Duo chargedManchester City defender Michael Ball and Fulham's Michael Brown have both been charged with violent conduct by the English FA following incidents in their respective Premiership matches last weekend.
Ball's charge relates to an alleged stamping incident involving Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in the first minute of the Manchester derby at Eastlands.
Brown has been accused of aiming a head-butt at Liverpool's Xabi Alonso during Fulham's 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.
Both players have until 6pm today to respond to the charges, which carry an automatic three-match suspension.
Sanchez wants to stay
The IFA have confirmed talks over Lawrie Sanchez's future at Fulham will begin after the weekend. Sanchez was appointed caretaker manager at Craven Cottage last month and has just one game remaining on his short-term contract, with Sunday's trip to Middlesbrough ending his 32-day spell at the club.
The 47-year-old hopes to make the position permanent after steering Fulham to top-flight survival and is confident he can do the job alongside his Northern Ireland commitments.
Cup of cold water
The English Football League have poured water on Roy Keane's complaints about Sunderland not being presented with the Championship trophy at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
"Representations from the relevant authorities, including Bedfordshire Police, ruled out any possibility of the championship trophy being presented to Sunderland at Luton yesterday due to spectator safety issues," said league head of communications, John Nagle.
Bent to go?
Charlton Athletic last night admitted they would welcome fresh investment in the club, but rubbished reports of an imminent takeover involving a Middle East consortium.
And just as big an issue is whether Darren Bent will stay with the relegated club. "There are all sorts of ifs and buts about Darren, he's an England international and will obviously want to play at the highest level," said club chief executive Peter Varney.
Boothroyd to stay
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd has signed a new three-year deal with the club, despite the Hornets' relegation from the Premiership. "I was given my chance in 2005 and I think loyalty works two ways," Boothroyd said.
Barton has reserve
Manchester City will sell Joey Barton to anyone prepared to pay £5.5 million, according to the troubled midfielder's agent. Barton is facing the threat of legal action from team-mate Ousmane Dabo following a training-ground bust-up and has been suspended by the club for the remainder of the season.
Everton manager David Moyes has been given the go-ahead by club chairman Bill Kenwright to revive his interest in the player.
Valdano lashes out
World Cup-winner Jorge Valdano has criticised the style of soccer produced by Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and Liverpool's Rafael Benitez following the Champions League semi-final tie.
"Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion, and, in that, Anfield's unbeatable. Put a s*** hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it's a work of art. It's not - it's a s*** hanging from a stick," the Argentinian - a legend at Real Madrid - wrote in Spanish newspaper Marca.
"Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going - very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct. But, a short pass? No. A feint? No. A change of pace? No. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don't be ridiculous. None of that. . Neither Mourinho nor Benitez made it as a player. That has made them channel all their vanity into coaching."
Maradona on juice
Diego Maradona says he has kicked his alcohol addiction. Maradona was conditionally released on Sunday after spending 16 days in several local clinics for treatment for what doctors said was excessive alcohol consumption that led to a form of hepatitis.
"I no longer drink alcohol and it's been two and a half years since I've done drugs," said the 46-year-old, who has battled obesity and cocaine addiction since his 1997 retirement and undergone eight serious stays in hospital in the decade since. "I just drink juices."
Berbatov in demand
Dimitar Berbatov is poised to kill off the possibility of a lucrative move to Manchester United this summer by pledging his future to Tottenham Hotspur for at least another year.
Berbatov cost £10.9 million from Bayer Leverkusen and his performances in both the English Premiership and the Uefa Cup have been noted across the Continent.
Xavier not in demand
Middlesbrough have confirmed defender Abel Xavier will leave the club this summer after failing to agree a new contract. The 34-year-old rejoined Boro last year following a drugs ban.
United under pressure
Manchester United will be asked to cancel their July tour match in Malaysia.United were due to play in Kuala Lumpur on July 27th, two days before the Asian Cup final in Jakarta.
The Asian Football Confederation and Football Association of Malaysia last year signed an agreement banning the promotion of any other soccer event during the Asian Cup.
Players can net bonus
Liverpool's players stand to receive bonuses amounting to £100,000 per man should they claim the European Cup when they play Milan in Athens. The Merseysiders' new owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, will maintain the policy drawn up by David Moores' previous regime by making £2.5 million available to be split should the team overcome the Rossoneri.
