Leam Richardson appointed Accrington Stanley manager

Richardson takes over Accrington reins following Cook departure to Chesterfield

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UPDATED:

13:10 GMT, 1 November 2012

Accrington have appointed Leam Richardson as their new manager.

Richardson had been serving as caretaker boss at the Crown Ground since Paul Cook's decision to join Chesterfield last week and led Stanley to a 1-0 weekend win at Bristol Rovers, ending a four-game losing run.

The 32-year-old former Stanley defender fulfilled a similar role when John Coleman departed to Rochdale last season but takes the reins on a full-time basis from Saturday's FA Cup first-round clash at AFC Fylde.

Loyal servant: Richardson has spent seven years at Accrington

Loyal servant: Richardson has spent seven years at Accrington

Gone: Cook has left the club for Chesterfield

Gone: Cook left Stanley to take over at Chesterfield

'It's a bit surreal to be honest,' said Richardson in a club statement.

'The conversations that we've had this
week have gone really well and I'd like to thank the chairman Peter
Marsden and Rob Heys, the board, the players, all of the staff and of
course the fans for giving me this opportunity.

'This is fantastic and I'd like to think I could repay everyone with hard work and get some success at the club.'

Managing director Heys made it clear Richardson was Accrington's No 1 choice in the wake of Cook's departure and the appointment comes despite speculation that he might have resumed duties as his predecessor's No 2 at the Proact Stadium.

'As soon as Paul made the decision to leave Leam was always our first choice to make the step up and take over as the manager,' Heys said.

'Over the last eight months as Paul's assistant he has demonstrated all the qualities that we were looking for and I have no doubt that he will do a great job in his new role.'

Richardson was part of the Accrington team that won promotion to the Football League in 2006 and went on to play almost 150 times for the club.

John Terry retires – FA claim they did not force him to quit

We haven't forced Terry to quit England, claim FA as race hearing with Ferdinand starts at Wembley

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UPDATED:

09:10 GMT, 24 September 2012

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John Terry was not forced to quit England over his racism hearing, the FA have claimed as the case starts at Wembley.

FA general secretary Alex Horne has revealed they are mystified by Terry's decision to retire from international football. He insisted the disciplinary hearing over Terry's racism charge was entirely separate to his England prospects.

Terry announced he was quitting the international scene in a statement on Sunday night, claiming the FA's decision to pursue a case against him after he was cleared in court of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand made his position in the national team 'untenable'

Horne, on his way into Wembley, told Sky Sports News: 'It's a personal decision. I don't see how we've made it untenable, they're two very separate processes.

The last cap: John Terry lined up for England away in Moldova at the beginning of September where he won his 78th and final cap

The last cap: John Terry lined up for England away in Moldova at the beginning of September where he won his 78th and final cap

'It's something that happened in a
match – it shouldn't be taking a year to resolve but we feel we're
reaching a conclusion on that.

'That's a very different process from
our England procedures, they sit in different compartments and I could
separate the two in my mind, but it doesn't look like he could.'

Club England managing director Adrian
Bevington also spoke to Sky Sports News on his way into Wembley, saying
the Chelsea skipper had 'always given his all' and had been a 'great servant' for his country.

Terry could face a lengthy ban if
found guilty by the FA of using racist language during a match for
Chelsea against QPR on October 23 last year, but has taken any decision
over his England future out of its hands. Terry has categorically denied
racially abusing Ferdinand.

Terry's QC George Carter-Stephenson arrived at Wembley before 8am.

Weeks have already been spent in legal argument. The reason such time has elapsed since Terry’s charge is that his counsel have been challenging the make-up of the panel.

Only the chairman is the FA’s man. The rest are independents, including former Blackburn Rovers midfield player Stuart Ripley. He works as a solicitor for Brabners Chaffe Street, based in the north-west.

'Untenable': Terry criticised the FA in a statement

'Untenable': Terry criticised the FA in a statement

'Untenable': Terry criticised the FA in a statement

The
Chelsea captain dramatically called time on his 78-cap England
international career after becoming convinced that the FA are determined
to find him guilty of the offence.

The
31-year-old was cleared of the same charge in July at Westminster
Magistrates Court following an investigation into his Loftus Road row
with the QPR defender last October.

But
his acquittal prompted the FA to open their own hearing where the
charge includes 'reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of
Ferdinand'.

Sportsmail,
who exclusively revealed Terry was walking away from his England
career, understands the FA's failure to acknowledge their rule 6.8 –
which says the outcome and evidence of any civil or criminal court trial
should be regarded as the correct version of events – was the final
straw for the Blues' defender.

His relationship
with the governing body has deteriorated to such an extent he felt
unable to continue as an England player.

He has felt increasingly isolated by
the FA’s stance in recent weeks and there have been several days of
legal argument that have convinced him his position is untenable.

Terry admitted in a statement that it 'breaks his heart' to walk away from Roy Hodgson's set-up.

Flashpoint: The John Terry and Anton Ferdinand racism case is due to reach its conclusion this week

Flashpoint: The John Terry and Anton Ferdinand racism case is due to reach its conclusion this week

He
said: ‘I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have
already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the
national team untenable.

‘Representing
and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been
a truly great honour. I have always given my all and it breaks my heart
to make this decision. I wish Roy and the team every success for the
future.'

Terry made his
final appearance for England earlier this month helping Hodgson's men
open their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with an emphatic 5-0
victory over Moldova.

Busy summer: Terry attends his court case (above) a month on from playing for England at Euro 2012 (below)

Busy summer: Terry attends his court case (above) a month on from playing for England at Euro 2012 (below)

Busy summer: Terry attends his court case (above) a month on from playing for England at Euro 2012 (below)

His England career lasted nine years, and he won the first of his 78 caps in a friendly against Hungary in June 2003.

Terry had two separate spells as
captain of the national side. He was first appointed David Beckham’s
successor in 2006 but in 2010 was replaced following the storm around
his alleged affair with team-mate Wayne Bridge’s then girlfriend.

Former England manager Fabio Capello
re-appointed him as skipper in March last year but the FA relieved him
of the duty this February after the Ferdinand incident, a decision which
led to the departure of Capello.

Snub: Ferdinand refuses to shake Terry's hand in the recent meeting between Chelsea and QPR

Snub: Ferdinand refuses to shake Terry's hand in the recent meeting between Chelsea and QPR

In his statement he added: ‘I now look
forward to playing for Chelsea, and I want to thank the fans and the
club for their continued support.

'I would like to thank the England
managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. I have had great pleasure
in sharing that honour with all the players that I’ve played with. I
would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support.’

JOHN TERRY FACTFILE

John Terry

1980: December 7 – born in London.

1998: October 28 – Makes Chelsea debut against Aston Villa.

2001: September – One of four players fined two weeks' wages by Chelsea after their behaviour at a Heathrow hotel is criticised on the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2002: Terry and Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris are cleared after being charged with assault and affray in connection with a nightclub incident. Terry, uncapped at the time, is ruled out of the World Cup after the Football Association decide he should not be considered for international duty with England until the legal case is completed.

2003: June 3 – Makes England debut as substitute against Serbia and Montenegro.

2006: August 10 – Chosen to replace David Beckham as England captain by head coach Steve McClaren.

2008: August 19 – Named as permanent captain of England by Fabio Capello.

2009: December 20 – Chelsea defend Terry after allegations he took secret cash payments to lay on a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training ground.

2010: January 29: Named as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life. A court order had previously been in place, covering an alleged relationship between married Terry and French model Vanessa Perroncel – a former partner of team-mate Wayne Bridge.

February 5 – Axed as England captain following a meeting with Capello.

2011: March 19 – Restored to the role of permanent England captain by Capello.

October 23 – Releases a statement denying he made a racist slur against Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat at QPR after videos had circulated on the internet.

December 21 – The Crown Prosecution Service announce Terry will be charged with racially abusing Ferdinand and is due to appear before West London Magistrates' Court on February 1, 2012.

2012: February 3 – Terry is stripped of the England captaincy for a second time. The decision was taken by members of the 14-strong FA board, without consulting Capello.

February 8 – Capello resigns as England manager two days after criticising the decision to strip Terry of the captaincy.

July 13 – Cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court of making a racist insult to Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's match against QPR in October last year.

July 27 – Charged by the FA with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards QPR defender Ferdinand. It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand. Terry denies the charge and requests a personal hearing.

September 23 – Announces his retirement from international football, shortly before the start of his personal hearing to answer the FA charge.

Alan McDonald: A warrior defender

Alan McDonald: A warrior of a defender for club and country

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UPDATED:

21:00 GMT, 24 June 2012

Alan McDonald, the former Northern Ireland and Queens Park Rangers captain, who died on Saturday aged 48, was a charismatic warrior of a footballer, a fearless defender capable of elegance.

In 1986 at the Mexico World Cup, McDonald faced Algeria, Spain and Brazil. In all he won 52 Northern Ireland caps, beginning against Romania in 1985.

Warrior: McDonald playing for Northern Ireland (above right) and for QPR (below left)

Warrior: McDonald playing for Northern Ireland (above right) and QPR (below)

Warrior: McDonald playing for Northern Ireland (above right) and for QPR (below left)

In his second match, against England at Wembley, the Irish secured a 0-0 draw to take them to Mexico. There were claims of a fix. McDonald, then a month past his 22nd birthday, on TV famously invited all those who thought so to his house.

No-one went.

On Saturday morning McDonald is understood to have had a heart attack and collapsed at Temple golf course on the outskirts of his native Belfast.

He had been manager of Irish League club Glentoran for three years from 2007.

As a player, McDonald joined QPR in 1981, when Terry Venables was manager, and made almost 500 appearances across 16 years at Loftus Road.

Loyal servant: McDonald spent 16 years at QPR

Loyal servant: McDonald spent 16 years at QPR

McDonald was captain of the QPR team that defeated Chelsea and Liverpool on the way to the 1986 League Cup final at Wembley. When QPR finished fifth in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992-93 under Gerry Francis, McDonald started 39 of the club’s 42 games.

That made QPR London’s top team and McDonald was cherished by fans for his always whole-hearted contributions, as well as his lively personality off the pitch.

At Loftus Road they have already been recalling his part in famous victories such as the 6-0 win over Chelsea on Easter Monday 1986, as well as a 4-1 victory at Manchester United on New Year’s Day in 1992. He was the most-capped player in QPR’s history.

David Beckham will be chose for Olympic football team for London 2012

Exclusive: Beckham the Olympian! Pearce gives David dream finale as Team GB becomes Team DB

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UPDATED:

23:17 GMT, 7 June 2012

David Beckham will crown his glittering international career by spearheading Great Britain’s Olympic football challenge at the London Games.

Sportsmail can reveal that the Leytonstone-born England icon is included in the Great Britain squad Stuart Pearce will submit to FIFA, ending fevered speculation over his participation.

Although Pearce still has to whittle down today’s shortlist of 35 to a final 18-man squad by July 6, it is unimaginable given his status and profile that Beckham will be discarded at the last moment.

London dream: David Beckham has been chosen in Stuart Pearce's 35-man Olympic squad

London dream: David Beckham has been chosen in Stuart Pearce's 35-man Olympic squad

Beckham, 37, has made no secret of his desire to represent his country in the city of his birth — a contrast to the rest of the Home Nations and several club managers who objected to the notion of a Great Britain team.

However, Beckham’s inclusion will be derided by his critics, who believe his place owes more to celebrity status and the need to shift tickets than pure football reasons.

Pearce, though, has insisted on selecting his squad on his own terms, with both the British Olympic Association and Lord Coe’s organising committee, Locog, claiming they have brought no pressure to bear on behalf of the man who helped London win the Games.

Faithful servant: Beckham won his 115th and final England cap against Belarus in October 2010, while he continues to play for MLS champions LA Galaxy (below)

Faithful servant: Beckham won his 115th and final England cap against Belarus in October 2010, while he continues to play for MLS champions LA Galaxy (below)

In action: Beckham

Beckham provided his own riposte to the detractors when he accompanied the Olympic flame from Greece to Britain, saying: ‘Whenever I have been asked about shirt sales or filling stadiums it has felt disrespectful.

‘Throughout my career I have been pretty successful. I’ve played for some pretty big teams, represented my country quite a few times and played for managers without sentiment. No, I don’t want to be picked for shirt sales or as a stadium filler. I want to be picked for what I can bring to the team.’

Pearce, who has yet to decide whether to make public his shortlist on Friday, is understood to see Beckham as bringing experience garnered at Manchester United and Real Madrid and in 115 appearances for England to help a squad aged under 23,bar the three over-age players.

Old head: Stuart Pearce gave Beckham the nod due to his vast experience

Old head: Stuart Pearce gave Beckham the nod due to his vast experience

The FA may go back on their decision not to involve any of the Euro 2012 squad in Pearce’s selections by including Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland.

England Under 21 star Butland has long been part of Pearce’s planning for the Games but was a late call-up for the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine after West Brom’s Ben Foster opted not to be a back-up to Joe Hart and Norwich’s John Ruddy was injured in training.

But Butland will only be named in Pearce’s shortlist if his club have no objections following this FA U-turn.

On the plane: Jack Butland flew out with England to Krakow - and he could feature at the Olympics

On the plane: Jack Butland flew out with England to Krakow – and he could feature at the Olympics

It has been instigated in the belief that the 19-year-old keeper, who is unlikely to figure in the Euros, would greatly benefit from the Games experience.

Pearce is understood to have settled on his other 34 names.

Exclusive: Beckham the Olympian! Pearce gives David dream finale as Team GB becomes Team DB

Exclusive: Beckham the Olympian! Pearce gives David dream finale as Team GB becomes Team DB

|

UPDATED:

22:06 GMT, 7 June 2012

David Beckham will crown his glittering international career by spearheading Great Britain’s Olympic football challenge at the London Games.

Sportsmail can reveal that the Leytonstone-born England icon is included in the Great Britain squad Stuart Pearce will submit to FIFA, ending fevered speculation over his participation.

Although Pearce still has to whittle down today’s shortlist of 35 to a final 18-man squad by July 6, it is unimaginable given his status and profile that Beckham will be discarded at the last moment.

London dream: David Beckham has been chosen in Stuart Pearce's 35-man Olympic squad

London dream: David Beckham has been chosen in Stuart Pearce's 35-man Olympic squad

Beckham, 37, has made no secret of his desire to represent his country in the city of his birth — a contrast to the rest of the Home Nations and several club managers who objected to the notion of a Great Britain team.

However, Beckham’s inclusion will be derided by his critics, who believe his place owes more to celebrity status and the need to shift tickets than pure football reasons.

Pearce, though, has insisted on selecting his squad on his own terms, with both the British Olympic Association and Lord Coe’s organising committee, Locog, claiming they have brought no pressure to bear on behalf of the man who helped London win the Games.

Faithful servant: Beckham won his 115th and final England cap against Belarus in October 2010, while he continues to play for MLS champions LA Galaxy (below)

Faithful servant: Beckham won his 115th and final England cap against Belarus in October 2010, while he continues to play for MLS champions LA Galaxy (below)

In action: Beckham

Beckham provided his own riposte to the detractors when he accompanied the Olympic flame from Greece to Britain, saying: ‘Whenever I have been asked about shirt sales or filling stadiums it has felt disrespectful.

‘Throughout my career I have been pretty successful. I’ve played for some pretty big teams, represented my country quite a few times and played for managers without sentiment. No, I don’t want to be picked for shirt sales or as a stadium filler. I want to be picked for what I can bring to the team.’

Pearce, who has yet to decide whether to make public his shortlist on Friday, is understood to see Beckham as bringing experience garnered at Manchester United and Real Madrid and in 115 appearances for England to help a squad aged under 23,bar the three over-age players.

Old head: Stuart Pearce gave Beckham the nod due to his vast experience

Old head: Stuart Pearce gave Beckham the nod due to his vast experience

The FA may go back on their decision not to involve any of the Euro 2012 squad in Pearce’s selections by including Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland.

England Under 21 star Butland has long been part of Pearce’s planning for the Games but was a late call-up for the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine after West Brom’s Ben Foster opted not to be a back-up to Joe Hart and Norwich’s John Ruddy was injured in training.

But Butland will only be named in Pearce’s shortlist if his club have no objections following this FA U-turn.

On the plane: Jack Butland flew out with England to Krakow - and he could feature at the Olympics

On the plane: Jack Butland flew out with England to Krakow – and he could feature at the Olympics

It has been instigated in the belief that the 19-year-old keeper, who is unlikely to figure in the Euros, would greatly benefit from the Games experience.

Pearce is understood to have settled on his other 34 names.

Matt Lawton: Time for the FA to make Stuart Pearce step aside

Time for the FA to make Pearce step aside from England

|

UPDATED:

22:18 GMT, 24 April 2012

The Football Association really are starting to scare us now. Stuart Pearce talking about how much he would like to manage England at this summer's European Championship back in February was worrying enough.

But revealing as late as yesterday the date he intends to name his 23-man squad for the finals is a serious cause for panic.

How has Pearce become the most powerful man in English football

Leading role: Stuart Pearce remains in caretaker charge of England

Leading role: Stuart Pearce remains in caretaker charge of England

A man responsible for shaping England's future in his role as Under 21 manager, a man entrusted with leading this groundbreaking Great Britain team at the London Olympics and a man now seemingly coming ever closer to leading the national team into a major tournament.

As a player, Pearce was a great servant to the national team. He wore the Three Lions with pride during his 78 appearances, an outstanding left back.

But the talent he possessed as a player has not translated to management. In his first full season in charge at Manchester City the club finished 15th in the Premier League after losing nine of their last 10 games.

Scouting role, but who for: Pearce remains in charge of the England U21s, the Team GB Olympic team and in caretaker charge of England

Scouting role, but who for: Pearce remains in charge of the England U21s, the Team GB Olympic team and in caretaker charge of England

The following season City again flirted dangerously with relegation, recording what amounted to a top-flight record of only 10 goals at home all season. In the League Cup that year they were beaten by Chesterfield.

Pearce was sacked in May 2007 but by then he had already secured the Under 21 job.

And while he has since guided the Under 21s to a European Championship final, he caused further alarm last summer when he opted for Michael Mancienne in central midfield ahead of Tom Cleverley.

There are former directors at City who see Pearce as the one major mistake they made when it came to the task of appointing a manager. #

But there he was at Wembley on Tuesday, outlining his plans should the FA fail to employ a permanent successor to Fabio Capello in time for Euro 2012. Only two weeks ago, officials at Wembley were privately expressing their confidence that a man would be identified before the end of this month.

Decisions makers: The FA hierarchy of Trevor Brooking, Adrien Bevington, David Bernstein and Alex Horne will decide on who will manage England

Decisions makers: The FA hierarchy of Trevor Brooking, Adrien Bevington, David Bernstein and Alex Horne will decide on who will manage England

An approach would be made to at least two potential candidates with the intention of completing the process in time for the manager to take his new squad to their pre-tournament training camp in Spain at some point during the week beginning May 21.

There is a hope that the FA succeed in doing that. There is time. But why the holdup And why the need for Pearce to reveal what amounts to a contingency plan

The FA were keen to stress that Pearce will not be naming a 23-man squad on May 10 if the new man is going to be unveiled a few days later. There would be no need, given that the official UEFA deadline is May 29.

But the clock is ticking and that is a huge concern when Pearce is so unsuitable, and so underqualified, for the role.

Will the FA really stand by and allow Pearce to pick two right-backs from Kyle Walker, Micah Richards, Glen Johnson and Phil Jones

Will they or won't they The England manager must decide if John Terry and Rio Ferdinand can play in the team together

Will they or won't they The England manager must decide if John Terry and Rio Ferdinand can play in the team together

Do they really want him to make a call between Peter Crouch and Andy Carroll

Fabio Capello would not have had Richards on the plane to Krakow and there are other highly qualified judges who still think he remains some way short of being an international footballer.

But Pearce raved about him before the Holland friendly in February. How would Pearce tackle the issue of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry

Does he intend to have them in the same back four when there is no guarantee they will want to occupy the same dressing room

This summer demands an experienced hand; a top man-manager. Not someone who seems to be having trouble enough getting his Olympic squad down to 80 names.

The FA really do need to stop worrying about Tottenham's results, or indeed anyone else's, and hurry the hell up.

David Luiz "dig" at Frank Lampard

Luiz 'dig' at Lampard widens rift with Chelsea boss Villas-Boas

Chelsea's fractured team spirit took another blow last night with
reports that David Luiz has tried to slap down outspoken midfielder
Frank Lampard.

The Brazilian defender, in an interview with a reputable Portuguese
newspaper, said Lampard is 'just an employee' of the club and should
listen to manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Local hero: Long-serving midfielder Frank Lampard (right) is adored at Chelsea

Local hero: Long-serving midfielder Frank Lampard (right) is adored at Chelsea

The England midfielder, a loyal servant to Chelsea, has fallen out with Villas-Boas and spoken out about their difficult relationship.

Lampard did that after being made captain for Chelsea in last week's 3-0 victory over Bolton but Luiz is a strong supporter of Villas-Boas and he reportedly said: 'No one has to be someone's father or son in a football club.

'There are no privileged people there. He (Lampard) simply has to listen to the coach when he gives orders and take them.

'No player can forget that they are just an employee of the club.'

Brave: David Luiz (left) has risked a bust-up with Lampard over his comments

Brave: David Luiz (left) has risked a bust-up with Lampard over his comments

Villas-Boas is fighting to keep his job after less than a year in
charge at Chelsea. He fears that defeat in the second leg of the
Champions League tie with Napoli in two weeks will be the end.

But Luiz, who later tried to discredit his Portugal interview, continues to support the coach.

The 24-year-old said: 'It is easier to talk about Andre, because
Chelsea are a big team who always fight for first place. When they are
third or fourth, it gets easy to slam the coach.'

Strained: Andre Villas-Boas (centre) and Lampard do not see eye-to-eye

Strained: Andre Villas-Boas (centre) and Lampard do not see eye-to-eye

Sasa Papac worried about Rangers exit

Rangers defender Papac fears being forced out of crisis club

Worries: Rangers defender Sasa Papac

Worries: Rangers defender Sasa Papac

Sasa Papac has spoken of his fear that six years at Rangers are about to be ended by the club's administrators.

Only goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been a longer servant to the Ibrox first team than Papac, who is the last remaining signing from the ill-fated Paul le Guen era.

The Bosnian left-back is, however, all but resigned to leaving the crisis-hit SPL champions as Duff & Phelps consider further cuts.

It is understood the Rangers players
are still awaiting feedback from the administrators after discussing a
collective deferral of a portion of their wages.

It is believed the proposal is
contingent on there being no redundancies, but it could now be nearer
the end of the week – after the international break – before the picture
becomes clearer.

Papac, for one, remains pessimistic.
Even if he survives any immediate reduction to the playing staff, he
knows he has little chance of landing a new deal when his current
contract expires in the summer.

Having won three league medals and
helped Rangers to a UEFA Cup final, the 32-year-old admits he still
cannot come to terms with just how far into the mire the club has
fallen.

'It has been unbelievable, but it just shows that bankruptcy can happen to any club,' said Papac.

'Right now, we continue to play
football as if nothing has happened. But in this situation, it is hard
to go out and play. We simply have to continue and see what will be done
by the administrators.

Long-serving: Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor

Long-serving: Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor

'Their job is to clear Rangers'
financial debts, which means that the club could lose a lot of players
because they are well paid – too well paid for the situation the club
finds itself in.

'Any one of the players could go now for the good of the club's financial health.

'I know now I have no chance of getting another contract offer, or at least certainly not one at my existing level.

'All I can do is try to ignore the situation, because no one has told me exactly what the exact position is yet.'

Papac endured more misery on Tuesday night when his last-gasp own goal gave Brazil a 2-1 friendly win over Bosnia.

Tough times: Dark clouds hang over the future of SPL giants Rangers

Tough times: Dark clouds hang over the future of SPL giants Rangers

Centre-half Dorin Goian is another
Rangers player left wondering about his future after returning to
Romania ahead of their friendly with Uruguay.

'To be honest, I do not know what the situation is with Rangers,' he said.

'Many decisions have to be taken in the near future, so I have no idea what to think just now.

'As for my future, that is unclear. I
don't want to return to Romanian football yet and I don't want to sign
for a club in China, like my brother Lucian.

'The reason I want to stay in Glasgow
is because I have two young children and it would be very difficult to
move the entire family twice in the one year. It's a worrying situation
for me.'

Huw Bennett announces move to Lyon

Welsh exodus continues as Bennett becomes latest player to move to France

Wales hooker Huw Bennett has confirmed he will play club rugby in France next season.

The Ospreys forward, who has 50 caps, said on Twitter that he will join French Top-14 side Lyon.

Bennett, 28, was first-choice Wales hooker at the World Cup, but missed Saturday’s Triple Crown-clinching victory over England at Twickenham due to a calf muscle injury.

Moving on: Huw Bennett is the latest Welsh international to move to France

Moving on: Huw Bennett is the latest Welsh international to move to France

Bennett tweeted: 'I want to thank the Ospreys & our awesome supporters for a fantastic 9 years! Been there from its inception & will always hold a special place in my heart.

'Looking forward to my new challenge of playing in France with Lyon. Until then, I am fully committed to ending the season on a high & with some silverware for ospreylia!'

Bennett is the latest Wales international to agree a cross-channel switch.

Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee /02/27/article-2107073-02C72B7C000005DC-565_468x301.jpg” width=”468″ height=”301″ alt=”Loyal servant: Bennett has spent nine years at the Ospreys” class=”blkBorder” />

Loyal servant: Bennett has spent nine years at the Ospreys

World Cup lock Luke Charteris, currently injured, is also expected to join the exodus, while Newport Gwent Dragons wing Aled Brew – another World Cup squad member – is heading to Biarritz.

Asked last week about the increasing number of players moving to France, Wales coach Warren Gatland said: 'I don’t know what the answer is.

'It is difficult to compete with the money the players are being offered overseas given the financial pressures our regions are under at the moment.

'It is difficult for the regions and difficult for the players when they are being offered significantly more money overseas.

'My stance has always been ideally we would love them to stay here, and we will do everything we can to try to keep them here, but players have a very short career in terms of playing at this level.'

Gary Ablett honoured by Liverpool

Liverpool confirm plans to honour Ablett at FA Cup tie after former player's death

Passed: Gary Ablett died on January 2, aged just 46

Passed: Gary Ablett died on January 2, aged just 46

Liverpool will pay tribute to former defender Gary Ablett with a minute's applause before Friday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Oldham.

Ablett died on New Year's Day aged 46 after a 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Black armbands will also be worn by the players of Liverpool, for whom Ablett made 147 appearances and won two league titles and an FA Cup.

Merseyside rivals Everton, whom Ablett joined after leaving Anfield in 1992, have already opened a books of condolence and announced earlier this week there will be a period of silence before Saturday's cup tie at home to Tamworth.

Following his death, Liverpool manager
Kenny Dalglish, who gave Ablett his debut in December 1986, said: 'He
was a really good servant to the football club, not only as a player,
but also as reserve-team coach. He served the club proudly and
credibly.'

Kop Idol: Ablett (far left) was a hugely popular figure at Anfield... despite playing for Everton!

Kop Idol: Ablett (far left) was a hugely popular figure at Anfield… despite playing for Everton!

While Toffees boss David Moyes, added: Manager David Moyes said: 'It is so, so sad.He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months and he was a lovely man, well-liked by everyone.'