Switchboards at national newspapers and news websites have been inundated with messages reporting sightings of Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez in Liverpool, hot on the heels of rumours linking him with a move to the Merseyside club.
Tevez was spotted several times in and around Lime Street Station, at John Lennon International Airport, at the Anfield Road Stadium, both cathedrals, Scotland Road, the Albert Dock, the Mersey Ferry, The Royal Liver Building, Stanley Park, and in the Cavern Club. Tevez was also reported to be drinking heavily in pubs all over the city.
"It's nonsense," Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stormed. "The lad's been nowhere near Liverpool I can assure you. He knows we want to keep him, even though he probably doesn't realise it. It's just another Benitez mind game. Best ignored."
The Spoof.com launched its own investigation and concluded that although the sightings, made in good faith, had a basis in fact, it was far more likely that mischievious Scouse scallys were responsible for the hoax. We believe they cut Tevez masks out of the Sun newspaper on saturday and went round wearing them in order to cause confusion.
More as we get it.