Football News: Review Of The Day 29th December 2018

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Review of the Day

Contracts

West Ham United fans will be breathing a little more easily this morning as their teenage midfield star Declan Rice as signed a new long term contract. The 19 year old, who is still to choose between committing his future to England or Republic of Ireland, has been in negotations for some months now and finally signed a new deal which ties him to the Hammers until 2024.

Real Salt Lake City's Slovakian attacker Albert Rusnak has signed a new deal to stay in MLS football until the end of 2021.

More Managers Get Their Cards

Harry Wheeler lasted less than 4 months as Maidstone United manager as they sit near the bottom of the National League, 5 points from safety. Wheeler was in charge for just 19 games but won only 5. Barnet will also be looking for a new boss, but, in their case, it is because their manager John Still has announced his retirement at the age of 68. Still was in his 3rd spell at the Bees.

Transfers

'One of the greatest minds in football' Sol Campbell has completed his first signing. 20 year old goalkeeper Manny Idem has joined on a short-term deal, which runs until the end of the season. Idem was released by Aston Villa, but has also been with Arsenal and Stoke City at youth level.

Grimsby Town are awaiting international clearance and a medical for their new signing from Orebro, Sebastian Ring. The 23 year old left-back has agreed an 18 month deal.

Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell has signed for Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the season, though he will not be able to play for them until after the January window opens.

Motherwell have agreed to sell striker Ryan Bowman to an English League Two side, though they have yet to confirm who that is. Oddly. Though it is not a done deal yet as the 27 year old still needs to agree personal terms and pass a medical.

Didier Ndong has found himself a new club after agreeing to sign for French club Guingamp. The 24 year old had his contract terminated with Sunderland in October after he failed to return to the club after the summer. Guingamp still have to come to an agreement with the Mackems and Ndong has to pass a medical before the deal can be completed.

Livvie Lodge Red Card Appeal

Teenage striker Jack Hamilton can face Aberdeen today as his club, Livingston, have lodged an appeal against the red card he received on Boxing Day. Hamilton was sent off after tangling with Dundee defender Darren O'Dea, with O'Dea going down clutching his face after Hamilton appeared to push him on the arm.

African Confed Cup Draw

African Confederation Cup play-offs draw
Gor Mahia (KEN) v New Star (CMR)
Al Ahly Benghazi (LBA) v NA Hussein Dey (ALG)
Al Hilal (SUD) v Mukura Victory (RWA)
Nkana (ZAM) v FC San Pedro (CIV)
Coton Sport (CMR) v Asante Kotoko (GHA)
Zesco Utd (ZAM) v Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
Stade Malien (MLI) v Petro Atletico (ANG)
Raja Casablanca (MAR, holders) v African Stars (NAM)
Renaissance Berkane (MAR) v ASC Jaraaf (SEN)
CS Sfaxien (TUN) v Vipers SC (UGA)
Zamalek (EGY) v Ittihad Tanger (MAR)
Kampala Capital City Authority (UGA) v AS Otoho (CGO)
Bantu (LES) v Enugu Rangers (NGR)
Al Nasr (LBA) v Salitas (BUR)
Jimma Aba Jifar (ETH) v Hassania Agadir (MAR)
Winners qualify for group phase

African Champions League Draw

Group A
Lobi Stars (Nigeria)
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Group B
FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)
Horoya AC (Guinea)
Esperance (Tunisia)
Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

Group C
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Club Africain (Tunisia)
CS Constantine (Algeria)
Ismaily SC (Egypt)

Group D
Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
Simba SC (Tanzania)
JS Saoura (Algeria)
AS Vita Club (DR Congo)

Cameroon Take CAF To CAS

Cameroon's confederation of amateur clubs (ACFAC) have taken the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Cameroon were stripped of the rights to host the 2019 African Nations Cup by CAF and ACFAC have taken CAF to court to contest that decision and the decision to increase participants to 24 from 16. When Cameroon were awarded hosting rights in 2014, it was set to be a 16 team tournament, but July 2017 saw CAF decide to increase the number of teams.

Forestieri Wanted....By Police

Sheffield Wednesday forward Fernando Forestieri failed to appear at Mansfield Magistrates' Court to answer charges of using threatening words and bahaviour as well as racially aggravated harassment. The courts have now issued a warrant without bail for Forestieri over the incident which was alleged to take place after a match with Mansfield Town.

Former Arsenal Chairman Passes

Peter Hill-Wood, who was Arsenal chairman from 1982 until ill health forced him to stand down in June 2013. Hill-Wood was instrumental in the appointments of George Graham and Arsene Wenger as well the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium. Hill-Wood had been on the board since 1962 and succeeded his father Denis as chairman.

Football's New Year Honours

Bizarrely Premier League chairman (for now anyway) Richard Scudamore, who did more to destroy the game for fans than just about any other man, but made it (and himself) obscenely wealthy in the process, has been given a CBE, while Leroy Rosenior, who campaigns tirelessly in an attempt to improve the game for all and is now vice-president of Show Racism The Red Card, gets an MBE. Gareth Southgate gets a ludicrous OBE for continuing Scam Allardyce's percentage football with England and relying heavily on set pieces to bore opponents into submission. Former Busby Babe and Munich Air Disaster survivor Harry Gregg also gets an OBE. The Manchester United goalkeeper is now 86. MBEs were also handed out to Harry 'I definitely touched that ball' Kane, David Dein and Gareth McAuley.

Depay Releases First Single

Former Manchester United flop Memphis Depay has resurrected his career since leaving English football and has been excelling this season for Lyon. He has now released his first ever song as a rapper. Depay revealed his rapping 'skills' only last month, when he posted up a video of himself rapping when he reached 5 million followers on Instasnapper. The single, No Love, has been officially released on whatever platforms people still use these days.

Written by Tris Burke December 29 2018 05:22:21