Former referee Mark Halsey has been berated by Graham Poll for “betraying” his fellow officials — and accused of wearing a Bolton kit with his own squad number to training sessions.

Former referee Mark Halsey has been berated by Graham Poll for “betraying” his fellow officials – and accused of wearing a Bolton kit with his own squad number to training sessions.

For many years, football referees have complained of being silenced. But if the card sharps are not to be blunted entirely, it is becoming increasingly clear that the gags must stay on.

Alex Ferguson has denied suggestions he may have had influence over referees during his decorated career.

A smiling Luis Suarez arrived at Anfield today to watch his team-mates play Stoke in the opening fixture of the Barclays Premier League.

The Football Association in England has broadened its scope to retrospectively punish foul play.

Manchester City 2 Norwich 3

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will bring the curtain down on a 16-year playing career tomorrow but he has not ruled out making a return to the game in a coaching capacity.

Fulham 1 Liverpool 3

Some of Britain’s most successful sports stars will front BT Sport’s new programmes.

Newcastle reacted with outrage yesterday after the FA announced that Wigan’s 21-year-old forward Callum McManaman will not face retrospective action for his studs-up challenge on Magpies defender Massadio Haidara.

The Football Association will study all the available TV footage of Wigan forward Callum McManaman’s challenge on Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara before deciding if retrospective action can be brought against the 21-year-old.

Wigan Athletic 2 Newcastle United 1

Wigan 2 Newcastle 1

Sunderland 2 Fulham 2

Sunderland 2 Fulham 2

The Football Association has contacted Leeds to ask for El-Hadji Diouf’s version of events as part of an investigation into footage which showed the striker being racially abused during a match at Millwall in November.

The Football Association has contacted Leeds to ask for El-Hadji Diouf’s version of events as part of an investigation into footage which showed the striker being racially abused during a match at Millwall in November.

The chief superintendent of the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order branch, Mick Johnson, says his force is working closely with football clubs at tackling racism in the light of further allegations which surfaced last night.

Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he will not press the panic button – but statistics would suggest he has every right to after his side slipped into the Barclays Premier League bottom three.

Aston Villa 0 Southampton 1

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert made four changes for the home Barclays Premier League relegation encounter with Southampton.

Swansea 2 Aston Villa 2

Everton must do without midfielder Marouane Fellaini for the next three matches after he was banned for his clash with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.

Everton defender Sylvain Distin hopes the Football Association takes a consistent line on what he called “wrestling” by Stoke players at set-pieces as team-mate Marouane Fellaini braces himself for a ban.

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has apologised after admitting he headbutted Ryan Shawcross during today’s 1-1 draw with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke 1 Everton 1

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

Alex Ferguson made three changes to his Manchester United side for the Barclays Premier League clash at Reading.

Wigan 0 Man City 2

Mario Balotelli and James Milner struck in the second half as champions Manchester City edged out spirited Wigan on a freezing night at the DW Stadium.

The Football Association today charged Leeds manager Neil Warnock with improper conduct for his comments about referee Mark Halsey following his side’s 1-0 defeat at Millwall on Sunday.

West Brom 2 Southampton 2

Stoke 0 Sunderland 0

Stoke 0 Sunderland 0

Fulham 1 Manchester City 2

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is relieved the latest in a number of recent “mistakes” did not cost his side at Fulham today.

Fulham 1 Manchester City 2

Last Sunday was a proper day of football with, in my opinion, still the biggest fixture in the English league — Liverpool versus Manchester United — and then the champions Man City against Arsenal.

What might happen if football’s top referees, across the continent, walked away?

Southampton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0