Football Talk

Early-bird Franco is stung by Hornets' lack of hospitality
The former right-hand man of disgraced Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi has turned up as a scout for Queens Park Rangers and is already causing trouble. Franco Ceravolo, who faces charges of criminal conspiracy in Italy over the match-fixing scandal, went to check out Watford against Bristol City at Vicarage Road on Saturday and he managed to seriously irritate his hosts. Rangers had initially asked for a director's pass for Ceravolo but, as he is not listed as a QPR board member, Hornets officials decided to issue him with scout's access only. The move infuriated the Italian who, after mistakenly turning up four hours early for the 5.20pm kick-off, went on to complain to Watford staff, insisting he was a VIP and that he should be sat with the directors. "He created a right stink," said a Watford source. Earlier this year, Ceravolo and Moggi were charged with criminal conspiracy in connection with the operation of the now defunct player management agency GEA World. Ceravolo has denied any involvement.

Cash draw of a Milan win bet
Betting conspiracies are all the rage, so UEFA would have been watching the build-up to Celtic's match against AC Milan with interest. The price for a draw was hammered in to odds-on by a surge of bets from Italy amid suspicions of an agreed result. The Scottish champions only needed a point to make the next stage of the Champions League, while Milan had nothing to play for having already qualified. In the event, the Italians won having been available at an astonishing 13-8 prior to kick-off. Given their status as European champions and Celtic's appalling away record in the competition, it surely ranks as one of the best bets of all time.

Hot Van Persie's smoking form
Arsene Wenger is rightly hailed for revolutionising the way English footballers look after their bodies. The Arsenal manager's influence has led to changes in diet and lifestyle which have set new standards for professionalism at Premier League clubs and beyond. So it is a surprise to learn that one of Wenger's star performers, Robin van Persie was recently spotted leaving Amsterdam airport smoking a cigarette.

Hatch building his reputation
Barnet striker Liam Hatch has won a shed after becoming the Football League's first-ever Player of the Month. The prize was put up by league sponsor Wickes. It was not practical to deliver the building to the club's training ground, so Hatch was presented with an IOU by Barnet fan Adrian Singer. Asked how he felt about winning the shed, Hatch said: "The other players tell me that I should live in it."

Lions condemn derby trouble
Millwall are calling for calm from their fans after Leyton Orient skipper Stephen Purches was hit by a plastic bottle during the derby at Brisbane Road on Tuesday. Peter Garston, the fans' representative on the club's board, said three missiles were thrown on the pitch from the Lions end, while there were also reports of damage to the ladies' toilets in the away end. He said: "It appears there could be a Football Association inquiry. How can anyone defend it? Someone's moment of madness could cost us big time." Orient are looking at video in a bid to identify the bottle thrower.