The Footy Mumble: Ballack retires, Tom Ince steps up!

Ballack retires

Legendary Germany ‘Capitano’ Michael Ballack has retired from all forms of football after failing to find himself a club in the summer.

The Ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder had played for Bayer Levekusen the last two years, but was out of contract at the end of last season.

He was reportedly in contact with MLS and Australian A-Leagues sides, but after that failed to fructify, the 36 year-old called time on his glittering career.

Ref arrested for hacking

If you thought referees were well paid in English football, you have just been proved wrong. Not only are they poorly paid, they seem to have turned to hacking as a source of money.

Such is the case of Dean Mohareb, who was arrested by Greater Manchester police on suspicion of hacking.

Who’s account did he hack? The mail account of Janie Frampton, the FA’s former national referee manager for education and training. Through her account, he even got her involved in a scam involving match day tickets with a flight stewardess!

Frampton is now fighting to get her job back and Mohareb, meanwhile, has been red-carded and suspended until further notice.

Ince to United; Hargreaves wanted by Everton ?

The old adage “Like father, like son” is nothing new to football, where fathers and sons have often excelled. Think Alex and Darren Ferguson, Zinedine and Enzo Zidane, Mark and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain.

Seems like Tom Ince too will join this list soon and follow father Paul Ince to Manchester United, if rumours are to be believed.

First choice left winger Nani has been in poor form and his stalled contract situation means his United future has been questioned by many.

Tom Ince, thus, has been touted as a potential replacement to the Portuguese, but it would definitely be a big step up for the 20 year-old, who currently plays for Blackpool in the Championship and is valued at around £5 million.

Puyol dislocates arm

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has dislocated his arm after falling awkwardly while trying to head a ball in the club’s Champions League group stage match against Benfica.

The incident was scary enough for team-mates and opponents to look horrified on the pitch before the defender was stretchered off.

He will now miss this weekend’s clash against Real Madrid, leaving a shaky defence of Song and Mascherano as the most viable alternatives.

Diaby injured, again!

The familiar story for Arsenal pops up again, with Abou Diaby injured yet again, meaning he will miss matches against Olympiakos, Norwich and West Ham.

The midfielder has suffered a thigh strain and will be out for 3 weeks, a number that will actually relieve Arsenal fans, considering the amount of playing time he has missed in recent seasons.