With a Russian Billionaire at the helm Monaco will be bidding to become European heavyweights after a period in the doldrums.

Returning to Ligue 1 after two years spent in the second tier of the French league, Monaco are intent on making a big comeback which will get the attention of every club across Europe.

A bank balance to rival the biggest sides in the world and ambitions stretching to the highest echelons of the Champions League means a busy summer of transfer hearsay.

Sadly most of the news engulfing the world of Flat racing of late has focused on a shocking doping scandal involving former Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni.

The trainer, who was based at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, was found to have administered banned substances, namely anabolic steroids, to 15 horses in his care and his training career is now virtually over, with the BHA handing Al Zarooni an eight-year ban.

Since Jose Mourinho left Chelsea for sunnier climes, the Premier League hasn’t been quite the same. Indeed, though not always the most exuberant in the technical area, the Portuguese was certainly entertaining in post-match interviews and during press conferences. He added a bit of spice to proceedings.

It’s good to have characters in the English top-flight. And we certainly have one now in the shape of Paolo di Canio who couldn’t have wished for a better start to his managerial career at Sunderland than to beat bitter rivals Newcastle in their own backyard on Sunday.

Did you see the April Fools’ Day joke that went about as viral as man-flu in a London office? You know the one… it stated that Manny Pacquiao had retired?

I noticed it on Facebook; I only log on on to that social networking site once in a blue moon, you’ll understand. I’m cool and rather nonchalant, me.