Fifa: Jack Warner banned for life from football activities

Former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner has been banned from football for life. The 72-year-old Trinidadian is the former head of Caribbean and North and Central American football (Concacaf), but quit Fifa in 2011. He is fighting extradition to the US on corruption charges and denies accepting millions of dollars in bribes. Warner committed "many and various acts of misconduct continuously and repeatedly" said the football world governing body's ethics committee. Fifa's ruling follows its own investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which began looking at Warner's activities in January 2015. On Tuesday, Fifa said Warner had been found guilty of violating the organisation's code of ethics several times. A statement read: "In his positions as a football official, he was a key player in schemes involving the offer, acceptance, and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments, as well as other money-making schemes."

Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales make three changes for Fiji

Matthew Morgan will start at full-back in one of three enforced changes for Wales' World Cup game against Fiji. Wing Alex Cuthbert and centre Tyler Morgan also come into the side after Saturday's 28-25 win over England. Matthew Morgan replaces Liam Williams, who has concussion, while Tyler Morgan and Cuthbert are in for Scott Williams and Hallam Amos, who have been ruled out of the tournament with injury. James Hook, called up with Gareth Anscombe as cover, is on the bench. Anscombe does not figure with head coach Warren Gatland saying he was "not 100%". Wales' pack remains unchanged and back-rowers Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau will win their 50th caps. "We have made three changes through injury but go into this game with a strong side," Gatland said. "It is important we build on the success and momentum from last weekend and take that into Thursday." Bristol's Matthew Morgan and Newport Gwent Dragons' Tyler Morgan, who was called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Cory Allen, will make their first starts of the tournament. If Wales, who are second in Pool A behind Australia, beat Fiji they will top the group. England, in third, play the Wallabies on Saturday. Although Fiji have lost their opening two games to England and Australia, the Pacific Islanders caused problems for their rivals and remain a powerful side. "Fiji have performed very well in their opening two games and they will be coming to Cardiff looking to build on that themselves," Gatland added.

Stephen Thompson defends handling of Jackie McNamara's exit from Dundee United

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has defended the way he handled the departure of manager Jackie McNamara. The Tannadice club confirmed their decision on Monday night but it is understood the former Scotland international was told his time was coming to an end immediately after Saturday's 2-1 defeat against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, which took the Terrors' winless run in the Ladbrokes Premiership to seven games. McNamara's father, Jackie senior, a former Celtic and Hibernian player, was quoted as describing Thompson's behaviour as "abysmal" but the Tannadice chairman said: "He was not relieved of his duties on Saturday, whatever he said to anyone after that was up to him. "He was invited to a meeting on Monday. "There's different ways you could handle these things, there's never a right time. Emotions run high in football. "I've seen managers sacked via their agent, a phone call from the chairman to an agent.

"At least I handed Jackie the letter to his face, spoke to him to his face, looked him in the eye. "It wasn't just here you go, 'go give this to Jackie'. I've heard a lot worse ways of managers being handled over the years. "It's not about that, it's about the right decision for Dundee United going forward. "The board have been discussing it (McNamara's position) ongoing for a while, where we were as a club, where we think we should be and the support we've given to the manager. "It's very, very hard on a personal level because as a chairman you build up a relationship with your manager, you speak two, three or four times a day. We're both human beings at the end of the day but as a board we decided it was the right thing for the club. "How you do it or how different clubs do things in different ways, we followed what advice we had from a legal point of view so that's what we did." United have begun their search for a new boss but Thompson will not be looking for a rookie. He said: "I do believe that this club is too big a club for a first managerial appointment. "As chairman, I would not be bringing in someone who has never managed before. "We will take time. There is a lot of emotion going around just now. "You have to think rationally and calmly and get the right person in. We are completely open-minded."

Paul Parker: Manchester United being top is crackers, and shows how far Premier League has fallen

Paul Parker takes a look at how Manchester United have somehow bumbled their way to the top of the Premier League table. Manchester United are not exciting. They've not controlled games. They're yet to really turn in a performance all season. And yet they're top of the league. It's crackers. Will they win the title? No, City are just too much better. But right now, City are doing their best to blow it. They were taken down fair and square by a brilliant West Ham display the other week, but on Saturday they simply didn't show up against Tottenham. Without David Silva they just don't look the same - they've got other good players, but he's the man who joins the dots for them. Yet once he's back they should be fine again. You just can't say the same for United. There will be plenty of fans who are delighted that Louis van Gaal's team has found a way to consistently churn out results. And they've a fair point, because we're far enough into the season now that the league table isn't lying.

But the connoisseurs among the fans won't be happy. Under Alex Ferguson they got used to years of enjoying great performances as well as great results, and that is something that this team has not done. If I'd been in a team that played like United have this season, we'd have feared for our lives when we went back in to face Fergie in the dressing room - even if we'd come out of it with three points. So while the scoreline looked good at the weekend, if Chris Smalling hadn't been on top form and if David de Gea hadn't made those three excellent saves, things would look very different right now. Yes, United have done enough, but they've never looked capable of killing off games, or dominating other sides, and I worry about the lack of creativity. The worst of it is that they've got a kid there in Andreas Pereira who has the flamboyance and imagination to be a game-winner for them, but he is not going to be given a proper chance. I first saw Pereira at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand this summer, and he was insanely good. He got a chance for United in the League Cup and was brilliant. Yet will he get a proper chance to shine in the league? The fact that he was left on the bench at the weekend suggests not. Until United have that sort of player pulling the strings in the side and making things happen - as Silva does for City - then United fans will turn up to each game without the faintest idea of what they're about to see. It's the same across the league, though. City, Chelsea and Arsenal are utterly inconsistent in their ability to perform at the moment. What this season shows above all is just how far the Premier League has fallen. In part - but only in part - it's down to teams lower down the league improving hugely, thanks to the new money and good managers they've brought in. Leicester have been a revelation, Swansea look very dangerous despite not even firing on all cylinders yet, and West Ham's wins away from home at Arsenal, City and Liverpool have been incredible. Though with the Hammers, it's a huge worry that they've been unable to produce the same form back at Upton Park. The inability to turn it on against smaller clubs suggests a very worrying mentality among the players - something that Newcastle appear to share, after the way they took Chelsea to pieces for 70 minutes at the weekend before reverting to their normal form for the season so far. As for Chelsea themselves? They're a total mess, and Jose Mourinho really isn't helping. His threat the other day about bringing in the young players if his big names keep on failing? Well, what a load of absolute rubbish. He can't bring them in, because they've either been farmed out to clubs in Belgium and so on, or they've been totally neglected. Mourinho hasn't nurtured anyone. When Kurt Zouma is a mainstay of the side you know they're in trouble - because I guarantee you Mourinho is biting his lip every time he picks Zouma for the team. He's got all the agility of an ironing board - he actually reminds me of a notorious QPR defender from back in the day called Bob Hazell, or Big Bad Bob as he was known. To have dropped John Terry for Zouma is a joke. Chelsea have a lot to prove in the Champions League matches this week - just as United, Arsenal and City do as well. The teams they face this week - against Porto, Wolfsburg, Olympiacos and Borussia Mönchengladbach respectively - are exactly the kind of sides you could always trust big English clubs to beat. Nowadays you wouldn't trust any of them to beat Brentford. Kurt Zouma celebrates his goal against Arsenal.

'Mourinho is obsessed with Wenger'

The two managers have clashed repeatedly in recent seasons and their war of words has continued following Chelsea's recent 2-0 win over Arsenal Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright says Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is "obsessed" with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. The two managers have clashed repeatedly in recent seasons, with the latest spat between the pair coming on the back of Chelsea's 2-0 win over the Gunners two weeks ago. Mourinho was incensed that Diego Costa received a retrospective three-match ban after Wenger had urged officials to punish the striker in the aftermath of the game following an incident involving Laurent Koscielny. The Portuguese then claimed his rival boss receives preferential treatment from officials before again criticising his failure to win the Premier League in the last 10 years. "His obsession with Wenger is mystifying. I just can't understand it," Wright told The Sun. "There's something that happens with him whenever he talks or thinks about Arsene. He gets antagonised all the time. "I think the big problem is that Jose looks at Arsene and his treatment from the media. "Jose rightly feels Arsene hasn't achieved as much as he has. I think his issue is that Arsene has not won as much or achieved as much as he has - yet still gets as many plaudits. It just irks him that Arsene doesn't get more criticism. "What I can't understand is why it irks him so much when he's got the medals to show everybody what he's about. He just can't be happy with himself, for some reason, even though what he does is brilliant."

Nile Ranger says he is desperate to return to playing football

Nile Ranger has publicly apologised to current side Blackpool as well as his previous clubs for "taking things for granted", adding he is desperate to return to playing football. Blackpool released 17 players at the end of last season but surprised many by taking up an option to extend Ranger's contract by a further year. That came after Ranger, who has been plagued by off-field issues throughout his career, went AWOL from the club last November. He has not featured for Blackpool since. "I just want to take the time out to write this post as I feel like I need to get this of (sic) my chest," Ranger wrote on Twitter on Monday night. "I have seen 2 of my good friends pass away in a short space of time... Whilst overcoming this it has made me realise life really is to (sic) short and have really been taking things for granted. "I would like to use this opportunity to thank, Southampton, Newcastle, Swindon and Blackpool for giving me the chance to experience the dream of being a professional footballer. "To add to this I would like to apologise to every one (sic) at these clubs, including management, players, staff and fans. I should have given more and been a better role model. "I would also like to add I am sorry to my current team mates at Blackpool, for being missing for a long period of time and not attending preseason and putting in the hard work during this time. I have been wishing the best for you all. "I'm not using the death of my two friends as an excuse, as I know I should be doing better regardless. Truth be told I am just a young boy who has been living the dream playing a game which I do love and miss deeply and hope that one day I will be able to get back on a pitch and play because life is really is to (sic) short." Despite posting a number of videos on social media showing him training hard, Blackpool boss Neil McDonald has questioned the 24-year-old's professionalism, insisting he will not play for the club again. "Nobody needs this, me or the lad," McDonald told the Blackpool Gazette. "He can come back and put things on social media showing him training and grafting, but he's not really. "He's come back to cause a bit of havoc and some headlines. He didn't even turn up on Friday, so that's what we are having to deal with. "The player has no future at this club," McDonald added. "You'll have to ask the hierarchy why he is still here."

Ex-Brazil striker Ronaldo to open 30 soccer schools China

Brazilian great Ronaldo is to open 30 soccer schools in China as the country tries to develop its infrastructure and become a global player in football. According to Chinese news outlet Xinhua News, the former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker will travel to the country to open the first soccer school in Beijing in November. Shanghai and Shenzhen are among the other franchise locations. The move comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is known to be a soccer fan, attempts to resurrect the image of sport in the country, with a view to one day hosting the World Cup. The Chinese Super League is experiencing a renaissance with a number of Brazilian internationals - including Robinho and Diego Tardelli, as well as former national-team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari - all joining top-flight clubs. Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo, now 39, said the speed of development and Xi's ambition had been factors behind his move. "Besides business factor, the major reason for me to open soccer school in China is because there are lots of soccer fans and players in the country, and Chinese government and civil organisation also focus on soccer development," Ronaldo told Xinhua News. "I hope my method of soccer training could help develop Chinese soccer. I think Chinese soccer has the mass base and determination, but it may still lack the proper concept and training."

Ronaldinho leaves Fluminense after just three months

Ronaldinho is leaving Fluminense just three months after signing with the Brazilian club. The former Barcelona star signed a one-and-a-half year deal with the club in July but after just nine appearances, Fluminense have announced the termination of his contract at the request of the player. During those nine appearances, the 35-year-old, who won the World Cup and Champions League during his career, struggled to make any impact, failing to score or record an assist. The former Brazil international was even jeered by his own fans during the club's defeat to Atletico Mineiro last month. "Fluminense hereby announces the breaking of their contract with Ronaldinho Gaucho in an amicable form and in mutual agreement between both parties," the club's official statement read. "Since first contract with directors, the athlete and his representatives treated the club with professionalism and respect. "Fluminense and Ronaldinho will proceed with ties maintained and plans to work on other projects in the future."

Chelsea not bunch of babies- Cesc Fabregas

The Premier League champions have struggled to put together a string of wins, but the midfielder isn't overly concerned as long as they finish well. Cesc Fabregas claims Chelsea players aren't "babies" following a poor start to the season and he does not think some silverware is now out of reach. The Blues have won just two of their first seven Premier League games of the new campaign in a stark contrast to their rampant form in 2014-15 which saw them storm to the title. Ahead of Chelsea's visit to Porto on Tuesday in the Champions League, Fabregas stressed that it's more important to finish in fine form and insisted manager Jose Mourinho hasn't allowed them to take their foot off the gas. "It's not how it starts, it's how it ends," the central midfielder told reporters. "You have to compete to the maximum every single game. "Last season wasn't easy. It might have looked like it, but it wasn't. This isn't complacency. The manager wouldn't allow it. "We are not babies. We have to start performing. There's no reason we can't win the league again. We can do better. We will do better. We have to start from now." Zlatan Ibrahimovic memorably described Chelsea as "babies" last season when the Blues' complaints over a challenge led to the Paris Saint-Germain striker being sent off in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie. Chelsea won their opening Champions League group stage game 4-0 against Maccabi Tel Aviv a fortnight ago but, following a battling win over Arsenal, drew 2-2 with Newcastle United on Saturday.

Neville tags Yaya the best EPL midfielder

Gary Neville rates Yaya Toure as the best midfielder in the Premier League - but he has criticised how often he is fielded for Manchester City. Toure has started all eight of City’s games this season - including last week’s League Cup win over Sunderland - and is set to be involved once again in Wednesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Manchester United legend Neville thinks Etihad Stadium boss Manuel Pellegrini needs to be using the 32-year-old a little more sparingly if he is to get the best out of the former Barcelona star. “He cannot play three games a week, that man,” the England assistant coach told Sky Sports. “He is a fantastic player, but I would leave him for your most important games. “There is a problem around Yaya Toure. On his day, he's perhaps the best central midfield player in the Premier League, but the idea that you can get three equal performances out of him in a week now is impossible.” Neville picked out three former Premier League stars who also reached the point where it became impossible for them to compete at the top of their games on a regular basis. “We've seen it with Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, these players that have maximum impact in teams,” he added. “They get into their 30s and physically they drop off; you have to manage these players.”

Mourinho furious at FA over Costa

The Blues boss is not happy with how his striker has been painted as a villain by the British press and the Football Association and insists the desire to suspend him is "so big" Jose Mourinho has suggested if he had a team of players like Diego Costa that they'd always end up suspended, taking a swipe at the striker's critics. The Chelsea manager was angered by the FA's decision to give the Spain international a three-game retrospective ban for his antics in the Blues' recent 2-0 win over Arsenal. Costa tangled with both opponents Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista in the game, with the latter seeing red for his involvement in the squabble, and the FA reacted by charging him for violent conduct. "I'm glad we don't have 11 Diego Costas in the team because the desire to suspend him would be so big," Mourinho said at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League match with Porto on Tuesday, in which the striker is expected to start. The Blues won their first European game of the season 4-0 against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge, although their domestic form has not impressed as they're placed 15th in the Premier League. They had to come from two goals down just to secure a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday and Mourinho has called on his team to put in a top performance for longer than a single half against the Portuguese hosts. "You can win matches by playing well for 45 minutes, but normally you have to play better for more than 45 minutes," he added. "To be untouchable in football, only consistency can give you that status. Right now, we have fantastic players but football is about today, not yesterday."

Lukaku savages victory for Everton

Romelu Lukaku scored two and made one as Everton came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at West Brom. Saido Berahino's first-half strike and Craig Dawson's header 16 minutes after the interval had put the Baggies in full control at the Hawthorns. But Lukaku reduced the deficit 21 seconds after the restart following Dawson's goal and then turned provider for substitute Arouna Kone to level the scores in the 76th minute. The big Belgian capped a superb evening with the decisive goal from close range seven minutes from time to stun his former club and secure all three points for Everton. West Brom are 15th in the table while the Toffees move to fifth in what represents a substantial confidence boost ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool. There were few signs of the fireworks to come during a poor first half in which Berahino's well-taken goal was the only real moment of quality. Both teams were neat and tidy on the ball but cautious with it and the result was a sterile 45 minutes with almost no goalmouth action. A poor - and uncharacteristic - miss by Ross Barkley summed up the nature of the contest but the second period of play could not have been more different. The Baggies took control of the game when Dawson firmly headed home a corner for his first goal of the season and to establish a two-goal lead for the home side. But Lukaku pulled one back less than a minute later, looping in a header from an inviting cross from a deep position by Gerard Deulofeu. The tone of the match duly changed, Lukaku then turned provider, collecting the ball on the right wing and dribbling in front of the home defence before passing through to Kone, who took his time before guiding a shot past Boaz Myhill's right hand. Nine minutes later, the Belgian striker completed Everton's comeback and an excellent night for himself with the winning goal.

Lukaku was perhaps fortunate not to be punished after the ball rebounded off his thigh and onto his forearm as he controlled Deulofeu's cross before thrashing it in from inside the six-yard box. When he scored against his former club at the Hawthorns last season, the striker looked almost sorry to do so but there was nothing apologetic about his reaction to this goal, a backflip and somersault in front of the ecstatic away supporters. Five minutes later he was substituted off, to a standing ovation from his own fans and warm applause from the Baggies faithful too. It was no less than he deserved. Player ratings West Brom: Myhill (6), Dawson (7), Evans (6), Olsson (6), Brunt (6), Fletcher (6), Yacob (6), Morrison (7), McClean (5), Berahino (6), Rondon (5). Subs used: Chester (5), Gardner (5), Lambert (5). Everton: Howard (6), Browning (6), Jagielka (7), Funes Mori (6), Galloway (7), McCarthy (7), Barry (6), Deulofeu (8), Barkley (6), Naismith (6), Lukaku (9). Subs used: Kone (8), Gibson (7), Lennon (6).