Brentford manager Mark Warburton, who will leave the club at the end of the season: "I will be forever grateful to Matthew [Benham] for giving me the opportunity to be manager of this fantastic football club and for what he has done for the club since I have been here.

"It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to do the job and I have had the pleasure of working with a fantastic group of players and staff and have enjoyed the backing of a magnificent set of supporters.

"While I am disappointed that we have been unable to reconcile some key philosophical differences, I'm relieved we now have clarity.

"In my remaining time at the club, we shall move heaven and earth to get the promotion that the players, fans and Matthew deserve and going forward, I wish the club every success in its ongoing adventure."

Brentford owner Matthew Benham on manager Mark Warburton's departure, which will happen at the end of the season: "Under Mark's stewardship, Brentford have achieved a high league position and played football which is a joy to watch.

"It is difficult to seek to implement change, particularly when things appear to be going so well, but I am single minded in my resolve that we can leave no stone unturned in our quest for sustainable Premier League Football.

"Innovation, not increased funding, can be the only route to success for clubs such as ours, and I fully accept that innovation is never without risk.

"We are continuing to build a strong base for the future. Everything has been perfectly amicable between all parties and we remain friends."

Image source, Getty Images

Some more details on the impending managerial changes at Brentford, who are seventh in the Championship.

Manager Mark Warburton, sporting director Frank McParland and assistant manager David Weir will all go after meeting owner Matthew Benham to agree terms for their departures.

Warburton and Weir will continue to work with the team for the rest of the season, but McParland has been put on 'gardening leave'.

The club will appoint a head coach to work with a new sporting director.

"Matthew, a Brentford fan since 1979, who has owned the majority shareholding in the club since June 2012, has decided to make changes in order to ensure the long-term prosperity of the club," a Brentford statement read.

Brentford have confirmed manager Mark Warburton and his coaching staff will leave the club at the end of the season.

Image source, EPA

Schalke 04 striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is fit to play in the first leg of his side's last-16 Champions League tie at home to holders Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The Dutchman missed training last week due to a virus but was cleared to play in a rematch of last season's 6-1 mauling at the same stage by the Spanish club.

"We simply gave away our last home game against Real (last season). We need to tackle this game better this time," says Huntelaar.

Jon in Woking, via text: Penalty isn't a debate if it's Costa, Suarez, Aguero etc - nobody would be defending it, rather calling it a travesty and asking for a ban. But it's Rooney so it's OK and excusable.

Daniel McLaughlin on Twitter:, external Any other player dives, hardly any reaction. Rooney dives, the whole world ends. Typical United bashing from the media.

Image source, Getty Images

More tweets on the controversy surrounding Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney's alleged dive during last night's FA Cup fifth-round win at Preston.

Aaron Wright:, external Someone said if it had happened in the 89th minute of the World Cup final, we wouldn't complain. We have to get to the final, which won't happen.

Steven Atkinson:, external Not sure the argument that it's OK to cheat of the spoils are worth it holds much sway ethically.

Oluwasola Oloruntobi:, external Regarding Kevin Kilbane's comment that Rooney dived, there are some two-footed challenge where the referee won't hesitate to show a red - did they all touch the opponent?

Eddie Baxter:, external Every striker is going to go down in that situation. Wouldn't complain if it was your own team's player involved.

Just following up Eddie's point: A lot of people are tweeting and texting to suggest that there would have been a different reaction (from the media, from fans generally) if Player X of Team Y had been involved in the alleged diving controversy. Or indeed Player A of Team B. And don't get anyone started on Player M of Team Q...

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier on, the company that owns Birmingham City Football Club went into receivership.

A Football League spokesman says: "The League received notification earlier today regarding the appointment of receivers by Birmingham City's holding company.

"We have requested a meeting with the club and the appointed receivers at the earliest opportunity to discuss the matter."

Image source, Getty Images

Munster and Ireland hooker Damien Varley has been forced to retire because of a foot injury.

Varley, 31, made only one appearance this season when he came on as a replacement against Leinster.

The hooker, who made 121 appearances for Munster and won three Ireland caps, sustained his foot injury at a training session in July 2013.

Varley battled hard to retain fitness and played for Ireland against Argentina last summer.

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger says the team's success this season is simply a result of hard work and belief in the club's overarching philosophy.

"This is not lucky. A lot of sweat and tears were put in by everybody to make it possible," he told BBC South Today.

"The manifesto was very important - it says 'we've been to the edge of the abyss and come back stronger', and at the very end it says 'we are the Saints - it's not just a name, it's who we are'.

"It came out of a staff meeting when everybody was involved we ended up with the Southampton way and the manifesto and everybody really bought in to it."

Image source, Getty Images

A curious story from the Daily Telegraph's finance section, external with a loose connection to Formula 1: Lego has overtaken Ferrari to become the world's most powerful brand, according to a new survey.

The Danish toy company has been boosted by, among other things, the success of The Lego Movie, while Ferrari has been hampered partly by a lack of F1 success, analyst Brand Finance reports.

"Lego's underlying strength is that it appeals to both sexes, and all ages," said Robert Haigh, a Brand Finance branding expert.

"Ferrari's... really fallen as the F1 team has done badly this year," said Haigh. "They've also ended their cap on the amount of cars they produce, so people don't see it as being so exclusive any more."

And yes, the Ferrari in this picture is made of Lego.

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

AP McCoy's expected mount in his last Grand National, Shutthefrontdoor, has been allotted a weight of 11st 2lbs for the handicap at Aintree on 11 April.

The 19-times champion jump jockey announced earlier this month he will retire by the end of the season.

Shutthefrontdoor, owned by JP McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill, is favourite despite not having raced since a win at Carlisle in November.

McCoy will ride his 20th National and won it on Don't Push It in 2010.

Image source, Getty Images

Northampton Town have appointed former Port Vale and York City manager Martin Foyle as their new head of recruitment.

The 51-year-old has been out of football since parting company with Conference club Southport last October.

Neil in Cheshire, via text: A golf course in North Wales (remains nameless), where farmers have grazing rights for their sheep. Sheep dung everywhere - which, on a wet day, became very fluid! Don't lick the ball to clean it!

Alan, via text: Recreation Ground, Bath. Basically a load of scaffolding in a public park. Three-quarters uncovered. £40-plus for a ticket. Portaloos for toilets. Bizarrely, many fans campaign AGAINST building a proper stadium.

Niall Campbell, via text: There's a rugby pitch beside Donegal airport where cows graze when there's no match on.

Image source, Getty Images

England conceded 105 runs off the final 10 overs in their 111-run defeat by Australia in Melbourne in their World Cup opener.

James Anderson failed to take any wickets for England as the side's main strike bowler went for 67 runs in his 10 overs.

"We've been trying to plan different ways of how we are going to bowl at the death," says England batsman Moeen Ali. "It's not easy. I've never bowled at the death.

"I can imagine its very difficult against guys who are set and, with the boundaries being not as big, its going to be tough. But as long as we are improving and we have a plan then we'll be OK. We've got some good death bowlers who can bowl great yorkers and slower balls - its just putting it into the game."

England will be aiming to bounce back from their opening World Cup defeat by Australia when they play New Zealand on Friday.

"They are a very good side," says England batsman Moeen Ali. "It's going to be tough but if we can get a win it would be great for us.

"They've got such power in their side and with the bowling they've got a great spinner in Daniel Vettori, with some good fast bowlers. It looks like they've got the whole package at the minute. For us to win we'll have to play really well."

Gareth Stephenson, via text: We played one of the first footie matches at Rush Green Road in Clacton. The pitch was a thin layer of top soil on top of landfill. In addition to bits of tin can and other dangerous scraps, late in the first half there were little three or four-inch flames like Bunsen burners coming out of cracks all over one half of the pitch as escaping gas ignited in the sun. We were as surprised as anybody - that it was sunny in Clacton.

Rob in Barnet, via text: I'm intrigued. Which strip (no pun intended) were the opposition wearing against William Bowen's team (see tweet between 14:07 and 14:13) for the line-o to flag the nudist pitch invader offside?

Aldershot Town's board of directors have confirmed that they will start interviewing candidates for the vacant managerial position at the club.

The club says that current caretaker boss Chris Barker will be on the shortlist.

Interviews for the position of first-team manager will take place next week, commencing Monday, 23 February.

Martin Bushell: We play on a pitch in an amateur league here in Seoul... a running track takes up the left wing - and a playground with swings and a slide is positioned in the bottom left corner. If it goes in to the play area, it's a corner kick to be from the sandpit.

Andy O'Connor: At Hinstock Cricket Club, the straight boundaries were inside the 30-yard circle, both sides changed and had tea in the only room and the pump action toilet had been stolen from the outhouse!

Chris Pople: Gumley Cricket Club, Leicestershire - a country road runs through the outfield. Cars are supposed to stop while the over is completed but regularly drive through. We nearly lost our third man fielder run over last year.

Just looked that one up on Google maps,, external Chris. What an odd pitch!

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen will be joining the BBC Test Match Special commentary team for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from the quarter-finals onwards.

However, as England struggle without him, he is enjoying a bit of golf. He tweeted, external the below picture with the message: "Hmmm... wind pumping right to left & I've got a hook happening... amazing course, @royalwm #Barbados."

Image source, Kevin Pietersen on Twitter