PRAGUE (AP)—The Czech Republic’s top scorer Jan Koller has retired from football. The 38-year-old striker retired from international football in 2009 but continued playing for French third-division side AS Cannes. He told the CTK news agency he decided to quit after he tore a thigh muscle. The 2.02-meter (6-foot-7) striker is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 55 go...Full Story »

Above: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew IF Carlsberg did ­pre-season programmes, they would be nothing like the ­farce Alan Pardew has fashioned at Newcastle. Indeed, the beleaguered Toon boss is giving every impression of a man who couldn’t organise a knees-up in a brewery. Pardew admits much of the last month has been a perfect ­demonstration of how not to build up to a new Pr...Full Story »

Alan Pardew has turned to Sir Alex Ferguson in an attempt to restore order at Newcastle United following Joey Barton’s criticism of the club on Twitter.The Newcastle manager revealed yesterday his squad had been banned from discussing the club on the social networking website and that legal letters had been given to all players to remind them of their responsibilities.Prior to the squad ...Full Story »

ALAN PARDEW is convinced Joey Barton will see out the rest of his Newcastle contract – but fears Jose Enrique wants to join Liverpool or Manchester City. Newcastle boss Pardew accepts Enrique wants to go, despite the offer of a lucrative new deal. Pardew’s side play their first pre-season friendly at Darlington tonight and he said: “Joey seems pretty focused on Newcastle, w...Full Story »

Newcastle striker Nile Ranger will be forced to make a grovelling apology to manager Alan Pardew after he was pictured posing with a replica gun. The 20-year-old says he regrets brandishing the firearm in a gangster pose in a photograph taken by his girlfriend at his home. Loony Toon: The picture, which shows the London-born forward wearing a hooded top holding the silver handgun in front o...Full Story »

Alan Pardew last night promised an investigation after nightclub photos of three Newcastle players were posted on the internet. Striker Leon Best and midfielders Stephen Ireland and Stephen Folan were shown displaying their torsos in images on the Tup Tup Palace Facebook page. Ireland, on loan from Aston Villa, and Best are injured and did not travel to Stoke, where Newcastle crashed 4-0. ...Full Story »