Alex Ferguson and Edin Dzeko receive BPL acclaim

Both the Barclays Manager and Player of the Month of August awards will be heading to Manchester.

Man City striker Dzeko received praise for his four goals in their 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, and was given the award for the first time, after his excellent start to the season.

Dzeko was also on the score sheet as the Citizens frisked over Swansea 4-0, and Bolton Wanderers also suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands of Roberto Mancini's men.

While Dzeko had a lackluster unveiling season at Eastland after completing a move from Wolfsburg for a reported £27 million, he has now won the worship of the fans in Eastlands, with the Citizens currently in second spot on the Premier League table behind Manchester United on goal difference.

There was also acclaim reserved for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who won the Barclays Manager of the Month for the 26th time in his career after his squad maintain a 100% record this season by beating Arsenal 8-2 last weekend.

The Red Devils beat West Brom 2-1 in their opening weekend, and then hit Tottenham for a 3-0 victory, earlier racing to the top of the table with their beating of Arsenal.

The wily Scot has acquainted new signings such as Phil Jones and Ashley Young who have contributed strongly, together with young players including Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley who apparently have made the transition effortlessly to the first team.

The choice was made by the Barclays Awards Panel that includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

Zico

Brazil great Zico has been appointed as the coach of Iraq on a one year contract, the nation's football federation has confirmed.

The 58-year-old, who has earlier coached Japan, Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow, replaces Wolfgang Sidka, who was not offered a new agreement.

Zico will take charge of the side with instant effect as the Iraqis get ready for the next stage of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Iraq has been drawn along China, Jordan and Singapore in Group A in the third round of qualifying, and will face the Jordanians on September 2.

Fenerbahce banned from Europe

Fenerbahce logo

Fenerbahce will not play in the Champions League this season because of an ongoing investigation, the Turkish Football Federation has confirmed.

The declaration comes on the eve of Champions League group stage draw in Monaco.

Turkish Football Federation logo

According to a declaration on the TFF website, UEFA wrote to the federation to demand Fenerbahce's withdrawal, threatening wider disciplinary act against the TFF should they fail to do so.

The letter was sent on to Fenerbahce, who declined to withdraw.

"In the face of this development, on August 24 an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held to talk about the threat of the Turkish Football Federation being exposed to severe disciplinary endorsements if Fenerbahce took part in the UEFA Champions League this season, and it was decided to bar them from participating," the announcement said.

Fenerbahce were crown league champions last term, pipping Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-3 win at Sivasspor on the final day.

The final standings stay official, but Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim is one of more than 30 people confined custody pending trial on the matter.

UEFA Champions League logo

UEFA are expected to make an proclamation later this evening.

A head of the expected UEFA announcement, there was confusion over who would take Fenerbahce's spot in the contest.

The left second legs of the play-offs were because of take place tonight, and there was speculation that one of the beaten teams from this round would be reinstated.

If UEFA were to go by coefficients, Arsenal would be sure a place in the group stage, in spite of of the outcome of their tie against Udinese.

There was also the chance the TFF could be invite to enter another team in Fenerbahce's place.

Ronaldinho Called back to the Brazil Squad

Ronaldinho

Flamengo forward Ronaldinho has been called back to the Brazil squad for following month's friendly against Ghana at Craven Cottage after a nine-month absence.

Ronaldinho in action

The 31-year-old has not featured for his country since 1-0 defeat to Argentina last November, his only appearance in Mano Menezes prevails as Selecao coach.

Porto forward Hulk

Other noteworthy inclusions in the 24-man group for the September 5 come across were Real Madrid left back Marcelo, Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio, Porto forward Hulk and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

Leandro Damiao

There was no place for Chelsea midfielder Ramires, however there was room for Santos versatile Brazil Under-20 international Danilo.

Brazil team: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Fabio (Cruzeiro); Lucio (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dede (Vasco), D Luiz (Chelsea), D Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Adriano (Barcelona), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), L Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Ralf (Corinthians), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), PH Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo); Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Robinho (AC Milan), A Pato (AC Milan), Hulk (Porto), L Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).

Silverstone expects to the future

Silverstone has submitted plans to additional secure their futurity that has been described as the most significant in the circuit's 60-year history.

Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northants District Council last week received a comprehensive outline planning application that will transform the Northamptonshire estate if given the green light.

Silverstone has already experiment a track revamp, and this year the fresh £27million pit-and-paddock complex was unveiled.

Even so, in a bid to get one of the leading venues in the UK, the plan now is for a business park, Technology Park, education campus, three hotels, ancillary retail and spectator facilities that include a Welcome Centre and Museum of Motor Sport, also as a kart track and outdoor stage.

Silverstone Holdings Ltd managing director Richard Phillips said: "This is the most important initiative that Silverstone has taken in its 60-year history.

"Approval of this planning application will help maintain Silverstone's position as a leading global centre for sport, leisure, education and technology, and support its vision of becoming a world-leading motor sport destination."

British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC)

Chairman of the British Racing Drivers Club, Stuart Rolt say: "The submission of this planning application is a big step forward in releasing the commercial potential of Silverstone and its 760-acre estate.

"The timing of this planning application is closely linked into the process we are currently undergoing to seek potential investment from third parties that will enable us to move forward with our plans more rapidly."

Rolt and Phillips both confirmed at last month's British Grand Prix that for the development to succeed, outside investment was needed as they could not support such an important financial undertaking.

It is estimated the development will make around 8,400 permanent jobs in the firms and activities pulled to the site, plus an average of around 550 construction jobs per annum throughout the development phase.

India Sorted with West Indies for Under-19 World Cup

India clubbed with West Indies, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea for the preliminary phase of the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be held in Australia next year.

The occasion will get happening in Queensland exactly one year from now and Scotland will be there as the leading Associate after winning eight of their nine matches during the qualifiers, which happened in Dublin and Derry.

Defending champions and hosts, Australia, will head Group A have been drawn alongside 1998 winner England, Nepal and Ireland, the ICC said in a declaration.

Group B is made up of the last event's runner-up and two-time winner Pakistan, New Zealand, Scotland and Afghanistan while 2000

2008 champion India have been concerned Group C along with West Indies, Zimbabwe and PNG. Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and Namibia make up Group D.

Haroon Lorgat

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said, "The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is a very important tournament for us and I want to congratulate those six teams who have qualified to take part in Queensland next year."

"This tournament has proved to be an important stepping stone for elite young cricketers aspiring to play international cricket. It's an opportunity for them to develop and test their skills in a high-pressure situation against the world's best at this level," he added.

Shane Long Wait for West Brom Finally Over

Shane Long

West Bromwich have at last signed Reading striker Long for an unrevealed fee, the club have confirmed.

Shane has put pen to paper on an initial three-year agreement with the option for an added twelve months.

Roy Hodgson

Long becomes Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's sixth signing of the summer with the fee understood to be an initial £4.5million, rising to a promising £6.5 million with add-ons.

He is presently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, preparing for clash with Croatia in Dublin.

Barclays Premier League

But Long will be in contention to make his West Brom debut in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Hawthorns.

West Brom

Albion declared the deal after the results of Long's medical proved positive. He becomes their sixth signing of the close season but the first for whom they have paid a transfer fee.

Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley, Zoltan Gera and Marton Fulop were Bosman transfers while Ben Foster signed on a season-long loan from Birmingham.

Shane Long celebrating

Long has been Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's number one striker target across the summer to provide support for last season's top scorer, Peter Odemwingie.

He scored 25 goals for the Royals previous season and was joined with a move to West Ham.

John Madejski

Reading also confirm Long's move in an announcement with Chairman Sir John Madejski saying: "Shane has been a conscientious and loyal servant for Reading.

"Water will always find its own level, and nobody can deny a talented young player the opportunity to play at the highest level when they have the ability to do so.

"Had we won (the play-off final) at Wembley, I have no doubt that Shane would still be playing for Reading, but we wish him great luck at West Brom."

Brian McDermott

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: "West Bromwich Albion and Roy Hodgson are very lucky to get Shane and I'm sure their fans will see what a great talent he is and how hard he'll work for the team."