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Last Friday morning, when news reports began to circulate that Carlos Tevez was considering legal action against Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness, my immediate thought was ‘how has it come to this?’

The incident in question followed the now infamous turn of events that took place when Manchester City travelled to Bayern Munich in September. After the game Roberto Mancini accused Tevez of refusing to come on as a substitute, an accusation the Argentinian striker strongly refutes.

City suspended the player for failing to warm up and failing to follow instructions and fined him four weeks wages over the incident, a fine since reduced to two weeks when the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) stepped in.

After the game, Souness echoed the thoughts of many viewers in his tirade against the former City captain. The clips remain on YouTube, with Graeme Souness stating “I’m in disbelief. How selfish can you get? Tevez is one bad apple. He can undo all the good work that has been done at City. He’s a disgrace to football. He epitomises what the man in the street thinks is wrong with modern football. It is totally unacceptable. He’s a football player and he is paid to play.”

Now, Souness could find himself subject to libel action with Tevez recently having consulted two media specialist QCs who believe Tevez has a strong case for defamation.

Sky and Souness have thus far refused to comment.

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The real issue to many onlookers will be how has this situation come about? Carlos Tevez is a world class footballer. A player who at differing points in his career has been idolised in Argentina, East London and most recently in both the red and blue halves of Manchester. Carlos Tevez is a player appreciated for his never say die attitude and commitment to the cause each and every game. Last season Carlos Tevez was the captain of Manchester City, Roberto Mancini’s leader on the pitch. You get the point; Carlos Tevez was not a player one would have expected to become embroiled in such a debacle.

Tevez being fined £400,000 by the club, a mere two weeks wages, and hiring lawyers for an impending legal battle is so far from the reality that most football supporters live in, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Gathering opinions from friends and fellow football fans, most hope that no such legal battle against Graeme Souness is launched, if it is it will mark a worrying precedent for when footballers are criticised.

After all, if fans lose that slight sense of empathy that still remains with their heroes, it will be a sad day for football.

Tevez was expected to return to Manchester City training on Wednesday, he did not, instead he went AWOL and flew back to Argentina. The striker now faces another potential suspension and fine, surely signalling the end of his Manchester City career. The club’s lawyers will undoubtedly now be considering their next step, in what is a disappointing tale for all fans of football.

Follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries for discussion regarding all things football. 

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Hamburg manager Armin Veh has announced that he will not continue as manager of the club next season.Veh, 50, had a contract with the Bundesliga outfit until June 2012 but revealed on Tuesday that this season would be his last in charge of the club.”Given the situation at the club right now, I am not going to be here any more next year,” Veh said.The former Stuttgart manager has endured a difficult spell in charge of the club and, after just two wins in their last six matches, has decided to walk away from the club.Veh’s contract will be resolved by mutual consent at the conclusion of the Bundesliga season in the same vein as Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal, whose departure from the Bavarian club at the end of the current campaign was announced on Monday.Hamburg, who sit seventh in the league, were surprisingly beaten 4-2 at home to Mainz on Saturday.Veh is bound to be the subject of interest when he does depart Hamburg, having led Stuttgart to the 2007 Bundesliga crown.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen has backed Wayne Rooney to bounce back from his poor showings at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old former Everton star failed to score in his four appearances in South Africa as Fabio Capello's team exited the tournament at the last-16 stage.

Rooney's displays were in sharp contrast to his form for United last term when he earned several player of the season awards.

However, Owen told the Daily Telegraph:"People talk about Wayne after the World Cup because he is Wayne, but there were other players who didn't perform at the World Cup too.

"People will inevitably focus on Wayne, though. He wasn't at the top of his game, for whatever reason – whether it was tiredness or because the rest of the team around him wasn't playing well.

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"He wasn't at his best but we all know he's a world-class player. After a few weeks off he will be back and scoring again."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

In every transfer window there is one transfer that catches the eye, not because of a large sum of money or a high profile player moving between giants of the game but a transfer that seems too bizarre for professional football.

Asamoah Gyan’s shock loan move from Sunderland to United Arab Emirates club Al-Ain was the surprise move of the latest transfer window, with money seemingly the only possible reason for Sunderland to let one of their best strikers leave and for Gyan to want to swap the Premier League for the United Arab Emirates.

But Gyan’s loan is not the first strange move by clubs and players in the transfer market. What are the top ten bizarre transfer moves ever to be seen in the world of football?

Click on Tevez and Mascherano to find out

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List compiled by Jenny Kerwood

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Is there any manager in football history better at scouting players than Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger? I think not and with the recent news of Arsenal’s latest signing, it looks like the Frenchman may have done it again with the capture of Jon Miquel Toral Harper. The half Spanish, half English 16 year old is part of Barcelona’s youth team just like Arsenal’s captain, Cesc Fabregas, who signed in similar circumstances in 2003. Has Wenger found another gem?

Judging by the video compilation that’s been circling the web this week, Toral Harper looks to be a very good prospect for the Gunners once he joins in the summer. Wenger has taken advantage of the rule that Spanish clubs cannot sign players on a permanent contract until the age of 17 and the deal hasn’t helped relations with Barcelona. The Barca president Sandro Rosell said the deal was “immoral” but with the double standards involved in today’s game such comments can’t be taken too seriously, after all Wenger hasn’t done anything illegal. Ironically, the agent of the lanky 16 year old midfielder is none other than Pepe Guardiola’s brother!

Although the trophyless seasons of late for Arsenal have been a big talking point, you can’t question the job Arsene Wenger has done at the club. Since that remarkable unbeaten season, Wenger has had to go about rebuilding for the next Arsenal squad for the future and this could be the year that the Frenchman can say it was well worth it. Toral Harper joins a list of youngsters at Arsenal who are full of potential; even more so that the current squad of players were at their age. Could Wenger be creating a 3rd generation squad that will be better than the rest?

I for one wouldn’t dismiss that, as I can imagine an Arsenal team in the next decade having more in comparison with Barcelona, with the majority of the team coming from the youth set up. Players like Toral Harper and Fabregas still count as the same can be said about Lionel Messi in regards to scouring the globe for youngsters. One thing is for sure, Arsene Wenger will be leaving a legacy behind at Arsenal Football Club and as a huge football fan I look forward to see what new players make the grade over the next several years.

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Rangers trail Celtic 3-0 at half-time in the last Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park in a match they have to avoid defeat in to stop their arch-rivals winning the Scottish Premiership title, and Gers fans have destroyed 5ft 10in winger Daniel Candeias for his display in the opening 45 minutes.

The 30-year-old has made a big impression in the final third for the Ibrox outfit this term with eight goals and a further 13 assists in all competitions, but he was partially at fault for the first goal his team conceded against Brendan Rodgers’ men.

The Portuguese wide man allowed Kieran Tierney to cross with his favoured left foot and put his hands behind his back even though he was standing outside of the penalty area, and Odsonne Edouard was on hand to fire home.

Rangers supporters, who earlier demanded on Twitter that Halliday didn’t start at left-back, were quick to have their say on Candeias’ performance via social media, and while one labelled him as “just as bad as Halliday”, another said “get Candeias off now”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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The season has only just finished but Tottenham Hotspur have made their first signing of the summer.

Austrian international, Kevin Wimmer played his last game for FC Koln on Saturday before saying his goodbyes. It is believed that the London club will formally announce the signing in the next two weeks with his fee being around £4.3million. Wimmer has agreed to a four year deal at White Heart Lane which is to replace Younes Kaboul who started the season as captain but soon fell out of favour at the club.

The 22-year-old Central defender is the first of what is expected to be a number of key signings for Spurs boss, Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinian boss has used the season to assess his squad and is now looking for a complete change around. Those who have seen Wimmer play frequently for the German side say his strengths like in tackling and challenges. In the Bundesliga he won 81% of his challenges this season, only picking up three yellow cards. While he is solid at the back, he will not overcommit himself or engage in challenges and his close man marking leaves little to be desired but that’s where new teammate, Jan Vertonghen could come in.

At the beginning of the season, Wimmer was unable to use his 6 foot 1 inch frame to his best ability but manager, Peter Stoger, has taken it upon himself to improve his aerial duels and now Spurs are gaining a player where winning the ball in the air is one of his strongest assets. The Austrian had a slow start to the season but has come on leaps and bounds thanks to the guidance of his gaffer who has really taken him under his wing to help improve his style of play.

Pochettino is hoping he can build a long-term team at White Heart Lane and he believes that the summer transfer window is the place to be. Having seen teams like Manchester City become an “ageing squad” the manager is keen to have youth at the heart of his club and will make the impact they so desperately need in a defence which has only kept nine clean sheets this season in the League. The Argentinian really believes the 22-year-old has a bright future at the club. They have a fantastic youth academy with Alex Pritchard the next to join the likes of Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason in the first-team squad.

Wimmer is young, keen to learn and hard-working despite still having things to learn and he could become as strong as John Terry is for Chelsea. His style fits into that of the Premier League and it seems to be a move which will be a great success for all those involved in the club. Spurs needs a new pair of young legs in their defence and Wimmer seems to be the perfect fit.

Tottenham fans should be very excited about their first signing and if they carry on like that the next season should be an interesting one for the club.

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Newcastle United have unveiled the club’s brand new away kit for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season.

Fans can pre-order the strip NOW via www.nufcdirect.com and can be the first to wear it today when it goes on sale at official club stores and online at 9am.

The Magpies 2013/14 PUMA away kit features insignia blue shirt, shorts and socks, with light blue trim to complement both the colouration in the iconic Newcastle United club crest and the logo of new principal sponsor, Wonga.com.

Stuart Middlemiss, head of retail at Newcastle United, said: “The new away kit has a very distinctive look and the initial feedback we have had about the design and feel from players has been very positive.

“We are delighted to be offering fans the opportunity to purchase their kit ahead of their summer holidays. I’m sure it will prove to be extremely popular.”

Featuring all of the technological excellence expected from a PUMA kit, the innovative new replica strip is inspired by the Sportslifestyle brand’s Spirit product line and incorporates Dry Cell technology for improved player performance.

Dry Cell technology enhances body performance by dragging moisture away from the body, improving air-flow and keeping the body at the ultimate performance temperature. Meanwhile, the four-way stretch underarm panel, cuffs, and back mesh offer the same freedom of movement as the match kit.

Roger Harrison, marketing director, PUMA UK, said: “Newcastle United have one of the most iconic home shirts in British football. Our challenge was to deliver an away shirt that both enhanced player performance and inspired fans to wear it with pride.

“We’re proud to achieve both requirements with the integration of Dry Cell technology and our Spirit graphic.”

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Darryl Bowman, marketing director, Wonga.com, said: “It’s great to finally see our brand on a Newcastle United shirt and we’re looking forward to our sponsorship officially starting on Monday 20th May.

“We’ll be kicking it off with something special to celebrate the return of St James’ Park and there’s lots more planned for Newcastle’s huge and loyal fan base over the coming season.”

Supporters can pre-order their 2013/14 away kit NOW by visiting www.nufcdirect.com.

Liverpool have begun the new season with a brand spanking new philosophy to compliment the new manager at the helm in Brendan Rodgers. It’s all very new down at Anfield this season, even the nets in the goals are new, but old new because they used to be red years ago. However, after defender Jose Enrique’s assertion that the club were attempting to copy Barcelona’s style this term, is that really the way forward for the club?

Copying the greatest club team in living memory is no small feat – the hours of learning and the mentally and physically exhausting time put in on the practice pitch means that this sort of football is not tailored to every kind of player, particularly older ones set in their ways.

Footballers, by and large, are a pretty dim breed of people and all this ‘let’s pass the ball around nicely for five minutes’ is often beyond the realms of  most English players’ capabilities, it’s simply not in their DNA to ignore an extravagant Hollywood pass every five minutes – it’s certainly a case of nurture over nature and it requires a great degree of patience that many at the club may not be able to cope with.

Jose Enrique told ESPN last week: “The best team in the world is the best example; Barcelona. You could see against Real Madrid a few days ago, how when they have the ball it is amazing and when they lose it, within three or four seconds they have it back. This is the way we try to play. We can’t compare with Barcelona they are different, but we are trying to play like this. We are starting to learn but we are learning well.”

Against West Brom and in their Europa League games to date, Liverpool have shown a willingness to play the ball out from the back and hunt it down like wild animals looking for an easy meal whenever they happen to lose it, which makes a welcome change from the lethargy which seemed to take hold of the side in the final stages of last term under Kenny Dalglish. There’s an urgency and purpose to their play now, which makes them an attractive and dangerous proposition.

Of course, this cost the side all three points against Manchester City, when Martin Skrtel was found guilty of committing the cardinal sin of defending, playing the ball back to his goalkeeper without looking what was behind him, but Rodgers’ reluctance to criticise him after the match highlighted that this is a learning period for everyone at the club.

Against the champions at Anfield, Liverpool were very impressive, with Joe Allen and Jonjo Shelvey in particular catching the eye. The average age of the squad was just under 25 years of age, the youngest that the club have turned out since playing Newcastle way back in 2003. There is a clear and deliberate shift in ethos – get young players in that the manager can mould, who suit his style of play and are willing to learn his ways, with Raheem Sterling praised by Rodgers as much for his tactical discipline as his pace or trickery out wide.

Nevertheless, doesn’t this all sound vaguely familiar? Didn’t Arsenal try something very similar under Arsene Wenger with Cesc Fabregas as the fulcrum of all of their attacking and creative play? A side based largely around youth and future potential? The result was a seven-year trophy drought from which the club are just starting to recover in terms of their change in tack in the transfer market, and from which they may never fully return to the pinnacle of the top flight because it backfired.

The £15m purchase of Allen was certainly less of a risk than many first feared and he’s misplaced just six of his 114 attempted passes so far in his two league outings at his new club – in short, he’s been absolutely superb, which given that he’s familiar with the system and his role in it, should come as no surprise.

But attempting to copy Barcelona’s style, as Jose Enrique has claimed, which Allen at the heart of it seems like a foolish thing to try and attempt. Their squad and Liverpool’s squad are absolutely poles apart in terms of quality, while the majority of players plying their trade at the Camp Nou have been indoctrinated into such a style from a very young age, not taught it well into their careers.

Perhaps the Spanish left-back has merely fallen into the trap of comparing every side that passes the ball with Barcelona, which seems an overly simplistic thing to do, as each side has their own different ways of penetration to make all the passing worthwhile. The phrase tiki-taka is one that’s often bandied about, but very few teams actually play with it and judging by Liverpool’s performances so far, they aren’t one of them.

There’s also the fact that no club in British football has ever been successful with a style of play that focuses solely on retaining possession as a means of not only attack, but defence – it doesn’t quite suit the culture of the league that we’re in.

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Swansea’s demolition of West Ham last weekend showed that passing football is far more transferable than long-ball football over the course of a 38-game season and to a higher level with better players, but the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have built their successes in recent years on the ability to do a bit of the ugly stuff as well as the tidy triangles often praised to the high heavens.

It’s a massive gamble, an experiment of sorts, but in the theme of the new at Anfield this season, it’s something borrowed, not blue which appears to be the in-vogue thing. Attempting to copy Barcelona is futile; having a footballing philosophy is fine and principles by which you want to abide by, but you must put your own stamp on it, otherwise you’re in danger of losing your own identity as a club along the way.

You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1

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After reports linking Rangers with a move for Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor this week, the long-term future of current Ibrox shot-stopper Wes Foderingham is now in doubt.

If the Light Blues do sign McGregor up for a summer return to Glasgow then it’s unlikely to be so he can play second fiddle to Foderingham and likewise the current Rangers number one is unlikely to be happy sitting on the bench.

The 27-year-old has strengths and weaknesses to his game but overall has been a hit at Ibrox and become a favourite with supporters who recognise his ability to pull off special saves and win his team points across the course of a season.

The prospect of him leaving isn’t going down too well with fans, even those who have a fondness for Allan McGregor and would be eager to see him return to Ibrox.

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Many believe Foderingham has plenty more to offer Rangers and took to Twitter to share their thoughts…