News Headlines

Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers accuses Chelsea’s Costa of ‘double stamp’

• Losing manager fumes over challenges on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel • José Mourinho defends forward and fumes at Sky pundit • Match report • Barney Ronay: Diego Costa tries to light up Chelsea with dark arts • Five talking points Continue reading...

England drives global football deals

Football clubs spent a record £2.7bn in international transfers in 2014, with English football clubs accounting for £795m of the total

Costa 'stamps' accidental - Mourinho

Diego Costa's two 'stamps' in Chelsea's League Cup semi-final win over Liverpool were "accidental" says Jose Mourinho.

Which football-fan actors have appeared on screen in the colours of a rival?

Plus: Players scoring on their hands and knees; Manchester United and the Vans; and what is the most unusual place a ball has been lost during a match? Send your questions and answers to knowledge@theguardian.com or get in touch via Twitter: @TheKnowledge_GU “Recently I have been enjoying the…

England becomes first country to spend more than $1bn on importing footballers in a calendar year

Nation spent £308m more than second-placed Spain and more than three times more than Germany last year

Agents made £155m on international transfers in 2014, Fifa reveals

• English clubs responsible for 37% of spending • Total spend on international deals exceeds $4bn for first time Payments to agents acting on international transfers for clubs rose to £155m ($236m) in 2014 according to Fifa figures, with a booming English transfer market…

‘Retired’ Sir Alex Ferguson picks up £2million pay packet in eight months

HIS star players lived in fear of his infamous “hairdryer” treatment and stray boots flying around the dressing room in explosions of rage.

Diego Costa tries to light up Chelsea with his dark arts against Liverpool

The Spain forward roused José Mourinho’s men but it was not pretty – just downright ornery and ragged as they progressed to the Capital One Cup final • Match report: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (agg: 2-1) • Five talking points Oh, Diego. Whatever are we going to do with you?…

Fabregas injury concern for Man City

Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas is an injury concern for the Premier League match against Manchester City with a tight hamstring.