The first of 734 ties leading to the FA Cup final on May 30 next year kicked off last weekend as the extra preliminary qualifying round got under way.

Of the 368 contenders taking part, there were 623 goals scored and 35 games going to replays.

The stage is the first of 14 rounds, culminating in the final at Wembley Stadium.

On Saturday, ex-England midfielder Chris Waddle, twice a beaten finalist, was among a crowd of 371 to see his 20-year-old son Jack bow out at the first hurdle as Worksop were beaten 2-0 at Staveley Miners Welfare in Derbyshire.

Vargas for Arsenal medical – report

Reports in the media yesterday said Edu Vargas, the Napoli forward, is on his way to joining Arsenal this week.

Chile international Vargas, who could have a medical in London today, had asked to be transferred to Arsenal where he can join his country team-mate Alexis Sanchez.

Last season, the 24-year-old was on loan at Valencia but he failed to leave a good impression.

This week Vargas’s agent said Napoli have other priorities so they were evaluating offers.

Banega to move

Sevilla have agreed a deal in principle to sign Argentinian midfielder Ever Banega from their Primera Division rivals Valencia.

The 26-year-old will become Sevilla’s eighth signing of the summer should he pass a medical.

Sevilla, who announced the proposed transfer on their official website, have already recruited Aleix Vidal, Iago Aspas, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Mariano Barbosa, Alejandro Arribas, Denis Suarez and Gerard Deulofeu.

Should he complete the move, Banega will reunite with his former manager at Valencia, Unai Emery.

Rangers fans voice Ashley concerns

Rangers fans’ groups have expressed concern over the board’s reported attempts to get Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to underwrite a £4 million share issue.

Ashley already owns about seven per cent of the club’s shares and the Union of Fans, an umbrella group of Rangers supporters’ representatives, has demanded assurances over dual ownership complications.

A statement read: “We believe the SFA have been approached to find out what would be required to give clearance for this, due to Mr Ashley’s ownership of Newcastle United.

“We would question the wisdom of approaching someone who, despite his obvious wealth, cannot significantly invest in the club without removing himself from his ownership position at Newcastle.”

Allegri keen on more new faces

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has targeted two more signings as he looks to strengthen his squad before the start of the Serie A campaign.

The Italian champions have already brought in Patrice Evra, Alvaro Morata and Kingsley Coman on permanent transfers while Udinese winger Roberto Pereyra joined on loan.

But Allegri believes his team still needs further improvements.

“We need two more signings,” Allegri said.

“But they have to be quality signings. We need a defender and a striker. It’s useless to give names as acquisitions depend on who you can bring and who is on the market.”

Gremio give Scolari first win

Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari enjoyed his first win since returning to Gremio.

Gremio beat Criciuma 2-0 with a Luan penalty and a long-range effort by Lucas Coelho in Sunday’s game, moving them up to eighth in the 20-team table.

Scolari’s first game with Gremio, where he has taken charge for the third time, had ended in a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Internacional.

“You can’t do anything in 15 to 20 days,” said Scolari.

“It wasn’t a brilliant win but the points are important because we are not in a comfortable position,” added Scolari, whose team are still only eight points clear of the relegation zone.

C. Palace fined for lack of ‘good faith’

Crystal Palace have been fined an undisclosed fee for showing a lack of “good faith” towards Cardiff City last season, the Premier League announced yesterday.

Cardiff, who were relegated to the second-tier Championship after one season, complained that their starting line-up had been leaked to Palace before their match in April, won 3-0 by the south London side.

Palace sporting director Iain Moody previously worked for Cardiff, but has denied any wrongdoing.

Rule B.16 states that “in all matters and transactions relating to the League, each club shall behave towards each other club and the league with the utmost good faith”.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.