World Football Gossip Roundup: German Mole, Joey Barton, Jordi Alba, Samir Nasri

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Drama, intrigue and scandal dominate the headlines today in the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup.

All seems well in the German camp at Euro 2012, except for the fact that someone seems to have betrayed the team.

In England, Joey Barton is set to serve a 12-match ban, but that's apparently not enough for Queens Park Rangers.

And across the Channel, Samir Nasri's international career with France could be in trouble.

All the details await inside.

German Mole

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Germany's national football team has a mole, according to Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel (via The Independent).

An unknown person has been leaking lineups to the press hours before kickoff. Babbel has called the mole's actions "frustrating, unnecessary and stupid."

Germany captain Philipp Lahm, meanwhile, has called the mole a "disgrace" (per Goal.com).

Unfair Advantage?

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It's not all bad news for the Germans, though. Joachim Löw's team will have five full days of recovery time before their semifinal against Italy on Thursday.

The Italians will have three—and they needed 120 minutes and penalties to defeat England in the quarterfinals.

Said Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, per the Daily Telegraph:

To be frank we just need to get to bed as quickly as possible and get as much rest as possible. We stopped celebrating 10 minutes after the game and immediately started thinking about the semi-final.

Barton to Stay at QPR?

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Joey Barton will stay at Queens Park Rangers after the club conducted an inquiry into his actions against Manchester City on May 13, according to a Goal.com exclusive.

Barton, a 29-year-old midfielder, was sent off on the season's final day for elbowing Carlos Tevez. Before leaving the pitch, he also kicked Sergio Aguero and tried to head-butt Vincent Kompany.

The FA banned Barton for 12 matches. According to Goal.com, Barton is set to be stripped of the captaincy and fined.

Barton released a statement on Twitter on Monday. Here is the three-part tweet:

I was reckless and deserved every punishment I received. Money comes and goes, it's not important to me. Losing the captaincy and missing...

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 25, 2012

 

...12 games, is what really hurts. I was stupid and that what happens when u do dumb things. I am confident ill bounce back. Cannot wait.

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 25, 2012

 

That's all I have to say on the matter. I wish to put it behind me now and help QPR, once available of course, push on towards the top half.

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 25, 2012

Valencia Angry with Barca?

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Valencia officials are "angry" with Barcelona over the purchase of two youth players. The anger, however, won't affect the two clubs' negotiations over Spanish international Jordi Alba (per ESPNSoccernet).

Alba, 23, has been expected to sign with Barcelona since before Euro 2012 started.

Nasri Making Friends

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Samir Nasri's international career might be in jeopardy after his foul-mouthed rant at a journalist following France's loss to Spain in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals.

According to The Sun, French FA president Noel Le Graet called Nasri's actions "intolerable."

Falcao Staying?

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Atletico Madrid will not sell Colombian striker Radamel Falcao this summer, according to ESPNSoccernet.

Falcao, 26, joined Atletico from Porto last summer. He scored 36 goals in all competitions as Atletico won the Europa League.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are thought to be interested in signing Falcao.

Wenger After Reus?

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Arsene Wenger is "on the case" with German international forward Marco Reus, according to the Daily Star.

Reus, 23, signed with Borussia Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach in January. He spent the rest of last season with Gladbach and will join Dortmund for the 2012-13 season.

Vertonghen Gets 15 Percent?

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Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen will receive a 15 percent cut of his transfer fee if he joins Tottenham Hotspur, according to Goal.com.

Vertonghen, 25, is expected to join Tottenham from Ajax despite the departure of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. Vertonghen has won 37 caps for Belgium.

 

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