Football News: Review Of The Day 6th February 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Monaco hand young duo Sofiane Diop and Wilson Isidor new deals. The 18 year olds are both now tied down until 2023.

Transfers

Rangers have terminated the contract of Mexican Carlos Pena. A Rangers statement read: "We can confirm Carlos Pena is no longer a Rangers player. His contract has been terminated. We wish him the best for his future."

Florentin Pogba, one of Manchester United's Paul Pogba's brothers, has signed for MLS side Atlanta United. Pogba had been a free agent since last June, when he was released by Turkish side Genclerbirligi.

Former Everton forward Lacina Traore has also finally manager to find a new club. Traore, who was released by Monaco in July, has signed for Qatari Stars League side Qatar SC.

Brazier Passes Aged Just 42

Matthew Brazier has succumbed in his fight against non-Hodgkin's follicular Lymphona. The 42 year came through QPR's academy before moving to Fulham, Cardiff and finally Leyton Orient, where he retired in 2004.

Despite Promotion Wigan Make Losses

In the 2016/17 season Wigan Athletic were relegated down to League One but managed to make a profit of £4.3m. Last season the Latics won promotion back to the Championship but have reported a £7.7m net loss, despite winning the League One title. CEO Jonathan Jackson said: "The loss was anticipated. But this highlights the investment required to achieve success outside the Premier League." That was their first campaign without Premier League parachute payments and had the added issue of attendances dipping down to an average of just over 9,000 at their 25,000 seater stadium.

Millwall And Rotherham Face FA Charges

Following players clashing during a goalless draw between the two sides on Saturday, both Rotherham United and Millwall are being charged by the FA with "failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion". Rotherham captain Richard Wood challenged Millwall keeper Jordan Archer in the second half and it led to heated scenes between players. Millwall manager Neil Harris later claimed that Wood should have been sent off for the challenge that sparked off the melee.

Allam Claims Two Bids For Hull Fell Through

Assem Allam has made the claim that he has seen two bids for his ownership stake in Hull City fall through. Allam blames one failed deal from a Chinese consortium collapsed after the fans protested against his ownership of the club saying: "They were interested, and they had the money. Then the fans, when they threw the balls at the club during the game, that killed that deal. What they said was 'sorry, we know what you've done for this city, for the club, and we'd never do that, we'll never match that. But if that's what you get in return, what about us when things aren't that well?' They thought we had militant fans to stop the game while playing and throwing the balls, which was not really the case. But it was scary at the time, so it scared them and they went, but they had the money." The balls he referred to were yellow sponge balls thrown onto the pitch, which held up a televised game against Sheffield United, as fans protested against Allam's handling of the club, which included a desire to change the club's name against their wishes. Allam has also claimed that he rejected another bid for the Tigers in Autumn as the bid had no funds to invest into the club. Allam said: "We had one of the potential interests agree a price to pay, and I said 'how much are you going to put into the club and he said 'that's it'. I said 'sorry, no'. I need the future of the club here because I'm a local man, I don't want, after all that I've done, to see the club not able to survive. I could have sold it and got my money, but I refused, and I will refuse that."

Bayo Left Out Of Celtic Squad

Celtic had to pick one player from their 4 January signings to leave out of their Europa League squad, as UEFA rules only allow for 3 new players to be added to the squad before the round of 32. The unlucky man was Vakoun Issouf Bayo, as loanees Jeremy Toljan, Oliver Burke and Timothy 'son of George' Weah got the nod.

Heckingbottom In Hibs Talks

Hibernian have spoken to former Leeds United and Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom as they look to replace Neil Lennon. Lennon, who did not quit nor was he sacked but somehow ended up leaving the club last week, has been replaced in the short term by Eddie May, who has already told the club that he does not want the job permanently. Heckingbottom spent four months in charge at Leeds after two years at Barnsley saw him lead them into the Championship and win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Schurrle Denies Saying He Would Leave Fulham If Relegated

German midfielder Andre Schurrle has hit out at the translations used of his interview in German magazine Kicker. Translations had claimed he said that he would leave Fulham, should the Cottagers, as looks likely, be relegated at the end of the season. Schurrle responded on social media saying: "It is not even close to what I said. Just very bad translating." Schurrle also said that a "newspaper" was taking the article "out of context and trying to produce a false headline".

Exiles Keeper Rushes Off Missing Post-Match Celebrations

Goalkeeper Joe Day missed the first tie against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 4th Round as his wife is heavily pregnant and seemed to be about to give birth. Newport held Boro to a shock draw to force a replay ten days later, where Day decided to play, as his wife, still with child, showed no signs of going into labour. Newport increased the shock factor by actually beating Boro in the replay, but Day was unable to celebrate with the team after finding out immediately after the game that his wife had finally gone into labour. Manager Michael Flynn said: "He sprinted off the pitch and it's the quickest I've ever seen him move." Newport will now face Manchester City in the 5th Round.

Reds Spring Champions League Surprise

Liverpool have surprised everyone by including injured midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in their Champions League squad for the second half of the season. The 25 year has a knee ligament injury which has kept him out of contention for the team for the last 10 months and is unlikely to play any more than a cameo role this season. Dutch teenager Ki-Jana Hoever has also been added to the squad.

FIFA Investigate Kenya Match Fixing

After conducting a preliminary investigation into former Kenya international George Owino and convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, FIFA are now set to launch a full investigation into match-fixing involving Kenyan international matches, including a World Cup qualifier. FIFA's preliminary report states: "Mr Owino ... appears to have conspired to manipulate international matches and enter into corrupt agreements with Mr Perumal."

Mourinho Becomes The Latest Football Personality To Be Convicted Of Tax Fraud

Jose Mourinho has become the latest high-profile football personality to try to use offshore bank accounts to evade tax in Spain and to end up being convicted in court. Mourinho was sentenced to one year in jail, which will be exchanged for the payment of a fine of 182,500 euros, and a fine of 2m euros.

Amnesty International Hits Out At Qatar Once More

Amnesty International has produced a report that claims that workers in Qatar are still being subjected to "exploitation and abuse" as they labour to build the stadiums and infrastructure for the World Cup in 2022. Amnesty director Stephen Cockburn said: "Time is running out if the Qatari authorities want to deliver a legacy we can all cheer... a labour system that ends the abuse and misery inflicted upon so many migrant workers. The authorities have been taking some important steps to protect labour rights but much more needs to be done. Holes in the reforms mean many workers are still stuck in harsh conditions." The report said that some workers are vulnerable to serious abuses by their employers "sometimes amounting to forced labour and human trafficking". FIFA itself stated that it "welcomes the important steps taken in recent months by the government of Qatar towards reforming its laws on the protection of workers' rights. We share the view of Amnesty International that additional progress is needed for the full implementation of the commitments for comprehensive labour reform by the government of Qatar." The head of Qatar's 2022 organising committee, Hassan Al-Thawadi, admitted to the BBC recently that there was "room for improvement" on workers' pay.

Written by Tris Burke February 06 2019 06:16:19