Football News: Review Of The Day 21st February 2018
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Review of the Day
Lazio Confirm De Vrij Summer Exit
Lazio's Dutch centre back Stefan de Vrij is set to leave Lazio on a free transfer after the Italian club withdrew their contract offer. After a series of injuries hampered his time in Serie A, his contract was allowed to enter its final season and now the former Feyenoord defender will be available on a Bosman free transfer in the summer. "Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij," director of sport Igli Tare told Italian outlet Mediaset Premium. "We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.
He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that as well as what he'll do until the end of the season. He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June. It's a matter of fairness. This is not the opportune time to give the reasons for this decision, but we had to give a response and we gave it this evening. It is better to look forward, as Lazio are a side who have grown in recent years and will continue to grow, because we certainly do not lack players."
Doucoure Claims Interest In Him From Premier League Trio
Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has been a revelation this season, leading to a lot of interest from bigger clubs. On Telefoot he was asked about moving on from Vicarage Road and he revealed that three major Premier League clubs are interested in signing him: Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. When asked who he would prefer to join out of Arsenal and Spurs, Doucoure said Arsenal because he would like to play for Arsene Wenger.
Moura Believes Spurs Can Win Champions League This Season
New signing Lucas Moura has made a big claim regarding Tottenham's chances in the Champions League by stating he believes they have the right balance to go on and win it. "I am 25 years old but I think I gained a lot of experience with PSG and I think I can help Tottenham. I think we have a lot of quality and a great structure...," Moura told British media. "The Champions League is the most difficult cup but I think we have the capacity to win it if we always think in positives and always work hard. We did a big game against Juventus away. It was a good result in Italy and I am sure we can do a good game with our fans and continue. It's always important to win. Every player wants to win trophies... and I think we can dream with the Champions League."
Moses Named Nigerian Player Of The Year
Victor Moses has been having somewhat of a renaissance since Antonio Conte took charge at Chelsea. Going from an oft-loaned unwanted player to a first choice right wing back and excelling in the role as well as being Nigeria's top scorer in African World Cup qualifying as Nigeria won their group has led to him being chosen as the nation's Player of the Year, beating off competition from Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City.
Saint Returns To Romania
Southampton's out of favour defender Florin Gardos has returned to Romania on loan to Sportiv Universitatea Craiova. The 29 year old has only managed 18 appearances in total since joining from Steaua in August 2014, as a serious knee injury hampered his career.
Wolves Man Set For MLS Move
Joe Mason moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2016 from Cardiff City as a highly rated forward, but has struggled since arriving in the Black Country. A loan to Burton Albion this season was cut short as he suffered from injury and illness, though he did manage 6 goals for the Championship strugglers. Since returning to Wolves he has not been able to get near the new-look side and now it looks like he is off to the USA to join the MLS, according to Colorado Rapids' former New Zealand manager Anthony Hudson. "There have been reports about Joe Mason. We're really pleased that we've come to an agreement with the club and the player," Hudson is quoted saying. "It's a great signing for us. He's a top player. Played at a really high level. He's going to suit how we play, going to suit the League so now all we're waiting for is the formalities - visas and these types of things. Hopefully he's here as quickly as possible, he's a great signing for us." Mason will be joining another former Wolves player in Jack Price who signed for the Rapids in January.
New Watchdog In France Takes Closer Look At Five Agents
In France the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) was handed the power to look at how agents operate in France and examine their paperwork on 1st March 2017. There are 450 licensed agents but the DNCG has decided to take a closer look at five of them, including Joaquim Batica, who has worked with English Championship side Wolves as recently as January. The president of the football agents' union, Stephane Canard, has asked them to look at more than just agents: "We want the DNCG to seize the accountability of lawyers, European agents who receive a provisory licence and cover certain intermediaries, as well as families, who are more and more influential and who clearly get compensated, which is very much forbidden. There are people who work, who aren't allowed to do so, and who are never controlled. There is a clear disloyal competition."
Warnock Takes A Swipe At Pep
Continuing the bad blood that first appeared when Pep Guardiola's Man City team faced Neil Warnock's Cardiff City in the cup, Warnock has criticised the Spaniard for his actions, while suggesting he gets favourable treatment from the FA. "He gets away with it doesn't he," Warnock told TalkSport. "He had a go at us and he has a go at everybody when things aren't going well for him. That's the nature of the game, the big-timers get away with it from the FA. You can't tell me, at our ground, if I'd have done what he did and said what he did to the fourth official I'd have got reported. Unfortunately that's life isn't it, the big lads get away with things and at the lower end you don't. If that would have been one of my players, against them, like we did in the last round of the cup, they would have gone ballistic at us," added the Cardiff manager. "I thought that was a worse tackle than what Joe Bennett's was. His a clumsy one and this (Delph's challenge) was a nasty one just above the ankle. I thought the referee got it right." Why do I get the impression he has been dying for the chance to say this?
Burnley Boosted By Injury Returns
The Clarets received a boost as Tom Heaton and Chris Wood took part in a training ground game against Blackpool and both came through unscathed. Heaton managed the full 90 minutes and should be close to a return to full fitness. Wood played 70 minutes after having been missing with a knee injury for the last nine games. Stephen Ward and Nahki Wells also took part in the game as they also close in on a return to the first team reckoning.
Man City And Wigan Charged But Aguero Escapes Punishment
Manchester City and Wigan Athletic have both been charged with failing to control their players for the ugly scenes following Fabian Delph's foul which led to his red card. Sergio Aguero will not be charged for his part in a fracas with a Wigan fan after the final whistle. Pep Guardiola also escaped censure for his actions at half time. An FA statement reads: "Both Wigan Athletic and Manchester City have been charged for failing to control their players in relation to the dismissal of Fabian Delph during last night's Emirates FA Cup fifth round tie. The clubs have until 6pm on Friday 23 February 2018 to respond."
Buddies Sign Donati
Former Celtic player Massimo Donati has signed for St Mirren on a shot term contract. The 36 year old Italian left Hamilton Academical in January and so was a free agent. "I'm still fit. I had to train myself for a few days, then I got this opportunity," Donati said. "I'm at a good club that are very organised. The stadium is good, the fans are as well and I'm happy to be here."
CAF To Introduce VAR
Video Assistant Referees, which have been the subject of much controversy in Europe, are set to make their debut in African football on Saturday. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Super Cup match between Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and TP Mazembe of DR Congo will feature the use of VAR. "It's a historic moment for African football," Caf general secretary Amr Fahmy said. "I'm proud that Africa has taken the initiative to embrace the latest technology towards the development of football, and I'm positive the impact will be felt at all levels of the game."
Swansea Boosted By Mawson Injury News
Swansea City feared the worst when centre back Alfie Mawson suffered problems with his knee during the warm up for their FA Cup match at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, forcing him to sit out the game. However a scan taken on Monday with a specialist showed no major damage and he could potentially be back to face Brighton on Saturday.
Glovers Sign Keeper
Former Gillingham goalie Stuart Nelson has signed for Yeovil Town for the rest of the season. Yeovil had lost Artur Krysiak for the season with a serious knee injury and needed some cover in goal. Nelson, now 36, had only left Gills on 31st January after the fan favourite had made 220 appearances there.
West Ham Charged For Breach In Anti-Doping Regulations
West Ham United have become the latest club to be charged by the FA over anti-doping regulations regarding the whereabouts of players, something which recently hit the headlines after Arsenal fell afoul of them during the Alexis Sanchez transfer to Manchester United. "It is alleged the club failed to ensure 'club whereabouts' information was accurate on three occasions within 12 months," the FA said. The Hammers claim that it was simply an administrative error: A West Ham spokesman said: "We would like to make it clear that the breach is a club administrative matter and does not concern any of our players. The breach relates to administrative oversights on the FA's whereabouts system, for example a player's address had been registered and the house number digits transposed, and the club will be responding to the FA in due course."
Milan President Dismisses Bankruptcy Fake News
AC Milan owner and president Yonghong Li dismisses the reports of his bankruptcy as 'fake news'. In a statement, Li said the allegations have "severely damaged" the club, his companies and family, adding: "The situation concerning my assets is safe and sound. Both the club and my companies are steadily working. I, therefore, hope that no credit is given to the latest news that isn't true."
SPFL Announce Season Start Date
The SPFL have announced that the 2018/19 Premiership season will kick off on the 4th August, though some fixtures may be moved to suit TV companies. There will be a 3 week break in the winter between 31 December and 18th January.
Ranieri Wants Italy Job
Nantes manager Claudio Ranieri has been recently linked with the vacant Italy manager's job, which he now admits he wants enough to ask for a release from Nantes if he were to be offered the role. "Any Italian coach would love to be in charge of the Nazionale," Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia. "I have a contract with Nantes for two years and I have not received any messages, so I can't say anything. But if I were to be contacted for the Italy job, I'd go to the Nantes president and ask to be released."
Written by Tris Burke February 21 2018 05:05:48