So the latest - well, we all know he felt unloved at United, but now he is turning the blame onto someone else - a certain Mr Dimitar Berbatov.

Tevez says that Berbatov is the reason he ultimately decided to leave Old Trafford, after it was clear to him he would always be playing second fiddle to the stroppy Bulgarian. Even after pleas by Fergie to stay, and the promise of a lucrative £100,000 + a week wage, Tevez would not forgive the way he was treated by those at the Theatre of Dreams. Mmm…a hefty wage, playing in front of 75,000 fans week-in week-out, Champions league Finals…yes, bad treatment indeed.

This all from a guy who looks like he’s going to join Manchester City - a team still very much in the making, who will unlikely challenge the top four this season…but will give him a lot of money. Makes sense right? Uhh no.

Seems to me Tevez is acting like a bit of a cry-baby. There is no doubt Fergie would’ve wanted Berbatov to succeed in his first season at Old Trafford, especially when paying out £30 million for the striker. However, Ferguson is not a stupid man, nor does he favour players. He simply picks those he believes will win him a football match. What did Tevez expect, a first team place automatically, whilst the new £30 million striker warms the bench? No, at Old Trafford you earn your place in the starting eleven.

Tevez should’ve kept his head down, worked hard, perhaps even taken a leaf out of reserve team manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s book. Then, maybe he would’ve seen more minutes on the football pitch, and reaped the rewards. He too should’ve taken comfort in the fact that the fans loved him. Certainly a lot more than they did Berbatov. They made it clear they wanted him at Old Trafford, so did United…they just took a little longer in expressing their wishes. You could argue rightly so however; £25 million is a lot to spend on a player, especially when there are still questions over the ownership legalities, and for someone who may only be effective as a bit-part player.

Tevez may live to regret giving up his place in one of the best teams in the world, and for what? A team who have got potential? All for not feeling loved enough…ahh diddums.

Not that is should’ve even got to penalties, after England were 3-0 up by half-time, through strikes from  Martin Cranie, Nedum Onuoha and an unfortunate own goal.

Cue complete complacency, and a remarkable fightback from the Swedes, who levelled the game at 3-3.

Usually, us English fans would think the worst; thrown away a 3 goal lead, against the host team, facing penalties to take us into the final…only one winner right?

How refreshing then, that the Under 21’s showed incredible character and spirit to defy the odds - and thoughts of the majority of us cynical fans - and come through as winners, in a thrilling 5-4 shootout. Five times previously, England have fallen at the semi-final stage in the competition - but not this time.

It now leaves us licking our lips at the thought of an England vs Germany final, after the side from Deutschland beat Italy 1-0 in the other semi-final. A perfect final…..that’s if we win!

On a more sour note, three players from the squad look set to miss out on the final; Frazier Campbell saw  red against Sweden after a desperate lunge on Mikael Lustig; and both Gabby Agbonlahor and Joe Hart picked up a yellow card each, ruling then out too.

Hart was booked after venturing off his line during the shoot-out itself, and Pearce has said he intends to appeal. Let’s hope he’s successful, as England will need him between the sticks against the Germans.

Good luck England, we’re all behind you! Go out and show the seniors how it’s done!

Brazil will kick off the second semi finals of the Confederations Cup against South Africa this evening. The first semi finals featured USA and Spain with USA causing a massive shock by beating Spain 2-0 even finishing the match with just 10 players.

Brazil will be fresh from the last group match where they demolished Italy 3-0, whilst South Africa lost their last match 2-0 against Spain yet they still managed to qualify. Brazil will no doubt be the favourites to beat a respectable South Africa side, where they will face USA in the Confederations Cup final.

My Prediction: 3-1

Watch Brazil v South Africa Live : Brazil vs South Africa Live

Well, reports at the weekend suggested just that. Hull are said to be interested, willing to pay him a substantial weekly wage, with bonuses for appearances and goals scored. Apparently…

I could be wrong, but I fear this is almost as ridiculous an idea as the one Owen’s management company had when sending out a brochure of the (former?) England international.

Call me cynical, but I sense it is more about Phil Brown missing the limelight in the close season, and wanting to make a few more headlines, enhance his profile some more, and not about a serious attempt by Hull to lure Owen to the KC Stadium.

Phil ‘James’ Brown has been quick to make comments on how Hull need strengthening in ‘that department’ and how Owen would be on his list of potential new signings …however, no contact has actually been made. Nada. Niente.

Owen will officially become a free agent at the end of June, and has expressed his desire to play for one of the top clubs in England, or even abroad.

So I’m sorry, but that is why I see no way that Owen will be a Hull player come August. Hull are not a top side, and Owen is still keen to prove he is not the faded star many people think he is.

If he does join Hull, I shall never write another football article again. (I can hear the many calls for him to become a Tiger, as we speak!!…)

The 27-year old was contracted to Ewood Park until 2012, but City looked to have exercised the £18 million buy-out clause that was stimulated in Santa Cruz’s contract when he initially signed for Rovers. Not a bad return for Blackburn, who bought Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich two seasons ago, for a mere £3.7 million.

Although he will not be easy to replace - Santa Cruz scored 29 goals in 70 games for Rovers - it will be a much needed boost to Big Sam’s transfer kitty.

Santa Cruz will be City’s second signing of the  summer after Gareth Barry - will Tevez be the third?

Drogba has been given a six-game ban by Uefa (two of which are suspended for two years) from European competition; team-mate Jose Bosingwa, has been handed a four-match ban, one of which is suspended.

Now firstly to Drogba. Interesting to see the reaction to the ban after he said prior to the ruling, he would be prepared to accept any ban imposed by Uefa. Me thinks he was expecting to get away with a slap on the wrist. Well, think again Didier…

Bosingwa was guilty of calling the referee a ‘thief’, amongst other things. That will teach him to go running to the Portuguese media after a game then, won’t it?!

The thing is, despite the circumstances and ill-feeling due to the controversial decisions made by the referee that night, there is no excuse for the way Bosingwa and, in particular, Drogba, reacted at the final whistle. His aggressive nature towards referee Henning Ovrebo, not to mention choice words straight down a TV camera, were inexcusable. He is a highly-paid professional who serves as a role model to millions of children, not to mention those back in his native Ivory Coast. Yes emotions run high, but that does not mean to say discipline can be thrown out of the window.

In the year of the Respect campaign, Uefa had no choice other than to hand Drogba a heavy fine - otherwise imagine what sort of stand that would have made to the footballing-world. Uefa had to make a point, and have done to strongly in with the imposed bans. On the other hand….

The improper charge for conduct by their fans and players imposed on Chelsea -and with it a £85,000 fine…now that’s not exactly making a point, is it? Chelsea are indeed appealing that too….sure, because they can’t afford that can they?! Honestly, after making strong gestures with the Drogba and Bosingwa bans, what is the point in handing billionaire Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea side, a measly £85,000 fine?!! It’s not even going to make a pin-prick dent in My Moneybag’s pocket is it?

Anyway, we shall see what comes of the appeals. Knowing Uefa, they will fail to stand by their strong stance, and cave in under the millions of pounds…sorry pressure….from the power that is Chelsea and the English PL. Still, here’s hoping….

United were willing to pay the £25.5 million that it would’ve taken to keep Tevez at United, however Tevez’s advisors have informed United, he does not wish to remain a Manchester United player.

Adored by United fans, many will be shocked at Tevez’s blatant snub. However, it is thought United’s unwillingness to sort out a contract sooner, has led to Tevez turning his back on the Champions. His agent further confirmed this idea, by saying if the club had offered him the contract six months ago, Tevez would not have hesitated to sign. Clearly, Tevez was not happy at how he was treated at Old Trafford. Will United live to regret there decision?

So, that leaves Chelsea and Manchester City as the front runners to win his signature - after his advisors ruled out Liverpool due to their ‘intense rivalry’ with United.

City will be desperate to land the Argentinean - not only to stick one over their rivals, but as proof they are a club with ambition. And they certainly have the money at their disposal.

Chelsea are also rumoured to be interested, but with Ancelotti still assessing his team ahead of a new season, the Italian may feel there are other players that would fit in better with his style of play.

Tevez will make his decision at the start of July. He is said to be keen to stay in the Premier League and I for one wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up a short trip away at Eastlands.

£30 million in debt, Setanta failed to meet the Friday-deadline put in place, and the league will now put the 46-live matches out to auction. Offers need to be made by Monday, where it is expected Sky will express an interest. Although EU regulatory rules prevent one broadcaster from owning all PL rights, so they will only be able to bid for one of the two 23-game packages Setanta had agreed to. ESPN, the Disney-owned sports channel in the US, are also expected to show interest.

Setanta have a big part to play in the Scottish Premier League, and are still locked in talks with the chiefs there, after also failing to pay the league £3 million. They will also now focus on thire other contracts - England internationals, the FA Cup and Blue Square Premier.

Unfortunately for Setanta, news that it will no longer show English PL games, will probably trigger an influx of cancellation letters from it’s 1.2 million subscribers. It would be an understatement to say things are not looking good for the Irish sports broadcasters….

In an interview with BBC Radio Five Live, Leighton revealed Ferguson was close to becoming manager of the Gunners in the summer of 1986. Leighton says Ferguson was offered the job, along with George Graham as his assistant, and had actually agreed he would take charge, but wanted to wait until after the World Cup in Mexico before making any official announcements.

However, Arsenal’s directors said no; they wanted to sort the deal out before the tournament, to which Fergie said in that case no, the deal’s off. Arsenal then settled for George Graham as their number one instead.

How interesting indeed. Remarkable really that not many people seem to have ever known about the supposed arrangements, and that details were kept under wraps for such a long time. Assuming Leighton’s not telling porkies, it leaves you wondering just what Arsenal’s fortunes would’ve been had the Scotsman taken charge. More so, what would’ve happened with United?! It’s unlikely they would’ve had such success and dominance.

Anyway, just a bit of gossip for you to munch on until the next half-interesting story comes our way…..

It’s no surprise that Mike Ashley wants to sell - he’s been trying to wash his hands of the club he loves for months, but has been unsuccessful.

It is said former Chairman, Freddy Shepherd, is among several interested parties - he’ll probably be welcomed back with open arms after the mere disastrous period that Ashley has presided over.

Since buying the club in 2007 and investing a cool £250 million overall, Ashley has suffered heavily at the hands of the financial decline, not to mention his popularity amongst Toon fans. In September 2008, Ashley put the club up for sale, but there were no takers. He took the club off the market briefly, and then of course the devastation of relegation followed.

Keith Harris, who has been put in charge of brokering a deal, says Newcastle have become more attractive to potential buyers in the wake of relegation;

“Newcastle had an awful season and got relegated so that has an implication for the value of an asset of a decrease to make it more attractive.”

As well as Shepherd’s interest, reports suggest other potential suitors are as far flung as Dubai and Oman, although the bidders will not be identified until next week. However,the club have said they are open to offers and those interested can email admin@nufc.co.uk. So, any takers out there??

In the meantime, the issue of who will be in charge next season still hangs heavy. Shearer is the undoubted choice, although it would appear Ashley does not necessarily side with the Toon faithful. Yeah, like he needs yet another reason for them to dislike him! It is unlikely Shearer will be none the wiser until the future of the club becomes clearer, but how long that will be is unclear.