Football News: Review Of The Day 24th March 2018
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Review of the Day
Niko Terminated As LA Hails Their New King
Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar has had his Rangers contract terminated, by mutual consent. The 33 year old, like most of his career, struggled through injury while in Scotland. Kranjcar told the Rangers website: "It's been an honour to have been part of such a big club and played for such great fans, it will always remain an honour. I wish the club success in its future while I now consider the options I have on the table."
The MLS just got a little more brash as Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailed his arrival at LA Galaxy with a full page advert in the LA Times which simply said: "Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome." Galaxy later confirmed his arrival as head coach Sigi Schmid said: "He'll have a very positive impact. Adding one of the finest goal scorers in this sport's history to our roster will tremendously help our club in the hunt for a sixth MLS Cup. As one of the winningest players of all time, we are confident that Zlatan can be one of the most dangerous strikers in our league." Winningest? Is that even a real word?
Brazilian pair Andrigo and Claudio Winck have moved from Internacional to Sport Recife on loan.
Another Croatian midfielder, Damir Sovaic, has left the South Korean K-League side Suwon Bluewings to return to European football with Polish side Sandecja Nowy Sacz on a free transfer.
Portugese defender Joao Meira has left MLS side Chicago Fire and joined Valerenga in Norway.
Managerial Merry-go-round Return For Clement
Paul Clement has taken another go on the managerial merry-go-round of English football as he steps in to take charge of Reading following Jaap Stam's sacking on Wednesday. Clement was sacking by Swansea City in December following a dismal run of results and even poorer performances by his team.
Holgate Warned Over Homophobic Tweets
Everton defender Mason Holgate has been given a formal warning over homophobic tweets he posted back in 2012 and ordered to undertake a mandatory FA inclusion programme. The 21 year old has deleted his Twitter account since those tweets emerged, which were sent when he was just 15 years old.
Over 100 England Fans Arrested In Amsterdam
Over 100 travelling England fans have been arrested over just 2 days in Amsterdam as they followed their national team, who played and beat Netherlands on Friday nights. 60 were arrested on Friday night in the red light district alone. "Some were arrested because they were throwing beer bottles in the direction of officers," a statement read. "When we arrested that group it became quiet in the red light district. There were still hundreds of English people staying but they were not causing any problems."
Bolt Not Ready
Multiple Olympic gold medal winning sprinter Usain Bolt, who retired from sprinting last year, is aiming to begin a new career in football and has been training with Borussia Dortmund recently. Head coach Peter Stoger has told the 31 year old he has a lot to learn to make it at the top level of the game, despite his speed and power. work on if he wanted to pursue a career in the sport.
Stoger said: "It's all about procedure and movement, but the most important thing is that he had fun. I think he is talented, but when he wants to play at a higher level, he clearly has a lot of work to do. The physique he needs for his other sport is completely different from what he needs for football, but it was really fun for us. It was a pleasure for us to meet a guy like him and to work with him."
Ozil Out
Mesut Ozil has left the Germany camp and returned to parent club Arsenal after playing a full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Spain on Friday night.
Keita Receives Big Fine
RB Leipzig's Liverpool-bound midfielder Naby Keita has been fined 250,000 euros on appeal for submitting false driving licenses to authorities. The Leipzig court have set him 50 daily sentences of 5,000 euros apiece. Keita was accused of producing forged documents from his home country Guinea in December 2016 and then again producing counterfeit documents 6 weeks later. Originally he was fined 415,000 euros but the appeal has reduced his fine.
Meunier Says Emery Is Going
Belgium international Thomas Meunier has told reporters that PSG head coach Unai Emery will leave in the summer, while discussing his own future at the club. The right back has been forced to play a back up role to Dani Alves so far this season and said to reporters: "I'm not 18 years old, I'm 26 years old, I need to assert myself in a club. I need to show what I can do in my position. I'm waiting because a lot of things, like the coach, will change. I may have more playing time, I will have to use it, I have more confidence than two years ago. I see the future without pressure, I think I have grown up in my game but also mentally since I'm at PSG."
Kante Not Interested In Personal Accolades
Chelsea's awe-inspiringly energetic midfielder N'Golo Kante has revealed in an interview that he would rather have no personal recognition and win trophies than get personal rewards. Kante said: "Rewards are great recognition, but, how do I say this... It's not that it doesn't matter, but it doesn't win you games! I keep telling myself: these are great years, but football changes quickly. You always have to start from scratch. I prefer winning titles and sharing emotions with my teams than having individual trophies or to hear that I'm among the best in the world."
Imbula Turns Down DR Congo
Toulouse's on-loan midfielder Gianelli Imbula has rejected an international call up from DR Congo. The Stoke City player, who is spending the season in France on loan, has represented France at youth levels, but is still eleigable for DR Congo, who have invited him to represent them three times now, each time receiving a negative reply.
Chapron Ban Extended
French referee Tony Chapron, who shocked their world with his kick out at Nantes player Diego Carlos, before sending the Brazilian off for complaining about being kicked, has had his three month ban extended to eight months, with two suspended. Chapron had appealed his initial ban, which has resulted in the firmer sanction placed on him.
Monaco Owner Dismisses Milan Rumours
Monaco dismiss talk of their owner selling up to buy AC Milan. Their statement read: "Following rumors about AS Monaco football club in the Media these last days, AS Monaco affirms that there is no current negotiation on the sale of the Club or purchase of AC Milan. The President Dmitry Rybolovlev is happy to develop the Monegasque project since 7 years. AS Monaco points out that the Club was the last one in the League 2 in 2011 and today is the champion of France. The ambition for present and future is intact around young talented players, around modern infrastructures in development but also the ambition to win new trophies. Facts are more important than rumors. The entire club is turned today towards the finale of the League Cup and the fight for the qualification in Champions League." Apologies for the translation.
'Wall Striker Seeks Help
Millwall striker Harry Smith is set to take a break from the game as he receives helps for his mental health and addiction issues. The 22 year old has been fighting depression and gambling addiction and said: "I have made a decision to take some time away from football to seek some help in relation to depression and gambling issues which I've been battling for a number of years. It has not been an easy decision to make for me, but has been made easier with the support of my close friends, agency, the club and most importantly my parents and the gaffer. For the first time in a long time I am starting to see a way forward."
Bolton Seek Investment
Bolton Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson has admitted the club are looking for £30m of fresh investment in the north-west club. The Trotters are currently battling against relegation and have been unable to spend anything on transfer fees since manager Phil Parkinson took charge. Anderson told The Bolton News: "We need to get to a level of budget which gives us the chance to challenge. It doesn't need to be something at the level of Wolves or Derby. But I think somewhere between £10-30million. It is my job to get that. I think we know where to go to get it. It's a fact that most of the money isn't coming from the UK anymore. Middle East, Asia, China, the US - that is really where my background has been in the past. And it's where I'll look again."
Forest Owner In Heroin Trafficking Charge
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been charged with drug smuggling in his home country of Greece. The charges arise from over 3 years of investigation into the Noor 1 tanker, which was intercepted in the port of Piraeus with 2.1 tonnes of heroin aboard.
Written by Tris Burke March 24 2018 05:45:51
