It's now Papa Mario: Man City's madcap striker a father! | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Manchester City’s madcap striker Mario Balotelli is to become a father.The 21-year-old has been told by his pregnant former girlfriend Raffaella Fico that it is his child.

Manchester City‘s madcap striker Mario Balotelli is to become a father.

The 21-year-old has been told by his pregnant former girlfriend Raffaella Fico that it is his child.

He was told on the eve of the match against Germany when he grabbed a brace to book his country’s place in the final. He reportedly told her: ‘You gave me the best news of the world.’

And Italian model Raffaella has claimed that the pair are patching up their relationship.

She said: “Mario and I are rebuilding our relationship. He never stopped loving me. Those who think I’ve wanted to trap the rich and famous footballer will have to think again.

“Last Christmas, he told me: ‘Let’s get married and make a son’ and I accepted. Now I’m waiting for Mario to discover the sex of the child, although he would prefer a boy, and to choose the name.”

Arsenal making £12M offer for Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris | Transfers | Tribal Football

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning a bid for Olympique Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning a bid for Olympique Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Despite the success of Wojciech Szczesny, Wenger needs a new keeper signing with Manuel Almunia released and Lukasz Fabianski considering his future.

L’Equipe says Wenger is preparing a £12 million bid for Lloris.

FC Dallas go for healthy options shirt sponsor | MLS News | Tribal Football

Health and wellness’ company Advocare has upgraded its sponsorship of the FC Dallas franchise to front-of-jersey partner, reports SportsPro.

‘Health and wellness’ company Advocare has upgraded its sponsorship of the FC Dallas franchise to front-of-jersey partner, reports SportsPro.

The deal, which extends and expands what is already a ten-year relationship, will last for three years and is likely to be worth a mid-seven figure dollar amount.

“This is a historic day for the FC Dallas franchise,” said Clark Hunt, chairman of the Hunt Sports Group, which owns the franchise. “You look for the right partner and we felt this company had the right values. The relationship will be mutually beneficial.”

“This is the sort of organisation we wanted to partner with,” said Advocare president Richard Wright. “They know how to do things right and that was important to us.”

 
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Wanderers coach Popovic dismisses Inzaghi link | Australia/Asia News | Tribal Football

Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Tony Popovic has dismissed talk of former AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi joining the A-League newcomers for their debut season.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Tony Popovic has dismissed talk of former AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi joining the A-League newcomers for their debut season.

However, Inzaghi’s Australian agent Lou Nesci said the A-League – and competition new-boys Wanderers FC – could be a viable destination.

“Filippo is certainly keen to come to Australia and the Wanderers would seem to be a good fit, especially with a sizeable Italian community in that part of Sydney.

“I feel he would excite people. He’s still scoring goals and still fit to play at a very high level despite his age.

“I feel he would give Wanderers extra appeal in terms of putting bums on seats.

“I realise some clubs might worry about his age after previous bad experiences with imports but I feel they should have no concerns on that score on this occasion. He has a curiosity to come to Australia and perform.”

But Popovic said suggestions the club were actively chasing the 38-year-old were pure speculation.

“There’ll be talk of players every day, which you understand, but I’ve had no discussions about (Inzaghi).

“A name like that will always excite the fans and people around football to see if it’s possible.

“But a name in a paper is far away from becoming a reality.”

 
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Kuwaiti family linked to Forest takeover | Australia/Asia News | Tribal Football

An English-language newspaper in the Gulf, the Kuwait Times reports that the former chairman of a sport club in Kuwait is “finalizing the purchase” of Championship club Nottingham Forest.

An English-language newspaper in the Gulf, the Kuwait Times reports that the former chairman of a sport club in Kuwait is “finalizing the purchase” of Championship club Nottingham Forest.

The paper quotes an al-Hasawi family statement saying that Fawaz al-Hasawi, the former chairman of Kuwait’s Al-Qadsiya Sports Club, is poised to sign off the Forest deal.

A statement by the Board of Directors posted on the Forest website said the club is in “an exclusive period of negotiation” with investors it identifies as Fawaz, Abdul-Aziz and Omar al-Hasawi “over the potential purchase.”

It adds that advisers acting “on behalf of the al-Hasawi family are conducting the usual buyer’s due diligence, assisted by the estate and senior management at the football club.”

 
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Phoenix prepared for worse over midfielder Pantelis | Australia/Asia News | Tribal Football

Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is braced for bad news over the future of Lucas Pantelis.

Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is braced for bad news over the future of Lucas Pantelis.

The 30-year-old made the move to the Phoenix from Adelaide United on a two-year deal last season, but missed the whole A-League season after rupturing his left knee in pre-season.

An infection in the injury and the possibility of further surgery means there is a very real chance the player may not play this season either.

“There is a chance (we might not see him),” Herbert said.

“Medically they are wanting to make sure they do everything right and make the right evaluation for him, but he’s probably not looking healthy at this stage.

“The risk of it now is probably huge as far as breaking down and doing something to it again as opposed to not.

“In fairness to a player whose career is not finished yet, you want to give him the length of time to hopefully get the right outcome. But who knows. He’s not flash at the moment.”

 
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Mitchell pledges future to newco Rangers | Scottish Football News | Tribal Football

Andrew Mitchell has shown confidence in newco Rangers by signing a one-year contract.

Andrew Mitchell has shown confidence in newco Rangers by signing a one-year contract.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland was one of 13 players who turned up for the club’s first day of pre-season training last Thursday.

“I’m over the moon to be signing on again with Rangers,” Mitchell told the club website. “I’m really buzzing about it.

“It has been a hard summer for me so I’m delighted to get everything sorted now so that I can concentrate on my football.”

 
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Fellaini wants strong start to Everton season | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Marouane Fellaini is hoping Everton hit the ground running when the season begins in order for the Toffees to have a chance of ending the campaign with a European slot.

Marouane Fellaini is hoping Everton hit the ground running when the season begins in order for the Toffees to have a chance of ending the campaign with a European slot.

“First we have to start the season well, second, my aim is to win something like the FA Cup or the League Cup and to finish in the Europa League,” the 24-year-old Belgium midfielder told evertontv

“I have been here for four years, so of course I want to win a trophy. We need very good preparation because it will be difficult against Manchester United.

“I have been at Everton for four years and each time we have started badly so I hope this year we start well.

“My body has had a month’s rest so I will go to Finch Farm next week and I am happy to start back.”

 

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Forest alleged to have made approaches for Peterborough boss Ferguson | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Nottingham Forest are in danger of being reported to the Football League over an alleged approach for the manager of Championship rivals Peterborough, reports The Guardian.

Nottingham Forest are in danger of being reported to the Football League over an alleged approach for the manager of Championship rivals Peterborough, reports The Guardian.

Forest are on the brink of a Kuwaiti takeover, in the form of the multi-millionaire Al-Hasawi family, and considering replacing Steve Cotterill in time for the new season. Neil Warnock, who is understood to have been considering his future at Leeds United this summer, is another possible alternative.

Peterborough’s information is that Gianni Paladini, the former QPR chairman, is acting on behalf of Forest.

 
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Brentford purchase land for new stadium | Premiership News | Tribal Football

League One Brentford have bought a 7.6 acre site at Lionel Road with a view to building a new 15,000-seater stadium, reports BBC Sport.

League One Brentford have bought a 7.6 acre site at Lionel Road with a view to building a new 15,000-seater stadium, reports BBC Sport.

The Bees intend to submit plans to Hounslow Council within a year, in the hope of moving into the new ground for the start of the 2016-17 season.

Chairman Greg Dyke said: “The journey to Lionel Road has been a long one but hopefully it’s now coming to fruition.”

He added: “This would not have been possible without Matthew Benham and all Bees fans should be grateful for the financial support he has given the club in recent years.”

The proposed new stadium, which is only two miles from Griffin Park, the club’s home since 1904, could be increased to 20,000 capacity at a later stage.

Some residential property will also be included in the plans for the site, and more housing will eventually be built at Griffin Park.

Benham said he was delighted the land purchase had been completed.

“The club can now get on with preparing plans for an exciting new community stadium that will provide a great boost in terms of much needed new homes and jobs in Brentford,” he added.

 
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