terriers manager Andy Ritchie told the club's official website: "It will be great experience for him and it's exactly what he needs.
"He's been fantastic about the move but I expected as much."
"It's a good standard and he will be playing against people for who the game really means something for - nothing really hangs on reserve-team games but the players here need to get wins in order to get money through the door," he added.
"It's initially for a month but we shall see how it goes."
Meanwhile Town forward Lucas Akins has returned to the Galpharm Stadium from his loan spell at Northwich Victoria.
He will travel down with the first-team squad to London for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Chelsea.
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Bournemouth defender Russell Perrett is undergoing tests in hospital, after being hit by breathing problems.
The 35-year-old former Luton centre-half was admitted by ambulance as a precaution, after being taken ill at his home late on Wednesday.
Cherries boss Kevin Bond told BBC Radio Solent: "He's having some tests done to try and identify the problem. It's very early days at the moment."
Perrett could yet be involved in Saturday's League One game at Southend.
Bond said: "He could obviously still be involved at the weekend, but it's a wait-and-see situation, because if he's not 100% right, then of course he won't play."
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Cheltenham captain John Finnigan is set to miss the rest of the season after being told he needs an ankle operation.
Finnigan has been out of action since October and will now be missing for a further three months.
He told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "It is the most frustrating and long-term injury I have had. I'm disappointed but at least I know where I'm going now.
"I would like to think I could get back before the end of the season but there is a possibility I might not."
He added: "I have been in limbo for a month or two but now I can have the operation done, do my rehab and look forward to getting back playing again."
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Striker Steve Brooker is determined to prove he is not injury prone as he battles back from two knee operations.
Brooker has been loaned to Cheltenham by Bristol City in a bid to get back to full match fitness and has made seven starts since moving to Whaddon Road.
He told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "It seems I'm not allowed to get knocks and niggles from playing games.
"If it's someone else it's just a knock and they will be back in the next game. That doesn't apply to me any more."
He added: "If I get a niggle it seems to be the thing to say 'Brooks has broken down again'.
"It wasn't my choice to have two knee operations so it's not as if I've been throwing one in."
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Leeds United captain Andy Hughes has suffered an injury blow and will be sidelined for up to three weeks.
He picked up a knee injury in Tuesday's League One draw with Nottingham Forest and is due to see a specialist.
United manager Gary McAllister said: "He's a guy who gives us a bit of momentum and driving force in the middle of the park.
"[But] we are well covered - we've got a little boost of Neil Kilkenny back as well."
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Dorset property developer Eddie Mitchell is planning to join the race to buy cash-strapped Bournemouth.
Mitchell is also the majority shareholder at nearby Dorchester Town, where he bought a majority stake in the Blue Square South club last summer.
The 53-year-old told BBC Radio Solent: "I like football and, if there's anything of interest that works for me, then I'll have a go at it.
"I'm local and of course I'd be interested, but it's early days yet."
Mitchell stresses that, as yet, he has had no contact with the administrators at Dean Court, but he has ideas about how things could be run.
"I think you need half a dozen businessmen that are interested in supporting football, not just at first team level but down the chain, that would invest in it and were happy to invest in it," he said.
"I would have my own personal reasons for doing it but I'm sure other people would have theirs as well."
Last month, Mitchell saw seven of his Dorchester Town directors step down from their posts at the Avenue Stadium over differing opinions on where the club was going.
The Cherries were put up for sale last week after entering administration with debts in excess of £4m.
Mitchell recently featured in Piers Morgan's ITV documentary on Sandbanks.
He also hit the headlines for his part in building the 'Thunderbird House' in nearby Branksome Park.
Other exotically named houses he has been associated with include 'Utopia,' ' Bowie,' and 'Moonraker.'
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Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood has conceded that League One leaders Swansea have as good as won the title.
The Reds are fourteen points behind the Swans in the table and the Welshmen have not lost a League game since the middle of November.
Calderwood told BBC Radio Nottingham Forest are now aiming for second.
"It will be very, very hard to see how they would drop so many points. Strange things can happen but it will need a remarkable turnaround," he said.
"Every time they win they are taking a step-and-a-half towards promotion.
"If they do that in the next five or six games then it will be very hard for any team to catch them."
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Walsall boss Richard Money has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the job at Coventry City, saying he is happy where he is.
Money was on the Sky Blues coaching staff and is among the favourites to replace Iain Dowie at the Ricoh Arena.
"It's just speculation. It's understandable though because I had four very good and happy years there," Money told BBC WM.
"But I'm the manager of Walsall and will remain so until told otherwise."
Money's stock has risen since he returned to management nearly two years ago after a stint in Australia.
Walsall won the League Two title last season and could be on course for a double promotion this campaign with the club firmly in the play-off picture in League One.
Despite Tuesday's defeat to leaders Swansea, Money is remaining bullish ahead of the run-in.
"It's no disgrace to lose to Swansea, but I'm not happy because we've set standards," he added.
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Brighton's Dean Bowditch believes he can improve on his second Albion debut after starting against Tranmere.
Bowditch had only joined up again with the Seagulls 24 hours before the match after signing on loan from Ipswich.
He told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "I felt I was ok but I need to get on the ball more and get a few more shots."
He added: "I just want to play games. I wasn't playing at Ipswich. I wanted to come back and impress people, show them what I can do."
It is Bowditch's second spell at Brighton after four games on loan during the 2006/7 season.
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Blackpool manager Simon Grayson says it is probably too soon to send promising youngster Danny Mitchley out on loan to gain first-team experience.
The teenager has been in prolific form for the reserves and youth team - scoring his 33rd goal of the season at Tranmere on Tuesday night.
And Grayson told BBC Radio Lancashire a loan spell might not be in the striker's best interests.
"He's still only 17," Grayson said, "and you've got to be careful.
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Watford have won their appeal against the red card shown to midfielder John-Joe O'Toole in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Leicester City.
The 19-year-old was judged to have denied Stephen Clemence a goalscoring opportunity in the first half.
But Watford asked for the decision to be overturned and submitted video evidence to back up their case.
As a result of their successful appeal O'Toole will now be available for the Charlton match on Saturday.
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Barnsley boss Simon Davey have signed West Brom keeper Luke Steele on loan.
Davey made his move for Steele as Heinz Muller is injured and Tony Warner, who is on loan from Fulham, is cup-tied.
The 23-year-old, who is third-choice keeper at the Hawthorns, is now in line to face Liverpool at Anfield in the fifth round of the Cup on Saturday.
He has started just two games for West Brom since signing from Manchester United in August 2006 but has previous loan experience with Coventry City.
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Leicester City have been told they are not good enough to sign teenage Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair on loan.
Foxes boss Ian Holloway was eager to bring the 18-year-old to the Walkers Stadium and thought he was on the verge of getting his man.
But Holloway told BBC Radio Leicester: "We have now been told we can't have him. Chelsea do not want to let him go to a team that's where we are.
"There's one struck off that we had half-planned and half-promised."
Sinclair is back at Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at QPR but has fallen down the pecking order following Florent Malouda's return to fitness.
Holloway thought he had a good chance of landing the England youth international but has been told they want him to play for a side near the top of the Championship table.
He added: "If they do loan him out they want to loan him to a club with a chance of getting in the play-offs because they want him to experience that."
Holloway was also previously manager of Bristol Rovers, from whom Sinclair joined the Premi
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Leicester boss Ian Holloway has hit back at suggestions his job could be in danger after a series of poor results.
Some newspapers claimed Foxes chairman Milan Mandaric was considering hiring his fifth manager in 12 months as the team slid closer to the drop zone.
But Holloway told BBC Sport: "Isn't it amazing? We lose a couple of games and everyone's got Milan swinging the axe.
"I suggest they come up with something cleverer than that - I've outlasted everyone else here this season so far!"
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Former England manager Steve McClaren is willing to take a job overseas or in the Football League in order to get back into management.
McClaren says he has turned down several job offers since being sacked as England boss in November.
"My next job will be about the person employing me as much as anything - he has to have vision and be ambitious," McClaren told BBC Sport.
"It might be abroad, in the second division or in the Championship."
He added: "It's got to be a challenge. Before I went to Middlesbrough, Sir Alex Ferguson told me 'Pick the chairman, not the club'.
"And I was lucky I picked Steve Gibson, who believed in my philosophy and gave me time.
"Given time, if you have got the right philosophy, you will succeed.
"When Kevin Keegan first went to Newcastle, they were bottom of the then Second Division.
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Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has left the club after turning down a new "head of football" role.
Former Leeds and Luton boss Kevin Blackwell has been named as his replacement until the season ends.
Robson, 51, who has previously managed Middlesbrough, Bradford and West Brom, joined eight months ago but managed to oversee only 14 wins in 39 games.
Blackwell, who was Blades assistant boss from 2000-2004, will have Sam Ellis as his number two.
The new Blades' boss told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I had some of my best times here. It helped build my reputation as a coach. It's a stable club, something I've desperately missed since I left and the fans here are as passionate as can be.
"I have some great memories of working at this club, it's very special to me "
Robson met club chairman Terry Robinson and plc chairman Kevin McCabe on Wednesday to discuss "reasoned changes to the football infrastructure".
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Burnley striker Andy Cole says he is still hungry to score goals after netting his first hat-trick in seven-and-a-half years at QPR.
The 36-year-old former England star has hit four goals in two starts after joining on loan from Sunderland.
He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've still got the same appetite.
"It felt as good as it did on Saturday when I got my first [against Colchester]. It's the same as when I was a kid - nothing changes."
Cole pounced just before half-time at Loftus Road after QPR had raced into a two-goal lead and scored two more in the second half as they won 4-2.
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Dave Jones has issued an FA Cup war cry to Cardiff City fans and pleaded with them to roar their team to history.
Cardiff host Championship rivals Wolves on Saturday as they bid to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since the FA Cup-winning team of 1927.
Cardiff boss Jones: "Emulating the 1927 team would be a great achievement but we're trying to make our own history.
"It'd be crazy if we did not get a sell-out at this stage of the cup as a vocal crowd will make the difference."
Cardiff average 13,573 fans a game during their rollercoaster Championship campaign and Saturday's FA Cup fifth round showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers is still not a full house.
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Wolves on-loan striker Kevin Kyle says he is thankful that Mick McCarthy took him away from his difficulties at Coventry City.
Kyle told BBC WM he is enjoying his football away from the Sky Blues and certain sections of their supporters.
"Iain Dowie could see what the fans were doing to me there and was happy to let me go," he said.
"I'm enjoying football for a change and to work with Mick again has been fantastic. It's been a great move."
Kyle's loan spell at Molineux runs to the end of the season, but the striker is uncertain of his future following Dowie's departure from the Ricoh Arena.
"I don't know who it is going to be but whatever happens, I'm here til the end of May and I can't be called back," he said.
"If nothing happens [here] I'll go back to Coventry and see what happens there.
"But I'm just going to try and enjoy my time with Wolves."
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Dagenham & Redbridge have extended the loan spell of Ryan Hall from Crystal Palace for a second month.
The 20-year-old midfielder made his debut for the Daggers against Morecambe on 12 January.
He has made five appearances during his loan spell and scored his first goal for the club in the 6-2 win against Chester earlier this week.
Hall made his first-team debut for Palace in November and he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup tie against Watford on 5 January.
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john the tinca
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Southampton striker Stern John says a win against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup can spark their season into life.
Saints travel to the League One side on Saturday with just one win in 11 Championship games.
"The fans are disappointed with the league position but we have a strong squad and hopefully a cup win can help us," John told BBC Radio Solent.
"We're working hard to get a win. The team have been playing well but not getting the results."
The Trinidad & Tobago international scored twice in the 3-2 defeat to Stoke City to take his tally to 13 for the season.
"Since I joined Saints I've really enjoyed it and I want to continue scoring goals and get the team up the table."
John, 31, also gave his backing to caretaker bosses John Gorman and Jason Dodd who took over after the departure of George Burley.
"They've done a fantastic job and are doing really well. The lads are behind them and now we just need a win on Saturday," said John.
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john the tinca
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The Tottenham squad are still trying to lose weight after they were found to be 100kg too heavy when Juande Ramos took over as manager in October.
Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Taking into account the players' size, the team was basically 100kg over.
"We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage.
"They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part."
606: DEBATE
Have you noticed that the Tottenham players have lost weight?
When Ramos joined Tottenham in October the club were in the relegation zone but have moved up to 11th in the Premier League.
They are also pursuing silverware on two fronts.
They play Slavia Prague in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and have also reached the Carling Cup final where they play Chelsea on 24 February.
Alvarez, who moved to England as part of Ramos's backroom staff, added that he instigated a fitness programme immediately upon his arrival at the club.
"I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things," he added. "We have turned a lot of fat into muscle."
Ramos has won the Uefa Cup for the last two seasons, both victories coming with former club Sevilla.
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john the tinca
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Manchester United have moved from fourth to second in the list of the world's richest clubs, as Real Madrid stayed top for the third straight year.
Deloitte's Football Money League, which is based on revenues generated during 2006/7, was headed by United for eight years until the Spaniards deposed them.
Chelsea are fourth in Deloitte's table, even though the Blues regularly make huge losses. Arsenal are fifth.
In all, there are seven British clubs in the top 20 positions.
Three of the four clubs that dropped out of the list were also British - Manchester City, Rangers, and West Ham United.
And, looking ahead to next year's report, the authors state that "2007/08 could see England providing half the Money League clubs".
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john the tinca
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A former Premier League chief executive says he believes the controversial plan to take top-flight games overseas would "distort" the competition.
Peter Varney, chief executive at Championship side Charlton, says he is strongly opposed to the idea.
"I don't favour it - let's not kid ourselves, this is all about money," Varney told BBC Sport.
"This is a domestic league, it would distort the competition which is so well-regarded all over the world."
Varney believes the 20 Premier League clubs will vote for the proposal because of the money involved.
"This is not about taking the game to overseas fans and thinking that some people would like to see the Premier League in different regions of the world," he added.
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john the tinca
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The Football Association has appointed Quest to conduct an audit into transfers in English football.
The audit will look at certain dealings which took place in January's transfer window and a selection of moves which occur during the summer of 2008.
Quest is a firm of investigators which conducted an inquiry into transfer irregularities between January 2004 January 2006 for the Premier League.
The FA said: "This is a very different undertaking to their previous inquiry."
FA director of governance Jonathan Hall added: "It will focus specifically on reviewing the FA's processes in respect of the new Agents Regulations, assessing compliance with FA Rules and identifying any areas of poor practice within the industry."
It is understood the audit will focus on a selection of transfers rather than being an exhaustive investigation into all the moves in January and this summer.
Premier League and Football League deals will be among the transfers examined.
The FA has thrown extra resources into policing transfers, including setting up a whistleblower hotline for anyone wanting to give information about possible problems.
Quest's previous inquiry for the Premier League looked at 362 transfers in total with the final report stating that 17 transfers, involving five clubs, were "uncleared
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john the tinca
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Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam says he is strongly opposed to the Premier League's plan of top-flight clubs playing games abroad.
The English season could be extended by one match with the 39th round being played in five overseas venues.
"We'll vote strongly against it. The Premier League is putting money before responsibility and dignity," Hammam told BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.
"As far as Asia is concerned, I'm not supportive of this initiative."
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john the tinca
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Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has agreed a new five-year contract with the Premier League Club.
The 23-year-old, who had over two years remaining on his previous deal, had been linked with a move to Tottenham during the January transfer window.
But Downing revealed the arrival of £12m striker Afonso Alves in January convinced him to stay at the Riverside.
"I had told the club I didn't want to stand still. Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are," he said.
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john the tinca
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The president of football's world governing body Fifa has told the BBC that plans by the Premier League to host games abroad will never happen.
Sepp Blatter also warned that the proposal could harm England's attempt to host the 2018 World Cup.
"This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money," Blatter said.
"This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa."
Blatter's comments, in an interview with BBC sports editor Mihir Bose, are the strongest from the governing body since the Premier League's plans were revealed last week.
Top-flight clubs will consider plans to extend the season to 39 games with the extra matches taking place overseas.
But the idea has met with resistance in Asia, Europe and fans in England.
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john the tinca
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The Football Association has told Fifa it has serious reservations over the Premier League's proposal to play additional top-flight games abroad.
It is the first official FA reaction since the Premier League floated its global plan to start in 2010-11.
The FA said it was worried the plan could damage its 2018 World Cup bid.
The FA said: "We don't want the Premier League's proposal to affect England's 2018 World Cup bid in any way. At this time, we do not believe it has."
The FA, which is due to discuss the Premier League plan on 21 Thursday, added: "We did speak to Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke about this matter on Thursday.
"We explained that while we had received a verbal summary on the subject, at this time we aren't in possession of any detailed proposals from the Premier League to pass on to Fifa.
"It was also made clear to FIFA that the Football Association has some serious reservations about the proposal."
Despite the FA's reservations, some aspects of the plan have won the support of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
He said: "First there is a desire to innovate and be the strongest league in the world and the second thing is to do something for the fans abroad."
The Football Association has worked extremely hard for several years to improve our relationships and standing with FIFA and UEFA
Wenger experienced a similar plan to the Premier League's proposals during his time as a manager in Japan.
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john the tinca
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Aston Villa have applied to enter next season's Intertoto Cup competition.
Villa are currently sixth in the Premier League but could qualify for Europe next season via the Intertoto by finishing as low as eighth.
"We're just covering bases but we've got a chance and we're going to try and charge on if we can," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's website.
"This is in no way a signal that we've given up hope of qualifying for Europe automatically," O'Neill added.
Villa played in the Intertoto Cup in successive seasons between 2001 and 2003.
Their first venture in the competition saw them qualify for the first round proper of the Uefa Cup where they were beaten by Varteks Varazdin.
The following season they beat FC Zurich but lost their semi-final tie to Lille despite going into the second leg at home level on aggregate and with the advantage of an away goal.
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john the tinca
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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says the arrival of new chief scout Paul Montgomery will improve their chances of recruiting top players.
Montgomery originally spotted Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda when he was with West Ham.
"Paul comes with a wealth of experience and I worked with him at Rangers when we restructured up there," McLeish told Blues' official website.
"I feel we're a little short in that area. I hope we can unearth some gems."
Montgomery will also take an active part in recruiting younger players for the club's Academy.
"I'm delighted that the board have backed this appointment because, for the sake of Birmingham City and the club's future, this is a vitally important call."
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john the tinca
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Chelsea captain John Terry has stunned boss Avram Grant by recovering from a broken foot to face Huddersfield in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.
England defender Terry has not played since sustaining the injury in the defeat at Arsenal on 16 December.
The 27-year-old was not expected to return to action for another two weeks.
Grant said: "Perhaps he is the bionic man. But he is very strong both mentally and physically. He will be in the squad to play Huddersfield."
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john the tinca
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Brentford have signed 21-year-old Fulham midfielder Robert Milsom on a month's loan.
The Fulham Academy product has yet to figure in the first team at Craven Cottage but has recently signed a new contract to stay there until 2010.
Milsom, who can also play in defence, has captained Fulham's reserve side.
Milsom will become the sixth arrival since the turn of the year as manager Andy Scott builds his own team, having been named full-time boss in January.
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john the tinca
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Sunderland's remarkable FA Youth Cup run continued as they put out holders Liverpool with Wednesday night's 5-3 extra-time win at the Stadium of Light.
Martyn Waghorn and Ryan Noble scored the all important goals in the added half hour as the Black Cats booked their place in the quarter finals.
Assistant academy manager Kevin Ball told BBC Radio Newcastle: "There's a great character the players have shown.
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john the tinca
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Reading captain Graeme Murty said their defence must improve if they are to pull themselves clear of danger.
Their 1-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday saw Reading drop into the bottom three, but it was a much improved performance from the Royals.
But Murty told BBC Radio Berkshire they still need to improve at the back.
He said: "There are still too many goals going in at our end. We're working hard and we have improved. But we need to keep on improving."
He added: "We always said that in the Premiership you come up against the best defences so it's going to be difficult to score goals.
"We still have faith in the guys up there - we have to make it easy for them and create the chances. We do that by building a solid base as a back four."
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john the tinca
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Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will not have any action taken against him following an incident involving Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney on Saturday.
It was alleged that Barton threw a punch at the Scottish forward during his side's 4-1 defeat at Villa Park.
But after studying video evidence, the Football Association has cleared the 25-year-old of any wrongdoing.
Barton only recently returned to action having spent a week in prison after being charged with assault and affray.
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john the tinca
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Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are both wary of each other's leading scorers ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Arsenal.
United's Cristiano Ronaldo leads the charts having scored 27 times this season while Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor has taken his tally to 22.
United boss Ferguson said: "Adebayor's got 12 goals in nine games so that shows the lad is on fire."
Wenger added: "The only way to stop Ronaldo is to get him to defend."
Both managers have hinted they may not be able to field their strongest XI, with Ferguson taking into consideration their Champions League tie in Lyon on Wednesday.
"I don't think either side will play the side everyone expects," Ferguson said.
"I'll make a couple of changes. The view is that with massive games with Arsenal and then Lyon, you have to have a lot of consideration about how you balance out your team and hopefully you get it right."
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john the tinca
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Derby boss Paul Jewell has dismissed proposals for a 39th Premier League game to be played overseas from 2011 as unnecessary "razzmatazz".
Speaking to BBC Radio Derby Jewell said: "I just think it's typical of the Premier League.
"I think fans are getting less and less important in their eyes.
"If it's just for money purposes then surely there's enough money swimming around in the game at the moment and it just becomes razzamatazz."
Jewell described the proposal as an attempt to "Americanise" English football, an ironic comment as Derby are now owned by an consortium from the United States.
And the Rams manager is unhappy that the twenty Premier League managers were not consulted over the proposal.
"For me travelling [abroad] to play a game for a league in England doesn't seem right," he added.
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john the tinca
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Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage could be back playing within two weeks - despite initial fears he could be out of action for up to two months.
The Rams skipper left Pride Park on crutches after Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham and there were concerns he had broken a bone in his foot.
But a scan on Sunday has revealed only severe bruising.
And the Welsh international may be back in the side for the game against Wigan on Saturday, 23 February.
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john the tinca
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An investment firm co-owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has revealed it has increased its stake in Arsenal football club to 24%.
Red and White Holdings previously had about 23% of the club's shares and has been reported to have a goal of owning at least 25%.
Mr Usmanov is a metals magnate with an estimated $5.5bn fortune.
He bought into Arsenal in August last year, paying former vice-chairman David Dein about £75m for his 14.65% holding.
Mr Dein is now chairman of the consortium.
If the stake was to reach 30%, Red and White would have to launch a formal takeover approach.
Late last year, after announcing strong results, the Arsenal board said there was no need for a wealthy individual backer, and insisted that it was not about to sell up.
Arsenal director Daniel Fiszman is still the largest stakeholder in Arsenal, with 24.11% of the Gunners' shares.
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john the tinca
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Manchester United and Arsenal meet in the FA Cup for the fourth time in a decade on Saturday.
With the sides widely considered to be best in the Premier League and also slugging it out for the title, the tie at Old Trafford is set to be an almighty battle.
Here, former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn looks ahead to the game.
Recent matches between the two have been terrific, both sides have a healthy respect for each other while maintaining their belief that they can win.
There is always passion in these games and I think there will be lots on Saturday - there could be a few goals, too. Both sides really like to attack and play exciting football.
It is very difficult to pick out specific key battles because they will be going on all over the pitch.
Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Emmanuel Adebayor - the Premier League's joint top scorers - have been tremendous, but both teams are littered with superb players.
And it could even be that a mistake, rather than a moment of brilliance, will decide the outcome.
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john the tinca
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said the club are not in contract talks with Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
The 20-year-old said on Thursday he is negotiating a new deal despite having six years to run on his current one.
But Wenger told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We are not in negotiations at the moment. What he wanted to say is that he is committed to a long-term future here."
"We will deal with all negotiations at the end of the season but at the moment we are focused on the short term."
606: DEBATE
Fabregas will sign until 2015, will get £100,000 a week to stay and banish all rumours of going to Barca
Gallasss
"He made a choice to come here when he was very young and he loves the club and the English competition, because it is the most interesting one," Wenger added.
Fabregas told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Thursday: "I have six years remaining and they are interested in renegotiating.
"I want to succeed at Arsenal and the club wants me. I am from Barcelona and have played there, but I only think of winning many titles here."
Fabregas, a key member of Spain's squad for Euro 2008 has been regularly linked with his hometown club and Real Madrid.
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john the tinca
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-14, the group of the world's wealthiest clubs, has disbanded.
The decision came after an agreement was reached with Fifa over compensation for players getting injured on international duty.
G-14 are made up of the 18 most powerful clubs in Europe including English giants, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
The clubs had also pushed for compensation for players involved on international duty.
It is the beginning of a new era, an era that will be based on trust
Joan Laporta
"We were able to clear all the obstacles and found a form of governance that works," said G-14 president and Lyon chairman Jean-Michael Aulas.
Instead of the restricted G-14, club representation has been taken over by a wide-ranging independent European Club Association, which will have more than 100 members.
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john the tinca
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Dutchman Clarence Seedorf believes AC Milan team-mate Ronaldo may not return to playing football after the Brazilian suffered a serious injury this week.
The 31-year-old striker needed surgery on Thursday after rupturing a tendon in his left knee against Livorno.
"He's one of the greatest to play the game and hopefully this is not the way it's going to end," Seedorf told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I hope he makes the right decision at the right time."
Holland midfielder Seedorf said the moment the Brazil star collapsed he knew it was a serious injury.
"Nobody wants to watch moments like that," said the 31-year-old, who accompanied Ronaldo to hospital.
"My heart stopped beating because it was like watching a repeat of the injury he suffered playing for Inter Milan against Lazio. His reaction was the same."
He added: "It's the third time it has happened to him - the third knee injury he has picked up. That's why I'm thinking it may be the end.
"We'll see what happens over the next six months - he now needs to focus on rehabilitation."
Ronaldo, a three-time Fifa world player of the year, suffered the same injury in his right knee in November 1999.
He lasted seven minutes on his comeback in April 2000 before damaging his knee again, which sidelined him for another 20 months.
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john the tinca
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The FAI has confirmed that former Italy star Marco Tardelli is to become assistant manager to new Republic of Ireland team boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
Tardelli, 53, who went on to coach Inter Milan, played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the 1970s and 80s.
"Giovanni and I have a great desire to do well," Tardelli told an Italian radio station.
"I like the idea of being for Giovanni what Carlos Queiroz is for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United."
Tardelli was in the Italy side which won the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and scored the second goal in their 3-1 victory over West Germany.
As a coach he led the Italian Under-21 side to victory at the 2000 European Championship.
He then had spells in charge of Inter, Bari and Arezzo in Italy, and Egypt's national team.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Brady, who played with Tardelli at Juventus, is also considering working in the new set-up.
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john the tinca
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Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is keen on England hosting the 2018 World Cup - after previously warning he would do all he could to prevent it happening.
Warner, president of Concacaf, which covers North and Central America, and the Caribbean, said in 2007 that the event should be staged in his region.
He criticised the Football Association but now wants the tournament back in England for the first time since 1966.
"The time has come. The fact is they invented this sport," Warner said.
"They last held the World Cup 42 years ago. That is almost two to three generations. There are guys in England who have never seen a World Cup on English soil."
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