George Burley is off to a happier start on his return to management in Scotland as his new Hearts team are the early leaders after a 4-2 win at Kilmarnock.

Ferdinand signs new United deal.On the first day of the SPL, an injury time equaliser from Craig Beattie avoids further embarrassment for Celtic who draw 4-4 at Motherwell. George Burley is off to a happier start on his return to management in Scotland as his new Hearts team are the early leaders after a 4-2 win at Kilmarnock. New boys Falkirk find it tough at the top as they go down 0-2 at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Ferdinand signs new United deal. Unfortunately for Manchester United fans, it’s Rio’s younger brother Anton who has agreed a new three-year deal at West Ham United.

Liverpool will face either Sydney FC or Deportivo Saprissa in the Semi-Final of the FIFA World Club Championship. The European Champions have been seeded, so enter the competition at the Semi-Final stage with Brazil’s Sao Paulo. The tournament takes place in Japan in December.

It’s Everton’s first venture into Europe’s major competition since its revamp to its present format, and they face a tough task against Spain’s Villarreal.

In the draw for the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup, Dundee United will meet MyPa 47 of Finland.- Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool avoid each other in the draw for the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League. It’s Everton’s first venture into Europe’s major competition since its revamp to its present format, and they face a tough task against Spain’s Villarreal. If Liverpool beat Kaunas in the Second Qualifying Round, they will play Tirana or CSKA Sofia. Manchester United face the winners of Hajduk Split and Debrecen of Hungary. Rangers drew Turkey’s Trabzonspor or Anorthosis Famagusta from Cyprus. In the unlikely event of overturning their 5-0 loss against Artmedia Bratislava, Celtic would play Sheriff of Moldova or Partizan Belgrade.

- In the draw for the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup, Dundee United will meet MyPa 47 of Finland.
Welsh clubs Rhyl and Carmarthen face Viking Stavanger and FC Copenhagen respectively. Linfield from Northern Ireland will play Halmstad of Sweden while Cork from the Republic meet Djurgarden.

- France triumph in the European Under-19 Championship Final by defeating England 3-1 at Windsor Park in Belfast. In heavy rain, France dominated the game and seized control from the start but could only create half chances against England’s solid defence and victory wasn’t sealed until three minutes from time

- Prosecutors drop their case against the most senior referee accused of involvement in Germany’s shock football scandal. Evidence was not sufficient to bring charges of match-fixing against Juergen Jansen, the only implicated top flight Bundesliga referee. The 44 year-old had been accused of agreeing to fix two games for the benefit of a betting group in November 2004.

- A new look Paris Saint Germain get off to a sparkling start with a 4-1 win over Metz in their opening French league match at the Parc Des Princes. The summer signings of midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo from AC Milan and striker Bonaventure Kalou, who grabbed the opening goal, from Auxerre provided the French capital’s team with a winning edge.

With the North London club about to commence their final season at Highbury, both Gunners have a year left on their current contracts.

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship launches a new campaign called ‘Everything To Play For’.- There’s good news and bad news for Arsenal as Freddie Ljungberg agrees a new deal but Robert Pires delays further contract talks until January. With the North London club about to commence their final season at Highbury, both Gunners have a year left on their current contracts. Ljungberg signs an extension to his contract, which will keep him at the club until 2009. He has scored 68 goals in 265 matches since he was signed from Halmstads for £3million in September 1998. Pires wants a new two-year deal but has only been offered a 12-month extension. The 32 year-old Frenchman, who has been at Highbury since July 2000, has been linked with moves to Juventus and Galatasaray.

- The Coca-Cola Football League Championship launches a new campaign called ‘Everything To Play For’. Far from being portrayed as the Premiership’s poor relations, it aims to build on recent figures that revealed that the Championship is the fourth best attended division in Europe and the sixth highest revenue generator.

- The fall-out continues for Celtic’s shock 5-0 defeat at Artmedia Bratislava with the realisation that the almost certain early elimination spells financial disaster for the Parkhead club. Board, players and management past and present all come under fire following their biggest-ever defeat in European competition and the heaviest loss anywhere since a 6-0 loss at Kilmarnock on 27 March, 1963.

- A Football League tribunal decides that Leeds United must pay Brighton & Hove Albion up to £850,000 for England Under-21 defender Daniel Harding. They are ordered to must pay an initial £450,000 in two instalments. The further £400,000 depends on appearances, international caps and possible promotion success.

- FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi criticises European clubs’ lucrative tours of Asia. He says ‘the big leagues in Europe become popular in Asia but we get the feedback from the Asian countries looking to develop their leagues and they have problems. They need sponsorship income themselves but that is going to European clubs.’ Premiership clubs Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers have all been in the Far East this summer.

Their European campaign is all but over after an horrendous 5-0 defeat at Artmedia Bratislava.

A below strength Newcastle United narrowly lose at Deportivo La Coruna in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup Semi-Final meeting.- It’s men against the Buoys as Gordon Strachan suffers a humiliating first game as Celtic manager. Their European campaign is all but over after an horrendous 5-0 defeat at Artmedia Bratislava. Trailing 1-0 at half-time in the Champions League tie, Celtic collapse in the second half to one of the most embarrassing defeats in their proud history. Unless they can repair the damage in the second leg at Parkhead next week, the Glasgow club face elimination from Europe altogether as the losers from Second Qualifying Round games do not go into the UEFA Cup.

- A below strength Newcastle United narrowly lose at Deportivo La Coruna in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup Semi-Final meeting. With the travelling Geordies below strength due to injury and illness, Lee Bowyer equalised with a spectacular volley just after the interval. Goals for the Spaniards by Ruben Castro and Jorge Andrade either side of the midfielder’s strike leaves the tie wide open for the second leg at St James’ Park next week.

- Manchester City find Joey Barton guilty of gross misconduct during their recent trip to Thailand and fine their midfielder eight weeks’ wages, thought to be as much as £160,000. The 22 year-old was involved in an altercation with his team-mate Richard Dunne and a 15-year-old Everton fan, then sent home by City manager Stuart Pearce.

- Millwall’s summer of turmoil continues as manager Steve Claridge is sacked after only 36 days at the New Den helm. The 39 year-old was in charge for four friendlies - two wins, a draw and a defeat. He replaced Dennis Wise who resigned back in May due to differences with the new chairman Jeff Burnige. In the last month, Burnige has resigned and a number of key players have left. Colin Lee, who was set to be appointed Claridge’s assistant, has been installed as his successor.

- Real Madrid rubbish reports that Jonathan Woodgate long-standing thigh injury is threatening his career. Spanish radio’s ‘El Largero’ announced that the former Leeds United centre-back had broken down in training again. Woodgate, who joined Madrid last August, has yet to make his debut.

The reigning champions concede an early goal at Kaunas but hit back and are in a strong position to reach the third and final qualifying round.

In another Champions League qualifier, security is high in Nicosia as Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta secure an historic 3-1 victory over Turkey’s Trabzonspor.- Liverpool bounce back from an early scare to run out comfortable winners as their Champions League qualifying campaign continues in Lithuania. The reigning champions are stunned in the 21st minute when Giedrius Barevicius scored to give Kaunas a shock lead. They soon hit back through Djibril Cisse and a rare strike from Jamie Carragher before captain Steven Gerrard’s penalty sealed the win. It put the Reds in a strong position to reach the third and final qualifying round.

- In another Champions League qualifier, security is high in Nicosia as Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta secure an historic 3-1 victory over Turkey’s Trabzonspor. Its the first match between teams from the two countries in more than three decades. Cyprus’s ethnic Greek and Turkish Cypriots have lived on separate sides of the island since the invasion in 1974 which followed a brief Greek Cypriot coup. 1,500 Turkish Cypriot fans were segregated from the rest of the crowd. They were cordoned off with reels of barbed wire and police.

- Subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms, Tottenham Hotspur announce that Edgar Davids is set to move to White Hart Lane from Inter Milan on a free transfer. The 32-year-old, who has also played for Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona, has won 73 caps for Holland. A delighted Spurs boss Martin Jol said ‘he is one of the most versatile midfielders, a playmaker, a ball-winner with great stamina and huge charisma’.

- Shares in Newcastle United rise by another 16%. The news that Sir John Hall has been approached to sell his 28.5% stake sparked an 18% rise yesterday. It means the value of the club has gone up to £88.8million from £65million in two days. Three high-profile businessmen have ruled themselves out of the bidding so raising speculation that another Premiership club will soon be owned by foreign-based investors.

- Millwall cancel their friendly against Iran on police advice. After recent bombings in London and fears that extreme groups will try to take political advantage of the terrorism, it was decided that the climate was too sensitive to allow the Islamic republic’s team to play at the New Den. A Millwall spokesman commented ‘based on intelligence we received, the conclusion was that we have a joint moral responsibility not to compromise the safety of fans’.

He will mainly work with the Saints’ younger players.

Inter Milan begin their four-match tour after initially cancelling the trip to England due to the recent terrorist attacks in London.- On his first day as Southampton’s Technical Director, England’s rugby union World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward vows to help manager Harry Redknapp in any way he can. He will mainly work with the Saints’ younger players, and stressed ‘there has been a lot said in the press implying I would be taking over the first team but that is not my role’. After the loss of key players during the summer, Redknapp has expressed his concerns regarding new signings while chairman Rupert Lowe believes the appointment of Woodward enables the Saints to improve at a time when finances are tight to increase the senior squad.

- Inter Milan begin their four-match tour with a 2-1 win at Leicester City having decided to travel to England after initially cancelling the trip due to the recent terrorist attacks in London. The decision prompted fierce criticism from the British authorities, including London mayor Ken Livingstone. Inter’s tour includes one game in South London against Crystal Palace, the others are well way from the capital at Leicester, Norwich and Portsmouth.

- The Scottish Football Association uphold the decision of the Scottish Premier League to fine Livingston over the Hassan Kachloul controversy, so confirm Dundee’s relegation to the First Division. The former Aston Villa forward was signed by Livi in March on an amateur basis outside of the transfer window, but was found to have been paid. Dundee wanted their relegation rivals to be docked points rather than fined £15,000. They finished two points behind Livingston at the end of the SPL season.

- Former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall confirms that he has been approached about selling his majority stake in the club. In a statement to the stock market, the millionaire businessman confirmed an unnamed party had expressed an interest in buying the 28.5% stake held by his Wynyard business. Sir John became chairman at St James’ Park in 1991 and is now the club’s life president.

- Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City announce a joint initiative to develop a strategic approach to the rapidly expanding Chinese football market. Over the next three years, the three clubs hope to build their profile and assist in the development of grass roots football in China. With the help of consultancy Lynx Group International, on the commercial front, the aim is to increase their supporter base and generate new income streams.

Manager Stuart Pearce is said to be furious about Barton’s behaviour but he absolves Dunne from any blame.

No away fans will be at Elland Road when Leeds United kick off their season against Millwall on Sunday 7 August.- Manchester City send Joey Barton home in disgrace from the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand after an altercation with team-mate Richard Dunne and a young Everton supporter. Reports suggest the incident occurred when City’s players had returned from a restaurant in the early hours and were in the bar of their Bangkok hotel. Manager Stuart Pearce is said to be furious about Barton’s behaviour but he absolves Dunne from any blame. The midfielder is no stranger to controversy and was told he was on his last chance after an incident at last year’s club Christmas party. The England Under-21 international made his City debut in April 2003 and his contract was extended to June 2007 last September.

- No away fans will be at Elland Road when Leeds United kick off their season against Millwall on Sunday 7 August. The London club return almost 1,000 tickets for the opening-day clash after they were supplied on the proviso that all visiting fans had to travel on organised coaches so they could be escorted to and from the stadium. Millwall’s Supporters’ Club felt the travel restrictions were ‘unwarranted and unjustifiable’.

- UEFA confirm they’ve received five bids to host the Euro 2012 championships. They comprise joint bids from Croatia-Hungary and Poland-Ukraine and single bids from Greece, Italy and Turkey. Bids from Azerbaijan, Romania and Russia were submitted by the initial deadline in February but not followed up by Thursday’s final deadline.

- South Africa has made a good start in its preparations to host the 2010 World Cup according to FIFA. A delegation from the game’s governing body has visited Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile states a maximum of 10 cities and a minimum of eight would host the games. A decision will be made before the end of the year.

He was jeered by his own fans in the club’s last two pre-season friendlies against Clyde and Peterborough United.

The Football League’s Agents’ Fees Report for 2004-05 shows that £7.8million was paid out last term- As Manchester United jet-off on their pre-season tour of Asia, England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has still failed to sign his new contract. He was jeered by his own fans in the club’s last two pre-season friendlies against Clyde and Peterborough United. Sections of United supporters are furious that he has yet to agree terms following reports that the defender has been offered £100,000 a week. Chief executive David Gill says he respects Ferdinand for taking his time in talks over a new deal.

- After its Agents’ Fees Report for 2004-05 shows that £7.8million was paid out last term, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney calls for urgent regulations to govern agents. The Championship accounted for £6.8million with Leeds United the highest spenders at £1.9million.

- Real Madrid sign Santos striker Robinho in a £16.6million deal to cast further doubt on England’s Michael Owen’s future at the Bernabeu. The 21 year-old striker and made it clear after helping Brazil win the Confederations Cup that he saw his future in Europe having recently refused to play any more games for Santos. He missed three Brazilian Championship matches and was fined an undisclosed amount by Santos for every day he failed to report for duty. Arsenal were also reported to be interested in his signature while, along with Chelsea and Manchester United, they may now turn their attention to Owen.

- Guus Hiddink is appointed coach of Australia’s national team and will lead the Socceroos bid to reach the 2006 World Cup finals. The 58 year-old former Holland and South Korea coach takes control immediately and also continues at Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven until November at least. He replaces Frank Farina who stood down in June after a poor Confederations Cup campaign.

The 24-year-old England international has signed a four-year deal and joins his new team-mates on their pre-season tour in Switzerland.

Shelbourne join Liverpool in the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League after coming out on top of their all-Ireland tie with Glentoran.- 6ft 7ins Southampton striker Peter Crouch completes his £7million move to Liverpool after passing a medical at the Merseyside club’s Melwood training ground. The 24-year-old England international has signed a four-year deal and joins his new team-mates on their pre-season tour in Switzerland. He began his career at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Queens Park Rangers for £60,000 in July 2000 then moving on to Portsmouth for £1.25million in July 2001. In March 2002, Aston Villa paid £5million for the Macclesfield-born forward then, after a loan spell at Norwich City, he was transferred to Southampton in July 2004 for £2million. Crouch scored 16 goals in his year at St. Mary’s despite relegation from the Premiership. He also made his England debut in the 3-2 win over Colombia on 31 May.

- Shelbourne join Liverpool in the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League after coming out on top of their all-Ireland tie with Glentoran with a 4-1 win at Tolka Park. Glens captain Paul Leeman was sent-off just before the Shels went 2-1 up through a Jason Byrne penalty after 31 minutes. Captain Owen Heary headed the Eircom League champions ahead with Peter McCann equalising for the Glens. Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne completed a 6-2 aggregate win for Shelbourne who now play Steaua Bucharest.

- Brighton & Hove Albion’s Adam Virgo completes his £1.5million move to Celtic after signing a four-year deal at Parkhead. The move to the SPL giants came as major surprise to the versatile defender or forward ‘the manager spoke to me to tell me that the club had accepted an offer and he tried to make me guess the club. I named a few Championship clubs, but when he told me it was Celtic my jaw hit the floor - it was amazing. I had no idea at all that Celtic were interested.’

- Wigan Athletic’s first-ever Premiership game, against champions Chelsea, will go ahead at the JJB Stadium after the Latics pay an outstanding policing bill. The club remain furious at charges being imposed on them by Greater Manchester Police and, although owner Dave Whelan has agreed to pay over £250,000, they will pursue the matter through the courts.

- Andrew Cole completes his free transfer from Fulham to Manchester City. The veteran marksman spent one season at Craven Cottage, scoring 13 goals in 38 games, before leaving midway through his two-year contract to become City’s first signing since Shaun Wright-Phillips left for Chelsea for £21million. The 33-year-old former England striker spent seven years across the city at Manchester United.

After last week’s 3-0 win at Anfield, the holders repeat the scoreline in the second leg which is played at Wrexham.

Fulham fail to overturn a High Court ruling that ex-manager Jean Tigana is entitled to a £2.1million pay-out.- Two more goals from Steven Gerrard ease Liverpool past TNS in the First Qualifying Round of the Champions League. After last week’s 3-0 win at Anfield, the holders repeat the scoreline in the second leg which is played at Wrexham. Djibril Cisse opened their account on 26 minutes but the Reds struggle to impose their superiority until the England midfielder comes off the bench to add a brace to his first leg hat-trick.

- Fulham fail to overturn a High Court ruling that ex-manager Jean Tigana is entitled to a £2.1million pay-out. However, they intend to continue to investigate the matter further. The former France international midfielder was sacked in June 2003 after facing criticism for his conduct in transfer deals involving Edwin van der Sar, Steve Marlet and John Carew. The London club lost their claim for damages in November while Tigana won a counter-claim that he was contractually entitled to payments and share options.

- On the day that Champions League football came to the Racecourse Ground (see above), Wrexham owner Alex Hamilton gives a High Court undertaking that he will not evict the club before a legal challenge - due to be heard in November - to his ownership of the land. The club’s administrators went to the High Court in London to ensure that Mr Hamilton’s 21 July deadline for eviction would not be enforced. At the end of last month, the administrators began proceedings against Mr Hamilton’s company, Crucialmove Ltd, to restore ownership of the ground to the League Two club.

- Former Tottenham Hotspur star Ossie Ardiles is sacked as coach of Tokyo Verdy following a string of humiliating results. The 52-year-old took charge in June 2003 and led the club to the 2004 Emperor’s Cup title but Verdy have failed to mount a serious challenge for the J-League championship. They crashed 6-0 at Jubilo Iwata at the weekend to extend their winless run to nine games. The Argentina World Cup winner has previously managed Shimizu S-Pulse and Yokohama F-Marinos in Japan.