Football News: Review Of The Day 25th May 2018

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Review of the Day

Old Firm Cut Away Tickets For Derby

Rangers and Celtic normally give each other about 7,000 tickets for away fans to attend the derby matches between the two bitter rivals. That has now changed after Rangers announced they will be cutting away tickets due to the high demand for season tickets, Celtic quickly followed suit. Both teams will now give less than 1,000 tickets to the away support.

Leeds Enter Partnership With 49ers Owners

Leeds United chairman, and majority owner, Andrea Radrizzani, has announced that the club has entered what he has termed a partnership with the investment entity which majority owns NFL team the San Francisco 49ers. Radrizzani has said that funds invested will be used to "improve results on the pitch", though it is unclear what the partnership actually entails. It is thought that 49ers Enterprises have bought a 10% stake in Leeds. Radrizzani said: "This strategic partnership enables Leeds United to align with and gain invaluable expertise from the owners of one of the biggest global sports entities. The 49ers are an innovative, successful organisation and we are delighted to have access to such a rich source of business and sporting expertise. This exciting partnership builds on the foundations we have laid down at the club in the last 12 months and we can assure supporters that the funds invested will go towards improving results on the pitch."

Istanbul To Host 2020 Champions League Final

UEFA have confirmed that Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium will host the final of the 2020 Champions League. It also held the final in 2005 and had to beat Lisbon's Estadio da Luz to gain hosting rights. Arena Gdansk in Poland will host the Europa League final in 2020, while the Super Cup will take place in Estadio da Luz.

Sciusco Pleads Guilty Over Sean Cox Incident

The attack on 53 year old Liverpool fan Sean Cox, before the first leg of the Champions League semi final between Liverpool and AS Roma, led to two Italian men being arrested. Daniele Sciusco has admitted violent disorder, but Filippo Lombardi has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and one of inflicting grievous bodily harm. The trial date has been set for October at Preston Crown Court.

Liberia To Vote Against Moroccan Bid

Liberia's FA (LFA) has released a statement announcing their intention to vote against Morocco in the forthcoming vote for the 2026 World Cup. The statement highlighted the "commercial value" of the triple bid, which shows exactly what matters to footballing authorities around the world.

Transfer Round Up

Andres Iniesta has completed a move to Vissel Kobe after 22 years with Barcelona, where he won 32 major trophies.

Newport County midfielder Ben Tozer has joined Cheltenham Town on a free transfer. The 28 year old has agreed a two year deal.

Curtis Weston has left Barnet after six years to move to Chesterfield on a free.

Colin Daniel has gone Posh after deciding to leave Blackpool. The 30 year old defender will join Peterborough United on a free transfer.

PSV Eindhoven full back Joshua Brenet will be in the Bundesliga next season after TSG Hoffenheim stepped in to sign him for £4.5m.

AEK Athens have stepped in to buy Christos Albanis from Apollon Smyrnis for £360,000.

Veteran Croatian defender Darijo Srna has been released by Shaktar Donetsk.

Patrice Evra has been released by West Ham United.

Young midfielder Rodri has left Villareal to join Atletico Madrid for a fee of £18m.

Valencia have bought Geoffrey Kondogbia for 22m from Inter Milan.

Poch Signs New Contract

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed a 5 year deal with Spurs, which will run until 2023, after making noises about leaving over the lack of investment in the squad. Pochettino said: "I am honoured to have signed a new long-term contract as we approach one of the most significant periods in the club's history and be the manager that will lead this team into our new world-class stadium. This is a special club - we always strive to be creative in the way we work both on and off the pitch and will continue to stick to our principles in order to achieve the success this club deserves. Daniel and I have spoken at length about our aspirations for this football club. We both share the same philosophies to achieve long-term, sustainable success."

Denmark Ensures Opponents Will Be Fired Up

Denmark's coach, Age Hareide, has cleverly ensured World Cup opponents France will have a reason to give their all, as he fired them up by labelling them "nothing special". He also hit out at their Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba saying: "He played against Manchester City with his hair dyed blue and white, maybe he'll have it red and white to play us. Does he only think about his haircuts?" Hareide continued talking about France: "I don't believe in this team. The teams at the top of the world rankings are the best in the world, but this is not the case for France. I saw France against Sweden in Stockholm. They are nothing special."

Bologna Sack Donadoni

Serie A side Bologna have sacked head coach Roberto Donadoni despite calling him an "excellent" coach. A Bologna statement read: "Bologna FC 1909 announce that Roberto Donadoni will not be the first team coach for next season." Club president Joey Saputo said: "I consider Donadoni an excellent coach who has made an important contribution to our club's credibility. We felt, however, that after three years, his cycle in Bologna had come to an end despite the commitment and dedication that he and his staff have always shown."

Mane Sends 300 Shirts Back Home

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has ensured his home village of Bambali in Senegal can cheer him on properly on Saturday after sending 300 Liverpool shirts to his family home. Mane said: "Nobody in the village will work this day. My family, my mum and my uncle, still live in the village and they are all going to be watching. There are 2,000 in the village. I bought 300 Liverpool jerseys to send to the people in the village, so the fans can wear [them] to watch the final." In April he also donated £200,000 to help build a secondary school in the village.

Klitschko Steps In To Sort Out Flights

After 3 flights, fully booked up with Liverpool fans going to the Champions League final in Kiev, were cancelled by Worldchoice Sports, who had no landing slots for their planes, Vitali Klitschko has stepped in to hand landing slots to the company.

Written by Tris Burke May 25 2018 06:21:03