Sorry Fulham fans…

Not many British centre-backs could do this. It was late, it was undeserved, but Marco Andreolli’s chest-volley combination was fitting of any occasion.

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Fergie helps to push Jonny Evans down the aisle during a press conference
[Off The Post]

Nereida Gallardo is on the cover of Portuguese Maxim
[Poprosa via Kickette]

Revealed: Roma’s terrifying new stadium
[Dirty Tackle]

Dallas have finally won at the Cowboys Stadium, and this couple were keen to celebrate (NSFW)
[Deadspin]

Carlos Tevez won’t be offering Utd fans the courtesy he showed West Ham
[Daily Mail]

Who actually owns Leeds Utd?
[The Guardian]

Luca Toni looks set to join West Ham in January
[The Telegraph]

World Cup winner shows he’s not made of stone

Much has been made of Emmanuel Adebayor’s irresponsible reaction to the torrent of abuse he received from Arsenal fans at the weekend, but Roma’s Daniele De Rossi was also subjected to offensive chants on Sunday. The Italian, however, dealt with the crowd banter a little differently.

After a mistimed tackle, Siena fans started singing a song about his father-in-law (i.e. the daddy of his not-unattractive WAG Tamara), who was apparently executed in a mafia hit last year. When the whistle blew, the midfielder’s reddened eyes quickly turned into full-on waterworks, as his teammates tried to console him.

Siena manager Marco Giampaolo offered an apology on behalf of the callous fans:

“To De Rossi, I express my solidarity as a man and as a footballer for what has happened.”

[Hat tip: 101GG and Dirty Tackle]

An Italian involved in corruption - who’dve thought it?

To most Britons, Fabio Capello is known as a saviour of English football, who enjoys the occasional televised lapdance. To the Italian treasury, however, he is renowned for a lengthy history of tax evasion, financial deceit and eyebrow-raising offshore bank accounts.

Capello’s battle with the Italian authorities dates back to 1999, when he claimed to be a resident of a Swiss tax haven called Campione d’Italia. When he failed to recall the address of his studio flat in court, he signed a false residency declaration and paid a €2,300 fine.

The authorities’ suspicions were aroused once again towards the end of his spate with Roma, when the club paid €2m to a company named Sport 3000 for a range of Fabio Capello fragrances, scarves and designer items.

Sport 3000 turned out to be a subsidiary of the ‘Capello Family Trust’, an offshore holding company based in tax-friendly Guernsey and owned by England’s current manager. The items were kept under lock and key by customs officers for two years, and eventually destroyed. It was discovered that Roma agreed to purchase the smellies and designer tatt from Capello as a means of giving him a ‘low tax’ bonus on his salary

Is a two-window transfer ban disproportionate to the Blues’ crime?

Chelsea have said that they will “mount the strongest appeal possible” against FIFA’s decision to ban the club from transfer activity until January 2011. Evidently, they feel that the punishment does not fit the crime of coercing French teenager Gael Kakuta into breaching his contract.

Most newspapers seem to be revelling in the ruling (”JUSTICE AT LAST”, declare The Sun) reasoning that Chelsea are finally receiving comeuppance for years of tapping up and dodgy transfer dealings.

On the other hand, it can also be argued that they are being made an example of by football’s governing body. Much like Eduardo, they find themselves singled out for a problem that is apparently rife in the beautiful game.

We won’t be surprised in the least if Chelsea have their punishment reduced (Roma and Swiss side Sion have had similar transfer bans imposed on them in recent years, and had them reduced and frozen respectively), but as things stand, is the punishment too harsh? Let us know your thoughts below…

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Joleon Lescott to Manchester City
The Times are reporting that the Everton defender spoke to manager David Moyes yesterday to tell him that he wants to join Manchester City and spent the evening writing a letter to chairman Bill Kenwright.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It’s claimed that the Toffees are holding out for £30 million but an offer of £22 million may prove too good to turn down for England’s fourth-choice centre-back.

Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool
The Spanish press were reporting yesterday that Liverpool have reached an

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Xabi Alonso to Chelsea or Manchester City
The Spaniard’s oft-discussed transfer to Real Madrid appears to have stalled, and the Daily Mail believe at least two Premiership clubs are inquiring after his services. Manchester City and Chelsea have both reportedly been in touch with the midfielder’s agents, having first made contact a month ago.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Madrid are unlikely to match Liverpool’s £35m asking price, but neither Chelsea nor Manchester City would have such a problem. However, with Liverpool having a very decent shout at the title this year, we can’t really see Alonso moving to a Premiership rival.

Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool
In the event of Alonso’s departure, Senor Benitez may snap up Roma’s hot-headed midfielder. The cash-strapped Italians would reportedly demand no less than £18m for the 25-year-old.

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

David Beckham to Manchester City
After Landon Donovan’s best friend said he would be open to a return to the Premier League, the Citizens have become the front runners for his signature when he returns from MLS purgatory. No one at the club has admitted a move for the former England captain is on the cards, but he would fit into their “strategic plan to become a global brand”.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We think Ancelotti’s Chelsea would have a better shout, but Beckham has always said his heart is in Manchester…

Gareth Bale to Roma
Despite having never won a Premier League match in which he has started, the 19-year-old Welshman has won the affections of AC Milan and Roma, say The Mirror. The latter are said to be leading the chase, and may take advantage of a loan or cash deal.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: If Roma are genuinely interested, Harry Redknapp