Fans keeping Rafa at Toon
FORMER Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw has been fined £375 and suspended for two months by the FA for betting-related offences.
Shaw, right, was found guilty at an independent disciplinary hearing of intentionally influencing betting markets in Sutton’s 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Arsenal in February by eating a pie on the substitutes’ bench in front of TV cameras. RAFA BENITEZ has given a clear indication he will stay at Newcastle.
Benitez was angry at owner Mike Ashley’s failure to back him in the transfer window, fuelling talk he could quit. But he is loving life at St James’ Park.
“The North-east already feels like home,” he said. “I was made to feel so welcome by everybody from my very first day. All I can do is continue to work hard and try my best to give them a team to be proud of.”
Benitez has twice had to make decisions on his Newcastle future – following relegation last year and again this summer, when he received lucrative job offers from China.
He revealed it was his daughters Claudia and Agata who convinced him to stay.
“My family wanted me to stay after time away in Italy and Spain,” he told lifestyle magazine North East Times. “And my daughters were showing me what the fans were saying on social media.
“They said, ‘You have to stay and win for these people – the fans love you here’.” MANCHESTER UNITED have withdrawn an appeal against Phil Jones’ two-match European ban, meaning the defender will miss next week’s Champions League opener against Basle. The 25-year-old, left, missed the UEFA Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid after he abused an anti-doping official following the Europa League final win against Ajax. He was also fined £4,500. ●DEFENDER Tyrone Mings has committed his future to Bournemouth by signing a new four-year contract.