Football News: Review Of The Day 4th April 2018
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Review of the Day
Premier League Clubs Paid £211m To Agents
The FA has published the data for last season, which shows the biggest spenders on agents' fees in the top 5 English leagues were Liverpool, who spent £25.1m, while the lowest spenders were Aldershot of the National League who spent a mere £112. The total across the top 5 leagues came to £257m, which was an increase of £37m on the previous season.
1. Liverpool £26,793,503
2. Chelsea £25,143,786
3. Manchester City £23,475,309
4. Manchester United £18,002,193
5. Watford £13,390,605
6. Everton £12,056,512
7. Arsenal £10,560,689
8. Leicester City £9,918,530
9. West Ham United £8,387,694
10. Bournemouth £7,733,988
11. Newcastle United £7,409,760
12. Swansea City £7,317,716
13. Tottenham Hotspur £7,173,667
14. Southampton £6,296,804
15. Stoke City £6,241,527
16. Crystal Palace £6,173,622
17. West Bromwich Albion £4,754,226
18. Brighton & Hove Albion £4,415,325
19. Burnley £3,299,917
20. Huddersfield Town £2,465,815
Spurs Announce Record Revenues
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has emphasised the need to keep tight hold on spending, despite the club's record revenue of £306.3m in their latest accounts. The income was a 46% increase over the previous year, mainly due to Champions League participation and the new Premier League TV deal. Spurs are expected to move into their new 62,000 capacity stadium for next season.
Transfers
Los Angeles Galaxy have sent Portugese midfielder Joao Pedro on loan to the imaginatively named LA Galaxy II in the USL.
Argentinian centre back Emiliano Amor has also dropped from the MLS to the USL on loan, this time from Sporting Kansas City to Swope Park Rangers.
Pierre-Yves Polomat has returned to Ligue 1's Saint-Etienne after his loan with Ligue 2 AJ Auxerre has ended.
Bulgarian centre forward Ismail Isa has swapped one Bulgarian side for another on a free transfer, as he leaves FK Vereya Stara Zagora to join FK Dunav Ruse.
The loan of Brazilian defender Marcio to Parana has ended and he has returned to Atibaia.
Brazilian defender Edcarlos has returned to his home country to join Goias Ec from Paraguayan side Olimpia Asuncion.
Brighton Give Skipper New Deal
Cult hero Bruno has signed a new one-year contract with the Seagulls, which will keep him at the club for a seventh season. The 37 year old has lost his place as first choice right back to Ezequiel Schelotto but manager Chris Hughton said: "Bruno has been exemplary in my time as manager, firstly he has been an excellent right-back for the team, and secondly an excellent captain for the club over the past three seasons. The way he looks after himself, on and off the pitch, is an example to any player, and it is due to that lifestyle of professionalism that he is still playing at such a high level at this stage of his career. He has been a regular throughout my time as manager, playing at a consistently high level, and I am delighted to have agreed an extension on his current contract - which is hard earned and well deserved."
Championship Clubs Spend £42m In 2016-17
The agents' fees paid by Championship clubs has been revealed showing Aston Villa and Sunderland as the big spenders, with financially stricken Bolton Wanderers as the lowest spending club. The big surprise being Reading as the 3rd highest spenders.
1. Aston Villa £5,510,180
2. Sunderland £4,370,897
3. Reading £2,850,283
4. Middlesbrough £2,538,840
5. Birmingham City £2,461,909
6. Fulham £2,428,175
7. Norwich City £2,212,410
8. Derby County £2,180,305
9. Cardiff City £2,025,917
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers £2,001,023
11. Hull City £1,882,530
12. Queens Park Rangers £1,817,113
13. Sheffield Wednesday £1,714,130
14. Brentford £1,690,415
15. Leeds United £1,349,452
16. Nottingham Forest £1,141,512
17. Preston North End £1,046,679
18. Bristol City £843,174
19. Sheffield United £652,070
20. Barnsley £419,638
21. Millwall £311,505
22. Burton Albion £268,490
23. Ipswich Town £241,969
24. Bolton Wanderers £223,432
Everton Appoint Pienaar As International Ambassador
Former South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has become Everton's first ever official internation ambassador. Pienaar made over 200 appearances for the Toffees, split over two spells, as well as gaining more than 60 caps for his country. Pienaar said: "I have felt enormous affection for the Club since the day I first signed and I am both honoured and delighted to become an official International Ambassador. Everton Football Club is very special to me and I look forward to further developing our unique bond in my new role and helping to spread the word of its fantastic work. This is a very proud day for me and I am delighted to be returning to a club that made me feel so welcome as a player."
CONCACAF Champions League Semi In Chaos Amid Assault Allegations
The head coach of Mexican side Club America, Miguel Herrera, has alleged that two of his players were assaulted by Toronto police officers at half time in a heated CONCACAF semi-final. Toronto FC, who went on to win the game 3-1, have countered with claims their player was attacked by Club America staff. Herrera has alleged that there was a brawl between the players on the way down the tunnel at half time, which led to police officers intervening and striking goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, defender Bruno Valdez and fitness coach Giber Becerra. "Multiple players were involved in a brawl and the police hit them," Herrera said. "In my opinion, if police [are] going to be present in the tunnel it should be to separate players, not to hit players. I will tell my president what happened. There was a CONCACAF staff member present at that point. He told me he had seen what happened, so I hope they put it in their report. Once again, police should be there to separate players, not to be aggressive and hit players present in the tunnel." When asked to clarify if he was accusing police officers of assault, Herrera replied: "Yes, that's correct. The police present assaulted not one but three of my [personnel]." Toronto FC deny that version of events is true and instead allege that America's coaching staff instigated the incident, starting with one coach confronting Sebastian Giovinco, who had won and scored an extremely contentious penalty. Vanney said: "I would disagree with [Herrera] - strongly. Just in defense of the Toronto Police I'm going to disagree with him strongly, because that's not what happened. One of their coaches took exception to, I think, the [penalty kick] - was having a go at Sebastian, and Sebastian kept walking. And Johnny [Osorio] stepped in between the assistant coach and Sebastian. I told the coach and the head coach that his coach shouldn't be talking to our players - he needs to keep moving. And the next thing was an elbow from said coach - [the] assistant coach who was talking - into Johnny's nose. And if you want to see Johnny's nose, you can take a picture of it if you want. And then it escalated from there." The most confusing claim of all came via translator, as Herrera ranted about the referee, who apparently made his team change their underwear because they were wearing black underpants.
Traore Accused Of Identity Theft
Ivory Coast side Etoile Sportive d'Abobo have accused Lacina Traore of lying about his name and age, as they attempt to prove that Traore had previously been on their books in order to recoup at least some of the 5% cut of transfer fees that teams that develop young players are entitled to. The president of the Ivory Coast side, Ibrahim Kone, has claimed that they recruited him as a youngster called Traore Menene, who later changed his name and age.
Former Lyon Forward Claims They Rejected Ronaldo In 2003
In 2003 Tony Vairelles was looking for a move away from Olympique Lyonnaise and was interested in a move to Sporting Clube du Portugal, who were keen to sign the French striker, who also represented Barcelona in his playing days. Lyon turned down an offer, which included young starlet Cristiano Ronaldo and instead Vairelles ended up at Rennes, while Ronaldo vanished into obscurity.... What did happen to him, does anyone know?
Impact Open The Door For Ben Arfa
Despite the stories of Hatem Ben Arfa insulting PSG club president Al Khelaifi and manager Unai Emery, as well as being spotted eating kebabs in the training ground car park, Montreal Impact coach Remi Garde has opened the door to a move to join him in Montreal. "We know each other very well," Garde said. "If Hatem is coming to MLS, he is welcome here."
Hughes Apologises To Daughter For Taking Saints Job
New Southampton manager Mark Hughes has apologised to his daughter Xenna, who is in Australia for the Commonwealth Games, as a member of Wales' hockey team. Hughes was meant to be there to watch his daughter play, but changed his plans after getting the job offer from the Saints. Hughes told the BBC: "If I'm being honest, I didn't anticipate getting back in (management) until maybe next season. I had lots of plans, things we were going to do. I'm supposed to be in Australia as we speak because my daughter's in the Commonwealth Games playing hockey for Wales so that was my big plan, I thought, 'Oh yeah, I've got an opportunity to go there'. But there you go, I have apologised to her."
Written by Tris Burke April 04 2018 06:54:26