Friday's Daily Express claims an exclusive with its story of a takeover attempt of England's national team.

The paper claims that FA chief executive Adam Crozier is set to receive a letter from the Premier League announcing its intention to take control in an effort to end the continuing club-versus-country row.

The letter will outline demands such as compensation for clubs when players are called-up, deciding on the appointment of medical staff, half of any commercial deals and control on the number of friendlies played.

An unnamed club chairman said: "As the players are ours, surely it makes sense for the Premier League to run the England team."

Newcastle's current problems have been made worse by winger Laurent Robert's comments.

The Frenchman is quoted in the Daily Star as saying that the club is "in crisis" and that he has told team-mates that he "can't do it all" by himself.

Mindless bigotry

He has also criticised Bobby Robson for not spending enough during the summer on bolstering his squad, and has written off any hope of the team progressing in the Champions League.

The bad news for the Magpies does not end there.

It is reported, by the Daily Mirror, that the FA have launched an investigation into claims that Newcastle fans racially abused Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the sides' recent meeting.

The fact that it happened is not in doubt as the club and some supporters groups have officially apologised to the player directly.

A Newcastle supporter commented that: "These noises were disgusting and shameful.

"How are own black players felt about this mindless bigotry from a prejudiced few remains to be seen."

Spurs fans will be disappointed to hear their manager Glenn Hoddle praising arch-rivals Arsenal in The Sun on Friday.

The former England midfielder feels that Arsenal are setting impressive new standards and have replaced Manchester United as the new "benchmark" of footballing quality.

Opening ceremony

Many of the day's papers run with the story that golf fans have been placed in a state of uproar by Tiger Woods.

Spectators that travelled to The Belfry to watch the star in a Ryder Cup practice round, were outraged when he decided to start playing at 0630 (BST).

Most fans missed the early start and openly criticised the American.

On hearing this, one witness reports in the Daily Mail that Woods said: "I am not here for the public."

Finally, the Ryder Cup stories continue in The Times who note that former European captain Seve Ballesteros failed to show up for Thursday night's opening ceremony.

No-one knows the reason for his absence but another former captain Tony Jacklin commented that:

"There is talk of a wrangle with the authorities."

Several Spanish sources also suggested that Ballesteros had become greatly "disheartened" by his recent lack of form and had decided not to attend.