FIFA have come down on the side of the FAI in the dispute with the IFA over player eligibility.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership.

CELTIC’S chances of Champions League success will be seriously damaged if they do not beat Benfica tonight but boss Gordon Strachan is also looking at his side’s long-term progress.

FLORENT MALOUDA has defended Didier Drogba’s right to speak out about his feelings after the French striker revealed that he had hoped he failed his Chelsea medical and was “disgusted” on the day he signed for the club.

AS a man who treats each team he sends out as an extension of his not inconsiderable ego, it comes as little surprise that Sam Allardyce is someone who takes defeat rather personally.

OWEN HARGREAVES has only been at Manchester United a matter of months but already he is showing well-honed skills in one of the club’s favourite past-times: Arsenal-baiting.

AVRAM GRANT is allowing his Chelsea team to do all the talking for him as they continue to strut the Premier League stage like potential champions.

THE young Irishman who died in a car crash in western Australia on Wednesday was due to return home after Christmas.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he was dissuaded from trying to take Carlos Tevez to north London when he heard Manchester United were interested in the Argentinian.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes his young side stand “a good chance” of going one better in the Carling Cup this season.

RIO FERDINAND has declared himself fit and ready for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League crunch clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

HARRY REDKNAPP believes he can challenge Alex Ferguson for the title of the Barclays Premier League’s ‘godfather’.

ARSENE WENGER maintains Gilberto is a “100% professional” and ready to take his place among a youthful Arsenal side in the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Sheffield United tonight.

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Paul Scholes will have a knee operation on Thursday and is expected to be out of action for three months.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey has been given the proverbial vote of confidence by the Board and he’s back for yet another week to adjudicate over the views and opinions of readers and contributors.

ARSENE WENGER hopes Arsenal’s battling performance at Liverpool has convinced more people that his side are serious contenders for the Premier League title.

AVRAM GRANT is unwilling to act as a “baby-sitter” to his stars and expects them to remain professional when they are left out of his plans.

MANCHESTER UNITED may be on the brink of smashing a 100-year-old scoring record — but Cristiano Ronaldo does not care whether they get another four against Middlesbrough today, just so long as they win.

JACK CHARLTON, the man who first led Ireland to a European Championship finals and two World Cup finals, believes Ron Atkinson should replace Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager.

NEWCASTLE were yesterday closing in on their man as they stepped up efforts to lure Harry Redknapp to St James’ Park.