Football News: Review Of The Day 13th November 2018

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Review of the Day

Managerial Changes In EFL

Swindon Town are looking at Richie Wellens as the replacement for Phil Brown, who they sacked on Sunday with the Wiltshire club struggling near the foot of League Two. Another EFL struggler beginning with S and with Town as the second part of their name also sacked their manager. This time it was League One side Shrewsbury Town who sacked their manager, John Askey, who has won just four of his 17 league games in charge.

FIFA Appoint Normalisation Committee

I am not sure what a 'normalisation committee' is, but FIFA have appointed one to run the affairs of the Madagascan Football Federation. FIFA are unhappy with the electoral process which was "not carried out in accordance with the regulatory requirements applicable to the members of Fifa." I am not sure what that means either, but FIFA are disbanding the federation to organise new elections with 'legitimate delegates' for the general assembly. I wonder if legitimate is legitimate along the lines of why Russia and Qatar were legitimate bidders for a World Cup ie paid enough backhanders to be chosen?

Burns Gets First Call-Up

Northern Ireland have called up teenager Bobby Burns, currently on loan at Livingston from Hearts, who is in his first season of full-time football after joining Hearts from Glenavon in the summer.
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern (Norwich City), Trevor Carson (Motherwell), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Leeds United), Conor Hazard (Celtic).
Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Gareth McAuley (Glasgow Rangers), Jonathan Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (Millwall), Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough), Jamal Lewis (Norwich City), Michael Smith (Hearts), Tom Flanagan (Sunderland), Bobby Burns (Livingston, loan).
Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), George Saville (Middlesbrough, loan), Jordan Jones (Kilmarnock), Gavin Whyte (Oxford United), Jordan Thompson (Blackpool).
Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Josh Magennis (Bolton Wanderers), Jamie Ward (Charlton Athletic, loan), Liam Boyce (Burton Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).

Christie Signs New Contract

Ryan Christie has signed a new 3 year contract with Celtic which, he said, "tops off an amazing wee period" for him. The 23 year old midfielder has been on 3 loan spells away from Celtic since signing in 2015 but has pushed his way into the first team squad this season and has 3 goals in the last 5 games.

Young Opens Red Devils Contract Talks

Manchester United have opened talks with 33 year old former winger Ashley Young over a new deal. His current deal is set to expire in the summer. Young has been with United since 2011, when he joined from Aston Villa and has made 214 appearances for them so far.

Man In Charge Of Raising Money For Juve Likes Idea Of Game Abroad

Despite the furore surrounding the plan to play a La Liga game abroad, Juventus' chief revenue officer Giorgio Ricci has decided to ignore the fans and suggest it would be a good idea for Serie A to play a game abroad. Ricci also admitted that raising money was a big part of the thinking behind the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ricci said: "To get the league more global is really important. Exporting one of the 38 games is a good option. If we look at some other more developed leagues in terms of commercial strategy; the NBA and NFL, they are exporting one or two of their matches abroad, to the UK or elsewhere in Europe. I think it is a good strategy. It is a way to export something that is not an exhibition. The key is finding the right balance between what the commercial need is and not losing the domestic DNA, which is the essence of football. The whole Ronaldo operation represented the very first activity which shared from the very first stage of the operation, the sports needs and the business needs of the club. It is unique in football because it combined a development plan and a return on the plan, both on and off the pitch."

France Squad Suffers Pull Outs

Four Premier League players have withdrawn from the French squad ahead of games with Netherlands and Uruguay. Manchester United pair Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial pulled out with injury, as did Manchester City social media cheerleader Benjamin Mendy. Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette was one of two replacements called up, along with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Moussa Sissoko, but Lacazette was also forced to withdraw. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Alassane Plea got his first call-up and Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy was also drafted in.

Rooney Delighted By 'Huge Honour'

DC United forward Wayne Rooney says it is a "huge honour" to get a meaningless England cap in a meaningless friendly international which finishes off the complete devaluing of England caps. The game, now being called "The Wayne Rooney Foundation International" (I mean really? Naming meaningless friendlies just makes them seem even more of a joke) is set to be played on Thursday, against the USA at Wembley. The game itself and including Rooney are a good idea, it is just the awarding of a cap that I object to. Caps should not be awarded for friendly matches, they do not count when it comes to players deciding their international futures, so why should they get caps for them?

Sturridge Charged With Misconduct

Liverpool supersub Daniel Sturridge is facing an FA charge for misconduct over an alleged breach of the betting rules in January. The FA allege Sturridge provided information "obtained by virtue of his position" which was "not publicly available" and that he either caused or enabled someone else to bet on something in connection with a football match or competition. Sturridge himself is well known to not be a gambler and has categorically stated that he has never gambled on football.

UEFA Say They Will Reopen FFP Investigations If New Evidence Emerges

UEFA have basically ruled out taking action against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain over their breaches of FFP regulations by saying they will reopen investigations "if new information comes to light". Considering that the new allegations stated that UEFA already knew about the club's breaches, it is basically UEFA saying they will do nothing, though Der Spiegel does claim that UEFA were deceived as to the extent of the breaches.

Professional Footballer Taunted By Police After Traffic Stoppage

A professional footballer has been taunted on Twitter by Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (that's a mouthful!) police after being pulled over when they saw him texting while next to them at traffic lights. The footballer, who police have sadly not named and shamed, was reported for mobile phone use, having two bald tyres and no insurance. The police tweeted afterwards: " "Using your mobile phone next to a marked RPU car at traffic lights will earn you a chat. No insurance will earn you a long walk home. Add the two bald tyres and you're looking at a lot of fines and points to add to the six you already have. 6 for phone 6 for no insurance 6 for tyres = 18 plus the 6 he has.....He has more points than his football team he plays for as a pro." I am going to guess at Reading as the team he plays for....

Welbeck Undergoes Second Op

Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck has undergone a second operation on his broken right ankle. The 27 year old injury prone England striker (more reasons why England caps are devalued are that Welbeck has some!) suffered the injury when he fell awkwardedly during the Europa League match with Sporting on Thursday. Initially he had corrective surgery on Friday, but has needed a second operation now to help repair the problem.

Celta Replace Mohamed

Following Celta Vigo's 4-2 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid on Sunday manager Antonio Mohamed has been sacked and replaced by Miguel Cardoso. Mohamed lasted just 13 games after being appointed in May.

Ribery Slaps Reporter

French journalist Patrick Guillou has been pushed and slapped by Bayern Munich's French winger Franck Ribery during a post-match interview. Ribery got upset after Guillou suggested that the forward was responsible for two of Borussia Dortmund's goals in Dortmund's 3-2 der klassiker win over Bayern. A Bayern statement read: "Franck Ribery has informed us that he had an altercation with his compatriot Patrick Guillou, whom he has known well for many years. We agreed with Patrick Guillou that we would speak at a personal meeting, we will talk about how we can solve the matter, and Mr. Guillou has already signalled that it is in his interest." According to witness reports in the media, Ribery slapped Guillou 3 times while the reporter was stood with his own hands in his pockets.

Written by Tris Burke November 13 2018 05:54:18