The Footy Mumble: Terry row continues, Barca film Pepe

Terry punishment kicks up row

If anyone expected the Terry racism to die down after his apology, well, YOU THOUGHT WRONG!

Not only has Chelsea failed to do anything more than fine him a bit more of his salary (does it really matter to him?), but they are going to let him captain the team next week against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

And even more conveniently, he will miss both matches against Manchester United, in which Anton Ferdinand’s brother Rio is certain to feature.

Jason Roberts to boycott Kick It Out campaign; Rio, Anton may join him

In response to the poor punishment handed to John Terry and the farcial way in which the hearings were conducted, Reading striker Jason Roberts has announced that he will boycott wearing the ‘Kick It Out’ anti-racism campaign T-shirts during this weekend’s BPL match against Liverpool.

Saying he did not consider the punishment to match the crime, Roberts wants players to take the lead now to force more action from the FA. Several Aston Villa players are reportedly planning to boycott the campaign too.

But the biggest boost for the boycott could come from the Ferdinand brothers themselves, as Sky Sports reports that the Man United and QPR players might be considering joining the boycott led by Jason Roberts.

Shawcross, Rodriguez for United, Celtic deny Hooper to Liverpool deal

And in today’s transfer news roundup, Manchester United lead the way, linked with ex-Red Ryan Shawcross and Porto winger James Rodrigruez.

Shawcross has been linked thanks to his own consistent performances in the past year or so, and also due to the injury crisis that has plagued the United back line.

Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked with the 25 year old Stoke City defender.

United have also been linked with Porto winger James Rodriguez.

The winger is seen as a replacement for out-of-form and favor winger Nani, who has been linked with an exit from Manchester in recent days.

Porto had placed a $40 million price tag on Rodriguez earlier in the summer and will be a tough nut to crack during any possible negotiations.

Celtics have, meanwhile, denied that they are set to sell Gary Hooper to Liverpool, manager Neil Lennon claiming that Hooper was going nowhere.

Fabio Borini’s injury has seen Liverpool left with just one recognised striker in Luis Suarez, and meant that a host of forwards have been linked with a move to Merseyside in January.

Modric wants Bale at Madrid

Luka Modric, who left Tottenham earlier this summer to join Real Madrid, has now urged his former team mate Gareth Bale to also link up with him at the Bernabeu.

Modric said, “I think he can do it. He is certainly good enough to play at the highest level. I hope he will come to us. It was nice to see my old friend Gareth and play against him. He’s a top player. We had a good chat after the game.”

Bale was also linked with a move to Real this summer, but Tottenham’s asking price of £45 million put off suitors and he has subsequently signed a new contract with the London club.

Barca make Pepe video

Catalunya Radio has claimed that Barcelona have made videos of Real Madrid defender Pepe in action during El Clasicos.

According to them, Barcelona wanted to conduct a smear campaign against Pepe, with special cameras focusing just on the Madrid center back in order to catch him kicking Barcelona players.

The video apparently had the approval of former boss Pep Guardiola.

Pepe had accused earlier accused Barcelona players of diving theatrically, which drew sharp criticism from Tito Vilanova.

“You can make a film of all the times Pepe has kicked us,” was Vilanova’s response to the comments made by Pepe- and it seems the comments were taken a bit too seriously by the media!