| What's on the horizon for Liverpool? The big news this week, Barry Glendenning's back. He responds to the various rumours about his recent whereabouts.We begin by rounding up the Premier League. The panel argues Liverpool are in huge trouble after their defeat to Blackpool. How long does Roy Hodgson have left? The Guardian's Andy Hunter was there as the Kop chanted for him to be replaced by Kenny Dalglish.Are Arsenal's title hopes over after being beaten by Chelsea, again? Wigan beat Newcastle and James Dart gets wound up by some of the recent reckless tackling.Were Sunderland unlucky to only get a goalless draw with Manchester United? Did the sewage spill have a role to play?Jonathan Wilson swings by the pod on one of his rare visits to the UK to take a quick look at Argentinian football.Sid Lowe tells us about the latest goings-on in Spain.There's an interesting weekend in the Championship with Sven-Goran Eriksson returning to management with Leicester City.And don't forget to post your Manchester City questions below to ask David Conn ahead of Thursday's podcast.Have a listen and post your feedback below. We're also on iTunes, Facebook and Twitter, and if you enjoy this type of thing, get your daily dose of football with our tea-time email, The Fiver.James RichardsonAndy DuckworthBarry GlendenningJames DartJonathan WilsonSid Lowe guardian.co.uk |
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0: match report Chelsea move four points clear at top of table courtesy of goals from Didier Drogba and stunning Alex free-kick. telegraph.co.uk |
Sports Direct and JJB cleared of price-fixing claims in SFO's criminal inquiry ⢠SFO says investigation of individuals will continue⢠OFT presses ahead with inquiry into anti-competitive practicesThe Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has dropped its criminal investigation into Sports Direct and JJB Sports as it shifts its focus to individuals linked to the retailers.However, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is pressing ahead with a separate inquiry into allegations of anti-competitive practices.JJB Sports's former management blew the whistle early last year, contacting the Office of Fair Trading with allegations of suspected price fixing, but the investigation only became public knowledge months later, in September. The SFO was asked to help by the competition watchdog and it initially looked as if other serious concerns had emerged as the SFO said it was investigating suspected fraud as well as breaches of the Enterprise Act.In its statement today, the SFO said its investigation into Sports Direct and JJB Sports had been completed and "no charges are to be brought against the companies". However, it added: "The investigation into individuals continues."Sports Direct and JJB Sports are rivals in the sportswear sector and they have leading positions in the market for replica football shirts and sportswear. Sports Direct is led by Mike Ashley, the owner of the Premier League football club Newcastle United; during the period under scrutiny JJB was being run by Chris Ronnie, a former Sports Direct employee.Ronnie was sacked by JJB's former chairman Sir David Jones for "gross misconduct" after he did not disclose that his substantial shareholding in the company had been seized by administrators to Icelandic bank Kaupthing, which had lent him the cash to buy the JJB stake. The OFT is investigating suspected cartel activity between June 2007 and March 2009 â the period when Ronnie was in charge.JJB saidit would continue to co-operate fully with the SFO's investigation. Sports Direct said it was "pleased" that the investigation was complete and that "no charges are to be brought against the companies or any companies within their corporate groups". In its announcement it acknowledged, however, that the anti-white-collar crime agency's investigation into individuals "continues".The OFT has the power to fine a company up to 10% of turnover if price fixing is exposed, which in Sports Direct's case could mean a penalty of more than £100m. The penalties for individuals found to have committed fraud or criminal price fixing under the Enterprise Act could include substantial fines or even prison sentences.Shares in JJB Sports gained 2.44% to close at 10.5p after the announcement, but shares in Sports Direct lost 0.9% of their value, ending at 147.9p.JJB SportsSports Direct InternationalMike AshleySerious Fraud OfficeZoe Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Marseille v MSK Zilina: match preview Read a full match preview of the Champions League Group F match between Marseille and MSK Zilina at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday Oct 19 2010, kick-off 19.45 BST. telegraph.co.uk |
Scandal to delay decision on Cup The decision on which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups may be postponed after allegations of vote-fixing. foxsports.com.au |