Football News: Review Of The Day 27th March 2020

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Review of the Day

Managerial Changes

Mexican coaching legend Ignacio Trelles has passed away. Known as Don Nacho, Trelles was 103 and the most successful club manager in Mexico with 15 national and international titles. As well as managing 1,083 Liga MX matches, he was also in charge of the Mexican national side for 117 games, including leading Mexico to both the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.

Former France manager Michel Hidalgo has died at the age of 87. Hidalgo was the man who led France to their first ever major trophy, Euro 1984 and had been ill for a number of years. Hidalgo was in charge of Les Bleus from 1976 to 1984.

Coronavirus Latest

Inter Miami's head coach Diego Alonso believes that Major League Soccer will resumre this season. Alonso told the media via a conference call: "We've been in contact with the players via telephone and teleconferences. Without a doubt, at the level of professional sports, it is an obstacle, but at the moment, the health of the whole community is much more important, the health of each of us, of our families. We fully agree with what MLS says, with the break. We must work with the team within the rules we have right now and with what the authorities are asking us. I am convinced that yes, we will play again this season. We will be finishing the 2020 season, surely we will play it and finish it. For the moment we have to wait, but I am convinced that we will play this year and finish the season."

Leeds United's playing staff, coaching staff and senior management have all volunteered to give up a portion of their wages to ensure that the 272 full-time non-football staff can continue to be paid. Director of football Victor Orta said: "My players have demonstrated an incredible sense of unity and togetherness. To Marcelo and his staff and all of the players, we thank them for putting our wider team first and taking care of family."

The SPFL have made advance payments to the 42 senior clubs in Scotland. The payments due for April have already begun to be paid to the clubs. The top 3, Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell, will receive £395,000. The rest of the Premiership will get £157,500, while Championship clubs will get £26,500, League One clubs £2,700 and League Two sides £1,350.

Aberdeen, one of the few clubs to be insured for a pandemic, have been told that their cover will only last until the end of April. Dons chairman Dave Cormack said: "The bulk of our losses will likely be beyond the end of next month. We may be one of only a few clubs with an insurance policy that clearly covers the impact of a pandemic. Despite paying for that cover ‐ when we need it most, we've been advised we're not going to get it. For something to happen during the period we're covered, right now, and then for them to say 'we're not going to cover you for this from 1 May' seems a little bit unethical. We believe there is a moral dilemma here. Perhaps what is needed is for pandemic claims to be dealt with in a similar way to those arising from floods and terrorism. That is, through an industry‐wide, public/private insurance solution which provides essential cover, at the cost of the insured, but with the cost of claims being spread across the whole of the insurance industry and the state. That seems an appropriate long‐term solution, for the solvency‐threatening consequences of pandemics. But, until that's in place, would it not be the right thing for insurers to continue existing cover for so long as the consequences of the current COVID‐19 outbreak continue?"

Ann Budge has hit back at those who criticised her for asking players and staff to take a 50% pay cut. Budge said on the club's website: "I see absolutely no reason for sitting back and waiting either on a miracle or for the government to bail out every company in the country in a timely enough manner. Neither of these options is likely to happen and, therefore, I make no apology for putting immediate plans in place to mitigate the problems heading our way. For the sake of our supporters I need to address the enormous amount of ill-informed and self-opinionated commentary coming from some sections of the media at the moment. Having approached our bank we have been formally advised that their policy towards football clubs hasn't changed and they remain unable to lend to us. I would stress that we are not alone in this. This is not a Hearts problem; it is a football problem. Payroll, as with all clubs of our size, is by far our biggest monthly cost. There is little doubt that we will have to implement a salary reduction programme across the club. We simply will not survive a six-month close down, unless we implement this. I have been roundly criticised for even suggesting such a thing. However, our staff have been amazing. A number of staff and managers offered to take no salary or a larger wage reduction to enable us to better support those who needed it more. I asked all employees to stand together to ensure we can survive the next few months. Most of the staff agreed immediately. Given the added complexities around players' contracts and the wide range of personal circumstances, a number of players are still reviewing their situations. However, I believe we will reach a good outcome as I know they want to do what they can to support the club."

Burnley are to continue to pay all matchday and non-matchday casual workers during the current shutdown. Chief executive Neil Hart said: "Our overriding priority is to look after the wellbeing of our staff and their families during this testing time."

An unnamed Brighton & Hove Albion player has become the latest to test positive for coronavirus. The club's chief executive Paul Barber said that the players is "OK" and "getting the care he needs".

The Bundesliga's four Champions League representatives have pledged 20m euros to support other German teams during the coronavirus. The quartet, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, will give up their share of the national media revenue and the rest they will donate from club funds. The German Football League is to decide how the money will be distributed. Bayern Munich's chief executive Karl-Heinze Rummenigge said: "We want to send a signal of solidarity to all clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. In these difficult times, it's important that the stronger shoulders support the weaker shoulders. With this, we also want to show that football is standing together right now." Dortmund chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke said: "We have always said that we would show solidarity if clubs, through no fault of their own, should run into difficulties that they can no longer overcome themselves. Borussia Dortmund is currently having a major impact on society through a wide range of initiatives. And naturally we are prepared to help out other professional football clubs if it is ultimately a matter of cushioning the financial effects of the pandemic."

All football below National League level in England is to end for the season immediately. All results for the season so far are to be expunged and there will be no promotion or relegation. An FA statement read: "These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game. Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time. Today's steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided, with the integrity of the leagues in mind."

Paris Saint-Germain have released a new limited edition shirt to raise funds for local hospitals. The shirt, which is a replica of the home playing kit, has the sponsors' logos and sleeve patches changed and will be limited to a batch of 1,500, priced at 175 euros. Instead of the usual kit sponsors name it has the message "Tous Unis" (All United/Together) on the front and the sponsor logos on the sleeves are replaced with badges of support for medical staff. The proceeds of all sales will go to Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris.

Another New List To Fill The Day

Transfermarkt is back with their list of the most valuable players in 2008 according to them.
Player - Team - Value in Euros
1. Ronaldinho Barcelona 80m
2. Kaka AC Milan 70m
3. Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 60m
4. Lionel Messi Barcelona 60m
5. Steven Gerrard Liverpool 45m
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Inter Milan 45m
7. Fernando Torres Liverpool 40m
8. Didier Drogba Chelsea 40m
9. Samuel Eto'o Barcelona 40m
10. Francesco Totti AS Roma 40m
11. Wayne Rooney Manchester United 40m
12. Cesc Fabregas Arsenal 38m
13. Frank Lampard Chelsea 38m
14. Xavi Barcelona 38m
15. Arjen Robben Real Madrid 36m
16. Andrea Pirlo AC Milan 36m
17. Thierry Henry Barcelona 35m
18. David Villa Valencia 35m
19. Robinho Real Madrid 35m
20. Wesley Sneijder Real Madrid 35m
21. Daniele De Rossi AS Roma 35m
22. Andres Iniesta Barcelona 34m
23. Rio Ferdinand Manchester United 33m
24. John Terry Chelsea 33m
25. Gianluigi Buffon Juventus 33m

Terrier's Accounts Reveal Hoyle Repayments

Huddersfield Town's newly released accounts show a debt of £35m which must be repaid to former owner Dean Hoyle by 31st August 2022. Lifelong fan Hoyle sold his stake in the club in May 2019 after recovering from a serious illness and the sale agreement requires £15m to be paid to him within 5 working days of the end of the summer transfer window. A further £10m is due on both 31st August 2021 and 2022. There is a further £10m owed to Hoyle, but no repayment schedule has been agreed for that. Huddersfield also took out a £31m loan which is to be covered by their 2021-22 parachute payment from the Premier League.

Kidnapped Footballers Released

The two Nigerian footballers who were kidnapped at the weekend have been released. Enyimba's Nigerian international midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comet's Benjamin Iluyomade were taken on Sunday. An Enyimba statement read: "Enyimba midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comets' Benjamin Iluyomade, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained their freedom. The footballers were released on Wednesday night following efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, with support from Enyimba Football Club, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers and families of the players. It would be recalled that the footballers were kidnapped along the Benin-Owo expressway as they journeyed to Akure following the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19. The players have since reunited with their families."

Written by Tris Burke March 26 2020 21:17:28