'Embarrassed? Nothing about Hillsborough embarrasses me':

'Embarrassed? Nothing about Hillsborough embarrasses me': What controversial police chief told Merseyside councillors

The disgraced officer, who has quit after claims he smeared Liverpool fans in the aftermath of the disaster, told the police authority the most awkward moment of his career was falling over on his first day as a constable

 Disgraced police chief Sir Norman Bettison infuriated Merseyside councillors, it emerged this weekend, when he told them the episode in his career he would most like to forget was not the Hillsborough disaster, but falling over on his first day as a constable.

Sir Norman, who resigned last week as chief constable of West Yorkshire, told an interview panel in October 1998, when he was applying for the top post at Merseyside Police, that the incident he would most like to forget was "that fall on my first day in uniform".

The following month, during an "informal meeting" with all members of the police authority, he was challenged over why he had not used the opportunity to express regret for the Hillsborough disaster. He insisted instead: "Nothing about Hillsborough embarrasses me." The exchange came only months after he had been named as a member of a South Yorkshire Police unit set up to "deflect blame" away from senior officers in the months following the crush that killed 96 Liverpool fans at the FA Cup semi-final in April 1989.

Relatives of Hillsborough victims, and the MP who first revealed Sir Norman's role in the aftermath of the disaster, condemned the revelation yesterday, but said it was entirely in line with his refusal to accept any responsibility for the behaviour of South Yorkshire Police after Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel reported last month that the force had amended scores of witness statements to remove criticism of the police, in an attempt to shift blame on to the fans. In Sir Norman's resignation statement last week, he said that an inquiry into his role after Hillsborough was "a distraction" to the West Yorkshire force.

Sir Norman's appointment to head policing across the Liverpool area only nine years after Hillsborough sparked huge protests from victims' relatives and MPs, who complained that the decision was "insensitive to say the least".

Six months earlier, Liverpool MP Maria Eagle had told the House of Commons that Sir Norman was part of a South Yorkshire team set up to orchestrate "a black propaganda campaign which aimed to deflect the blame for what had happened on to anyone other than themselves". He has always denied this.

At least four councillors on the nine-strong appointments panel subsequently claimed they had been given no idea of Sir Norman's Hillsborough connections before they rubber-stamped his appointment in October 1998. Three later resigned. Sir Norman's application form, submitted while he was assistant chief constable at South Yorkshire, referred to his policing experience only from October 1989, six months after Hillsborough.

Minutes of an "informal meeting" between Sir Norman and the full police authority on 2 November 1989, released by the Hillsborough Independent Inquiry, show that councillor Frank Prendergast queried the new chief constable on the answer he had given to the interview question about "the incident you would most like to forget".

Mr Prendergast said: "I cannot understand how your Hillsborough experience could not have been touched on in your answer."

Sir Norman replied: "I considered [the question] to relate to my proudest achievement and my most embarrassing incident as a police officer. I did not interpret it to mean the most traumatic. The embarrassing moment that flashed in my mind was that fall on my first day in uniform.

"Nothing about Hillsborough embarrasses me. I didn't think of Hillsborough when the question was posed, I still believe it to be tangential. Humour was an approach that I adopted to that part of the question."

Mr Prendergast added: "I find it hard to believe that a major catastrophe was not the issue you would most wish to forget."

Phil Hammond, whose 14-year-old son Philip was one of the youngest to die at Hillsborough, said yesterday: "Well that's Norman Bettison all over. He doesn't think; he just ploughs ahead.

"The day he came down to the police authority he was just all smiles, as though nothing had happened. He should have been prosecuted. He needs to pay for what he has done wrong."

Ms Eagle said: "This is in line with Bettison's attitude towards Hillsborough. His application was very cleverly written, and did not make any reference either to him being at the ground on the day or his involvement afterwards."

Sir Norman's resignation came two days after Ms Eagle accused him in Parliament of boasting about making up false stories to blame Liverpool supporters for the Hillsborough disaster while he was serving with South Yorkshire police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is undertaking two investigations into Sir Norman, issued a statement saying: "Retirement or resignation does not prevent criminal prosecution should the investigation identify criminal offences, including misconduct in a public office."

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Police arrest fans prior to Ajax v Man City game

Amsterdam police made 25 arrests during the build-up to Ajax's Champions League clash at home to Manchester City.

Fans of both clubs clashed in the city and the arrests were made for public violence offences, a spokesman confirmed, after troubled flared around 5pm.

"There have been 25 arrests before the Champions League match for public violence, mostly in the red light district," the spokeswoman said. "Police first took action at 5pm. Most of the fans that have been arrested are from Ajax.

"The city centre was very busy but now as the match approached it is getting calmer and more quiet as the fans head to the stadium. We were aware that it would be busy before and after the match and we had deployed extra police to deal with this.

"We hope that it will remain calm after the match."

Police chief 'boasted' about smearing Liverpool fans in Hillsborough disaster

A West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable "boasted" about smearing Liverpool fans in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, a senior Labour MP has claimed.

 

Sir Norman Bettison, who was a chief inspector with South Yorkshire Police at the time of the 1989 tragedy, said he had been asked to help "concoct" the force's version of events, it is claimed.

Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle used parliamentary privilege to make the allegations, which were based on new evidence from a witness who discussed the disaster with Sir Norman.

Ms Eagle, a Merseyside MP, said Sir Norman had "always denied any involvement in the dirty tricks campaign".

But she alleged he was behind the "black propaganda" campaign.

 Hillsborough: '1,400 police named' 

The police watchdog has been given the names of more than 1,400 officers as it investigates South Yorkshire Police's role in the Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans died, MPs have been told.

Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) received the names from the force's top officer.

Mr Vaz added: "The South Yorkshire chief constable wrote to me on Friday to say he sent a list of 1,444 names of former and serving officers of South Yorkshire to the IPCC. This is a huge number of names - more than we expected."

Ninety-six Liverpool FC fans died following the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium in April 1989.

The "thorough and wide-ranging" IPCC probe will focus on "potential criminality and police misconduct in respect of police officers, both both serving and retired", Home Secretary Theresa May said.

She was opening a Commons debate on the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report, which last month revealed some fans could have survived if emergency services had responded sooner, and blamed police for an official cover-up designed to smear innocent supporters.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve last week asked the High Court to consider ordering fresh inquests into the 96 deaths.

Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to grieving families for the "double injustice" of their relatives dying in the disaster and their names being blackened for 23 years.

Mrs May told MPs: "After the truth must come justice and after the apology, accountability."
 

Hillsborough: Now CPS is under fire

Senior prosecutor was at 1990 meeting that decided not to read all the eyewitness evidence

One of the most senior officials at the Crown Prosecution Service –which will decide whether South Yorkshire Police should be put in the dock over the Hillsborough disaster – was present when prosecutors decided in 1990 that they did not need to read all of the evidence before ruling out criminal charges.

Mike Kennedy, operations director at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), warned colleagues at the time that it could be "particularly embarrassing" if the public found out that the body had failed to read all the witness statements before reaching their momentous decision on who should be blamed for the tragedy, in which 96 Liverpool fans died.

The Independent on Sunday understands that the CPS did not consider all the witness statements so they could reach a "speedy conclusion", during a meeting in London nine months after the crush. Rather, they allowed the police to choose the evidence on which prosecutors based their decision.

Minutes of the meeting, released to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, reveal that: "Mr Kennedy indicated that he would be unhappy if that were to occur, particularly as there was a possibility of being discovered at a later stage [that not all the statements had been seen] … this might be particularly embarrassing if a decision not to prosecute was reached." A subsequent legal ruling recorded that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was sent "approximately 11 per cent" of the Hillsborough witness statements.

The revelations put the legal establishment in the spotlight over the official failure to get to the truth of what happened when 96 people died at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989. They also raised questions over whether Mr Kennedy should have any involvement in discussions over what happens next.

The present DPP, Keir Starmer, ordered a fresh inquiry this month after the panel revealed police had changed scores of statements in an attempt to push blame on to the fans. More than 200 serving and former officers are expected to be investigated.

But the CPS "Joint Opinion", issued in August 1990, ruled out charges against any organisations or individuals. The advice, from the late Lord Justice Williams and Peter Birts QC, has been used as a reference point ever since. The Hillsborough panel's report, released last month, stated that the Joint Opinion "was accepted by the CPS, apparently without further consideration".

Minutes from the meeting between Mr Birts, police officers and the CPS in January 1990, state: "There was considerable discussion to whether all the documentation, ie statements should be submitted to counsel [Mr Birts]." The document adds: "Mr Birts indicated he would be quite happy to read everything." The minutes also state that police should be told to "edit out superfluous material" from the statements.

A CPS spokeswoman last night insisted that a fresh team, not including Mr Kennedy, would review Hillsborough. She added: "There were no criticisms of the CPS in the panel report, and we are not specifically reviewing the previous decision-making. The DPP at the time took the advice of two highly distinguished counsel, Peter Birts QC and Gareth Williams QC … However, if when reviewing the material disclosed by the panel we reach different conclusions to those arrived at by the CPS previously, we will inevitably assess how and why any earlier decisions were taken."

Sheila Coleman, of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, said the revelations about the original CPS review were "absolutely disgraceful". She added: "To only go through 11 per cent of the witness statements – it's unbelievable." Neither Mr Birts nor Mr Kennedy was available for comment yesterday.

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200 arrested at Dortmund and Schalke derby

Around 200 people were arrested as ugly scenes marred the 141st Revier derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke on Saturday.

Despite repeated appeals by both clubs for their fans to behave during the week, violent skirmishes were reported in the build-up to a game which Schalke won 2-1 in Dortmund.

This comes after some high profile recent supporter incidents, including Serbian fans racially abusing England U21 players and a Leeds fan smacking Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in the face.

Confrontation: Dortmund fans face riot police before the game

According to local police reports, a restaurant was gutted by Dortmund followers 'with furniture ripped apart and used as missiles against opposition fans and police'.
One police car was damaged as mounted police, riot police and agents with dogs were brought in to keep the spectators apart.

Flare up: Smoke fills the stadium

Hours before the game kicked off at 15.30 local time, followers of both clubs attacked police who tried to segregate them in the Westphalian city and water cannons and tear gas had to be deployed to keep them at a safe distance.

Mounted police were 'attacked by Dortmund hooligans with cobble stones', according to a police report.

The first reports of trouble were circulated almost three hours before kick-off when 'a group of around 100 masked Schalke fans left the underground station and went on the rampage, lighting flares on their way towards the stadium'.

'This has nothing to do with football supporters and we don't want to see them in Dortmund,' said the Dortmund police chief director Dieter Keil.

Face off: Fans stand before the police

There was further trouble inside the Westfalenstadion with Schalke fans lighting flares and displaying offensive banners, despite bans on such material.
The culprits were all caught on video, however, and will be prosecuted, according to the police statement.

Victory: Schalke celebrate their win

The majority of those arrested were Schalke followers, with the police suspecting the clashes had been organised by the rival groups.

Disturbances were kept to a minimum after the game with the police successfully able to keep both sets of fans apart.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones brands Leeds United fans as ‘vile animals’

SHEFFIELD Wednesday manager Dave Jones has described Leeds fans as “vile animals” after Owls keeper Chris Kirkland was attacked on the pitch during Hillsborough’s Yorkshire derby.
 

Jones also objected to chanting by a larger number of away supporters and said seats had been damaged in the West Stand where they were accommodated.

The furious Owls manager felt that the away supporters’ behaviour marred a “great game” and an impressive performance by his team.

Leeds issued a statement apologising for the assault on keeper Kirkland and said they would co-operate with the police and football authorities in identifying him.



Jones also criticised Leeds boss Neil Warnock for encouraging his players to applaud the away fans after the game.

The Owls manager, referring to the Leeds fans, said: “You can’t let them get away with that - they’re vile animals.

“They need to clean their house and get it in order. They should be banned from every away game from now until they sort it, because that was an absolute disgrace.

“If I’ve got three subs on, and Chris Kikrland is carried off, what happens? We have to go down to 10 men and put an outfield player in goal. That’s not right.”

Kirkland was struck in the face by a fan who came on to the p itch from the away end moments after Leeds had equalised in the 76th minute.

The keeper was floored and there was a four-minute hold-up while he received attention.

Jones said Kirkland, who completed the game was sore and dazed, and probably concussed.
“It spoils it, because it was a really good derby game,” added Jones.

“I said to Neil, and I’m not talking behind his back, that to send his players to clap them [the fans], no, I’m sorry, that’s not right.

“If you’re going to make a stand, make it in your own house.

“How many fans did Leeds bring? (It was 5,000). They’re all going to get tarred with the same brush, and that’s not right, but they will do, because from what I could hear, it wasn’t one person chanting the vile things, there were quite a lot of them.

“I thought those days had gone.”

A Leeds United statement said: “Leeds United would like to publicly apologise for the actions of the fan who went on to the pitch and attacked Chris Kirkland.

“The club will fully co-operate with the police and the football authorities to identify the individual concerned.
“After the week that football has endure, there is no place place for this behaviour, and the majoprity of Leeds fans will be ashamed of his actions.”

Chelsea refuse to reveal details of John Terry 'disciplinary action'

Chelsea have refused to elaborate on the ‘further disciplinary action’ they have taken against John Terry after he decided not to appeal against his four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Terry has apologised for the language he used after announcing he will not challenge the ban and fine of £220,000 issued by an independent Football Association regulatory commission two weeks ago.
Terry has not, however, apologised directly to Ferdinand.

In a statement released by his agent, Terry said: ‘After careful consideration, I have decided not to appeal against the FA judgment.

‘I want to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for the language I used in the game.
‘Although I’m disappointed with the FA judgment, I accept that the language I used, regardless of the context, is not acceptable.’

Chelsea said they have taken further steps against their captain but were coy on exactly what punishment they have imposed.

A club statement said: ‘The board has taken further disciplinary action in addition to the four-match suspension and fine imposed by the FA.

'That disciplinary action will remain confidential.’

Terry will now miss the Blues' next four domestic matches, starting with a trip to Tottenham on Saturday, followed by two home ties against Manchester United in the league and Capital One Cup and Swansea away in the Premier League on November 3.

 

 

Officers Accused In 'Football Conspiracy' Trial

Detectives face charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after football altercation.

Three serving Merseyside Police detectives have gone on trial accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice in connection with an altercation between rival football fans.

Det Sgt Greg Symon (40), of Allerton, Det Con Christopher Sheron (43), of Liverpool city centre, and Det Con Mark Scarratt (43), of Tuebrook, went on trial with five other men at Preston Crown Court this week.

The allegations relate to an altercation between rival Liverpool and Everton fans outside a pub in Anfield, as they made their way to the stadium on January 16 2011, when the two teams played. Two of the officers were off duty at the time and involved in the incident, it is alleged.

PoliceOracle.com understands the charges centre on the group allegedly applying pressure to have a witness withdraw his evidence over the altercation.

The officers were initially placed on restricted duties but were suspended after being arrested. They were charged in January this year.


The trial, which is ongoing, is expected to last eight weeks.

All three officers deny the charges, which were brought following a Merseyside Police Professional Standards investigation.

Angry Barcelona chief hits out at Arsenal and Man City

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has accused Arsenal and Manchester City of attempting to ‘destabilise’ the Spanish club by approaching their players.

Arsenal have signed several youngsters from Barcelona in recent years, most notably former captain Cesc Fabregas, who rejoined the Catalan giants last summer.

Man City, meanwhile, are rumoured to have attempted to start transfer negotiations with Fabregas and fellow midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Rosell has reacted angrily to the situation, claiming the Premier League duo are deliberately unsettling their players.

He told Mundo Deportivo: “Manchester City want to take our players and destabilise us. It also happens with Arsenal, who come after our young players and offer them lots of money.

“Now City have joined in,” he continued. “We are the enemy to beat.

“There are a lot of people who don’t want Barca to do well and don’t want us to win.”

Video: Violence overshadows England Under-21’s win over Serbia

Millwall and West Ham fans mass brawl at Camden gig

Police in riot gear halted a rock concert in north London and arrested six men after a fight broke out between rival football fans on the dance floor.

The performance by Kid British, who were playing their last gig in London before they split up, was just three songs in when the fight started.

Witnesses told of seeing around 50 Millwall and West Ham fans enter the Camden Barfly and chant at each other before a mass brawl broke out.

One music fan at the gig wrote on a website that “all hell broke loose” when a moshpit started three songs into the set by the Manchester band.

He wrote: “[The football fans] just all started beating the c**p out of each other, there were four older men in Burberry suits at the back standing trying to act hard who were somehow involved and initiating it.
“The men from the mosh kept coming to them and these men were telling them to beat up these innocent guys, it was disgusting.”

Police rushed into the venue in Chalk Farm Road at 9.55pm and arrested six men for public order offences and being drunken and disorderly.

The blogger wrote: “[They] continued to chant and shout about f**king Millwall and West Ham as the police literally dragged them out of the venue. “The Barfly shut down we were forced outside by police, who were trying to control the pricks who had all formed a group in the middle of the road jumping up and down.”

The band, who announced they were splitting up earlier this year and are currently playing their farewell tour, retweeted angry comments by fans on their Twitter page.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said six people had been arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder.

Fan riot halts Senegal-Ivory Coast football match

Arsenal Prepare £8m Bid for French International Winger

Arsene Wenger may well be looking for possible additions to his Gunners attack and appears to have identified the French international wide-man as a feasible option.

 

 The 25 year old former Saint-Etienne attacker enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular, first season at the Stade Metropole and may well be the latest in a long line of talents that boss Rudi Garcia has seen leave the Lille in recent seasons.

Indeed Arsenal already raided the club to bring in Gervinho in the summer of 2011 and the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Eden Hazard and Moussa Sow have also been allowed to leave the club following their title success of 2010/11.

Payet is a speedy wide-man with an eye for goal and a player Wenger may see as a possible option if the North London club elects to sell contract rebel Theo Walcott in January in preference to losing the England man on a free transfer next summer.

Dmitri Payet forced his way into the French national team set-up under Laurent Blanc but has had less success on this front since the appointment of Didier Deschamps as Les Bleus boss.

Man City duo fine after Senegal outbreaks

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has confirmed via its official website the "very sombre circumstances" that forced their nation's meeting with Ivory Coast to be abandoned due to rioting.

Ivory Coast were leading the African Nations Cup qualifier 2-0 at the Stade Leopold Senghor and 6-2 on aggregate - a result which appears likely to stand, sending Senegal out - when the match was stopped in the 72nd minute.

 

After former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba had scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, there were disturbances from the home fans in the stands, with small fires being set alight and objects thrown.

Players and staff from both teams grouped together in the centre circle, while the Ivorian supporters had to flee onto the pitch, joining their national team, before being led to safety by the police. The match was abandoned 40 minutes later.

The incident was confirmed on the official website of the Senegalese Football Federation: "Unfortunately the match ended in very sombre circumstances.

"The referee was forced to stop the match in the 72nd minute with the score at 2-0 because of serious outbreaks in the stands by very unhappy Senegalese supporters. The police took the public out after many confrontations."

There have been no reports of injuries sustained to players, with Manchester City issuing a statement on their official website that both Kolo and Yaya Toure were unharmed in the disturbances.

Should the result stand, Ivory Coast's qualification for January's African Nations Cup will be assured, meaning the likes of Arsenal's Gervinho, City's Yaya and Kolo Toure, and Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote are likely to participate at the tournament.

Newcastle pair Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were also lining up for Senegal, along with West Ham's Mohamed Diame in the match.

Sagna Or Jenkinson? – The Answers To Wenger’s Full Back Conundrum

Bacary Sagna is nearing full fitness, and his return will present Wenger with a welcoming selection headache as the youngsters have deputised admirably...

Arsene Wenger is going to have quite a selection headache in the forthcoming months – and it isn’t the thought of where Jack Wilshere will slot into his purring midfield. No, it is at fullback.

The consistently consistent Bacary Sagna is nearing fitness following his second leg break last season (although whether he’ll be the player he was remains to be seen) and he will surely be hoping that he will continue where he left off; slotting into the right-back berth that he has made his own, usurping Emmanual Eboue almost immediately after he joined the Gunners from Auxerre in 2007 and proving to be the most consistent right-back to pull on the red and white since the bullish Cameroonian Lauren left for Portsmouth in 2006.

Wenger will be loathed to rush him back in immediately, even though he is on record as saying that the right-back is ‘the best in the Premier League’, after two dreadful injuries – the second break costing Sagna an almost certain berth in France’s European Championship squad. However, and this may influence

Wenger’s decision, Sagna is also nearing the end of his contract (sound familiar Arsenal fans?) and has recently voiced his frustrations about the sale of Robin van Persie and, especially, Alex Song this summer, whose departure to FC Barcelona was a move that actually surprised him and were actions that went on to earn him a word in his ear from his frustrated boss. Wenger said at the time, during his

pre-Southampton-match press conference (which Arsenal went on to win 6-1)  

“I had a chat with him about it, I think he loves the club and he will stay here… I believe any player or any employee has to defend the company he works for and if he’s not completely happy with it he has to go somewhere else. That’s basically what I think.” 

With Internazionale allegedly eying Sagna up, there is a distinct possibility Carl Jenkinson’s superb form whilst deputizing in his place this season could keep him out of the team for good. However, both players offer Wenger a different ‘weapon’ to deploy on the field; Sagna is a solid defender who can overlap and link well with the wide-men, but his crossing has much to be desired. Jenkinson is a dangerous crosser of the ball and also overlaps well (indeed it seems like the Arsenal right is finally looking dangerous, after years of left-wing attacks from Marc Overmars, Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Andrei Arshavin) but is still learning the trade as an Elite right-back when it comes to defending and closing down crosses. And Jenkinson is only going to get better. Roy, you’d best get that lad to rethink about playing for the country of his mother’s birth; Finland, because he is going to be one heck of a player when the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil comes around…

There may be, however, an ‘out’ for Wenger’s selection conundrum…with injury-prone England starlet Kieran Gibbs sadly straining his thigh at the start of the month, the versatile Jenkinson could in theory slot into his left-back place, especially if Wenger doesn’t fancy his speedy/speeding Brazilian #11 André Santos playing in Gibbs’ place (his defending does at time leave a lot to be desired, even though he is far better than his may detractors give him credit for) and can therefore save both face and hopefully Jenkinson’s promising start to the campaign.

With Internazionale allegedly eying Sagna up, there is a distinct possibility Carl Jenkinson’s superb form whilst deputizing in his place this season could keep him out of the team for good.

What I feel Wenger needs to do, is to recreate the successful flank-play that helped seal league title wins in 1998, 2002 and 2004, and FA Cup wins in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005, a period when the departing legends Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon were replaced with Silvinho, Ashley Cole, Lauren and Oleg Luzhny (okay, Luzhny wasn’t a great success…), and as they went into the team, they linked up with the new attackers Wenger bought in ahead of them on their flank, thus allowing them to forge electric partnerships and great understanding as they all arrived at the club at around the same time; Overmars, Pires, Henry, Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord all had great understanding with their fullbacks and the titles and cups were duly won with the aid of their swashbuckling wide-play and lightning fast counter attacks that used the full width of the pitch.

I think that these partnerships on the flanks have been in short supply of late; Jose Antonio Reyes didn’t work out as an Arsenal player, let alone as a consistent left winger for the team, Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Hleb all drifted in field and aren’t/weren’t traditional wide players (not that Henry, Wiltord, Ljungberg or Pires were traditional wingers, but ones who were certainly more comfortable beating an opposing fullback with pace than the aforementioned eastern European four), andof course players like Cole and Silvinho moved on.

 There is hope that Theo Walcott’s understanding with Jenkinson on the right is coming along well after some on-field spats (such as at Old Trafford during the infamous 8-2 drubbing), whilst Lukas Podolski and Gibbs on the left look like they were raised playing in the same playground.

So, should Wenger leave his flanks alone and allow these two sets of partnerships to cultivate (unless injuries dictate otherwise), or should Sagna slot in when he is fit and leave Jenkinson looking on from the very sidelines many fans had relegated him to before the season had even started, and ignore his potential to operate just as well on the left to allow Andre Santos to learn Podolski’s game on that flank whilst Gibbs recuperates?

More great Arsenal stories…
Walcott: Being Benched Is The Kick Up The Backside He Needs To Thrive
Per Mertesacker: How Arsenal’s BFG Proved The Critics Wrong
Played In His Correct Position, Arshavin Proves He Can Still be Arsenal’s Creative Spark

Southgate: I rejected FA role due to lack of experience

The former England international claims that he felt that he didn't have enough familiarity at managerial levels to take on a senior role with the governing body

  

Former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has revealed why he opted not to take on one of the most distinguished roles in the FA and has decided to re-enter the the world of club-level management.

The former defender was poised to fill the highly esteemed title of FA technical director but turned it down. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Southgate has revealed why he made the unexpected decision.

 “Firstly, it should be somebody more experienced in coaching. “When Howard Wilkinson had the job, no-one could argue. He had won the league title with Leeds and he had great credibility.
“I didn’t feel that at my age – 42 – and with only three years managerial experience at Middlesbrough that I had that standing.

“I didn’t want to commit to something that was going to be for three or four years when I didn’t feel the FA control youth development. The Premier League do.

“I don’t think that is ideal. The Technical Director would be seen as being ­accountable for players coming through with no influence over that process. I had an issue with that.

“I am somebody that likes to take their time over ­important decisions. I like to weigh up all the facts.

“As I did that, I saw more reasons not to take it than to take it. But don’t mis-understand me – the 18 months I had with the FA was a great education.

“I saw how the game was run at the highest level and was given a great insight into coaching.”

The strangest Manchester United transfer story you'll see this week

Each week or so we pick out a story which is quite possibly the most ludicrous piece of transfer reporting that week, usually they never go anywhere but sometimes they pick up steam and end up as full blown transfers sagas. This one will surely disappear without trace.

German football website 4-4-2 claim that Dynamo Kiev are interested in a Manchester United player. Indeed, they are said to be 'courting' him, so who could this be? Well, Darren Fletcher of course.

Yes, the same Darren Fletcher who has recently returned after a prolonged spell on the sidelines with illness.

The same Darren Fletcher who is aware he will have to manage his situation carefully for the rest of his life.

The same Darren Fletcher who this week said he's never going to be 100% fit. The same Darren Fletcher who is being used sensibly by Sir Alex Ferguson who has guided his career from being a youngster.
Yep, that Darren Fletcher.

Putting aside the practical issues like his contract being for another two and a half years and the insurmountable hurdle of a club medical, it's just odd to think that Darren Fletcher would entertain the idea of moving his family to Ukraine and having to set-up a whole new medical network to manage his condition. It's equally odd to think that Dynamo Kiev would commit a big chunk of money to a player whose career is managed from month to month.

This is truly one of the more 'out there' rumours.