Football News: Review Of The Day 16th December 2020

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Transfers

Crawley Town have re-signed reality TV 'star' Mark Wright (who I have never heard of and was on some shows I have never seen). I am sure it is nothing to do with getting an extra bit of publicity signing a 33-year-old free agent who has been out of the game for 11 years.

Former Newcastle United and Juventus midfielder James Troisi has signed for Western Sydney Wanderers on a free transfer from Adelaide United.

New Major League Soccer club Austin FC have drafted Canadian international Kamal Miller from Orlando City in the MLS expansion draft, then immediately traded him to Montreal Impact in return for $225,000 and a first-round pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. The expansion draft saw Auston also take Danny Hoesen from San Jose Earthquakes, Jared Stroud from New York Red Bulls, Brady Scott from Nashville SC and Joe Corona from LA Galaxy.

Injury Round-Up

Bristol Rovers' next two games have been postponed after the club suffered a CV outbreak. With staff and players having to self-isolate the Pirates' trip to Charlton Athletic and the weekend's home game against Oxford United were called off.

Cardiff City striker Kieffer Moore has been ruled out for 4 weeks after tearing his hamstring attempting to back heel the ball at goal during their 2-0 loss to Swansea City.

Managerial Changes

Former Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore has agreed to act as an advisor to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they continue with their takeover of Wrexham. Moore is originally from the Wrexham area and agreed to help out after assurances the pair are serious about the club. Moore said: "This is not a dalliance. It's not a case that if doesn't work they'll pull out. They recognise that going in is making a commitment to a community, not just to a football club. I asked that question. I said, 'Look, you're about to enter the world of football and everything that comes with, it warts and all'. The highs of victories and the town celebrating on a Saturday night with you. The lows and the abuse you will get if the team under performs...and the pitchforks are out. They're very savvy social media participants, they've got tens of millions of followers between them, so I think they understand that this will come with highs and lows, but they're certainly in it for the long term. Their primary goal [is] to bring hope and optimism to a community that Rob certainly recognises from his days in South Philly and Ryan truly understands." Moore revealed that it was the Sunderland Till I Die documentary that first spurred McElhenney's interest in owning a football club.

Disciplinary Charges

Rangers' striker Alfredo Morelos has been given a two-match ban for violent conduct. The Colombian striker was booked during the first half against Dundee United after he hit defender Mark Connolly in the face with his forearm. The booking was upgraded after it was deemed that the referee never saw the full incident.

Belgian top flight club KV Oostende have terminated the contract of goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa with immediate effect. The 24 year old was dismissed after violating lockdown rules by organising and hosting a party last weekend. Club president Gauthier Ganaye said: "As a football club, we cannot tolerate such selfish and irresponsible behaviour. We are relieved that we have not had any Covid infections so far, and we are doing everything we can to keep it that way. That's why we keep reminding our players of their duties and they take their responsibilities seriously. Coronairus protocols are strictly followed. KVO as a club is above the individual and given the gravity of these facts, we feel compelled to initiate the termination of Fabrice Ondoa's contract." Meanwhile Aston Villa's Jack Grealish goes partying, more than once, crashes his car while drunk and generally gets himself on the front pages for misbehaving repeatedly and is club captain.

Ajax winger Quincy Promes has been arrested after being accused of being involved in a stabbing at a family party in July. Promes potentially faces charges of aggravated assault which can carry a prison sentence of up to 4 years.

Rangers Need To Sell

Rangers' managing director Stewart Robertson has admitted that the SPFL leaders need to sell players in the summer to put the club on a better financial footing. Robertson said: "We know for the business model of the club we need to start moving one or two players a year. It won't be a big turnover in the squad but that is something we need to do and something we're really focused on for the summer.It has to reflect our valuation. And if that is the case, we'll have a decision to make. While player trading is the important fourth pillar to our model, we have not got ourselves in a position where we have to sell to validate the model. That's not the case."

Chinese Super League To Introduce Salary Cap

The days of average footballers going to China to top up their pension maybe coming to an end as the Chinese Super League will have a salary cap from next season, in an attempt to bring through more players for the national team. Foreign players will be capped at a maximum annual salary of £2.7m, while domestic players will be limited to £571,000 at most. Teams that exceed those limits will be docked up to 24 points and players could also be banned. China's Football Association president Chen Xuyuan said: "Chinese Super League (CSL) club expenditure is about 10 times higher than South Korea's K-League and three times higher than Japan's J-league. But our national team is lagging far behind." Hulk has already confirmed he will be leaving Chinese football.

Gomez Dumps His Toys

Atalanta captain Papu Gomez has suggested there is more to his dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini than a dispute "like in all families" as the club had announced last week. Gomez wrote on social media: "Dear Atalanta fans, I am writing to you here because I have no other way to defend myself and talk to you. I just wanted to let you know that you will know the truth when I leave. You know me and the person I am. I love you guys." Gomez, who is a club legend, fell out with Gasperini when he was asked to play on the right wing at half-time during their Champions League match against FC Midtjylland. He refused to move from his central attacking midfield position and so Gasperini took him off for Josip Ilicic, who then stirred the pot by siding with Gomez later on social media. Gasperini has also hinted that Gomez will be sold, probably in a fit of anger after stepping on a piece of lego Gomez had chucked out of his pram.

Written by Tris Burke December 16 2020 06:18:33