In an unprecedented development, it has been widely accepted the Premier League has returned at roughly the correct time.

Were Liverpool’s last three results a reasonable pointer or yet another wicked tease for City fans used to minute crumbs from trips to this part of the world?

In a beautiful column for sportsjoe.ie last week, Dion Fanning wrote of the joy that has exploded at home courtesy of his four-year-old son’s discovery of football via the hair and then the magic of Mo Salah, writes Larry Ryan.

This is Ireland’s ninth time to be involved in a play-off for the right to participate at a major tournament.

You heard them before you saw them.

Saido Berahino’s explosive reaction on social media to being denied a move to Tottenham Hotspur took the heat off Louis van Gaal and Arsene Wenger on Transfer Deadline Day; but it may not save them from the fire.

Saido Berahino has been given extra time off by West Brom following a blocked move to Tottenham.

If the Clare hurlers once turned their season round by convening to drink Davy Fitzgerald’s MiWadi, maybe the same trick will work with Kool-Aid.

Tim Cahill and the New York Red Bulls have reached a mutual decision to end the Australia forward’s contract.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has been banned for six weeks from football-related activities over comments he made regarding Jewish and Chinese people but the 78-year-old will not carry out his threat to quit the club.

Colin Falvey used to scrape by on meagre wages at Cobh Ramblers. Now, he is being paid to stop World Cup winners like Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.

Former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has announced he has joined Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.

10 teams are starting their Premier League campaigns this afternoon.

Four years ago in Soccer City, as the World Cup final between Spain and Holland ebbed towards a shoot-out, there was concern on the Spanish bench.

In Brazil, another generation of France’s mix of ‘black, blanc, beur’ (black, white, Arab) will try to unite the country through football, writes Eoin O’Callaghan.

Billy Beane, like Arsene Wenger, knows what it’s like to be at the sharp end of fans’ short-termism. But Mr Moneyball remains a fan and a disciple of the Arsenal manager

Hull striker Yannick Sagbo has been fined £15,000 and ordered to complete an education course after showing support for Nicolas Anelka’s controversial quenelle goal celebration on social media.

Nicolas Anelka has launched a determined defence of his character and denied he has anti-Semitic leanings following his sacking by West Brom.

Arsene Wenger will still talk animatedly about almost any subject, but he has definitely grown more guarded and reserved, sometimes tetchy, in recent seasons, believes the man who once wrote his column for the club magazine.

West Brom were in the dark last night after controversial striker Nicolas Anelka said he had quit the club.

Nicolas Anelka has announced he will tear up his contract with West Brom and leave the club over the fall-out from his infamous ’quenelle’ goal celebration.

The Football Association will not appeal against Nicolas Anelka’s five-match suspension over his “quenelle” gesture, having decided there is little prospect of the ban being extended.

Nicolas Anelka’s ’quenelle’ gesture did contain “a reference to anti-Semitism” but was viewed as less serious than Luis Suarez’s racist abuse, according to the independent regulatory commission that imposed a five-match ban on the French striker.

Nicolas Anelka’s ’quenelle’ gesture did contain “a reference to anti-Semitism”, according to the independent regulatory commission that imposed a five-match ban on the French striker.

West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has been suspended for five games and fined £80,000 following an investigation into his ‘quenelle’ gesture, the Football Association has announced.

Nicolas Anelka’s disciplinary hearing into his alleged anti-Semitic ‘quenelle’ salute will continue into a second day today.

Nicolas Anelka’s disciplinary hearing into his alleged anti-Semitic ’quenelle’ salute is to start today.

Nicolas Anelka’s disciplinary hearing into his controversial ‘quenelle’ salute is due to start early next week.

Jose Mourinho believes Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is getting his sums wrong as the war of words between the two managers continues to escalate.

A controversial French comedian at the centre of the Nicolas Anelka anti-semitism row has been banned from entering the UK, the country's Home Office said.

Alvaro Negredo is named amongst the substitutes as Manchester City make six changes for the trip to Tottenham.

West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has no intention of leaving the club this month, despite the ongoing furore over his ’quenelle’ goal celebration – but has made it clear he has an open mind about his future beyond the end of the season.

Nicolas Anelka’s future in English football is on the line after the West Brom striker requested a personal hearing into his now infamous ’quenelle’ salute.

Nicolas Anelka must formally respond to the Football Association by 6pm on Thursday over its charge for his ’quenelle’ goal celebration – but prospects of him citing a prominent member of the French Jewish community in his defence have suffered a setback.

Nicolas Anelka has called on the FA to drop its charge against him over his ‘quenelle’ goal celebration — but the prospects of him citing a prominent French Jew in his defence suffered a setback yesterday.

Everton have distanced themselves from on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku’s defence of Nicolas Anelka over his controversial ‘quenelle’ gesture.

Property website Zoopla has announced it will not seek to renew its sponsorship of West Brom at the end of the season in light of Nicolas Anelka’s controversial "

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West Brom are to lose sponsor Zoopla due to the controversy surrounding Nicolas Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ goal celebration.

West Brom 1 Everton 1

West Brom 1 Everton 1

Property website Zoopla says it will end its sponsorship deal with West Brom at the end of the current season due to Nicolas Anelka’s 'quenelle' gesture.

West Brom sponsor Zoopla has reportedly threatened to withdraw its lucrative shirt deal with the club unless Nicolas Anelka is axed from the team.

The Football Association is working with an “appointed expert” as part of its ongoing investigation into Nicolas Anelka’s controversial ’quenelle’ goal celebration.

West Brom 0 Crystal Palace 2

Prosecutors in Paris are investigating threats against the controversial comedian at the centre of the Nicolas Anelka “Nazi salute” incident.

West Brom 1 Newcastle 0

Nicolas Anelka has agreed not to perform his controversial “quenelle” goal celebration again after West Brom conceded the gesture had caused offence.

Nicolas Anelka has agreed not to perform his controversial ’quenelle’ goal celebration again, according to a statement released by his club West Brom.