Football News: Review Of The Day 15th April 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Preston North End's manager Alex Neil has got the new deal he was hinting for when he claimed speculation he was going to take the West Bromwich Albion job had "got to the players". Neil has now got a new 3 year contract with the Lilywhites, after guiding them to mid-table mediocrity, somewhere he is well suited to.

McGinn Out For Rest Of Season

Aberdeen forward Niall McGinn has been ruled out for up to 3 months after injuring ankle ligaments in training. It means the 31 year old Northern Irishman will not play again this season and is a doubt for his country's Euro 2020 qualifiers in the summer.

Six Fail Age Tests

The U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania has already seen six players kicked out of the competition after they failed MRI tests to determine their age. Cameroon have lost three members of their squad, hosts Tanzania two and Guinea one. The tests were introduced after long-running problems with African nations looking to sneak in overage players becoming a consistent problem.

Mcinnes Claims Sectarian Abuse Contributed To His Sending Off

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said he was sent to the stands for reacting to sectarian abuse which he has been subjected to a hundred times before. McInnes admitted that frustration from the game, which saw two of his players sent off in a 3-0 defeat, also played a part but he reacted after Celtic fans chanted "sad orange bastard" in his direction, saying: "I had let it go the first time but I shouldn't react and I'll take my punishment. I was wrong to do so, I should be better than that. I've heard that song a hundred times aimed at me so I think frustration from the game has played a part. It'll be interesting to see if everybody gets punished."

Shirt-Swap Causes Problems In Milan

AC Milan duo Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie have both apologised after holding up Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi's shirt like a trophy following their home win over Lazio. Acerbi said in an interview that Lazio were "stronger" and that there was "no comparison" between the teams' players. Bakayoko had said on social media "OK Acerbi see you Saturday", clearly annoyed by the remarks. After the game, in an attempt "to put an end to the issue" Acerbi swapped shirts with Bakayoko, who then, along with Kessie, held the shirt up so that Milan fans could see it as the players went to celebrate the win in front of the Milan fans. Lazio's Ciro Immobile called the duo "two little men", while Acerbi said: "fomenting hatred is not sport but a sign of weakness". Bakayoko and Kessie have both apologised on social media saying it was just meant to be a joke.

Genesio To Leave Lyon

The head coach of Olympique Lyonnais Bruno Genesio is set to leave the Ligue 1 club at teh end of the season, after 3 and a half years in charge. Genesio said: "For some time, I have faced a negative climate, which can be a drag on the players and the club. I informed my players this morning, (and now) I'm counting on everyone to (support) the team."

Drake Curse Hits PSG

Can we all just take a moment to thank Canadian musician Drake for extending his curse to Paris Saint-Germain this weekend, 'causing' them to lose 5-1 to Lille after he had his picture taken with PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa. The supposed curse began to be spoken of when the pop star would go along to watch teams and his team would lose. It has now extended to the teams of players he has selfies taken with, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whose Arsenal side lost 1-0 to Everton after he had a picture taken with Drake who was holding an Aubameyang Arsenal shirt and Paul Pogba, whose Manchester United side lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup after Pogba had a picture taken with Drake following a concert in Manchester. Hopefully he will be a regular at PSG games for the rest of time....

Pepe To Leave Lille

Lille president Gerard Lopez has admitted that Pepe is set to leave the French club in the summer, despite the team sitting in second in the Ligue 1 table. Lopez said: "Four or five players will leave this summer. The departure of Nicolas Pepe is certain. He enters a price range that can not be paid anymore. He will have the choice (of destination)." Pepe has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 34 games.

Burnley Forward Booked For Kissing Opponent

Is this an example of the #metoo movement reaching football as Burnley striker Ashley Barnes is booked for kissing Joe Bennett of Cardiff City twice after the Cardiff left-back fouled him and then went head-to-head with Barnes. Oddly the referee saw fit to book Barnes for the kisses, the same punishment as Bennett received, who had sparked off the incident in the first place.

Written by Tris Burke April 15 2019 06:29:03