Football News: Review Of The Day 20th November 2018

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Review of the Day

Shaqiri Admits He Needs Patience At Liverpool

Liverpool's summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri admits he needs to show more patience than he did in the past. The Swiss international has told Swiss newspaper Blick that he lacked patience in the past, admitting that he phoned his brother, after three or four games at Bayern Munich, wanting to leave. This time he claims he is committed to making it work and proving people wrong, such as the tabloid "Mirror" which said Liverpool were too good for him.

Williams Apologises For Cardiff Video

Wales' skipper Ashley Williams has apologised after a video of him calling Cardiff City fans "mugs" for doing the 'Ayatollah' gesture. The former Swansea City keeper took flak on social media and was forced to come out and explain the video. Williams said: "I think it's obviously disappointing but it was not meant how it came out at all. There was a bit of banter with me and Sean Connelly [Wales' former Cardiff physio] and it was picked up but I didn't mean to cause offence at all. We have that banter all the time in the squad and it was just picked up this time. So apologies if it caused offence to anyone. What you can't see [in the video] is Sean's just in front and he's in the picture on the side [of the corridor], so whenever we walk past it we have a bit of banter. So he [Connelly] said something before and I said that but it looks like it's me and Joe, which makes it worse. I have nothing against Cardiff fans. I think we have a good relationship, especially with Wales. We love the Welsh fans and what they do for us."

EFL Agrees New TV Deal

Championship clubs are unhappy with a new deal agreed between the English Football League and Sky Sports for TV rights. Sky are set to pay £595m to show a number of EFL games, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy games, but a number of clubs feel that undervalues the rights and are set to meet to discuss action against the deal. According to the BBC, 21 of the 24 Championship clubs were not happy with the deal agreed and wanted changes to the deal.

Former FIFA 'Ethics' Committee Chief Stands Down

Cornel Borbely has stood down from his role on Switzerland's prosecution authority as they pursue corruption investigations into football. Borbely presided over FIFA's [lack of] ethics committee from May 2015 until May 2017, when he was dismissed following Gianni Infantino's assumption of the role of FIFA president, in place of Sepp Blatter. The Swiss prosecution authority are responsible for the investigations conducted by the Swiss public prosecution office, such as the ongoing ones into FIFA, including revelations contained in the 'Panama Papers' which involve a broadcasting right contract signed by Infantino. They are also investigating claims in the latest series of Football Leaks allegations over the relationship between another Swiss prosecuter, Rinaldo Arnold, and Infantino, who has clearly learnt well from Blatter.

Grimandi Set To Leave Arsenal Role

Former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi is set to leave his role as Arsenal's French scouting chief as Sven Mislintat, the new head of recruitment, looks to revamp the clubs scouting. It is not really a surprise as it has been a long time since the Gunners have been able to uncover and sign the best young French talents for their side.

Schmeichel Signs New Foxes Deal

Leicester City's Danish international keeper Kasper Schmeichel has signed a new long term deal with the Foxes, tying him to the club until 2023.

Cherries Hit By Smith Blow

Bournemouth have lost Adam Smith for up to 3 months after the right-back has had an operation to repair a knee cartilage tear. Smith, who can play in midfield or at left-back, was fearing that his season was over, but it was discovered the injury was not as bad as feared. It was his 200th appearance for the south coast side that saw him stretchered off in the first half, not a landmark he will enjoy looking back on in the future!

Hammers Get Stadium Capacity Boost

West Ham United's London Stadium has been limited to just 57,000 seats due to a dispute between the club and stadium operators E20. Once regulatory permissions are granted, the Hammers will be able to up the seating to 60,000 and have the scope to expand to 66,000 in the future. West Ham have 52,000 people on their season ticket waiting list.

SPFL Agrees New Broadcast Deals

It is not just the EFL agreeing new broadcast deals as their Scottish equivalent have also inked new contracts for broadcast rights in the UK and Ireland. Sky Sports will now show 48 Premiership matches live each season, Premier Sports are to broadcast at least 12, and maybe as many as 16, Cup matches plus highlights per season. The current deal with BBC Scotland has been renewed for 5 seasons up until 2025. BBC Alba have also got the rights to show one match each Saturday evening, a deferred match, rather than live, plus some live cup games. The SPFL has yet to confirm the money involved but claim it is a significant increase on previous deals.

Written by Tris Burke November 20 2018 04:30:37