Football News: Review Of The Day 6th May 2018
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Review of the Day
Ferguson Agrees Dons Move
Young Hamilton Academical midfielder Lewis Ferguson has agreed a pre-contract to join Aberdeen in the summer. The 18 year old's Accies contract expires at the end of the season and he will join the Dons on a free transfer. Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said: "When he first got into the Hamilton development teams and played against us, we took a closer look at him. Lewis is a promising young player who I look forward to developing. We cannot always go and get ready-made players at Aberdeen, but we can identify good youngsters and Lewis is one I have watched and liked for a while. It became known to us a few weeks ago that he had failed to negotiate a deal to re-sign at Hamilton, so we took advantage of that and we are delighted to get him. He is 18, six foot one, strong, can do a bit of everything and I think he will only get better. He played with an edge but has two good feet and is technically good. He is young in his years, but we feel he has the potential to be an Aberdeen player."
Burnley Secure Europa League Place
Despite not even playing on Saturday, Premier League side Burnley have made mathematically certain that they will be playing in Europe next season after Everton failed to beat Southampton. If they finish in their current position, 7th, they will go into the qualifying play-offs, but they can still make it straight into the group stages by finishing above today's opponents Arsenal in 6th.
Ferguson Undergoes Emergency Surgery
Legendary former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has had emergency surgery for a brain harmorrhage. Now 76, he retired as Man Utd managed in 2013 with 38 trophies in 26 years as their boss. United said in a statement that the procedure had gone very well but Ferguson would need a period of intensive care. Just last weekend he had looked in good spirits as he presented Arsene Wenger with a commemorative trophy on the Old Trafford pitch, so there is hope for more 'Fergie-time' yet.
Lichtsteiner Set For Exit
Juventus fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner has revealed that he is leaving Italian football at the end of the season. The 34 year old Switzerland international made his 300th Serie A appearance on Saturday before revealing that this will be his last season with Juve and that he is looking to leave Italy. Lichtsteiner said: "These are my last 14 days at Juventus. I need new challenges and motivation. I have improved in my mentality. I didn't know what it meant to play at Juventus when I arrived, as there is pressure and obsession for the victory. At Lazio we had to defend in the final third, here in midfield. My future will be outside of Italy. I won't say where yet, as I haven't signed."
Delboy Expects To Leave Barca
Former Everton winger Gerard Delulofeu expects to leave Barcelona in the summer, just a season after re-signing for the Catalan giants. Deulofeu has spent the second half of the season on loan at Watford after falling out of favour and now expects to move on in the summer transfer window. Deulofeu told Cadena Ser: "I do not think I'll return to Barca. They gave me up and I wanted to go on loan. It's clear that I don't think I'll come back. The coach wants me to stay. I have to see, go slowly and analyse it well. We will see with my agent what happens. At the moment we are calm."
Mark Hughes Hits Out At Moss
Southampton manager Mark Hughes has heavily criticised referee Jon Moss, blaming the official's lack of fitness and poor decision making for his team's failure to hold onto the 3 points at the end of the game. Hughes said: "The assistant referee is about two or three yards away and clearly sees it isn't a foul but Jon Moss, as he usually is about 30 yards behind play, decided to give a free-kick. To compound that situation he allows them to take it from the wrong position, 10 to 15 yards ahead. I am telling you what you already know. We are just disappointed with the performances of the officials because it has had a direct impact on us. It was hard on us because I thought we were very comfortably and clearly we were going to see the game out quite comfortably in my view. Having the sending-off and then referees not doing their job happens too often. Before games we shouldn't as management teams worry about which referees we have got, but it happens too often and that's what everyone does, you worry about the referees about being strong enough. You shouldn't have to worry about it. They should be the best and unfortunately they are not." Hughes was then asked whether he had spoken to Moss: "No. What is the point? He is probably getting his breath back."
A-League Final Decided By VAR Failure
The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have admitted that a technical glitch meant that the VAR was unable to view footage of the deciding goal in the A-League final, which led to it being awarded despite a clear offside. Melbourne Victory beat Newcastle Jets to lift their 4th Australian title 1-0 courtesy of the poor decision by the officials which VAR was unable to overturn. A-League chief Greg O'Rourke said: "The technology itself failed and the broadcast angles required were unavailable. We are working with Hawkeye to thoroughly understand why it did and what can be done to prevent this happening again. We are extremely disappointed at this failure of the VAR technology and we understand the disappointment and frustration of the Newcastle Jets, their fans and indeed all football fans." This is the second time in recent weeks that an offside goal had been allowed to stand after VAR failed following an incident in the Portugese Primeira Liga in a match between Ave and Boavista when a giant flag obscured the view of one of the cameras.
Written by Tris Burke May 06 2018 06:29:46