On the issue of so-called 'Safe Standing areas', the Premier League have issued a statement. It read: "It remains the Premier League's position that stadiums should be all-seat, in line with government policy, and we will not be encouraging the Government to change the law.

"Since the introduction of all-seater grounds the supporter experience has improved significantly and we have seen more diverse crowds attending Premier League matches, including more women and children.

"The police, safety officers and licensing authorities remain clear and have consistently informed us that crowd management has improved as a result of all-seater stadiums being in place in the top two divisions in this country."

The Liberal Democrats want to change the law and allow Premier League and Championship clubs to introduce safe standing at stadiums.

The party has confirmed to BBC Sport it plans to make the pledge as part of its 2015 General Election manifesto.

Currently, the Football Spectators Act 1989 requires safety authorities to ensure fans attending games in England's top two divisions are seated.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest: Midfielder Henri Lansbury signs a new three-year deal.

Blackburn Rovers: The Lancashire club turn down Hull's bid for Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes.

Huddersfield Town: Chairman Dean Hoyle denies reports that Neil Warnock has turned down the chance to manage the side on a short-term basis.

Rotherham United: The Millers sign Ipswich Town midfielder Anthony Wordsworth on loan until January.

Liverpool Echo report James Pearce:, external Liverpool talks with Balotelli agent have reached successful conclusion. Player will now fly into UK this afternoon to begin medical.

Formula 1: Bernie Ecclestone has said he wants to run the sport for "as long as I can" after paying £60m to end his three-month bribery trial.

Image source, Empics

Cricket: Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been included in the Lancashire squad for the T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Athletics: Former 400m world champion Amantle Montsho faces a two-year ban after her B sample drugs test from the Commonwealth Games came back positive.

The BBC will celebrate 50 years of its iconic football television show Match of the Day with a special programme on Friday at 22:35 BST on BBC One.

Packed with classic archive material, it charts the evolution of football's most famous programme and features new contributions from a host of famous faces, including Jose Mourinho, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Gary Lineker, Wayne Rooney, Des Lynam and Alan Hansen.

Alex Song is closing in on a return to Arsenal after Arsene Wenger signalled his interest in re-signing the midfielder, reports Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo., external

It is claimed Song has been told he can leave Barcelona for just £10million as he does not feature in the plans of new manager Luis Enrique.

Legendary commentator Barry Davies is making a one-off return to BBC's Match of the Day on Saturday.

Davies will commentate on Crystal Palace v West Ham as the programme marks its half-century on screen. He began working in television for ITV before the 1966 World Cup and joined the BBC three years later.

"He is one of the programme's most iconic voices," said Philip Bernie, BBC Head of TV Sport.

Davies, 76, will join the team of Guy Mowbray, Jonathan Pearce, Steve Wilson, John Motson and Alistair Mann for Saturday's games (BBC One, 22.30 BST).

Match of the Day is 50 today and we asked for your memories of the great show. We have had loads of great responses from you and here is a selection of some more.

Pete Stilliard:, external For old times' sake, I'm going to avoid finding out the results until MOTD is on tomorrow night. Could be tricky in this day and age.

Barnsley fan James Lawton:, external Got two video tapes full of MOTDs called: "It's just like watching Brazil" 1997-1998, BFC! Can even remember most of the commentary. #MOTD50

Puneet Jandu:, external #MOTD50 Barry Davies's "Look at his face, just look at his face" line when commentating on Franny Lee's goal for Derby v Man City (1974-75). Brilliant.

Speaking of Barry Davies....

Image source, Reuters

Barcelona forward Neymar has a sprained ankle and is struggling to face Elche on Sunday in La Liga.

"Neymar had a pain in his left ankle after finishing training on Thursday and tests have shown that the player has a grade one sprain," a statement read.

The Lancashire Telegraph report, external it would take an offer of £12m for Blackburn Rovers to consider selling prized asset Jordan Rhodes.

Club record signing Rhodes was yesterday the subject of a failed £8m bid from Premier League outfit Hull City.

Managerless Crystal Palace will sound out David Moyes to see if the former Manchester United boss would be prepared to rebuild his reputation at Selhurst Park, reports the London Evening Standard., external

They report Palace fear Moyes will turn down the opportunity.

Image source, West Brom

Former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, 29, signs for West Brom on a two-year deal.

The Greece international is the Baggies' ninth signing of the summer.

"He has played a lot of football at the highest levels - Champions League, European Championships and World Cups - and the feedback we've got on him, from people like Neil Lennon, states he thrives on the big occasion," head coach Alan Irvine told West Brom's website. , external

QPR defender Rio Ferdinand has told the Daily Mail, external he wants to be the England manager one day.

The former Manchester United and England player, 35, said: "Everyone has dreams of playing for England and my dream after football is to manage England.

"I don't expect the chance now, but once I get the badges I am there. If I don't get a job in management I will wonder why."

Here is a picture from 1966 of two cameramen covering the match between West Ham United and Sheffield United for Match Of The Day.

Did you know? The first colour broadcast took place three years after this picture was taken. Television viewers could watch the red shirts of Liverpool against West Ham's claret and blue on 15 November, 1969. Liverpool won the match 2-0.

You can watch a programme celebrating 50 years of Match of the Day on BBC One on Friday at 22:35 BST.

We are asking for your favourite Match of the Day memories. Here are some more of them.

Image source, Empics

Damien Morris:, external Steve Bruce scoring two goals to help Manchester United beat Sheffield Wednesday back in 1993 to help them win the league.

Steven Gove:, external Watching MOTD when Exeter played Villa and managing to see myself only just looking over the advertising boards.

Peter Kersley:, external My first #MOTD50 memory, not finding out results until broadcast and watching Newcastle demolish Spurs 7-1 at St James' Park!

Image source, PA

Rugby League: Watch BBC Sport's opener for Saturday's Challenge Cup final at Wembley, as Castleford Tigers prepare to face Leeds Rhinos. (UK users only)

Formula 1: BBC F1 commentator Ben Edwards takes a look at what makes Spa-Francorchamps such a special circuit in the world of Formula 1 ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. (UK users only)

Swimming: Watch Commonwealth Games champion Jazz Carlin become the first Welsh swimmer to win an individual European long course Championships gold medal in the women's 800m final. (UK users only)

Athletics: BBC Sport's athletics pundits share their favourite moments from the European Athletics Championships in Zurich. (UK users only)

Elizabeth Hudson at the IPC Athletics European Championships:

"It's been a quiet morning so far for the GB athletes who have been in action here in Swansea.

"Both Kieran Tscherniawsky (F33 shot put) and Rob Smith (T52 100m) missed out on medals in their events but hopes are high of British success in the women's club throw which has just got underway with four athletes in contention - Abbie Hunnisett, Joanna Butterfield, Gemma Prescott and London 2012 discus gold medallist Josie Pearson."

As well as your Match of the Day memories, we are also asking for your thoughts on Liverpool's potential signing of AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli and whether this will have an impact on the Premier League title race.

Max Maximus:, external Balotelli and Liverpool will not have any effect on the title race. The battle for fourth perhaps.

Vincenzo Re:, external If Liverpool expect Balotelli to change his behaviour on/off field then they are doomed to finish outside top four. Balotelli not a team player and will destroy Liverpool team spirit. Wrong character, wrong type of player.

The Synthacon:, external I think people forget that Super Mario has only just turned 24. So much potential, could be a steal at the price.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal and Chelsea both enquired about Liverpool-bound Mario Balotelli earlier this summer, reports the Daily Star., external

They claim Liverpool's eagerness to land Balotelli proved crucial with the Italian set to join the Anfield club.