I had to speak with Islamic Clerics- Papiss Cisse

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse donned the club's controversial 'Wonga' strip for the first time, as he started the club's pre-season friendly at St Mirren.

 Cisse broke his silence in his row over new club sponsor Wonga, revealing he consulted Islamic teachers before deciding to pull on the team's new shirt.Cisse made his first appearance of pre-season against Scottish side St Mirren on Tuesday night, having been at loggerheads with Newcastle over the deal with payday loan company Wonga, which the striker said conflicted with his Muslim beliefs.

Hmmmmmm!

£40,000-a-week Muslim Premier league star who refused to wear shirt sponsored by loan firm Wonga is spotted GAMBLING in casino

A picture has emerged apparently showing Muslim footballer Papiss Cisse at a casino table. It comes as the Newcastle striker is at loggerheads with the club over their decision to replace old sponsor Virgin Money with pay-day loan company Wonga. 

Cisse, who is one of a number of Muslim players at Newcastle, has told the hierarchy at the club that he is unwilling to wear the shirt as it conflicts with his religious beliefs.But an image has emerged on Twitter that claims to show the Senegalese forward gambling in a casino. As well as the lending of money, gambling is not permissible in Islam.

A penny for your thought people.

Picture: Football's weekend of shame

Fierce rioting erupted after Sunderland beat rivals Newcastle United three nil in the Tyne-Wear derby today. Supporters clashed with riot police, centre, as thousands of fans poured out of St James' Park and into Newcastle city centre, left. Fans were pictured with bloodied faces, right, amid the mayhem, which saw bricks, rocks and flash bangs thrown at officers. It follows shameful scenes inside Wembley Stadium yesterday, when Millwall supporters fought amongst themselves on the terraces as their side were defeated by Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final.

Michael Owen to retire from football at the end of the season

Michael Owen has announced that he will be retiring from football at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United and England striker, who also played for Newcastle United and currently plays for Stoke City, released a statement on his website, announcing the decision, saying that he feels "now it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.""It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season," read the statement from the 33-year-old.

"Having progressed through the ranks at Liverpool to make my first team debut at 17, before embarking upon spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, not to mention representing my country on 89 occasions, I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career."I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of," he added. "None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors."I would like to thank each and every one for the huge role they have played in helping me reach the top of my profession. Most of all though, I would like to thank my family."

Tributes for Owen – who will probably be best remembered for his goal against Argentina in 1998 World Cup and his hat-trick against Germany in the famous 5-1 victory in Munich – have already started to pour in with his Stoke team-mate Charlie Adam tweeting: "Just seen the news @themichaelowen to retire. What a top player and also a top guy. Pleasure to say played in same team. #finendandy."Owen, who has been dogged by injury in the latter stages of his career, has found opportunities very difficult to come by at the Britannia Stadium of late.