Man United boss also hints at further new signings to come

Sir Alex Ferguson has effectively admitted Darren Fletcher's playing career is over.

Midfielder Fletcher has been out of action since December suffering with the bowel condition colitis.

And the Manchester United boss suggested Fletcher, 27, was unlikely to make it back to playing ever again.

"Darren has not started training with us," said Ferguson.

"He has got challenges that we are happy to be patient with. But he won't be starting the season.

"It's a shame because he's such a magnificent professional and nice guy.

"If it doesn't work out for him he knows he has always got a position at this club."

Ferguson's hinting at a coaching role for Fletcher comes after the midfielder helped out with the reserves last season, during his enforced absence.

ALEX FERGUSON admits he is eyeing one more summer signing.

Real Madrid's £40m offer for Luka Modric paves way for Joao Moutinho's move to Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid have bid more than £40 million to sign Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur, paving the way for the midfielder to finally leave.

On his way out: Luka Modric is on the cusp of a move to Real Madrid Photo: REUTERS

What a load of rubbish... No, really, Arsenal's new kit is made out of recycled waste...

Deep purple: Alex Song, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny parade the new kit

Wing men: Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain model the new away strip, which is likely to split opinion

 

 

 

 

It's official... Arsenal's new away kit is a load of rubbish.

The Gunners have unveiled their striking purple and black hooped design - along with a garish bright pink goalkeeper's strip - and revealed that each set of shirt and shorts has been made using up to 13 recycled plastic water bottles. 

The kit - modelled by Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex Song, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny - is manufactured from Nike's ground-breaking recycled polyester, making it their most environmentally friendly kit ever produced, reducing energy consumption by up to 30 per cent compared to traditional polyester.

While Arsene Wenger's men will no doubt be applauded for doing their bit to help the environment, the reaction to their unusual choice of colour remains to be seen.

It's certainly a far cry from the traditional yellow away kit associated with so many Arsenal triumphs over the years, including the one worn by Michael Thomas when he scored a last-gasp title-winning strike at Anfield in 1989.

Liverpool seeking clubs to take striker Andy Carroll on loan but £35 million player wants to stay at Anfield

Liverpool have started contacting clubs to explore whether they want to take £35 million striker Andy Carroll on loan for the forthcoming season.

 

Wanted man: Andy Carroll is being linked with a move away from Liverpool, and West Ham and Fulham are both keen on the striker

Terry fights for his name! England star feels the heat in Ferdinand race case

Day two: John Terry arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning

John Terry is fighting for his professional reputation after a savage exchange with the Crown Prosecutor in his race trial on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Duncan Penny claimed Terry snapped and called Anton Ferdinand a ‘f****** black c***’ because nine-man Chelsea were losing a vital Barclays Premier League match.

Although Penny conceded that the former England captain was not ‘a racist’ during the  ferocious exchange, the barrister claimed in  Westminster Magistrates he made a ‘racial’ slur.

Terry took the stand in Court No 1 at 2.17pm on Tuesday and will be back to face further scrutiny in the dock on Wednesday morning.

In several heated courtroom exchanges, Terry was forced to explain what level of abuse he considered to be in the ‘no-go area’ for professional footballers playing at the highest level.

He was also challenged to admit in court that, although he is ‘not a racist’, in the words of Penny, he snapped on the pitch during the derby against Queens Park Rangers last October and made a racist comment. Terry denied this.

Penny: You are not a racist, but you snapped and made a racial slur, didn’t you?
Terry: No.
Penny: You were fed up of being abused about your wife?
Terry: Two years on I’ve heard it 100 times, a million times.
Penny: Were you fed up that afternoon?
Terry: Frustrated.

The Chelsea defender was forced to admit publicly that conversations between players descend to degrading levels during the heat of battle in the Barclays Premier League.

During several tense exchanges with Penny and under fierce cross-examination on Tuesday, Terry conceded that players routinely tell each other they ‘s***’ each other’s partners.

Early start: Chelsea captain John Terry denies racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match

It was a remarkable acceleration to the courtroom pace after Terry was initially invited to take the stand in a dramatic announcement by his defence QC, George Carter-Stephenson.

Just moments after he was taken skilfully through his witness testimony and then shown the video of the controversial incident at Loftus Road, Penny raised the stakes in cross-examination.

In several explosive exchanges in the courtroom, Penny and Terry clashed over the nature and the level of abuse between footballers. In one, Penny used a litany of swear words and sexual references and asked Terry whether players used these to goad rivals.

Terry’s voice was so soft that, on occasion, he was asked to speak up. In front of a packed gallery, he was confronted by more embarrassing allegations as Penny continued to test him. The audience were gripped.

Centre of attention: Chelsea skipper John Terry arrives at court

 

 

 

Penny: Was your private life a no-go area, Mr Terry?
Terry: Yes.
Penny: You saw what Anton was doing — fist-pumping, let’s face it. You got an injunction, your reputation was at stake, the handshake…Friends and team-mates protect you, don’t they?
Terry: No.
Penny: No? You’re highly respected in the football world, aren’t you?
Terry: I’d like to think so.
Penny: So do your friends look after you?
Terry: Yes, naturally.
Penny: So when someone enters a no-go area you strike back, don’t you?
Terry: I don’t know what you mean.

An audio tape of Terry’s interview with the FA, recorded at Chelsea’s training ground five days after the match, was played in court.

In it, Terry admitted using the words ‘black c***’ during the incident, but insisted that his comments had to be judged in context.

The Chelsea defender claimed Ferdinand used the offensive phrase first and that he was responding to an allegation. This is denied by Ferdinand.

Back to business: Anton Ferdinand (centre) led his QPR team-mates in training on Tuesday morning

 

 

 

Terry’s defence is that he was questioning Ferdinand’s allegation on the field when he used the phrase in indignation. The previous day his QC had challenged the accuracy of a lip reader’s account of the alleged racist abuse.

Video analysts Prozone provided the court with details of the pair’s clash, which started when they collided in the QPR penalty area and abuse was exchanged for the first time. After being separated by the  referee, Terry ran back to the  halfway line and both continued hurling insults at one another.

At the time Terry is alleged to have shouted his racial abuse they are 26 metres apart. After 14 seconds the gap is 18 metres and goes to 23 metres in the next five seconds.

During their tense court exchanges, Penny repeatedly challenged Terry on what constitutes acceptable abuse between players on the field.

Penny: What about if an allegation was made about your sister, your mum, would you repeat that back?
Terry: He called me ‘black c***’.
Penny: So you repeated those words back immediately?
Terry: Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I think, I was shocked.
Penny: The ‘n’ word — I’m not even going to repeat it in court, I’m not even going to say it in court. Would you use that?
Terry: I would probably say that (back to the player).

Terry, who has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence following the incident at Loftus Road, denies the charge.

Despite the drama on Tuesday, there were some light-hearted moments during the course of Terry’s two-hour stay in the  witness box.

During the examination of Terry’s evidence, he revealed that he sits next to Ashley Cole, Frank  Lampard and Daniel Sturridge in the dressing room because of ‘superstition’.

According to Terry’s admission, which brought laughter in the  London courtroom, the Chelsea players move places only if they lose.

Terry claims he resolved his conflict with Ferdinand after he made a request to see the QPR defender in the away dressing room within ‘15-20 minutes’ of the match ending.

Accused: Terry denies any wrongdoing after being charged with shouting an offensive comment to Ferdinand

 

 

 

Manchester United now in official talks with Sao Paolo, but it's got to be wrapped up BEFORE Olympics

Manchester United have made a £20million-plus bid for Brazilian wonder boy Lucas Moura - and want him signed before he plays in the Olympics.

United are now in official negotiations for the Samba starlet who is their top target for the new season, as Mirror Sport revealed, and the opening offer could rise in the coming days.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given the go-ahead to spend a chunk of his budget on the Sao Paulo sensation who would walk into his side even at the age of 19.

And the Glazers will also finance the move because of Lucas's age and potential 'sell-on value' - with the Americans under pressure to deliver a big name after a trophyless season.

Fergie has been after Lucas for weeks but the attempt to land him has now got serious, with Inter Milan also in the hunt - and the youngster admitting he could possibly move.

United do not want Lucas to light up the Olympics this month and push his value higher again. Sao Paulo scent a killing and are looking for a jackpot deal.

The Brazilians claimed to have had a £32million bid from Chelsea last season and would like that figure. United are convinced they currently have the best offer on the table.

Lucas has opened the door to a switch and said: "I cannot guarantee that I will stay until the end of my contract. Much has changed and the situation is not up to me anymore.

"I don't have a crazy desire to leave but when the time comes I will speak with my family and decide what is best for my future.

"I'm very calm and down to earth about it. My job is to play football so that these clubs continue to be interested."

Porto star for Spurs: AVB closes in on Moutinho to leave Chelsea in pole position to sign Oscar 

Tottenham were today closing in on a deal to sign Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho - after leaving the field clear for Chelsea to land Brazilian schemer Oscar.

Andre Villas-Boas, who has already completed the captures of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen, is on the brink of adding Moutinho to give him the dressing room disciple he lacked during his short-lived spell at Chelsea.

And that has left the Blues as odds-on to capture Oscar, with Tottenham sources insisting the club pulled out of any interest in the South American at the end of last week.

Spurs had been tracking the Internacional midfielder and made an initial £11million bid for the 20-year-old.

But as the move for Moutinho became more concrete, Spurs switched targets and White Hart Lane sources are adamant Tottenham told Internacional they were no longer interested in the youngster three days ago.

Blue boy? Internacional's Oscar could be on his way to Chelsea  

That leaves Chelsea the favourites to get their man although suggestions of a £25m deal having been struck appear slightly off target.

Oscar's agent, Carlos Meinberg, told Brazilian paper Terra: "Chelsea did offer 25m (£19.8m) but there is still no agreement between the clubs.

"That may happen in the next few days. Oscar's other agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, will travel to England to finalise the remaining details.

"Tottenham also made an offer, but he should accept Chelsea's offer as there is more exposure there."

Spurs will fund the likely £22m capture of the 25-year-old Moutinho, a huge success under Villas-Boas as he guided Porto to an unbeaten season in 2010-11, by the imminent sale of Luka Modric to Real Madrid.

Madrid have offered £28m plus former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is sticking to his demands for a package valued nearer £35m in order to assent to the Croatian's departure.

Levy has made it clear he will not sell to a Premier League rival - both Chelsea and Manchester United were keen on Modric - and while the negotiations are continuing it seems a deal will be reached in the next few days.

Levy also seems to be getting close to reaching an agreement with Manchester City to turn Emmanuel Adebayor's loan deal in N17 into a permanent move.

Thumbs up to Spurs: Emmanuel Adebayor is set to rejoin the club on a permanent deal

City need to offload Adebayor - and Bosnian Edin Dzeko, a target for Bayern Munich and AC Milan - in order to find space for Arsenal's want-away Dutch skipper Robin Van Persie - and appear ready to accept a £5m bid for the Togo striker, who will bank a huge signing-on fee to get his wages more in line with Tottenham's normal policy.     

The South Korean, who joined the Red Devils from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, officially announced his departure to Loftus Road on Monday for an undisclosed fee.

And the four-time Premier League-winning midfielder described playing for the Old Trafford outfit as a "privilege".

"My time at United will last in my heart for the rest of my life," he told the club's official website.

"It’s been a great privilege to be part of such a great team, to have won so much and to have played with special teammates and for the greatest manager in the game.

"I would like to thank everybody at the club who give their best every single day to put every player in the best condition to enjoy their football and achieve success."

Park, who enjoyed cult status amongst the club's fans, also had kind words for the Old Trafford faithful upon his departure.

“The fans have been fantastic to me and I will always remember them with great affection," he added.

"Now, I’m looking forward to giving everything for a new challenge at QPR, where I will bring all my ambition and spirit I have gathered at United. [Those qualities] will be with me forever."

Mark Hughes also identifies Djibril Cisse as a potential candidate

New QPR signing Park Ji Sung is in the frame to replace disgraced Joey Barton as captain.

The former Manchester United midfielder, 31, has signed a two-year deal at Loftus Road.

Barton has been banned for 12 games and fined £75,000 by the FA for his sending off in the Hoops’ last game of the season at Manchester City. The Scouser was also fined £420,000 by Rangers, stripped of the captaincy and axed from the club’s pre-season tour

Boss Mark Hughes said: “I’m sure people will want the role and will step forward for it.

“And Ji will get that ­opportunity if it is one he wants to take. We have other guys with experience, people who have won Champions League like Djibril Cisse.

Djibril Cisse: will he stay on the pitch long enough to lead?

“Characters in the dressing room who can take on that mantle.”

Park turned down a monster Asian payday to go to West London.

But he said: “I still want to play in Europe because Europe is the highest level in the world.”

Carroll blow as Liverpool go for £10m Roma striker Borini

Wanted: Liverpool are hopeful of sealing a deal for Italy striker Borini (left)

Fabio Borini is set to become Brendan Rodgers' first signing, as the Liverpool manager challenges Andy Carroll to show he can be part of the new Anfield regime.

Having worked with the Italy striker at Chelsea and Swansea, Borini has been on Rodgers' wanted list for some time, and Liverpool have held lengthy discussions with his current club Roma over a deal that could be worth £10million.

Borini was co-owned by Roma and Parma last season, but Roma concluded their own £3.95m deal to take full ownership of his contract last month, which has made Liverpool's negotiations for the 21-year-old go more smoothly.

It is, however, a surprise that Borini is set to move to Anfield as he said last month that he was 'a Roma player' and 'it's not my business that there is talk about whether I go there (to Liverpool) or stay.'

Rodgers wants to bring in 'three or four' additions, but aims to do that 'without throwing wheelbarrows full of money at it'.

He is also confident of getting improvement out of the Liverpool players he inherited, Carroll included.

Centre of attention: Carroll is yet to return from his holidays

 

 

The England forward has endured a turbulent 18 months since his £35million move to Anfield from Newcastle and it had been assumed that Carroll - who is being linked with a loan switch to AC Milan - will struggle to adapt to the intricate system Rodgers favours.

Though Rodgers has not handed Carroll any assurances about where he will fit into the team, he is prepared to give him the necessary chances.

'Andy is a player I want to assess and speak with,' said Rodgers, who received confirmation yesterday that Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates will represent Uruguay in the Olympics. 

Welcome to Anfield: Rodgers was officially unveiled on Monday

Exclusive: Chelsea win the Oscar... Roman beats AVB to grab £25m Brazil playmaker

 

Star man: The Internacional striker is one of world football's hottest prospects

 

 

Chelsea have pulled off another transfer coup by clinching the signature of £25million Brazilian wonderkid Oscar.

Despite already splashing out £42m on Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, Roman Abramovich's latest revolution shows no signs of abating after he moved in for the Internacional playmaker who is regarded as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Brazil in years.

To add further flavour to the European champions' deal, they have pipped their former manager Andre Villas-Boas in the process.  

Tottenham's new boss thought he was in a strong position to land 20-year-old Oscar after making an offer last week.

It was reported the bid was £11m, but sources in South America say it was much higher than that and a club-record offer of nearer £18m.

Chelsea, however, have moved quickly to swamp Tottenham's offer and beat their former charge to his signature.  

Losing battle: Tottenham's new boss AVB was also interested in the Brazil starlet

  

Summer signings: Hazard and Marin have already completed moves to Chelsea

We're the Real deal: Madrid confident of beating Chelsea to signing of Spurs star Modric by using Carvalho as bait

On the move: Luka Modric is expected to leave Spurs this summer

Real Madrid are confident of beating Chelsea to the signing of Luka Modric and have offered Tottenham Ricardo Carvalho as part of the deal.

The Spanish champions are unmoved by Chelsea re-entering the race and believe they have already seen off interest from Manchester United in the Croatia midfielder. 

The Bernabeu hierarchy are confident that Modric’s desire to join them gives them a clear advantage, even if they have been reluctant to meet Spurs’ £35million asking price.

The new offer would be £28m plus former Chelsea defender Carvalho, according to Madrid newspaper AS, at the request of new White Hart Lane boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Decision time: Modric is set to have offers from Real Madrid and Chelsea

Is that our new manager? Liverpool fans stunned as Rodgers hits the town

Out on the town: Brendan Rodgers pictured at Garland nightclub

Brendan Rodgers has been busy taking in the Liverpool lifestyle after being spotted in one of the city’s most famous bars.

The new Reds boss was seen posing with fans at Garlands, which is a popular gay venue, as well as being a favourite among straight men.

One onlooker told The Sun, 'One of the lads made a joke about someone at the bar looking like Brendan Rodgers.

'It wasn’t until closer inspection that we realised it was actually him.

Terry 'racially abused' Ferdinand after taunts over alleged affair, court hears

• Trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court expected to last five days

• Terry faces maximum fine of £2,500 but no prospect of jail

• FA inquiry has been postponed until after criminal case

In the dock: John Terry listens as Anton Ferdinand takes the witness stand

In the dock: The Chelsea captain arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday morning

Chelsea captain and England international John Terry called Anton Ferdinand a racist obscenity in response to taunts about his alleged affair with a team-mate's ex-girlfriend, a court has heard.

The 31-year-old allegedly called QPR defender Ferdinand a 'f****** black c***'.

Terry is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence during a Barclays Premier League match on October 23 last year, which was broadcast to millions of people.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Terry sat in the dock wearing a light grey suit, white shirt and pink tie.

The court heard that Terry told Ferdinand to 'f*** off" and also called him a "f****** k*******' as the pair exchanged insults.

Opening the prosecution, Duncan Penny said: 'The Crown alleges that the words he used demonstrated hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership or presumed membership of a racial group.

Accused: Terry denies any wrongdoing after being charged with shouting an offensive comment to Ferdinand

 

 

The court heard that Terry maintains he was only sarcastically repeating words that Ferdinand wrongly thought he had used.

Mr Penny said: 'The Crown alleges that the defendant, most probably in response to physical gestures being made by Mr Ferdinand which the defendant understood to refer to the well-publicised allegation of an extra-marital affair with a team-mate's wife, shouted at Mr Ferdinand.'

He went on: 'The Crown's case is that the words were abusive and insulting in a straightforward sense and that the term 'f****** black c***' was uttered as an abusive insult demonstrating hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership of a racial group.

'They were uttered by the defendant in response to goading by Mr Ferdinand on the issue of his extra-marital affair, rather than by way of exaggerated and instant querying of a perceived false allegation.'

Terry was allowed out of the dock into the well of the court to view footage of the alleged insult.

Before the case started, defence barrister George Carter-Stephenson QC asked for Terry to be allowed to sit beside him in the well of the court rather than in the dock.

District Judge Howard Riddle rejected the request.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, controversially axed from Roy Hodgson's 23-man Euro 2012 squad, tweeted support for his brother on Monday.

'Morning all! Frazzled head this morning, school run done! @anton_ferdinand head high bruv,' Ferdinand said.

Terry denies any wrongdoing and has hired the services of experienced and highly respected QC, George Carter-Stephenson, to lead his defence.

Terry was dropped as England captain by the Football Association once his trial date was set for after Euro 2012, and that axing led to Fabio Capello's resignation as manager and the appointment of Roy Hodgson.

Impressive: Terry starred for England at this summer's European Championships

 

 

Hodgson selected Terry in his squad for the championship in Ukraine and Poland and the central defender played in all four of England's games at the tournament before their elimination on penalties by Italy.

The Chelsea defender, who did not say anything when asked for comment on his arrival at court, takes to the dock facing a maximum fine of £2,500 if he is found guilty. There is no prospect of any jail sentence. The trial is expected to last for five days.  

The case is being heard by Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle, and there is no jury.

Both television clips and unbroadcast footage of the incident, which would normally be used for training purposes, were shown to the court. 

It is claimed that Ferdinand said something about 'shagging ya mate's missus' and made fist gestures, before Terry responded.

The court was told that Chelsea team-mates Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel were nearby when insults were traded, but they will not be called as witnesses as part of the prosecution case.

Terry said in a statement to the Football Association five days after the incident that he and Ferdinand had been exchanging 'verbals' and he had made a gesture to imply Mr Ferdinand had bad breath.

He said: 'We're still having a, sort of, ding-dong, if you like. That's when, as I said before, he said "black c***".

'Now clearly, as I said before, I don't think he's calling me a black c***, but at the same time I take quite a strong offence.'

Centre of attention: Members of the media flocked to Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday

 

Police protection: Terry wore a pink tie and grey suit for the first day of his trial

 

No sentence: Terry doesn't face a jail term

 

 

The England defender said he was not offended by the taunts about the alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend, because 'it's not the first time I've heard it, so it's with a pinch of salt a little bit now'.

However he said he was angered by any accusation that he might have used a racist insult. After the match, which took place at QPR's ground Loftus Road, Terry asked a steward to get Ferdinand from the QPR dressing room.

Terry said in his statement: 'It's myself, Anton and Ash (Ashley Cole), nobody else, and I said to Anton, "was you accusing me of calling you a black c***?"

'That was my exact words to him, and he said "No, not at all."'

Later in the interview Terry added: 'I'm being honest and open with you guys, that I didn't mean it in the context that, if you watch the video and me, watching the video, you can quite easily say that doesn't look good.

'But at the same time, in the context of what I thought Anton accused me of, you know, no-one can argue what my feelings were at that time.'

Immediately after the match, Ferdinand did not think that Terry had used racist words, the court heard.

He said: 'It's handbags innit - it's what happens on the pitch', and the two shook hands. But later, Ferdinand's girlfriend showed him footage posted on YouTube, and he believed Terry had used the racist insult.

Ferdinand told the court that if he had realised at the time he would have told officials.

He said: 'I would have been obviously very hurt and I probably wouldn't have reacted at the time because, being a professional, you can't do that. I probably would have let the officials know what happened and dealt with it after the game.

Clash: The two footballers played against each other again in January

 

 

'When someone brings your colour into it, it takes it to another level and it's very hurtful.'

Chelsea were down to nine men in the clash at Loftus Road, and Ferdinand and Terry began trading insults over a penalty claim, the court heard.

Ferdinand said: 'He called me a c*** and I called him a c*** back and he gave me a gesture as if to say my breath smelled.

'I said to him "How can you call me a c***? You shagged your team-mate's missus, you're a c***"."

This was a reference to Terry's alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Perroncel.

Ferdinand jogged down the pitch making a fist gesture to imply sex, he told the court.

Support: Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck arriving at Monday's trial

 

 

 

After the match, Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole told him: 'You can't talk to JT like that.'

Terry then met Ferdinand to ask what had happened. 'Mr Terry said "Do you think I racially abused you?" I was like "No",' Ferdinand told the court.

'I said "No, that never came out of my mouth". Then Ashley Cole popped his head round and said "Yeah, didn't you say that to me?" I said "I didn't say that at all".' He agreed it was just 'handbags', and 'banter', the court heard.

Ferdinand said he was no stranger to being sworn at and under cross-examination from George Carter-Stephenson QC agreed he had also sworn at players.

The QPR defender said he was angry at Terry trying to get a penalty and 'he barged me in the back for no reason', he said.

The barrister told Ferdinand he has a tendency to 'paint yourself in the best light'.

Asked why he was so angry with Terry appealing for a penalty, Ferdinand, describing himself as a 'calm, collected player', said: 'Because I am a winner.'

Ferdinand added that he was angry because Terry had made a hand gesture at him indicating he had bad breath.

Proceedings in Court One have been punctuated by swear words but Ferdinand insisted he did not use those words off the pitch.

The QC asked the witness if by shouting abuse at him he was 'trying to get a rise out of Mr Terry and get him to react?'

'Probably, yes,' said Ferdinand. 'There wasn't long left in the game.'

In a statement made to police last November, Terry said he was offended by the accusation that he had used racist language.

He said his words to the other player were meant to make it clear that he had not used a racist insult, and that Ferdinand was a 'k*******' for thinking that he had.

The statement read: 'Whilst footballers are used to industrial language, using racist terms is completely unacceptable whatever (the) situation.

'I was completely taken aback by this remark as I have never been accused of something like that and I did not take his remark lightly at all, and took strong offence to his suggestion.'

QPR to unveil plans for new 35,000-seater stadium as club looks to leave Loftus Road

Moving on: QPR are looking to leave Loftus Road

QPR will reveal plans for a new 35,000-seater stadium within weeks.

The Hoops' Loftus Road home is the smallest ground in the top flight with a capacity of just 18,439 and the club have been vocal in their attempts to find a plot of land for a new stadium.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes revealed this week the club are evaluating three potential sites and posted via his Twitter account the club have made a 'great first step' in its attempts for a new stadium.

It is understood that drawings are at an advanced stages and the Rs will make a stadium announcement before the start of the new season.

The plans are likely to be unveiled after QPR return from their pre-season tour in Asia rather than at a press conference on Monday, which many had expected.

The club invited the national and international media to the event in central London, where they plan to make a major announcement they believe could help turn the club into a 'global' brand.

Global brand: Fernandes

 

 

There had been suggestions QPR would reveal a new stadium, although it is instead understood that Manchester United's Park Ji-sung will be unveiled.

The South Korea international will move to Loftus Road for a fee of £5million once the relevant paperwork has been completed.

Park would certainly help the Hoops achieve their aim of becoming a global 'brand' after his success at United, not only on the field but commercially as well.

The 31-year-old won four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown during his time at United and is understood to have been swayed to join QPR by their ambitious plans.