League One

Former Arsenal youth player and Bradford City winger Tyrell Robinson pled guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl in August 2018, per BBC News on Tuesday.

Robinson also admitted to "making and distributing an indecent image of a child via Snapchat," according to BBC News.  

The 22-year-old is out on bail and registered as a sex offender before leaving court. He will be sentenced at a to-be-determined date.

"You must not assume that the fact that I'm adjourning sentence and granting you bail is to mean that any particular sentence will be imposed upon you," Judge Jonathan Rose told Robinson in Bradford Crown Court. "All options will be open to the judge who deals with your case, and that will very much include the possibility of a prison sentence."

Robinson denied a charge of "distributing an indecent photograph of a child" in December 2017, per BBC, which also noted that prosecutors would not pursue that charge further.

Bradford City announced on February 24, 2020 it had parted with Robinson "on grounds of committing gross misconduct" following West Yorkshire Police's confirmation of charges against him after the initial August 2018 arrest.

Robinson made 21 appearances for then-League One side Bradford City in 2017-18 and two more in 2018-19 before the club suspended him indefinitely after the initial charges were brought against him, per PA Media (h/t The Guardian).

Bury were expelled by the English Football League on Tuesday, with the 134-year-old club losing its place after a failed takeover.

Per Sky Sports, the EFL issued a statement to explain why it had taken the decision:

"The EFL Board met earlier this evening and, after a long and detailed discussion, determined that Bury FC's membership of the English Football League be withdrawn after the deadline passed at 5pm today (Tuesday, August 27) without a successful resolution.

"Despite repeated requests to its owner Mr Dale over a sustained period of time, the necessary evidence in respect of how the club would meet its financial commitments, has simply not been provided and, as a result, attentions turned to securing new ownership at the club.

"At its meeting on 24 August 2019, the board agreed a short extension to 5pm today (Tuesday, August 27) to enable Mr Dale and the club to explore the possibility of a proposed sale with C&N Sporting Risk Limited, with Mr Dale having accepted their offer. Following due diligence, C&N Sporting Risk Limited opted not to pursue its interest."

Bury become the first club to drop out of the EFL in 27 years. A supporter appeared on Sky Sports News to encourage a new buyer to come forward and save the outfit.

Broadcaster James Pearce offered words of encouragement to stricken supporters:

Bolton Wanderers could soon follow Bury out of the EFL after suffering similar ownership issues that have financially crippled the infrastructure of the club, per BBC Sport.

Bury had a successful campaign last term, winning promotion to League One after finishing second in League Two.

The Shakers featured in the top-flight of English football in 1925-26, finishing fourth in Division One behind champions Huddersfield Town, Arsenal and Sunderland, and ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Bury were also two-time winners of the FA Cup after success in 1900 and 1903.

Fleetwood Town manager and former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with actual bodily harm in relation to an altercation in the tunnel at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium on April 13.

Per BBC Sport, Barton has "emphatically denied" confronting Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel after his side's 4-2 League One defeat, but police have said a man suffered facial injuries.

Barton, 36, has been bailed until October 9, when he will appear in court:

In the wake of the eventful match between Barnsley and Fleetwood, during which Fleetwood's Harry Souttar was sent off, Barnsley confirmed they had filed a formal complaint to both the English Football League and the Football Association in relation to an "alleged incident" between Barton and Stendel.

Tykes forward Cauley Woodrow said Barton "left [Stendel] with blood pouring from his face":

Barton was jailed for six months for assault and affray in 2008 in Liverpool after leaving "a teenage boy with broken teeth," per BBC News.

In the same year, he was given a four-month suspended sentence for assaulting Ousmane Dabo when they were both at Manchester City. 

The former England international has been in charge of Fleetwood, his first managerial role, since June 2018 following the expiration of his 18-month FA ban for breaching betting rules. 

Oldham Athletic have announced the appointment of former Manchester United star Paul Scholes as their new manager. 

The Latics confirmed Scholes has taken over from caretaker boss Pete Wild on Monday:

Scholes has signed a deal to keep him at Boundary Park until the end of next season.

BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay relayed Scholes' delight at taking charge:

Oldham owner Abdallah Lemsagam said:

"Paul has won everything there is to win in football. He is a man who will bring a lot of footballing knowledge and his hunger to succeed in management will be there for everyone to see.

"It's no secret how much he has wanted this job in the past and how much he loves this club, so I'm very happy to bring him into our family at Oldham Athletic.

"Paul will have my backing 100 per cent and hopefully we can work together to bring success back to this club."

Scholes, who owns a 10 per cent stake in National League outfit Salford City, was given permission to manage his boyhood club by the Football League.

Salford are fifth in the tier below League Two side Oldham, so the two could face one another next season, but the EFL decided there is not a conflict of interest.

ESPN's Alex Shaw is sceptical of Scholes' appointment but is eager to see how he fares in the role:

The job will be the former England international's first in management, and his previous coaching experience is limited.

Scholes joined the coaching staff at United during his brief retirement in 2011 before he resumed playing the following year. He also worked under former team-mate Ryan Giggs when the Welshman took charge of the Red Devils for the final four games of the 2013-14 season following David Moyes' sacking.

Oldham are 14th in League Two, 14 points ahead of the drop with two games in hand over 23rd-place Macclesfield Town.

Relegation should therefore be of little worry for the Latics, but they're also nine points off a play-off place with a game in hand, so they'll need a strong finish to the season to be in contention for promotion.

Scholes' first match in charge will be at home to Yeovil Town, who have lost each of their last four, on Tuesday.