Police seize 29 bags of 'cannabis' in raid on Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand's city centre restaurant Rosso

A man has been arrested after 29 bags of "cannabis" were found stashed at a city centre restaurant owned by Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.

Shocked diners were interrupted by a daylight raid on Rosso restaurant in Spring Gardens on Friday afternoon.

Police sniffer dogs tracked down the haul of what is understood to be cannabis, packaged in snap-seal bags and hidden away in a staff locker.

England footballer Stewart Downing arrested after claim he punched his ex-girlfriend during row in nightclub

Footballer Stewart Downing was last night arrested on suspicion of assault after allegedly hitting an ex-girlfriend in a nightclub row.

The Liverpool winger and England international, 27, was arrested after a late night fracas at a pub in the upmarket suburb of Yarm, near Middlesborough, at about 1am last night.

It is claimed that he assaulted his ex-partner, with whom he is thought to have a child, after rowing with her while drinking at the Cross Keys club on Yarm High Street.

A local source told the Mail Online that ''She went over to one of his friends and said something that she shouldn't have,' the source said.

'He butted in and they were arguing.' It's then that the source alleged that he hit her. The source continued: 'Police got there as they were thrown out. He caused a scene outside the club as well, when he realised they were going to take him in.'

While relatively upmarket, Yarm is notorious as a hangout for 'scrotes' (lmfao) - a slang term for young people - who go there for nights out, our source said. It is also a well known hangout for footballers.

A police spokesman said: 'Police were called to an incident at a pub on Yarm High Street.

'A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and a 32-year-old woman has also been arrested on on suspicion of assault.

'Both are in custody and inquiries are ongoing'

Edited at 15:55 Sun 08/01/12 (GMT)

With these challanges though, you have to understand that they are pretty dangerous.

Players are physically stronger, bigger and heavier than they use to be. So instead of having a 10 stone centre back thrwoing himself at you, you have a 13 stone centreback doing so.

But the FA need to realise these players are getting a ton of money, they are fully aware of the dangers of playing... just like someone who joins the army.

So we need the FA to stop being such a bunch of wimps.

But then... I dont think the English FA would have a problem with accepting these scissor tackles etc, its just when the top 8 teams play in Europe... you're going to get sent off every single time.

So the English FA are basically containing us and we all know how bad Barca and Madrid are for pathetic for it. So to are German opposition, as soon as you tackle them theres a few backflips, a bit of breakdancing... You get the drift.

Would be great though to have the ref constantly telling them to get back up and at least 75% of the players will stop rolling around and get back up

FA Cup 4th Round draw just about to start...

Fix!

If Evra plays he is gonna have a bad time and we will get fined by the FA

Sunderland v Middlesbrough, MK Dons or QPR v Chelsea, West Brom v Norwich, Arsenal or Leeds v Aston Villa, Stevenage v Notts County, Macclesfield or Bolton v Swansea: all intriguing ties.

Edited at 18:08 Sun 08/01/12 (GMT)

Man City are out... Man Utd or Liverpool will soon be out...

Looks like Newcastle actually have a decent chance of going far

We could do with winning this cup... Been a while since we last did lol...

about 20 minutes before the draw I said to my dad "Man Utd will get Liverpool away". Spooky .

Oh and the news informs me that a liverpool fan has been arrested and released on bail for a racially aggravated civil order offense or something like that after the game there the other day. Let's hope this discourages any more of that before the FA Cup game with United so that it can be about 2 class football teams.

Edited at 18:09 Sun 08/01/12 (GMT)

When Liverpool were drawn at home I had a slight feeling that I would hear, "will play number three, Manchester United".

Well we all know the French have a reputation for shying away from wars.

I would therefore suggest that Patrice Evra will be out with a slight muscle strain for both this FA Cup tie, and the international friendly between France and Uraguay, where Maxi Perreira, - a black Uruguayan has said today Evra 'will need body armour' for when the sides meet.

It is hard being a snide little mess in football, as you can only hide for so long, Patrice.

Edited at 18:18 Sun 08/01/12 (GMT)

Just thought I'd post this again for those that missed it...
If anyone wants I can post it a few more times here as well I don't mind.

Haha! Re-posting! Love it.

I said Sunderland would get either Newcastle or M'Boro for the derby game.

I said Chelsea would get Villa or QPR.

But didnt see United v Lpool coming my way!

Cant remember who Spurs got but thats my winner anyway.

Spurs got Watford away.

Hope Evra doesn't play really because if he does we will be done for racism again it's inevitable

Neil Warnock has just been sacked!

Wow no way? Why? I thought he was doing a great job at QPR?

They are just outside the relgstion zone and apparently Fernandes didn't think he was the right man to keep them in the premier league

He's probably looking at Swansea and Norwich,and thinking "why aren't we mid table like them?".

I really don't think Warnock is to blame though... I think he's a brilliant manager.

Yeah he should given him this season he was putting together a decent side

Silly decision, should stick to F1 Fernandez. If QPR were to be relegated, it would be someone like Neil who would be able to bring them right back up anyway. So I now hope QPR are relegated and have a good few championship seasons.

Oh, and on the QPR note, here's a good little laugh...

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/886657-joey-barton-threatens-to-quit-football-manager-2012-after-argument-with-himself