Sir Alex Ferguson knows when his players need his protection. In the wake of Wayne Rooney’s off the ball scuffle with James McCarthy at the weekend, Ferguson has recognised the need to defend a player who could have been banned for three matches if referee Mark Clattenburg had deemed his actions to have not been sufficiently dealt with during the course of Saturday’s game at the DW Stadium.

Ferguson condemned a newspaper campaign to have his talismanic striker “electrocuted” but even as he uttered the words, he must have known his player would go unpunished.

Enraged Wigan fans were being forced to ask themselves; was referee Mark Clattenburg ever going to concede that he did not see the McCarthy incident? The idealists at the FA may suggest so, but, regardless, if Clattenburg didn’t believe Rooney’s elbow deserved a straight red card then should he even be refereeing at the highest level?

Of course, the FA deciding to ignore Rooney’s petulance, is hardly breaking precedent. I was absolutely amazed to hear Steven Gerrard’s off the ball punch on Michael Brown last season was ignored, in the same way his swearing at referee Andre Marriner was swept under the carpet. Both times the defence that the referee had seen and dealt with the issue at the time was trotted out for the media.

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Although the evidence is often compelling, I have always found it difficult to buy into the concept that referees deliberately give decisions in favour of the so called ‘bigger’ clubs. These incidents do happen – decisions given and not given at crucial times, but I cannot honestly say this is a conscious decision at the time by the man in black made to avoid backlash from a Ferguson or an Arsene Wenger.

At the weekend I overheard a fan ask Alan Green on BBC radio if he thought that referees were intimidated by having a well-known or charismatic manager standing on the touchline. Green, never short of a controversial opinion, said that he did although that in the Rooney case Clattenburg hadn’t simply opted out of sending the Manchester United man off because he was being watched by the player’s manager.

Nevertheless, the bitter taste of the wrong verdict being reached remains. To help with this sense of injustice, open and cut cases such as this one should certainly be susceptible to retrospective action by the FA. Referee accountability is not something that is in keeping with the ‘Respect’ campaign, but in this situation all involved are on the opposite end of nothing but derision.

The FA will defend their actions to the hilt, claiming that the organisation’s by-laws dictate that their hands have been tied by the referee’s post match report. In reality, this debate has been going on for years – if those in charge of the association really wanted to amend their processes, there have been enough instances in the past to highlight this blind-spot.

Even when it comes to looking at hearing decisions the organisation have made, strange inconsistencies have been opened up. Roy Keane was given a five match ban for his career ending tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland, something that appeared ridiculously lenient when Ben Thatcher was banned for eight matches for his violent but no more malicious challenge on Pedro Mendes.

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I suspect no one is surprised by the FA’s statement on the Rooney incident, nor are they surprised by articles of this ilk highlighting the hypocrisy and inconsistencies of the organisation. The sad and frustrating element of this case is that these instances will continue to occur – simply relying of referee discretion is idealistic and naive. When we as a nation condemn FIFA for their strange decisions and inflexible rules, it might be best to remember instances like this before the rest of the football world point out the flaws in our own system.

To sign my petition to get a Premier League version of the BBC show ‘Confessions’ commissioned find me on Twitter.

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England’s victory against Wales has given Fabio Capello some respite from his critics after an impressive display in Cardiff. Frank Lampard has come out and hailed the Italian’s tactics and believes that they are capable of anything.

In the papers there have been a mix bag of stories that include Wenger issues Wilshere warning; Welbeck to decide on future, while Mike Ashley slashes Newcastle’s wage bill.

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Terry: anthem boos inspired England – Daily Telegraph

Loans offer cheap fix but can be a pain – Observer

Lampard hails Capello’s tactics – Daily Telegraph

Capello: Stop the laser fools targeting my players – Daily Mail

Moyes is a target for struggling Aston Villa – Daily Mail

Wenger issues Wilshere a sobering warning -Mirror

Mike Ashley slashes Newcastle United’s crippling wage bill – People

Welbeck to decide on future – Sky Sports

Lehmann in line for recall after Wenger leaves Almunia hanging – Independent

Manchester United set to make an £8m move for Charlie Adam – Daily Mail

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Dalglish adds Barcelona winger to summer wish list – Mirror

Sulley Muntari tips Harry Redknapp to boss England – People

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Lille extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to five points after they won 2-1 at Brest as title rivals Stade Rennes dropped points on Saturday.The league leaders made the trip to Stade Francis Le Ble expecting a win, with the hosts having fallen dramatically from their spot at the top of Ligue 1 earlier in the season.Prior to Saturday’s match, they had dropped out of the top half and won just two matches from their last 12, a stark contrast to Lille who have been recording victories with ease in recent times.But they were made to work for the win on Saturday, especially when Benoit Lesoimier converted Jonathan Ayite’s assist after 19 minutes to give Brest a surprise lead.Lille got a goal back seven minutes before half-time through Yao Gervinho before the league’s top-scorer, Moussa Sow, scored shortly after the restart to net his 19th Ligue 1 goal for the club this season.Sow’s side held on for all three points and they were given a bonus when Stade Rennes could only manage a point, albeit in a 1-1 away draw with third-placed Lyon.Lille’s challengers met at the Stade de Gerland in an exciting game of football, headlined by Kevin Theophile Catherine’s 87th-minute equaliser for the visitors which cancelled out Bafetimbi Gomis’ first-half goal for Lyon.Rennes came from behind to get the point despite the sending off of Colombian Victor Hugo Montano, who was given his marching orders with 25 minutes remaining.In other matches, second-from-bottom Lens stunned Montpellier with a 4-1 away win.Goals inside the first half from Kanga Akale, Sebastian Roudet and a Joris Marveaux own goal handed Montpellier a 3-0 lead at the break and despite Garry Bocaly’s 57th-minute strike for the hosts, any chance of a comeback were wiped when Issam Jemaa scored five minutes later for Lens.Bordeaux scored two goals in the last 10 minutes claim a 2-2 draw at Valenciennes, thanks to late finishes from Jussie and Mickael Ciani.Gael Danic had scored twice to give Valenciennes the lead but they failed to hold on and have now gone five Ligue 1 matches without a win.An Ireneusz Jelen double helped Auxerre to a 2-0 home win over Sochaux while two of the top-half sides, Lorient and Saint-Etienne, played out a goalless draw.Mauro Cetto’s 93rd-minute own goal gave Nice a point against Toulouse in a 1-1 draw, with Cetto’s late intervention ruling out Federico Santander’s 27th-minute opener.

AC Milan’s lead at the top of the Serie A remains at three points after they won 2-1 at Fiorentina on Sunday, while Napoli and Juventus also won.Milan’s last road trip ended in a 1-0 defeat at Palermo, but they came out firing in this fixture at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Alexandre Pato supplied the assist for Clarence Seedorf’s eighth-minute opener and the Brazilian turned scorer four minutes before half-time to double his side’s lead.

Canadian Juan Manuel Vargas breathed life into Fiorentina’s bid to win a point with 11 minutes remaining but although Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off in the 87th minute, on his return from suspension, the visitors held on for victory.

Napoli’s good form continued after they won 2-0 at Bologna, while Juventus came from behind to defeat Genoa.

Walter Mazzarri’s side won their fourth match in succession thanks to first-half strikes from Giuseppe Mascara and Marek Hamsik.

Bologna had only lost at home in the league once since December so the task was never going to be easy for the Naples-based club, but Mascara gave his side the lead on the half-hour mark.

He was booked for his celebration in a tense match littered with cautions, with the most crucial yellow card of the match handed to Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano on the stroke of half-time.

Viviano was given a caution for his foul on Ezequiel Lavezzi and Hamsik buried the resultant penalty, giving his side a valuable two-goal advantage at the main break.

The cards continued to come in the second half but Napoli held on for an important away win.

In Torino, Juventus scored three second-half goals as they recorded an impressive 3-2 home win against Genoa.

Leonardo Bonucci’s seventh-minute own-goal had the hosts on the back foot but they equalised through another own goal, with Marco Rossi putting the ball into his own net early in the second half.

That goal energised Juve and although Antonio Floro Flores hit the back of the net for Genoa after 57 minutes, goals from strike duo Alessandro Matri and Luca Toni – the latter with seven minutes remaining – saw Luigi Delneri’s side record victory.

In other matches, Lazio moved ahead of Udinese and into fourth after a 2-0 home triumph over relegation-threatened Parma, thanks to goals from Hernanes and Sergio Floccari.

Struggling Sampdoria’s horror run of form continued as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Lecce, with David Di Michele and Ruben Olivera getting on the scoresheet for the victors.

Striker Massimo Maccarone pulled a goal back with 21 minutes remaining but it was not enough for Sampdoria, who lost key goal-scorers Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini in the January transfer window and have now won just one of their last 14 league matches.

Cesena, who sit second from bottom, pulled off a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 at Palermo.

First-half goals to Jasmin Kurtic and Mauricio Pinilla had Palermo seemingly cruising, but stoppage-time strikes to Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini saw the promoted side snare a famous draw.

As if the goals did not make the second half eventful enough, three Cesena players were shown red cards. Defender Steve von Bergen was dismissed on 74 minutes for a dangerous foul of Pinilla, with unused substitute Paolo Sammarco also red carded for leading the protestations.

Fellow substitute and veteran goalkeeper Alex Calderoni followed him down the tunnel in the 90th minute after overdoing the celebrations at Giaccherini’s equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Maxi Lopez’s first-half equaliser gave Catania a point in a 1-1 draw at Bari. Brescia also came from behind to draw 1-1, at Cagliari.

Attacker Alexander Hleb has revealed he would fancy a return to Arsenal when his loan spell at Birmingham City expires at the end of the season.The Belarusian, who is owned by European champions Barcelona, left the English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal in 2008 but has found opportunities at Spain limited, and he admitted his desire to return to London.

“I love Arsenal. It is always in my heart but now is too early to speak about a new club,” he said. “I want to give my best for Birmingham but if I have chance to go back (to Arsenal).”

“Everything is possible but I am just saying if I get this chance, of course I’d come, but it’s too early to speak about this.”

Hleb cited problems with adapting to Alex McLeish’s quintessentially British approach to football as a key reason for his decision not to remain at St Andrews.

“Before, I think teams like Birmingham were easy to play with but it is difficult when you play in such teams, not like Arsenal or Barcelona.”

“Here you need to just fight and run, not too much passing, and this for me is something new.”

“I have enjoyed it in a way because it is something new. This is a different experience although I prefer to play and to enjoy football.”

“But I will give 100 per cent for this club every weekend.”

And given Pep Guardiola’s preference for local talent, a return to Camp Nou is unlikely for Hleb.

“Barcelona is the biggest club in the world but it is difficult when you are not from Spain,” the 29-year-old said.

“It has happened with everybody, with Henry, everyone (as) Josep Guardiola picks the Spanish players.”

“I’ve not had a lot of chances to play there. (But) I prefer to stay in the Premier League.”

A Liverpool master-class, capped by Maxi Rodriguez’s second hat-trick in three games, helped Kenny Dalglish’s side to a 5-2 win over Fulham.It took just 26 seconds for Liverpool to open the scoring in the English Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Aaron Hughes strode confidently out of the Fulham defence only to see his pass intercepted by Dirk Kuyt, who released Luis Suarez down the left flank.

His cross almost resulted in an own goal by Carlos Salcido but Mark Schwarzer came to the rescue, only to see Maxi pounce and fire the ball past the outstretched Australian keeper.

The visitors lead was doubled after just six minutes when England right-back Glen Johnson was allowed to surge down the right, reaching Fulham’s goal line and sending a perfectly-weighted ball to the back post.

Chris Baird lost sight of Maxi and the Argentine angled home with his left foot.

The third Liverpool goal came on 15 minutes and just seconds after Fulham had their first shot of the game, albeit a miscued one.

Kuyt received the ball on the corner of Fulham’s 18-yard box and struck a tame looking drive at Schwarzer’s near post.

The goalkeeper seemed set to comfortably collect the ball but, in a momentary loss of concentration, palmed it into his own net.

Liverpool spent the remainder of the half playing exhibition football.

Assured in defence and inventive in attack, they were showing the sort of form that should guarantee Dalglish the manager’s job on a permanent and long-term deal.

Fulham were playing like their summer holiday started three games too soon.

The home side did look a new team in the second half, however, thanks largely to the introduction of Bobby Zamora from the substitutes bench.

The forward helped them pull a goal back 10 minutes after the interval, holding the ball up well before setting up Moussa Dembele to curl a shot past Pepe Reina.

But Maxi popped up to complete his hat-trick just four minutes after Fulham were given the faintest glimmer of hope, and it was the Argentine’s his most spectacular of the evening.

Brede Hangeland was caught in possession by the attacker, who took one touch with his white boots and rifled the ball beyond Fulham’s stranded keeper from 25 yards.

Suraez must have felt upstaged by his treble-scoring team-mate because, just five minutes after Maxi completed his hat-trick, the Uruguayan popped up with a goal of his own.

Jonjo Shelvey cut an already shredded Fulham defence apart with a single pass to release Suarez, who slotted calmly past Schwarzer.

Steve Sidwell managed to reduce the deficit with five minutes remaining with an expert finish from outside the Liverpool area, but it did little to reduce the feeling of disappointment surrounding the west London side.

Last August a defiant Harry Redknapp told the Telegraph that he believed Tottenham could not only finish above arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premiership for the first time since 1995, but that his Spurs side were capable of mounting a serious title challenge. “We were behind Arsenal by miles for years and years and years but now we’ve got a chance to really push them and get above them,” enthused the former Portsmouth boss, before continuing: “That would be great for Tottenham fans and its possible we just need to improve that little bit now and if we could do that it could happen.”

Redknapp also predicted in last year’s interview that Craig Bellamy would join Fulham and that Liverpool would be challenging for honours, neither of which materialized. But his assertion that, “you have to push on; if you don’t and stand still then others will pass you,” did come to fruition, as perennial Champions’ League qualification rivals, Manchester City, replaced Spurs in the top 4, in fact finishing in third. Redknapp’s belief was echoed regularly throughout the season by his White Hart Lane charges, with Peter Crouch claiming in March: “Doing better than Arsenal really does mean something. It is great for the club because they [Arsenal] have been above us for a number of years and now it is so nice to go one step further.”

The 6ft 7in striker was speaking not long after the Gunners’ elimination from the Champions’ League by this weekend’s finalists, Barcelona, and Spurs’ unexpected progression to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 aggregate win against AC Milan. Since then, neither club were able to maintain the momentum gathered from their early season form, with Arsenal eventually finishing fourth in League, and requiring a two-legged qualification tie to progress to the group stages of next season’s Champions’ League, and Spurs ending up behind City with the consolation of Europa League football next campaign.

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But what now for the eternal north London rivals? A busy summer is inevitably in store for Redknapp and Arsene Wenger as both managers seek to improve on relative disappointments this campaign, but can Spurs pip Arsenal in the League next season for the first time in seventeen years? Personally I think next year will come too soon for Redknapp’s players, and it is unlikely they will be able to attract the likes of Sergio Aguero – who Spurs unsuccessfully bid around £38million for in January – without the allure of Champions League football. The Argentine has actually announced his intention to leave current club Atletico Madrid this summer, but will probably move to a club considered amongst the more esteemed on the continent, rather than a team with only a Europa League offering.

It could be argued that Spurs’ star asset this term, £8million signing Rafael van der Vaart, wouldn’t have considered joining a club of Tottenham’s stature had the club failed to reach the top 4 the previous season. In this regard, it would be difficult to imagine Redknapp convincing players of the Dutchman’s calibre to relinquish at least one year outside of European football’s top table. Conversely, should Arsenal’s leader finally decide to invest considerably in new playing staff, the Frenchman will likely be able to entice players of a standard which could improve the team’s performance; much like van der Vaart has done with Spurs this season.

All of these questions remain to be answered, but seeing as the Gunners’ propensity for late-season disappointments has continued for a sixth consecutive year, surely now is the time Wenger will negate his miserly economic principles in order to push Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League table. For now we will have to wait and see, but it is likely that the elusive fourth position, which Spurs deservedly achieved last year, will impact significantly on both clubs’ attempts to improve on faltering finishes to the recently completed season.

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Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is unconcerned that the club will struggle to keep hold of players at the end of the season.Redknapp steered Spurs to the quarter-final stage in Europe this season before being edged out by Barcelona and he is confident the club can build on that success rather than having players picked off by other clubs.

Although they have missed out on the top four finish they needed to qualify for the Champions League again, Redknapp’s men travel to fifth-placed Liverpool knowing a win could put them in line for a Europa League place next season.

“I don’t think it will be hard to keep hold of our players. We never had Champions League football before,” he said.

“Players have not signed for us because we’re in the Champions League. If people want to leave it’s up to them, we can find other players. There are plenty of other players about.”

“It has been a fantastic season, one of the best Tottenham seasons since I don’t know when.”

“We were in the last eight of the Champions League and were pushing to finish in the top four all year.”

“We have done better this year than last. We beat teams like Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League. It has been a great run.”

“If we finish fifth, for me it would be a better season than last year. It’s tough to get into that top four and is getting tougher.”

“We need to improve a little bit again if we want to keep pushing and that’s the challenge for next season.”

Sunday’s hosts Liverpool have been resurgent since Kenny Dalglish took charge in February and Redknapp said they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.

“Kenny has done a great job since he’s taken over. He’s a top man, a different class, a proper legend of the game,” he said.

“Liverpool fans love him; he’s Liverpool through and through. It’s a great club with a great tradition and I’m very pleased to see Kenny back in charge there.”

“Next season Liverpool will be stronger again.”

“Suarez has done great and there’s Carroll up front too.”

“Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are the backbone of the team and they have a fantastic keeper. They have the nucleus of a very strong team.”

Liverpool will be without defender Fabio Aurelio (thigh), Daniel Agger (thigh), Gerrard (groin) and forward Milan Jovanovic (knee).

Croatia play host to Georgia on Friday while Greece are at home to Malta a day later as the race for top spot in Euro 2012 Group F heats up.Heading into the weekend’s qualifiers, Group F shapes as one of the tournament’s most open.

Greece – the 2004 champions – top the table on 11 points, just one ahead of Croatia and Israel, with Georgia in fourth place on nine points.

Greece and Croatia have both played one game fewer than Croatia and Israel, and will be keen to claim full points from their home matches this weekend to put some breathing space between themselves and those chasing.

Croatia will be hoping for more good form from Spurs’ midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who has four goals in the campaign so far.

Israel journey to Latvia on Saturday in the group’s other match.

Group B is also a competitive one, with Slovakia, Russia and the Republic of Ireland deadlocked on 10 points in a three-way tie for top spot.

All six teams in the group are in action on Saturday, with Russia hosting Armenia in St Petersburg, Slovakia at home to Andorra and Ireland doing battle with Macedonia in Skopje.

Robbie Keane needs just one more international goal to reach the 50 mark for Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland, while Slovakia are missing key quartet Vladimír Weiss, Marek Sapara, Miroslav Stoch and goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

Group A takes centre stage on Friday, with Germany holding a five-point lead on top of the table.

The battle for second is on in earnest, with Belgium a point clear of Turkey and three ahead of Austria.

Belgium host Turkey in Brussels as Austria face the visiting Germans in Vienna. Group A’s other match sees Kazakhstan play host to Azerbaijan.

New Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin misses out for Turkey with a knee injury. Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 19, will be between the posts for Belgium, while captain Thomas Vermaelen is back after a long injury layoff.

In Group C, Italy can build on their five-point buffer at the top of the table when they take on Estonia at home on Friday, with second-placed Slovenia journeying to the Faroe Islands.

Romania face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group D, as Belarus welcome the group’s leaders France in the other match.

The Netherlands have a nine-point lead in Group F, but second-placed Sweden can bridge the gap when they visit Moldova and San Marino will try to get off the bottom when they welcome Finland.

Keeping striker Mikael Forssell quiet will be key for San Marino, with the Hannover forward boasting five goals to his name in Finland’s qualifying campaign.

In Group I, Lithuania visit bottom-placed Liechtenstein looking to keep their slim hopes of second place alive, in a group dominated by Spain and the Czech Republic.

On Saturday, Group G sees England play Switzerland at Wembley as they look to break their deadlock on top of the table with Montenegro, with both sides possessing 10 points from their four games.

They will have to it without the suspended Wayne Rooney, however, and Montenegro can keep the pressure firmly on England with a win from their home clash with Bulgaria.

Norway can go a long way towards winning Group H when they travel to Lisbon to do battle with Portugal.

The Scandinavian nation tops the group on 10 points, three ahead of Portugal, with both sides level on goal difference.

Crucially, captain Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Portugal’s squad after missing friendlies against Chile and Finland in March.

Denmark are also in the mix on seven points, and they face a difficult trip to Reykjavik where they will do battle with bottom-placed Iceland.

Twitter ’s influence on football is growing ever stronger. Not just can you read about what smug Michael Owen is saying, but you can get closer to footballers in an age where the fan and the player are quite a way apart. Well, now it seems like Twitter is not only giving fans the opportunity to find out more about their players, but it’s also allowing them to have an influence on teams’ transfers. I bring to you the ‘twansfer’.

Ok, that’s a stupid name and one that I won’t use again, but fans of Yeovil Town have actually had a real influence on who the club has bought by airing their views on Twitter. Young Yeovil manager Terry Skiverton asked fans to tweet him suggestions on who the club should buy in the summer, and the ideas came flooding in. A little time later and Yeovil had signed free agent Kieran Agard, a player who had been highly recommended by many fans. So, is this innovative strategy possibly one that Newcastle could use in the future?

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To be honest it seems pretty unlikely. Newcastle pay Graham Carr and the rest of their scouts hundreds of thousands of pounds to search out the best talent across Europe and around the world, and of course their job depends upon how good the players that they recommend are. Sign a few Cheik Tiote ’s and the scout gets a pat on the back, bring in someone like Xisco and you’re given a right rollicking.

However, with all the football that is available to watch on TV and online, there’s no questioning that a lot of fans have a great knowledge of many different leagues. Fans are no longer just going by the stats on Football Manager, we’re actually watching football from around the world, being tipped off by fellow fans and then checking them out for ourselves. Whether that means we could do the jobs of professional scouts, I’m not so sure.

It is a good idea, though, and perhaps the way to go about it would be to see who the fans recommend, then get the scouts to go and watch them for themselves. It’s nice to see a young manager showing a bit of innovation and trying ideas and for smaller clubs who can’t fork out a lot of money on scouts, it might well turn out to be a decent idea. For the likes of Newcastle and other Premier League clubs it’s perhaps a bit far-fetched, but if Alan Pardew asked you to tweet some transfer targets to him, who would you suggest?

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