Summary

  • Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer make Fifa Ballon d'Or shortlist

  • Yacine Brahimi voted BBC African Footballer of the Year

  • Brendan Rodgers - Gerrard offered new contract

  • Football League disqualify Leeds owner Cellino

  • GET INVOLVED: What do you make of the Fifa Ballon d'Or shortlist?

  1. "They did have numbers, but it was written on in biro..."published at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Redruth v DorkingImage source, Dan Barbary/Redruth RFC

    Not quite "Shirts v Skins", but close. Dorking, who play in the fourth tier of English rugby, turned their shirts inside out and wrote their numbers in ballpoint pen on the back after a clash of kits.

    Dorking won 38-12 at Redruth, but their red and white kit was too close to the red and black worn by the home side.

    "We offered our change kit, but they said they'd rather turn their shirts inside out," Redruth's head coach Steve Larkins told BBC Radio Cornwall.

    "It wasn't the start of a National League Two game you'd expect - it was more of a school game. They did have numbers, but it was written on in biro on their backs."

  2. Swansea City news conferencepublished at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Garry Monk declines to comment on reports linking him with a move for Arsenal striker Joel Campbell.

    The Swansea boss says he has "one or two" names on his wanted list for January but will not speculate on names.

    Wilfried BonyImage source, Getty Images

    Monk says it would take "an astronomical bid" to prise striker Wilfried Bony away from the Liberty Stadium. Bony has scored 18 Premier League goals in 2014, more than any other top flight striker in the calendar year.

  3. Swansea City news conferencepublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Gary Monk has arrived and immediately dismisses any concerns about having to play two games in four days

    "It is no problem, the players are used to it," says the Swansea gaffer, his team facing QPR at home on Tuesday, hot on the heels of Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace.

    Monk, who reports no new injury concerns before the QPR game, says he does not understand questions about his team giving away leads. "I concentrate on the points we have," he adds.

  4. Swansea City news conferencepublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Swansea City

    BBC Wales chief football reporter Rob Phillips is in place at Swansea where manager Garry Monk will speak to the media shortly.

  5. Southampton news conferencepublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Ronald Koeman has proved to have the smart touch with transfers at Southampton so far, with the likes of Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic recruited, but he is tight-lipped on any January activity.

    The Saints have been linked with a move for Burnley striker Danny Ings.

    "Of course we think about the team, to make it better than we have," says the 51-year-old. "I'm pleased with what we have and if there is a moment to think about January we will do it but I don't go with names of players. They are rumours and if we need someone we will do it."

  6. On this daypublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    1973: Jack Nicklaus became the first golfer to win two million US dollars in prize money on the US PGA Tour. Nicklaus later became the first player to win three, four and five million.

    Jack NicklausImage source, Getty Images

    1991: The French Davis Cup team, captained by Yannick Noah, beat the USA 3-1 to win the cup for the first time since 1932. The achievement was marked by a reception in their honour, hosted by President Francois Mitterrand in Paris.

    1999: Darlington, losers in the second round of the FA Cup, were allowed a wild card entry into the third round because of Manchester United's withdrawal to play in the World Club Championships, but they went out to Aston Villa in January.

    2012: England clinched a sensational 38-21 victory over world champions New Zealand, who suffered their first defeat in 21 matches, at Twickenham.

  7. Southampton news conferencepublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Ronald Koeman says he does not know how long Morgan Schneiderlin will be ruled out for.

    The French midfielder is having a scan on his injured adductor today, says Koeman, who adds his player will definitely miss Wednesday's trip to Arsenal.

  8. Southampton news conferencepublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Ronaldo KoemanImage source, Southampton

    Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is in place to speak to the media. His side travel to Arsenal on Wednesday.

    "It's a tough club and we know that. But we have had a good start and that has not changed in my opinion since yesterday," he says.

    Saints lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

  9. World Cup talk 'premature'published at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Shane WilliamsImage source, Getty Images

    Wales' record try scorer Shane Williams says it is "a little bit premature" to talk about winning the World Cup.

    Coach Warren Gatland believes Wales can win the World Cup in 2015 after securing only their second ever win over South Africa.

    But Williams says the tournament is a long way away even though the team are in a better position than they were at the start of the autumn series.

    "It's great to be confident but there's a long time in between," Williams said.

  10. Champions League vote resultspublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Manchester UnitedImage source, Getty Images

    The results from our vote are in and you feel Manchester United are the most likely team to qualify for the Champions League this year.

    Of the 10 teams placed below league leaders Chelsea, they took 40.3% of the vote.

    Manchester City received 16.8% of the vote, Arsenal 12.1% and Liverpool 10.7%.

    Southampton's good start is only enough to persuade 6.7% of you and if the vote proves accurate come May, Everton (4.7%), Tottenham (3.4%), Swansea (2%), West Ham (2%) and Newcastle (1.3%) will all fall short.

  11. Hereford alive for two more weekspublished at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Hereford United's winding-up hearing at the High Court has been adjourned for two weeks, reports BBC Midlands Today.

    The Bulls were back at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand this morning to defend themselves against a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue and Customs, to which a number of other major creditors had attached themselves.

    The Southern League club, expelled from the Conference in June, are now due back in court on Monday, 15 December.

  12. Leeds owner Cellino asked to resignpublished at 12:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    The Football League tells Leeds owner Massimo Cellino he must resign from his position immediately and lodge any appeal against his disqualification within 14 days.

    If his disqualification for breaching the Owners' and Directors'' Test be upheld, he will be banned until 18 March 2015 when the conviction will be deemed as spent.

  13. 'No worries for Murray'published at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Andy Murray and MauresmoImage source, Getty Images

    Andy Murray's former mentor Sergio Casal has no worries about the Scot's choice of coaches, insisting he has plenty to learn from "champion" Amelie Mauresmo.

    Murray's appointment of Mauresmo has been under scrutiny ever since the former women's world number one joined forces with him in June.

    But Casal, who mentored a 15-year-old Murray at the famed Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona, said: "He had Lendl, now Mauresmo. You can always get something from these champions.

    "It depends on the connection. But the important thing is that he is connected with champions."

  14. Life ban for fan who hit Messipublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Valencia have vowed to ban for life the fan who hit Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on the head with a plastic bottle on Sunday.

    Messi was celebrating Barca's 94th-minute winner with his team-mates near the corner flag when someone threw the bottle from the stand which struck him.

    Lionel MessiImage source, Getty Images

    "Valencia CF regret and condemn the isolated incident in the game against FC Barcelona, in which a small, uncapped bottle of water was thrown from the stands at opposition player Lionel Messi," Valencia said today in a statement on its website.

    "The club will endeavour to locate the person who threw the bottle and they will be banned for life from the Mestalla."

  15. World Cup warm-up games announcedpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    The International Cricket Council announces 14 warm-up matches before the 2015 Cricket World Cup and finalises start times for tournament matches.

    Among the warm-up games, England will play West Indies on 9 February and Pakistan two days later.

    England start their tournament at the MCG in Melbourne against Australia on 14 February.

  16. Cellino disqualified at Elland Roadpublished at 12:33 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    BBC Radio Leeds tweet:, external "Leeds United have told us Football League have asked Cellino to be removed from position until 18 March 2015 before reappointing him."

    A full statement from Leeds United is expected shortly.

  17. Caterham given timepublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Caterham have been given dispensation to compete in 2015 with this year's car should a buyer be found for the team.

    The key decision was taken during a Formula One Commission meeting in Geneva, and allows administration-hit Caterham an opportunity to be on the grid next year.

  18. Cellino disqualified by Football Leaguepublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Massimo CellinoImage source, Getty Images

    More now on the breaking news that Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has been disqualified by the Football League.

    The same action - taken in March 2014 - was successfully appealed by the Italian a month later but the Football League have now digested the "reasoned judgement" of the Italian Courts, which has materialised since the appeal.

    Cellino, 58, has been convicted of tax evasion in his homeland.

    In a statement, the Football League says: "The Board considered detailed legal advice and agreed unanimously that Mr Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under the terms of the Test."

  19. BREAKING NEWSpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Leeds owner Massimo Cellino is disqualified under the Football League's Owners' and Directors' Test, the governing body has announced. Cellino has 14 days in which to appeal the decision.

  20. Van Gaal annoyed at Christmas fixturespublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 1 December 2014

    Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is 'unhappy' with the amount of fixtures played in the festive period.

    United could play four matches in nine days between Boxing Day and 3 January, depending on the FA Cup draw.

    Louis van GaalImage source, Getty Images

    Their itinerary in the Premier League sees them host Newcastle on Boxing Day, away at Tottenham two days later before travelling to Stoke on New Year's Day.

    "I have a wife, kids and grandchildren, and I cannot see them at Christmas," said Van Gaal, 63.