footballcircus: Pot Noodles, Rugby and Community Service

What do Pot Noodles, rugby and community service all have in common? No, not, Wigan...That's right, they all feature in this week's Football Circus!

Ooldes of Noodles for Rooney

Wayne Rooney hit the headlines this week after he was spotted at the famous Glastonbury festival in the UK.

Talk of his Manchester United future took a back seat as tabloids instead opted to focus on the England striker's diet.

Rooney has something of a reputation for indulgence when the football season ends, often spotted drinking and smoking while on holiday.

This summer had been relatively quiet on that front until Rooney and wife Coleen were spotted at the music festival. Spending the weekend in their luxury motorhome, local residents were said to have seen a Tesco van arrive to deliver around £1,900 worth of vodka and Pot Noodles to the Scouse born couple.

A number of weeks ago we reported on possible friction between Rooney and new United manager David Moyes and Rooney will have done little to endear himself to his new boss if rumours of his dietary carelessness are true.

The Daily Mail quotes local resident Amy Hemmings as saying:

"My Tesco shop arrived on last Tuesday afternoon, and the driver, who I have got to know quite well, said he had just come from the VIP area of Glastonbury. He told me that he’d just delivered a bit of food for Ellie Goulding, and the rest of his van was full of stuff for the Rooneys. He said it was boxes and boxes of Pot Noodles, super noodles and vodka, and that’s about it".

"They had ordered almost an entire van’s worth of food, which cost £1,900 - Wayne ordered hundreds of Pot Noodles".

“The driver said that Ellie Goulding’s food was all fresh and organic".

Given the fairly loose information on which the newspaper has based the speculation, the rumours should be taken with a pinch of salt. Or 1.1 grams of salt per Pot Noodle to be precise.

Barton and Co in for a 'Shock'

Joey Barton and his Marseille teammates will this summer face an interesting challenge as the side face off against rugby team Toulon in a charity game which has been christened 'Le Choc' or 'The Shock'.

Barton is still under contract at QPR, having played most of his football last season on loan at French side Marseilles. He still harbours hopes of agreeing a permanent deal with the Ligue 1 side and should he cement a contract with them by July 17th, he may find himself in the unlikely position of taking on rugby legends such as Bakkies Botha, Johnny Wilkinson and Rocky Elsom.

Ligue 1 runners up Marseille and Heineken Cup winners Toulon have agreed to the match which will consist of one half football, one half rugby and will take place at Toulon's Stade Felix Mayol de Toulon.

All the proceeds raised from the match will go towards supporting the families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

If that wasn't enough to gage some public interest, French coach Marc Lievremont and Manchester United legend Eric Cantona will officiate the game.

Barton may hope to prolong any talks on his future until after the match has taken place or at the very least, refrain from engaging in any Twitter battles with any of the Toulon squad.

Tevez Finally Escapes Manchester...Or Does He?

Carlos Tevez last week signed for Juventus, ending a tumultuous spell in English football.

Tevez's time in England included: A battle over his ownership between West Ham and MSI (Media Sports Investment); A massive fall out with Sir Alex Ferguson leading to his Manchester United exit; A controversial move across Manchester from United to Manchester City; Suspensions and fines from Manchester City; Going AWOL; Falling out with Roberto Mancini; Having his car impounded; and being caught driving whilst disqualified.

Phew...

The Argentine therefore must have breathed a huge sigh of relief on departing Manchester for mainland Europe, believing his troubles had been left behind. Unfortunately for Tevez, he was sentenced in April to carry out 250 hours community service resultant from his driving misdemeanors.

He was this week rumoured to have no intention of returning to the UK to fulfill his obligations, apparently being 'unable' (see also - 'not arsed') to commit to the remainder of his community service in the two weeks prior to pre-season training with Juventus.

Failure to fulfill the community service would result in jail time for Tevez and while that may provide much hilarity and many a potential Football Circus article, such a threat is unlikely to appeal to the striker and his lawyer Gwyn Lewis has released the following brief statement in an attempt to clarify matters:

"No rules or regulations have been broken and we are acting on behalf of Mr. Tevez to ensure that this continues to be the case."

Italian Football Story of the Week

- Cassano Joins Parma, Hits Out at New Inter Manager Mazzarri

Antonio Cassano surprised Inter Milan fans this week by confirming his exit from the Nerazzurri and signing for Serie A rivals Parma.

Cassano signed for Inter under a year ago from city rivals AC Milan. On signing for Inter he proclaimed:

"After what has seemed like a lifetime I've joined the club that I support. That's important to me".

So important in fact, that one season and just 24 games later, he departed.

The Italian striker now blames newly appointed Inter managed Walter Mazzurri as his reason for leaving, citing that he felt forced out. Said Cassano:

“I thank Moratti, Branca andAusilio, but not Mazzarri because before he signed he told me that I was a fixed starter with the team and then after he arrived he said I was a starter, but one that should go home. He pushed me to go away. I want away because I could not return to Inter in his plans. Everyone must be aware that when you have Antonio, it is for better or worse. Throughout my career I have achieved 30-40 per cent of what I was capable of”.

Inter's loss may be Parma's gain however and Roberto Donadoni's team will see the signing as a major coup. Cassano too seems spurred on by the move:

“Here we will have to begin well. After that I do not know what will happen. Donadoni told me that here you live well and think big. That everyone is happy to have me here. In my contract I have a bonus for returning to the national team, this will push me to do even better”.

Magic 8 Ball Transfer Oracle

With the transfer window now officially open, the media have gone into overdrive this week with rumours aplenty. This week's pick of the bunch:

EDINSON CAVANI TO PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

(As reported here http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4995650/Edinson-Cavani-transfer-Laurent-Blanc-reveals-PSG-interest.html and here http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/02/paris-saint-germain-edinson-cavani)

Magic 8 Ball Says...

"YOU CAN COUNT ON IT"

Football Recommendation

- Dan Leydon, illustrator...

http://danleydon.tumblr.com/