Football News: Review Of The Day 28th March 2018
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Review of the Day
UEFA Make Champions League Rule Changes
UEFA have made a number of changes to the rules for their flagship competitions, the Champions League and Europa League, for next season. Clubs may now register up to 3 new players for their squad in the second half of the season, even if those players have already played for another club in the same competition. The Champions League will also introduce staggered kick off times, instead of a standard 7:45pm kick off time. During the group stages, matches will be played at either 5:55pm or 8pm, to allow TV companies to screen two games a day. Europa League matches will also use the same kick off times during the group stage. In knockout games, a fourth substitute will now be allowed to be used, but only if the match goes to extra time. That fourth sub will be picked from a larger squad in the finals, as UEFA have increased the matchday squad size to 23, from 18, for the final.
Rowett Makes Jibe At Warnock
After Derby County saw fit to call off a fixture on 18th March, only one other match that day was postponed, due to snow, opponents Cardiff City's manager Neil Warnock hit out at Derby calling it a disgraceful decision and claiming it was motivated more by an injury crisis afflicting the Rams than any issues over health and safety. The EFL, however, back Derby and now their manager Gary Rowett has hit back at Warnock saying: "I know Neil is an excellent manager but I didn't actually realise he's also a qualified health and safety inspector. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion, everyone has a right to say what they feel. But we just felt from our point of view, the club and all the safety people around have to make a decision they think is right and, without me going in to the importance of safety for the fans, the reality was the decision was made not just by the club and certainly not by me. I like to think I have a say in a lot of things at the club but certainly calling games off is not really something I get involved with. The reality is that they then chose to make it all public and I think we've tried to keep a dignified silence, which when there's so many interviews going around I don't think there's any point to start trying to counter those and trying to come back with those. I'm really pleased the EFL have spoken about the club and said that whilst they spoke about the process, the reality was the decision was the right one to make at the time."
Noble Calls For Fan Backing
Following organised protests and attempts to get at the directors' box which saw David Sullivan reportedly hit by a coin thrown from the crowd, as children were being sheltered on Burnley's bench, West Ham United have announced that they will fit safety barriers to stop fans getting near to the directors' box. Despite another protest being planned for Saturday's match, Hammers captain Mark Noble has asked the fans to get behind the team in their battle against relegation. "We need everyone to be together," said Noble. "We need you all, full-stop, and we cannot perform to our best and win the matches we need to win without you. When you are on song, there really are no supporters better at inspiring their team than West Ham supporters. I can understand the frustrations some of you are feeling. This season has not gone how we'd all hoped it would, but I would ask you to channel your passion to get behind the team, help us get through the season with our Premier League status intact, and we can sit down and reassess things in the summer. We need the London Stadium to be buzzing for our five remaining home games, so please unite behind the lads and give us the best possible chance to deliver the results we need to stay up."
ECA Asks For Rest Periods
The European Club Association have asked for mandatory rest periods to be added to the international calendar to give players more time to recover from matches. The head of the ECA, Andrea Agnelli, has also asked for an overall reduction in the number of games.
Transfers
In Brazilian football young winger Judivan has gone out on loan from Cruzeiro to America-MG.
19 year old Swiss midfielder Eris Abedini has returned to FC Lugano after his loan spell with FC Chiasso ended.
Portugese midfielder Andre Horta has headed to MLS to sign for Los Angeles FC from Benfica in his home country.
Cook's Debut Nets Grandfather Windfall
Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook's England debut against Italy has netted his grandfather, Trevor Burlingham, £17,000 due to a bet he placed in 2014. Burlingham wagered that Cook would make his debut before his 26th birthday at odds of 33-1. Not quite in the realms of Harry Wilson's grandfather, who won £125,000 after gambling his grandson would play for Wales when young Harry was just 18 months old, getting him odds of 2,500-1!
West Brom Defender Signs New Contract
Teenage defender Kane Wilson has signed a contract extension to keep him with West Bromwich Albion until 2020. The full-back is currently on loan with League Two side Exeter City.
Elneny Gets New Arsenal Deal
It is fair to say Arsenal fans have not responded to this news with much enthusiasm but the North Londoners have announced that Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny is now contracted until 2022. Arsene Wenger said: "He had a good pre-season, he absorbed a huge quantity of work, and he takes advantage of it now, so it's down to where he is needed. I will use him as a central defender in a three or in midfield. He is a fantastic team player and he is a credit to your country if you are Egyptian. He is a fantastic boy, we love him here. It took him some time to adapt to the intensity of the games and I think he was not aggressive enough for the Premier League [initially]. But now he has added that to his game. People forget that Elneny is 25 years old. He is not 30 - he's still a young player and his best years are in front of him."
Hat-trick Hero Admits He Lacks Confidence With His Club
Isco notched a hat-trick in a friendly for Spain against Argentina, then admitted he struggles in club football as Zinedine Zidane lacks confidence in him. Isco said in a post-match interview: "In Madrid I don't have the confidence a player needs. The matches with the national team give me life. Here I have the confidence of the coach. I want to show that I'm a good player. Lopetegui shows me confidence with the minutes he gives me. Maybe I'm the problem in Madrid. I don't know how to win Zidane's confidence."
Derby Sue Former Chief Exec
Derby County are suing their former club president and chief executive Sam Rush for more than £6.8m. The Rams latest financial figures were released along with a statement that puts the figure at £6,841,107.60. Rush is countersuing Sevco 5112 Limited, Derby's parent company, for about £2m for "breach of contract and for an alleged 5% shareholding". The club statement explains that their claim is related to 4 issues with Rush's time in charge. The Rams claim Rush entered into unauthorised scouting and consultancy agreements, paid transfer fees for players above the figure agreed, paid wages in excess of what was agreed and notified, and finally the payment of excessive fees to agents, all of which were unauthorised by the board of directors.
Written by Tris Burke March 28 2018 06:48:13