During Sunday’s clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United, the Toons Manager Alan Padrew appealed that Van Persie had elbowed French International Youhan Cabaye. If the allegations were true Van Persie was set to receive a 3 match ban. Match referee Howard Webb however gave a clean match report and stated that he had not seen the incident. The two have a history between them. Last year when RVP was at the Emirates playing for Arsenal he got into a fight with fellow countryman and teammate Tim Krul along with Yohan Cabaye. Some say the incident on Sunday was just a follow up of that.

United relief as Van Persie escapes ban over ‘elbow’ on Cabaye in Toon win

The other big Premier League news is that Everton and Belgian midfielder Fellaini has been ruled out for 3 weeks. The highly rated players suffered the blow during Everton’s last weekend outing. The statement was released by the Belgian football association.

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis was of the opinion that Liverpool starlet Luiz Suarez should be banned for diving. Suarez who was a victim of Stoke City’s highly aggressive tackle dove to the ground. The referee spotted it and did not give the foul. Stoke City however played Rugby style football as they ended the match with 7 yellow cards and were lucky that German Robert Huth was not sent off for stamping Luiz Suarez, another incident the referee did not see.

The international break has some interesting fixtures to offer with Russia host Portugal for a Group 6 World Cup qualification match. Serbia will play Belgium in Group 1 match. Bulgaria host Denmark in a Group 2 match. Ina group 3 match giants Germany will be entertained by minnows Ireland. In group 4 Turkey play Romania and Netherlands host Andorra. In group 8 England play San Marino. England are without captain Steven Gerrard who misses the match through suspension and injured midfielder Frank Lampard. This will be England’s first match without John Terry after his untimely retirement from football. England will be playing a relatively young squad on Thursday. In a group 9 match Belarus host champions Spain.

France play Japan in an international friendly match.

Tags: Football, France, International Break, Japan, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Premier League, Robin Van Persie, RVP