ENGLAND will step up their security as they attempt to hunt down and identify the culprits behind the illegal bugging of their team hotel in Hertfordshire.

After launching an investigation, the FA will make every effort to avoid a repeat, even though they already enlisted the services of top security specialists in an effort to protect manager Fabio Capello and his multi-millionaire footballers.

THE DAILY MAIL

Cole fears Roman backlash

JOE COLE fears a complete breakdown in his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich will result in the  midfielder leaving Chelsea at the end of the season. Sources at Stamford Bridge claim Cole  and his  representatives infuriated the Russian with their hardline stance in contract negotiations which saw the player
threaten to leave if Abramovich did not meet the 28-year-old’s wage demands.

THE DAILY MAIL

'Red Knights' show interest in Devils

THE 'Red Knights' confirmed their intention to try to oust the owners of Manchester United.

Sickened by the huge amount of debt the Glazers' took on to complete  their controversial takeover in 2005, the
Red Knights are intent on launching a takeover bid. Described as a group of "high net worth individuals", the Red Knights include Jim O'Neill, chief economist at Goldman Sachs and a one-time friend of Alex Ferguson.

THE World Cup in South Africa is just over 100 days away. So it’s welcome news that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has bought that exclusive right to air 24 live and 11 delayed matches for the benefit of those who do not have Astro in their homes.

RTM has targeted 10 million fans to watch the superstars in action, live. But still, this country now has a population of more than 28 million. So it will be much better if these fans, especially in rural areas, "presented" with all the 64 matches live.

THE race for the final Uefa Champions league spot continues apace, and we may get a clearer idea as to the genuine contenders and flattering-to-deceive pretenders this weekend. Manchester City host Liverpool at Eastlands in the pick of Sunday’s ties, with Roberto Mancini’s men struggling to assert their credentials as the 'Big Four' party poopers.

BURNLEY will be under new management this weekend, after the surprise departure of Owen Coyle. I use the word "surprise", since the reasons he gave for his allegiance change seem to lack substance and perhaps even a degree of coherence.

HOLA (all and Happy 2010!)

Well...Cristiano Ronaldo wants to see Real Madrid displace bitter rivals Barcelona as the best team in the world this year. Good for the Portuguese ace and Los Blancos.

Hola!

IT'S El Clasico weekend again in Primera Liga. And this time, Barcelona will be the hosts at the 98,000 capacity Nou Camp on Monday (2am) — with bitter rivals Real Madrid gunning to stun the champions in front of their own fans — and in the process widen the gap to four points over the champions in the table.

CHELSEA Football Club would have enjoyed the last two weeks. The team have had a fortnight to contemplate being top of the English Premier League, having opened up a five-point gap on their closest rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.

WHILE nothing will be decided this weekend as far as the ultimate destiny of the Barclays Premier League title is concerned, some questions may well be answered.

Chelsea host Manchester United on Sunday in an archetypal Clash of the Titans — an encounter never for the faint of heart or for those of nervous dispositions.

WHAT a season we have had this year! The new regulations introduced in 2009 were the biggest that F1 has had in about 10 years and it shook up the establishment.

Ferrari and McLaren were nowhere at the beginning of the season and this allowed some of the mid-fi eld runners to stake a claim. Red Bull, Toyota and Williams were very quick at the beginning of the year, but they were no where as good as the new Brawn GP, who arose from the ashes of Honda.

HOLA!

Much has been said about Real Madrid’s debacle in the Copa del Rey when they were bashed 4-0 by a third-tier oufit Alcorcon on Tuesday. Many just could not believe this as Real still fielded a strong team with experienced players in the match.

The Real fans are REALLY furious with the team’s performance of late. How could Real lose to a team like Alcorcon?

HOLA!

El Loco received numerous phone calls and e-mails from relieved Argentina fans in Malaysia after their success of snatching direct qualification to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year by beating tradional rivals Uruguay at Estadio Centenario on Wednesday.

INTERLAGOS, Sao Paulo hosts the penultimate round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship. It has been the scene for memorable title deciders in the last two years, with Kimi Raikkonen snatching the title from the McLaren duo (Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso) in 2007 and Hamilton winning the 2008 title on the very last corner.

THE Health Ministry has warned that certain drugs being openly peddled are not registered with it and are therefore illegal. The Ministry issued a statement to Mailsport that possessing, importing, selling or supplying controlled drugs without proper documentation is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1994 and the Poisons Act 1952.

“A centreback, a centreback, my kingdom for a centreback!” With apologies to William Shakespeare, extended perhaps to Richard III, these could well be the words of Harry Redknapp ahead of this weekend’s encounter with Manchester United.

They may even be echoed by his managerial counterpart in Saturday’s fixture at White Hart Lane, Sir Alex Ferguson. Tottenham host United after a perfect start to the season for the north London club.

THE Italian Grand Prix is another classic round on the Formula 1 calendar. It’s the fastest track on the calendar where cars go over 330 km/h four times a lap, which also makes it pretty dangerous. Drivers treat this track with a lot of respect, although it is not as physically challenging as places such as Monaco or Spa.

HOLA!