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Football News: Review Of The Day 13th December 2018

Review Of The Day 13th December 2018
Image from: freelargeimages.com

Review of the Day

 

Transfer Round Up

Manchester City have moved to secure the signing of Columbus Crew's US international goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The 23 year old will complete the move next summer on a 4 year contract for an undisclosed fee which MLS side Crew describe as the largest in the club's history and a Major League Soccer record for a goalkeeper. Seems an odd move for him unless they have signed him for one of their sister clubs.

Former Norwich City and Middlesbrough forward Kei Kamara was picked by new MLS side FC Cincinnati in the 2018 Expansion Draft and immediately traded to Colorado Rapids. The 34 year old Sierra Leone international has already played for 6 MLS sides including Vancouver Whitecaps, who he was drafted from, and San Jose Earthquakes.

As well as Kei Kamara, Cincinnati took Darren Mattocks from DC United, Roland Lamah from FC Dallas and Eric Alexander from Houston Dynamo. The new club also signed Greg Garza from Atlanta United for £360,000 and Kendall Waston from Vancouver Whitecaps for £594,000. Victor Ulloa was also picked up from FC Dallas. Also in MLS, Mohamed El-Munir joined Los Angeles FC from Orlando City SC.

Olympiakos and Yaya Toure have come to an agreement to tear up his contract after just 3 months. The 35 year old is now a free agent ahead of the January transfer window, with MLS also an option for the Ivory Coast star.

 

Koscielny To Make Injury Return

Arsenal's captain Laurent Koscielny will start Arsenal's Europa League match tonight against Qarabag as manager Unai Emery looks to get him match fit. Koscielny has not featured at all this season due to a ruptured Achilles'.

 

Olsson Out For The Season

Swansea City left-back Martin Olsson is set to miss the rest of the season after he also suffered a ruptured Achilles'. The Swedish international has undergone successful surgery but will be out for around 6 months.

 

Stoke To Help Fund Vale Repairs

After "a large section of Stoke fans had been disruptive", police speak for a bunch of imbeciles smashed up Port Vale's stadium during an under 21 match between the two sides, Stoke City are set to donate their share of the gate receipts to Vale. League Two side Port Vale released a statement reading: "Stoke City have agreed to donate their share of the net proceeds from the gate towards the cost of repairs. Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite, would like to thank Stoke City for this kind gesture." 16 people have so far been arrested by the police.

 

PFA Pull Out Of Bolton Wage Agreement

Bolton Wanderers have announced that chairman and majority owner Ken Anderson is set to pay outstanding wages to the Championship club's players after the PFA withdrew from an agreement with the club over unpaid salaries. Bolton claim that the wages were held up further because of the club exploring other options with assistance from the PFA. The statement also said that the outstanding payments would be made on Friday, 14 days late. This has been an ongoing problem for the club, which has suffered numerous financial problems and were hit by pre-season fixtures being cancelled in the summer after players went on strike over unpaid wages then.

 

Senegal Hit By Ndiaye Injury

Getafe's Senegal international Amath Diedhiou Ndiaye has had an operation to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament as the 22 year old holds onto hope of returning in time to take part in the 2019 African Cup of Nations, which takes place in June. He is expected to miss at least 6 months.

 

CAF Super Cup To Take Place Outside Of Africa

For the first time ever, Africa's Super Cup, to be played between the African Champions League winners and African Confederation Cup winners, will take place outside Africa. The match traditionally is played at the home of the Champions League winners but the 2018 edition of the trophy will be played in Qatar, to the ire of the fans of Champions League holders Esperance of Tunisia. Fans of the club are particularly upset as it is their 100th anniversary. Neither Esperance nor Confederation Cup holders Raja Casablanca of Morocco have officially responded to the announcement yet.

 

Liverpool Face Defensive Worries

Liverpool have lost central defender Joel Matip after the Cameroon international suffered a fractured collarbone in the final stages of their Champions League win over Napoli on Tuesday night. The 27 year old fell awkwardly and needed surgery, which could keep him out for up to 6 weeks. The Reds are also without another centre-back, England international Joe Gomez, who was ruled out for 6 weeks just last week, after suffering a fracture of his own, this time of his leg.

 

Football Official Facing War Crimes Prosecution

Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, who was elected to the committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just this year, despite being banned from running for president of Central African Repblic (CAR) due to his alleged role in atrocities during a civil war in the nation, has now been arrested and faces extradition to The Hague for trial in front of the International Criminal Court. Ngaissona is alleged to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers. A spokesperson for CAF has said that the football body has 'no position on his arrest'.

 

Mings Pulls Out Of TalkSport Interview

Tyrone Mings has pulled out of an interview with UK radio station TalkSport in protest of its biased coverage of the racial abuse suffered by Raheem Sterling. Mings was set to appear on the station but instead posted on social media: "Like someone or dislike them, there is no 'but' or grey area when it comes to racism. I'm fed up of broadcasting channels who have a huge voice allowing this. Silence is deadly for stations and outlets who rely on viewers and listeners." Mings has spoken out about racist abuse he himself has suffered online telling newspaper The I that "people think they can get away with things on social media that they wouldn't get away with on the street".

 

Noble Extends Hammers Deal

31 year old West Ham United captain Mark Noble has had an option activated to extend his contract with the London club until 2021. Noble is the Hammers longest serving player, having made his debut in 2004.

 

Terriers Suffer Mooy Injury Blow

Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the weekend's defeat to Arsenal. The 28 year old Australian international will be out until February.

 

City Also Suffering Injury Problems

Manchester City's Merlin the Magician, David Silva, has joined Claudio Bravo, Danilo, Benjamin Mendy, Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero on the treatment tables as the 32 year old picked up a hamstring injury during the club's first defeat of the season against Chelsea. Manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that his Spanish playmaker will be missing for a few weeks.

 

Hammers Agree To Pay Extra For Larger Stadium Capacity

West Ham United have agreed to pay an extra £450,000 per season to use the London Stadium with capacity increased to 66,000. Initially capacity will be increased by 3,000 to 60,000 for the remainder of this season. Currently the Hammers are set to pay £3,250,000 annually for the 60,000 seats, less than Tottenham Hotspur pay per game to loan Wembley while their own stadium is being constructed.

 

Sterling Named Player Of The Month

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has won November's Premier League player of the month award after scoring 3 goals and getting 3 assists in Man City's 3 games in November. It is his second player of the month award, the previous one coming back in August 2016.

 

Arsenal Legend Becomes Rugby League President

Former England and Arsenal defensive stalwart Tony Adams is to become the president of the Rugby Football League in 2019. Oddly the role is a purely ceremonial one more akin to an ambassadorial role, but still seems to be an odd choice for a man from a completely different sport.

Written by Tris Burke December 13 2018 04:28:42

 

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