Picture from: freelargeimages.com
Review of the day
contract
Veteran German midfielder Oliver Funk has extended his contract by one year until 2020.
Aaron Gunnarsson will not sign a new contract with Cardiff City and will leave the club at the end of the season when his current deal ends. The Icelander, who captains the national team, signed a one-year deal following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Bolton takeover failed
Bolton Wanderers will take High Court action today to fight a winding-up order issued by HMRC but no promised takeover has taken place. Owner Ken Anderson had claimed staff wages were withheld in February as the deal was about to be completed, but now the club have confirmed takeover talks have ended. Questions will now be asked if Rangers are capable of finishing the season.
Mbokani out
Democratic Republic of Congo forward Diumesi Mbokani has withdrawn from the national team for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia. The 33-year-old Royal Antwerp striker has not featured for his country for more than two years, but the former Hull City and Norwich City striker has been sidelined with a knee injury.
Cameroon coach kidnapped
Emmanuel Ndumbe Bosso, head coach of Cameroon’s top club Bamendayong Sports Academy, was kidnapped by gunmen. Bosso was kidnapped on his way to a training session at the club’s stadium. Club president Jan Jacques said: “Coach Ndumbe Bosso is well-loved in Bamenda and we don’t think anyone would want to harm him. We have canceled two training sessions today and the club is working closely with all interested parties to ensure the safety of our coach.” Kidnappings in the region have been increasing as government forces fight attempts for independence.
Everton under FA investigation
The FA are investigating former Everton player Ross Barkley after an object was thrown in his direction while visiting Goodison Park with Chelsea. Although no one was hit by the object, it was thrown when Chelsea took a corner kick just before the Gwadis Street end in the seventh minute. Barkley returned to Goodison for the first time since leaving Everton in 2018. He was booed throughout the game and jeered after the final whistle, which Everton won 2-0 with chants of “Barkley, Barkley, what’s the score?”
Silva was fined
Everton manager Marco Silva has been fined £12,000 for an angry confrontation with officials after his team’s defeat by Newcastle United. When his team lost 2-3 after leading 2-0, the Portuguese coach was furious and complained that Newcastle’s winning goal was offside.
Paris Saint-Germain blocks UEFA investigation
Paris Saint-Germain has won a court case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that prevented UEFA from investigating PSG’s finances as of June 2017. UEFA initially clarified that Les Parisiens had breached FFP regulations, but launched a review in September after the 10-day deadline stipulated in the regulations. UEFA have now said they will consider changing the regulations. PSG will continue to face scrutiny over their finances during the 2017-18 season, which saw them sign Neymar from Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe from Monaco for huge fees.
Pogrebnyak criticized for comments
Former Fulham and Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has been criticized by Vladimir Putin’s “human rights adviser” Mikhail Fedotov. Pogrebnyak told a Russian tabloid, referring to two Brazilian-born players who obtained Russian passports and raised the possibility of international call-ups: “I don’t understand what the point of this is. I don’t understand at all why Alli got a Russian passport. It’s ridiculous when a black player represents the Russian national team. “I believe that any footballer who plays well and has Russian nationality has the right to represent the Russian national team. Their skin color Color, eyes, hair and everything else means nothing. This should be obvious to anyone.” Pogrebnyak later responded that his remarks were not intended to offend, saying: “I have nothing against black players. In the interview, I expressed my personal opinion that in the Russian national team I would like to see football players who were born and raised in our country. That’s all. I didn’t intend to insult anyone.”
Inter Milan temporarily closes stands due to racist abuse
Inter fans’ racist chants directed at AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie have been “punished” by a stand closure ban that has been suspended for just one year, although it is not the first incident of racial abuse this season. Inter Milan were forced to play two home games behind closed doors after Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was racially abused. Surely the punishment for repeated crimes should be harsher, otherwise the punishment is meaningless? AC Milan were also fined €10,000 for throwing a potentially dangerous blunt object onto the pitch.
Written by Tris Burke March 20, 2019 05:29:40