In their greedy pockets that is. Wayne Rooney has really taken it personally over the three game suspension dished out to him by a collection of over officious amateurs at the FA and has sent a letter through his representative Paul Stretford informing the FA of his decision to consider withdrawing his consent for his image to be used in any further FA commercial marketing programmes.

What this amounts to is financial withdrawal of service as Rooney knows he is the most recognisable figure left in an England squad bereft of David Beckham and that it is commercial suicide for the FA to consider any marketing campaigns, either for themselves in concern of ticket sales or for their strategic partners and sponsors, without being able to use either images of Wayne Rooney or have Rooney available for public events.

It seems like the modern day footballer has finally found a way to hit back at the institution running the game when they subject them to unfavourable (and plainly wrong) disciplinary action. Steve McLaren has said what a mistake the FA has made and how it has hurt his attempts to forge closer links with big clubs like Manchester United and both players and staff within Old trafford are seething at the blatant attempt to punish Wayne Rooney more because of his public image than because of his indiscretions (or lack of them) on the pitch.

This could really come back to hurt the FA in more ways than one and there could be a few red faces at Soho Square before the latest Rooneygate scandal is concluded.

How I’ve longed to see the day when the football authorities take it upon themselves to tackle the increasingly cynical misuse of sportsmanlike conduct where players are obliged to kick the ball out of play if an opponent goes down injured. In the past this custom was observed properly and only use when absolutely necessary but in the past season or two we’ve seen more and more players try to use it as a means of regrouping after being dispossessed and tackled rather than getting up and running on.

The World Cup in Germany was full of it to such an extent that there were games were I personally had to turn the TV off and stop watching. It was cheating of the most despicable kind with players feigning injury one minute, only to jump up and run back into position the next when the ball was kicked out and danger averted.

In the Premiership, Arsenal have been the most high profile exponents of the shaemful practice with even top players like Thierry Henry giving incredulous looks at the officials if the other team dared not to kick the ball into play as he lay down after being fairly and cleanly tackled.

The incident which led to the touchline row between Martin Jol and Arsene Wenger during April’s North London Derby was a major case in point where two teammates collided, the referee checke dthat there were no serious injuries and quite rightly waved play on and Spurs went down the other end and scored. The goal was perfectly legitimate but because Arsenal’s players complained so bitterly (despite it being an indiscretion on their own part) there was widescale condemnation of the Spurs players for following the referee’s direction. Ludicrous isn’t the word!

Thankfully the Premier League have instructed the LMA and PFA to tell their members that from now on the practice is not to be followed due to severe misapplication and from now on the decision to stop play will come solely from the match officials. This should lead to the end of any further misunderstanding and hopefully eradicate this vile unsportsmanlike behaviour from the game.

The authorities are fighting back and while I say it’s about time, I’m glad they are doing something. Next target: players diving.

Gordon Strachan has said that he would love to sign Real Madrid’s Thomas Gravesen on the proviso that the Dane’s wage demands fit within the tight wage structure that the Glaswegians operate under.

“We would have to have a look at it but there would have to be some homework done on wages,” said Strachan.

“We would like to try and keep him within the structure that we have got here just now.

“But I think it’s unfair to speak about anybody who is not here, it is unfair on the team, the player and our fans.”

Gravesen would probably favour a return to the English Premiership after enjoying his time at Everton but his agent, former Manchester United midfielder John Sivebaek, has said that Celtic is still a very realistic destination for the midfield hardman.

Following Real Madrid’s summer reshuffling, Gravesen has been made available for a cut price ?2m and would be an ideal replacement for the retired Roy Keane in the Hoops’ midfield.

Celtic, and other interested suitors, are hopeful of a decision this week.

Just a reminder to folks who may be interested in getting on this great ?100 cashback offer from Mansion for Spurs Premiership opener away to Bolton tomorrow at the Reebok Stadium.

Simply visit the MANSION Sportsbook and place an Asian Handicap bet on Tottenham Hotspur. If your bet is not a winner, MANSION will refund your losses, up to GBP 100 (or currency equivalent), within 48 hours.

MANSION will refund all losses, up to GBP 100 (or currency equivalent), to all members who place an Asian Handicap bet on Tottenham Hotspur for their Saturday, 19 August game.

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The loan signings of Manchester United youngsters Phil Bardsley and Lee Martin have done a fair bit to quell the fears of Rangers fans worried about our thin and unbalanced squad.

Martin, an exciting 2 footed winger came on and looked the part in our disappointing draw against Dunfermline on Sunday while Bardsley may well be the tough tackling right back we?ve been looking for pretty much since Gary Stevens left the club.

But the fact that a club the size of Rangers is taking Premiership youth players on loan gives a more stirring indication to the financial state of not only RFC, but the whole of the Scottish game.

Where Celtic once had Sutton Larsson and Hartson, they now have Beattie, Miller and Zurawski.

Where Rangers once had Van Bronkhorst, Albertz, Tugay, Reina and De Boer, we now have a selection of youngsters and Bosmans.

Fans from other clubs meanwhile have had to contend with a succession of trialists, signings from clubs in North Africa and guys unwanted at clubs in League 2.
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Football Punter has been casting his eye over some of the specials on offer for tomorrow’s big Premiership opener and has picked out a couple of interesting offers from VC Bet, Lancashire Hotpot and New Boys.

For the full info check out Football Punter’s rundown of the bets, the odds and what he thinks is likely to see them through or leave you tearing up your betting slip.

Like most Premiership football fans, I cannot wait for the start of the season. The World Cup was a worthy distraction over the summer but the real fun begins on Saturday. However, my enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by optimism. This is a somewhat strange statement as I read it back, optimism is generally viewed in a positive light, but it really is something that I struggle to deal with.

Tottenham finished a fantastic 5th last season and although it could have been 4th, if you had asked any Spurs fan if 5th would be OK at the start of last season, they would have snapped your hand off. As we move into the 2006/2007 season, optimism is sweeping through those that support the team from White Hart Lane and I am no exception. Looking at the squad that finished last season compared with what we have now, it has to be said there is a visible improvement although crucially, the core remains the same. The optimism builds and you could therefore, be forgiven for expecting Tottenham to improve. However, as Martin Jol has said, to try and get 65 points or more this season will be even more difficult. Tottenham are also expected to play a lot more games this season having played only 40 competitive fixtures last season.
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It was a day to remember in a half empty, rain washed stadium in Helsinki for Northern Ireland striker David Healy as he won his 50th cap, captained his country and scored the first goal in a 2-1 Irish victory which brought his international goal tally to 20. It was a fitting reward for Healy who has embodied the resurgence in Northern Ireland’s fortunes under Sanchez and the travelling Green and White Army fans made enough noise to let him know how much they appreciate him.

The return of Aaron Hughes to the back four gave them more solidity and with Grant McCann and Sammy Clingan occupying the midfield spots vacated by the established pairing of Steven Davis and Damien Johnson, Northern Ireland more than capable of dealing with the pacey, skilful Finnish threat.
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Steve McLaren’s reign as England manager got off to a flying start against a poor Greece side as they stormed to a 4-0 victory. Goals from new skipper John Terry, a deflected scramble from Frank Lamapard and two typically scrappy but effective Peter Crouch efforts (12 caps, 8 goals) before half time gave the England fans present something to smile about and ushered in the McLaren era with something more of a fanfare than than had been preset before the game.

Second half substitute goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, making his debut which netted his dad and friends a cool ?10,000 on a bet they made 12 years ago that he would play for England, made some fine saves and Ashley Cole was twice called upon to clear the ball of the line but other than that Greece looked a tired and spent force and how they became European Champions is still a mystery.

There is plenty left for McLaren to do to make this England side competitive against the top nations but it’s been a good start. He now just has to keep the momentum going when the European Championship qualifiers start for real.

Football Punter is reporting an unbelievable offer from Spurs new sponsors Mansion for this Saturday’s Premiership opener against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.

Simply visit the MANSION Sportsbook and place an Asian Handicap bet on Tottenham Hotspur. If your bet is not a winner, MANSION will refund your losses, up to GBP 100 (or currency equivalent), within 48 hours.

MANSION will refund all losses, up to GBP 100 (or currency equivalent), to all members who place an Asian Handicap bet on Tottenham Hotspur for their Saturday, 19 August game.

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