Redknapp dismisses Blackburn rumours

Harry Redknapp has told ESPN that he is not taking the Blackburn Rovers job despite being linked with the vacant position..

West Ham would consider Rio return

West Ham are seriously interested in bringing Rio Ferdinand back to Upton Park, but the clubs former centre half may prove far too expensive, according to ESPN's West Ham sources. PA Photos Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand on bench..

Video: Wenger wary of 'Rooney' rule

Press Pass Extra: Wenger critical of the 'Rooney' rule

Shaka Hislop, the honorary president of Show Racism the Red Card, gives his reaction to Arsene Wenger's criticism of the Rooney Rule.Tags: Racism, Rooney Rule, Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rejected suggestions that English football would benefit from the introduction of an initiative comparable to the American-style 'Rooney Rule', which forces NFL teams to consider black candidates for every vacant coaching position..

Hiddink cools talk of Rooney move

Anzhi Makhachkala boss Guus Hiddink has played down the possibility of a move for Manchester United
striker Wayne Rooney..

Zimbabwe FA ban 15 for match-fixing

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has banned 15 players and officials for life following their involvement in the country's long-running match-fixing scandal..

Zidane denies rift with Mourinho

Real Madrid sporting director Zinedine Zidane has denied rumours that he fails to see eye to eye with club boss Jose Mourinho. Reports in Marca last month suggested that Zidane was unhappy at being sidelined by Mourinho, however, he has rubbished such stories.

 "I have no problem with Mourinho," Zidane told Sport365. "On the contrary, I have learned a lot from him." The ex-France international has also stated his reasoning for not being around the club's Valdebebas training facility each day currently as he is preparing to become a qualified coach..

Terry to wear anti-racism armband

Chelsea captain John Terry will sport an anti-racism armband when he returns to action in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. UEFA are instructing club captains to wear 'United Against Racism' logos on their kit as part of a week of action by European anti-discrimination body FARE, yet the timing could not be more sensitive for Terry, who he is currently serving a four-game domestic ban in England after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand..

Smalling and Jones near return

Manchester United's Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are two or three weeks away from a first-team return, according to Sir Alex Ferguson..

Moratti: Inter not aiming for Serie A title

Massimo Moratti has dismissed suggestions that Inter could challenge for the Serie A title.

 Andrea Stramaccioni's side have begun the campaign in impressive fashion, with Sunday's 2-0 victory over Catania leaving the Nerazzurri in fourth spot on 18 points - just four adrift of the Juventus..

Ribery relishing return to Lille for upcoming Champions League clash

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has expressed his motivation leading into his side's upcoming Champions League match against Lille, while also reflecting on the 3-1 loss against BATE Borisov.

 The 29-year-old Roten star has been in excellent form so far this season, playing a big part in helping his club to a record-breaking start of eight consecutive Bundesliga wins. And the next fixture sees the Bavarian outfit travelling to northern France – near to where Ribery grew up and played youth football during the late 90s..

Ferguson: Rafael is maturing into a great player

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has showered praise on his Brazilian youngster Rafael da Silva, after a string of strong performances at the start of this Premier League season.

 Currently without Phil Jones and Chris Smalling due to injury, and with twin brother Fabio sent out on loan at QPR, Rafael is the only right-sided full-back available to United at present and has staked his claim for a first-team place with a level of consistency which had been lacking in previous seasons. "He is maturing and learning all the time," Ferguson told Sky Sports..

Manchester United look to slash Ferdinand salary with new deal

Manchester United are ready to offer Rio Ferdinand a one-year contract extension in January – but on around half his current salary.

 The defender, who turns 34 next month, has yet to open talks with United about a new deal even though his agreement expires next summer. The club want to extend his spell at Old Trafford beyond 11 years but, in line with their policy of offering reduced terms to its over-30s players, Ferdinand cannot expect a renewal of his current £120,000-a-week wages..

Hleb: Guardiola is not the best coach, he had the best players

BATE Borisov midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb has said he does not consider Pep Guardiola to be the greatest coach in the world, as he had the best players at his disposal during his time with Barcelona..

Albiol: Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world

Real Madrid centre-back Raul Albiol believes Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world and should be given the Ballon d'Or for his efforts for both club and country.

 The former Valencia player spoke of his admiration for Spain's No.1 and believes a shot-stopper of his calibre deserves the accolade for being top of his game for so long. Casillas conceded twice in El Clasico but the defender insists there was little he could do about Lionel Messi's strikes while adding the 31-year-old has saved Los Blancos numerous times in the past..

MOURINHO: Real Madrid are becoming the better team than Barcelona

Barcelona's 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid in the Camp Nou Clasico on Sunday sees the Catalans remain in control of the Primera Division as they retain their eight-point advantage on Jose Mourinho's men. Already, Barca look like winning La Liga..

World Player of the Week: Joe Hart - Manchester City

Joe Hart   AGE 25 POSITION Goalkeeper FOR Manchester City WEEK IN NUMBERS APPS (GOALS CONCEDED) 2 (1) TIME ON PITCH 180 PREVIOUS WINS 0

Manchester City

1-1

Dortmund

Manchester City

3-0

Sunderland

When it comes to individual awards, it is attacking players who often hog the limelight. This can be perfectly illustrated by the list of past Ballon d'Or winners - only three defenders and one goalkeeper have picked up the prize..

Ronaldo given green light for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the green light by Real Madrid to join up with the Portugal squad to prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers after tests showed the shoulder injury picked up during Sunday night's 2-2 draw at Barcelona was not serious..

New York Red Bulls coach from Liverpool killed in Manhattan

New York Red Bulls' youth coach Mike Jones was stabbed to death near Union Square, Manhattan, early on Sunday morning.

 Jones, 25, from Liverpool was responsible for working with the Red Bulls’ young players before they entered club’s youth academy. The Red Bulls confirmed Jones' death and issued a statement saying he was a dedicated football fan and beloved friend..

Chelsea star Mata confident of Spain recall

Chelsea star Juan Mata insists he remains confident of a recall to the national set-up with Spain.

 In spite of his impressive start to the season with the Blues, the 24-year-old was a surprise omission from La Roja’s squad to face Belarus and France in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers..

Ancelotti: I was not impressed by Ibrahimovic against OM

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has stressed that he was not impressed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's performance in Sunday's 2-2 Ligue 1 draw against Olympique de Marseille..

Rooney not worried by goal drought

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has insisted he is not worried by his goal drought as his wait for his first strike of the season goes on.

 Rooney scored 35 goals for his club last year, but he is yet to open his account in a stop-start campaign in which he has made six appearances despite spending a month on the sidelines with a gashed thigh..

Arsene Wenger expects Walcott to stay

Arsene Wenger remains confident Theo Walcott will sign a new contract at Arsenal..

Shelvey, Bertrand get England calls

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and Chelsea full-back Ryan Bertrand have been added to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers..

Di Matteo fears Hazard 'diver' tag

Roberto Di Matteo has claimed that Eden Hazard does not get awarded perfectly legitimate penalties because he has an unfair reputation for diving.

 The Chelsea manager's words come after his side's 4-1 victory over Norwich in, which the Belgian attacker had two penalty calls turned away by referee Andrew Taylor..