His future at Highbury was in extreme doubt after the Gunners took him to a Premier League inquiry for meeting Chelsea over a possible move to Stamford Bridge.

Italian football is thrown into further turmoil as Serie B champions Genoa are charged along with Venezia of sporting fraud.- Despite his departure seeming inevitable a few weeks ago, Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole signs a one-year extension to his contract. His future at Highbury was in extreme doubt after the Gunners took him to a Premier League inquiry for meeting Chelsea over a possible move to Stamford Bridge. He was fined £100,000 after an inquiry heard evidence that he met the Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Jose Mourinho, along with agents Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett, on 27 January without Arsenal’s knowledge and permission. An independent panel will hear the England defender’s appeal against his punishment next month. The 24 year-old, who is widely regarded as the best left-back in the world, had two years left on his previous contract. He is believed to have nearly tripled his wages to £70,000 per week.

- Days after the news that Torino and Messina could be demoted from Serie A, Italian football is thrown into further turmoil as Serie B champions Genoa are charged along with Venezia of sporting fraud. It follows an investigation into Genoa’s victory over Venezia which secured the club’s promotion to the top division. According to a statement from the Italian Football Federation, Genoa president Enrico Preziosi, his son Matteo and general manager Stefano Capozucca have been accused of ‘collaborating to achieve sporting fraud’. The case involves Genoa’s final two games of the season when they drew 2-2 at Piacenza and then beat Venezia 3-2 at home to return to Serie A after a 10-year absence.

- Only months after being on the brink of financial collapse, Leeds United complete their sixth signing of the summer as they snap up Robbie Blake from Birmingham City in a deal thought to be worth £800,000. The 29-year-old striker spent just over five months at St Andrew’s following his £1.25million signing from Burnley during the January transfer window. He joins the Championship club on a three-year contract.

- Sir Alex Ferguson is warned to his future conduct by the Football Association after a charge of improper conduct against the Manchester United manager was found to be proven. The charge related to comments made following a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 24 April. Speaking after the game on reasons behind referee Neale Barry’s failure to award them a penalty, the United boss told MUTV ‘It is getting ridiculous now. I am not sure if they are instructed but it is looking sinister to me’.

The Geordies go on to stroll to a 3-1 win in the first leg of the Third Round tie in what is tagged ZTS Dubnica’s biggest game in their 79-year history.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has a change of heart and asks Manchester City for permission to speak to Chelsea. - Newcastle United get their season off to an early start as they open their Intertoto Cup campaign with two goals in the first six minutes. The Geordies go on to stroll to a 3-1 win in the first leg of the Third Round tie in what is tagged ZTS Dubnica’s biggest game in their 79-year history. After Michael Chopra opened the scoring, Alan Shearer successfully claims the second after earlier reports credited Charles N’Zogbia or a Robert Novak own goal. It means the United legend moves to within seven goals of Jackie Milburn’s record of 200 goals in all competitions. The Slovakians reply through Lukas Tesak but James Milner’s 70th strike secures a comfortable victory.

- Shaun Wright-Phillips has a change of heart and asks Manchester City for permission to speak to Chelsea. The adopted son of former Arsenal striker Ian Wright accepts a long-term contract, worth an estimated £60,000 a week to triple his wages at City, after the clubs agreed a £21million fee for the England international. City manager Stuart Pearce is left seething but he is now expected to move for Fulham’s Andrew Cole or Southampton’s Peter Crouch.

- Members of FC United of Manchester - the club formed by disgruntled Manchester United supporters following the £790 million takeover by American billionaire Malcolm Glazer - reflect on yesterday’s first-ever game. A crowd in excess of 2,500 at Leigh RMI’s Hilton Park saw them earn a creditable goalless draw against their Conference North neighbours. Manager Karl Marginson comments ‘the backing we received today was magnificent and I’m confident that we can go from strength to strength’. FC United have agreed a 12-month ground share with League Two Bury, and will play nine rungs below Premiership level in the North West Counties League.

- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson backs Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s criticism of Arsenal. After Mourinho claimed that the Blues have been treated unfairly compared to the Gunners, Sir Alex told the Sunday Mirror ‘Jose Mourinho has needed just a year to find out what I’ve been saying for the last seven - that Arsenal do run the game here’.

- Former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat signs a one-year deal to take charge of the United Arab Emirates national side. The Dutchman, who led Holland to the Euro 2004 semi-finals, resigned as Borussia Moenchengladbach coach in April.

Although City have debts of about £60million, they immediately reject the bid.

Arsenal have used the £13.75m raised from the sale of Patrick Vieira to bid for Sevilla’s 23 year-old striker Julio Baptista. - Manchester City turn down a £20million from Chelsea for Shaun Wright-Phillips. Although City have debts of about £60million, they immediately reject the bid. Shaun was City’s joint top scorer with 11 goals last season and also scored on his England debut when he came on as a sub against Ukraine. He joined City seven years ago having been a trainee at Nottingham Forest and is now nearing 150 appearances. It’s expected Chelsea will increase their offer despite speculation that the player is not keen to leave the City of Manchester Stadium. Another Chelsea target - Lyon’s Michael Essien - is sent-off against Columbia’s Once Caldas in the Peace Cup tournament in Pusan, South Korea.

- Arsenal have used the £13.75m raised from the sale of Patrick Vieira to bid for Sevilla’s 23 year-old striker Julio Baptista. The Spanish club reject the 20million Euros offer - exactly the same amount agreed for Vieira - following three earlier verbal offers. Arsenal make no comment but are also linked with a move for Newcastle United’s Jermaine Jenas. There is definite news from Highbury - Jose Antonio Reyes agrees a new six-year deal while Gael Clichy’s Gunners contract is extended to 2010.

- Everton complete the £2million signing of Mikel Arteta from Real Sociedad. The 22-year-old midfielder, who impressed while on loan at Goodison Park last season, follows the summer signings of Simon Davies, John Ruddy and Per Kroldrup. He told the club’s official web site ‘I have signed for five years here and I want to help this team to grow’.

- The Italian Football Federation expel Torino and Messina from Serie A due to their financial problems. The decision is not final and the clubs have three appeal processes to pursue. Should the judgement stand Bologna, following their relegation, are favourites to replace Messina. Torino’s demise would allow Treviso - who finished fifth in Serie B - to take their place because Perugia, who lost to Torino in the Play-Off Final, also have considerable financial problems. Serie A is set to kick-off on 28 August.

- Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the Spanish club have overtaken Manchester United as the biggest earner in world football. In an interview in the sports daily Marca, he declares ‘we have now ensured that our income is greater than any other team, it is the highest in the world’.

The Gunners skipper is in Turin to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical after a £13.75million fee is agreed.

Newcastle United confirm that Emre Belezoglu has completed his move to Tyneside from Inter Milan. - Patrick Vieira’s nine-year association with Arsenal should end tomorrow when he completes his transfer to Juventus. The Gunners skipper is in Turin to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical (no problems are anticipated) after a £13.75million fee is agreed. The 29-year-old France midfielder joined Arsenal from AC Milan for £3.5m in 1995. He will sign a five-year contract. Patrick’s Highbury career came to a glorious conclusion in May when he lifted the FA Cup in his final game after a penalty shootout win over Manchester United. He scored the final penalty to clinch victory. It was his fourth FA Cup Final success to add to three Premiership titles in his 407 appearances and 33 goals for the North London club.

- Newcastle United confirm that Emre Belezoglu has completed his move to Tyneside from Inter Milan. The 24 year-old Turkish international signs a five-year deal to become the Toon’s second summer signing following the capture of Chelsea’s Scott Parker. The fee is thought to be around £4million. Emre told the club’s official web site ‘I am very happy to have signed for Newcastle United because they are one of the biggest clubs in England. This is a very big club and I am so excited about the prospect of playing in the Premiership. It is a new challenge and one I am looking forward to very much’. One of the stars of the 2002 World Cup, he joined Inter from Galatasaray in 2001. In March 2004, he was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.

- Rhyl record their first win in Europe with a 2-1 success against Atlantas in the first leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying tie. Two goals from Lee Hunt delighted a packed Belle Vue before the Lithuanian’s reduced the arrears through Rimantas Zvingilas. Rhyl made their first appearance in Europe last season, losing 7-1 on aggregate to Latvian side Skonto Riga.

- Reading complete a club record signing as Bristol City accept their £1million bid for England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita. Royals chairman John Madejski personally finances the deal to secure the services of the former Ashton Gate trainee. Leroy signs a three-year contract with the Championship side, with an option for a further year.

- Paul Gascoigne is named coach of Algarve United, a minor league club on the south Portugal coast. Club president Corrado Corregi says Gazza could attract top players, including some from the Premier League, as he seeks to guide United into the Portuguese First Division within six years. The Algarve club was formed in 2004. The 38 year-old won 57 England caps.

All three goals came from Steven Gerrard with the first hat-trick of his professional career.

In another First Round Qualifier, two goals from Jason Byrne gave the Republic’s Shelbourne a valuable 2-1 victory at Northern rivals Glentoran in the all-Ireland derby at The Oval.49 days after winning the Champions League, Liverpool begin the defence of their title with a 3-0 win in the first leg of the First Qualifying Round against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions. With supreme irony, all three goals came from Steven Gerrard. The first hat-trick of the England midfielder’s professional career came days after an astonishing U-turn on his future when he signed a new four-year contract and rejecting a reported £35 million pound move to Chelsea just days after claiming he wanted to leave Anfield. For the visitors, the proud TNS manager Ken McKenna commented ‘we were very close to a good result, but who knows about the second leg? Maybe we can do to Liverpool what they did to AC Milan’.

In another First Round Qualifier, two goals from Jason Byrne gave the Republic’s Shelbourne a valuable 2-1 victory at Northern rivals Glentoran in the all-Ireland derby at The Oval. With Shelbourne midway through their summer season and lying second in the Eircom League, it looked as though their fitness tell but Sean Ward maintained the home teams interest with his 77th minute goal. Thankfully, the match passed off without the violent scenes many feared in a game between teams from either side of the border during Northern Ireland’s marching season. The match took place a day after annual celebrations in which pro-Protestants mark historic victories over Catholics in parades that often spark violence.

Chelsea widen their rift with Arsenal by releasing a statement supporting Jose Mourinho’s criticism of Gunners vice-chairman David Dein. It followed statements released earlier in the day by the FA and the Premier League. The FA believe ‘some of those views expressed by Mourinho are unnecessary, unhelpful, bad for the image of the game and inaccurate’ while the Premier League feel the Blues manager’s comments ‘are not only unfounded, but also display a lack of understanding’.

On the field, Lyon midfielder Michael Essien says he still wants to join Chelsea although he decides to go on the club’s pre-season trip to South Korea. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has held meetings with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon but remains determined to keep the player. Aulas comments ‘they came back with an extraordinary offer but we are not crazy.’

The Blues boss thinks his club is being treated unfairly by the game’s governing bodies compared to their North London rivals.

Dundee will be allowed to appeal against the punishment handed to Livingston for their payment to Hassan Kachluoul. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho starts the season early by demanding that Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein should resign from the board of the Football Association. The Blues boss thinks his club is being treated unfairly by the game’s governing bodies compared to their North London rivals. He claims Chelsea often play away games after European weeks, while Arsenal seem to play at home. Arsenal refuse to comment, while the Premier League state that midweek Champions League fixtures had no impact on how they allocated weekend fixtures.

Dundee will be allowed to appeal against the punishment handed to Livingston for their payment to Hassan Kachluoul. The Moroccan international was signed outside of the transfer window but helped Livi retain their SPL status by being registered as an amateur. Evidence has since been presented that proved the former Aston Villa man had been paid. Livingston were censured with a fine of £15,000. The Dark Blues still hope to retain their own top flight status after being relegated whilst Livingston stayed up.

Former Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope joins 2004-05 Qatar champions and 2006 AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Gharafah from Spanish outfit Malaga. The 28-year-old Costa Rica forward opted to sign for the Q-League side - formerly known as Al Etehad - despite interest from Portsmouth.

According to his agent, striker Nathan Elllington is likely to sign a new contract with Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic despite reports that he had turned down an extended deal. The Duke, who has one year left on his current contract, appears to have had a change of heart as it seemed the 23-year-old is wary of committing his long-term future to the Latics. They are 4/6 on to be relegated at the end of their first-ever top flight season.

The England centre-back’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has revealed that talks have come to a halt over his future at Old Trafford.

Dunfermline Athletic are ordered to rip up their plastic pitch after the Scottish Premier League board re-affirmed their decision to exclude synthetic pitches for next season. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is unconcerned that new contract talks with Rio Ferdinand have reached deadlock. The England centre-back’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has revealed that talks have come to a halt over his future at Old Trafford. It is thought Ferdinand has been offered £100,000 a week but is demanding an extra £20,000. Zahavi believes it would reflect the 26-year-old’s status as the best defender in the world although many United supporters - already reeling from the Malcolm Glazer takeover - fear it’s further evidence of his desire to join Chelsea or Real Madrid.

Dunfermline Athletic are ordered to rip up their plastic pitch after the Scottish Premier League board re-affirmed their decision to exclude synthetic pitches for next season. After a five-hour meeting at Hampden Park, the SPL board rubberstamped their earlier conclusion and again ruled out the use of plastic pitches. An SPL statement explained the East End Park pitch ‘has not achieved and will not, by the start of season 2005-2006, have achieved the required Fifa two-star certification’.

England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate is left out of Real Madrid’s 24-man squad to tour the USA and Asia. The 25 year-old has not played for Real since joining from Newcastle United for £13.4m in August 2004. He will remain in Spain as he continues his recovery from a long-term thigh injury. Luis Figo does travel though so casting doubt on his possible transfer to Liverpool. The Real tour includes games against Guadalajara and LA Galaxy in America then Beijing Gouan in China and Tokyo Verdy and Jubilo Iwata in Japan.

It’s announced that the first new UK national newspaper for two decades is expected to be launched next spring. The Sportsman aims to tap into the British gaming industry, reportedly worth £44billion in bets taken last year. It will be published seven days a week and cover sport, finance and politics. The project is backed with about £500,000 raised from Ben and Zac Goldsmith, sons of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith. Jeremy Deedes, former chief executive of the Telegraph Group, has been named chairman while Charlie Methven, a former Daily Telegraph journalist, and Max Aitken, great-grandson of the legendary Express Newspapers proprietor Lord Beaverbrook are also involved.

Chris Powell makes a surprise return to Charlton Athletic. The veteran left-back left The Valley for West Ham United last September and helped the Hammers return to the Premiership via the Play-Offs. The 35 year-old who won five England caps said ‘I’m delighted the opportunity arose for me to return to Charlton but it’s a very weird one to be truthful’.

He will officially move to Stamford Bridge on 1 September after a compensation package is agreed.

Juventus admit that want to sign Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira. Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal want £14million.- The details of Tottenham Hotspur’s Sports Director Frank Arnesen’s move to Chelsea are confirmed. He will officially move to Stamford Bridge on 1 September after a compensation package - thought to be around £8million - is agreed. The 48 year-old Dane was suspended after news of the move leaked in June and Spurs threatened to report Chelsea for an illegal approach.

- Juventus admit that want to sign Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira. Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal want £14million while Juve are offering £5million plus midfielder Stephen Appiah. General director Luciano Moggi says ‘I haven’t said that he is too expensive. In any case we will have to meet them again.’

- Darren Ambrose becomes the sixth player to leave Newcastle United this summer after he agrees at four-year deal with Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee. Lee Bowyer is also likely to depart St James’ Park while Chelsea’s Scott Parker has been the only close season recruit so far.

- Leicester City ditch plans to share their Walkers Stadium home with rugby union neighbours Leicester Tigers. After eight months of productive talks, they could not settle the issue of whose fixtures would take priority. The Tigers, who played their recent Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse at the Walkers Stadium, say they intend to go ahead with plans to redevelop Welford Road.

- Stockport County Supporters Trust complete their protracted takeover of the Edgeley Park club. Former York City chairman John Batchelor was interested in buying the club from Cheshire Sports and the Trust’s bid looked like failing when former owner Brendan Elwood initially refused to sanction the move.

He teams up with his former Wales boss Mark Hughes at Ewood Park.

Tottenham Hotspur’s England international keeper Paul Robinson pledges his future to the White Hart Lane club by agreeing a new seven-year contract.- Craig Bellamy ends his controversial stint at Newcastle United and joins Blackburn Rovers in a four-year deal for around £5million. He teams up with his former Wales boss Mark Hughes at Ewood Park and states ‘this is about Craig Bellamy being happy and me showing people I’m not a destructive influence.’

- Tottenham Hotspur’s England international keeper Paul Robinson pledges his future to the White Hart Lane club by agreeing a new seven-year contract. The 25 year-old ends speculation about his future as the former Leeds player had been the subject of reported interest from clubs at home and abroad.

- Greater Manchester Police issue Wigan Athletic with a High Court summons in the row over unpaid match-day policing bills. GMP threaten to withdraw policing from the JJB Stadium meaning the Latics’ first Premiership game versus Chelsea could be cancelled.

- Norwich City agree to Coventry City’s request to switch their first game of the season to Carrow Road. Due to delays, the Sky Blues will now play their first game at their new 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena against Queens Park Rangers on 20 August.

- Southend United have their first chairman in five years with Ron Martin succeeding John Main who stepped down in 2000. The Shrimpers’ major shareholder was elected at the AGM without a single objection. United recently won the League Two Play-Off Final and reached last season’s LDV Vans Trophy Final.

The summer games return to the capital for the first time since 1948 when Wembley Stadium was the main arena.

For the second year in a row, Steven Gerrard makes a sensational U-turn and decides to stay at Liverpool. He will sign a contract that ties him to Anfield until at least 2009. - British sport celebrates as London is awarded the 2012 Olympics. The summer games return to the capital for the first time since 1948 when Wembley Stadium was the main arena. In seven years time, the new Wembley will host the football finals. The Football Association immediately announced that it is to investigate as ‘a matter of urgency’ how Great Britain can enter both men’s and women’s teams.

- For the second year in a row, Steven Gerrard makes a sensational U-turn and decides to stay at Liverpool. He will sign a contract that ties him to Anfield until at least 2009. The Reds skipper explained: “After considering everything that’s gone on, I just couldn’t go through with it and leave this club. I admitted I’ve made mistakes and the club has acknowledged they’ve made some mistakes as well.”

- Chelsea confirm that Argentine forward Hernan Crespo will return to play for them in the new season. The 30-year-old spent last term on loan at AC Milan and had hoped to return to Italy, but the Premiership champions say their £16.8million striker will be at Stamford Bridge in 2005-06.

- A summer of change at Millwall continues as Jeff Burnige resigns as chairman less than two months after taking over from Theo Paphitis. He has opted to leave ‘for personal reasons’. Former manager Dennis Wise resigned following clashes with Mr Burnige who introduced a dramatic financial restructuring of the club as well as appointing Steve Claridge as the new boss.

- The Gold Cup - the tournament for the top ten Concacaf teams and two invited countries - begins with a shock result as Panama beat Colombia 1-0 in the opening game in Miami. The other Group A game was Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago’s 1-1 draw. T&T’s goal was scored by Port Vale’s Chris Birchall.