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Reds backing Blatter in his battle with foreign legion
Bad news for Arsenal as momentum gathers behind Sepp Blatter's plan to limit the number of foreign players in domestic leagues. The idea has been dismissed by the Premier League and managers such as Arsene Wenger, but support is growing elsewhere.
Germany have became the first major football nation to come out in favour, while Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is also making positive noises.
Parry said: "I am not convinced it is a ridiculous idea because it puts a premium on coaching and management rather than just trading."
Blatter wants each team to be limited to five foreign stars to encourage home-grown talent.
Critics say it infringes European Union employment law, but FIFA claim football should be given special status. Blatter has already earmarked the 2010-11 season for the implementation of quotas.
Theo Walcott's two goals against Slavia Prague were the first scored by an Arsenal Englishman since February.

Sanchez gets a 'Fat' warning
As if Lawrie Sanchez didn't have enough to worry about with Fulham's woeful start, he is now confronted by the most bizarre piece of managerial speculation so far this season. Reports in Turkey claim the country's national team coach Fatih Terim - formerly of Galatasaray and AC Milan - has been approached about a move to Craven Cottage. Fulham were unavailable for comment.

Is any business brave enough to sponsor Charlton?
The Addicks are looking for a new backer after Spanish property company Llanera was declared insolvent. Llanera had originally stepped in following the collapse of a previous sponsor, all:sports, which went into administration in September 2005. On signing up the Spaniards three months later, chairman Richard Murray talked of the "close synergy between the aspirations of our club and those of Llanera" and fans were encouraged to buy Spanish property. A message on the club's website now reads: "Any Charlton fans who have paid deposits for holiday homes in the lifestyle resort of Nature Caravaca de la Cruz are reassured that their investment is fully protected."

Why Michael got the 'chop'
Footballers don't come much braver than Sunderland's Michael Chopra. Just six weeks after Roy Keane's rant against WAGs who make their partners do "photoshoots and that kind of stuff", Chopra and fiancee Heather Swan were pictured across five pages of OK magazine. So is the 23-year-old one of those henpecked players too easily pushed around by his WAG? Here's Heather's take on their wedding plans: "Michael isn't the hottest at organising so I didn't trust him to do it." Intriguingly, Chopra was dropped for Sunday's defeat at West Ham.

Lardy Lions can shape up
Overweight Millwall fans are wanted for a charity slimming challenge. An advert, produced by the Lions Supporters' Trust, asks for four volunteer "fat bastards" to take part in a south London version of Celebrity Fit Club to be overseen by club doctor Alison Leary. "You'll obviously need to be in reasonably healthy shape," cautions the final line. "We don't want anyone keeling over."