Football News: Review Of The Day 23rd May 2018
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Review of the Day
FIFA Finds Insufficient Evidence Of Russian Doping
Following on the heels of German broadcaster ARD alleging that the samples of Russia's 2018 World Cup squad were not properly investigated, FIFA have said they found 'insufficient' evidence of doping among the Russian World Cup squad. "Investigations concerning all Russian players named for the provisional squad of the Fifa World Cup in Russia have been completed, with the result that insufficient evidence was found to assert an anti-doping rule violation," said a Fifa statement.
Stoke Appoint Rowett
After failing to get him in January, Stoke City have finally got their man as they appoint Gary Rowett on a 3 year deal. Despite the Potters getting relegated, Rowett has decided to jump ship from Derby County, who will also be in the Championship with them next season, after Rowett failed to win promotion with them. The owners of Stoke, the Coates family said: "We are delighted to be able to move so quickly to secure Gary's services and we are now looking forward to working with him towards our objective of returning to the Premier League as soon as possible."
35 Clubs Accused Of Match-Fixing In Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have claimed that they have uncovered the actions of five criminal groups involved in at least 57 cases of match-fixing and involving over 300 people. 35 clubs, including 5 in the top flight. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov added: "Club presidents, former and current players, referees, trainers and commercial organisations were involved."
Milan Face FFP Problems
AC Milan face punishment for breach of financial fair play rules after UEFA referred their case to its adjudicatory body to make a ruling, following an investigation into their financial affairs. UEFA have said that there remained uncertainties related to the refinancing of a loan due to be paid back in October 2018.
Kane Claims England Can Win The World Cup
Finally the World Cup is beginning to feel like it is getting close as the usual pronouncements from England squad members about how they can win it have begun to emerge. Tottenham Hotspur striker and England captain Harry Kane is the first, saying: "It's impossible not to dream about lifting the World Cup. It's the biggest competition in the world. I believe we can win it - anyone can. I cannot sit here and say we are not going to win it because we could do. It is my mindset and I want to win at everything I do. The players in the team want to as well. It is worth fighting for. I am sure we have all had dreams of lifting it and it is an opportunity for us. We are not favourites but you look at this season, no-one would have thought Liverpool getting to the Champions League final. You look at Manchester United back in the Sir Alex Ferguson days, they had a young team and dominated the Premier League for years to come. Being young is not an excuse - it could be a good thing. I believe we can and that is what we want to try and do. Anything else is not good enough."
Liverpool And Rome Charged By UEFA
Oddly UEFA have just charged Roma and Liverpool over crowd disturbances in the first leg Champions League semi-final between the two sides, despite have announced charges over the second leg a while ago. Liverpool have also been charged with setting off fireworks and throwing objects.
Pellegrini To Wield Hammers
Former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been appointed new manager of West Ham United. Pellegrini said: "I am excited about this project. My mentality is always to have a winning mentality. I think that West Ham had a difficult season last season and I hope that next season we are going to play football that will delight the fans. I always play attacking football and we must try to reach important targets in the season. I am sure that, with the players we have in this moment in the squad, and bringing maybe another four or five in, we are going to have a strong team." The Chilean is believed to be the highest paid manager in the club's history, despite taking a pay cut from the salary he was on in the Chinese Super League as manager of Hebei China Fortune.
Rafa Says This Season's Liverpool Is Better Than His 2005 Winners
Rafael Benitez, the manager of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League winning side, believes that this season's squad is better than the team he won the Champions League with. Benitez said: "We achieved what we achieved - they talk about the Miracle of Istanbul - but this team is better. We had Stevie, of course, also some players with experience and quality, Alonso and Hamann. We had players who worked very hard, we had a good balance. This team also has good balance, but the front three can make a difference on their own. We had one player who maybe could make a difference on his own, and here they have three. If we talk about the money spent, my budget was £20m. The value of this team is so much higher."
Romero Misses Out On World Cup
Manchester United's Argentine keeper Sergio Romero has been ruled out of his country's World Cup squad due to a knee injury. The 31 year old has been his country's number one choice for a long time now, amassing 94 caps, while the back ups have just 2 caps between them, both of which belong to Chelsea back up keeper Willy Caballero. Their other reserve keeper in the squad is River Plate's Franco Armani.
Transfer Round Up
Chesterfield swoop to add trio of signings while also transfer-listing their top scorer, Kristian Dennis, after he rejected a new contract. Goalkeeper Shwan Jalal has arrived, alongside midfielder Sam Wedgbury and defender Michael Nelson.
Non-league Ashford United have accepted an undisclosed fee to sell young forward Max Watters to Doncaster Rovers.
Ed Upson has joined Bristol Rovers on a free transfer from MK Dons.
St Mirren have strengthened following promotion to the SPFL with the addition of midfielder James Kellermann from Aldershot Town of the National League.
Despite Tranmere Rovers winning promotion back to the EFL, striker Andy Cook has left them to join Walsall on a free.
Nigerian international defender Leon Balogun has left Bundesliga side Mainz 05 to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion. The 29 year old has been named in the preliminary Nigeria squad for this summer's World Cup in Russia.
Middlesbrough have released defender Martin Cranie and goalkeeper Tomas Mejias.
Notts County have released eleven players including some ex-Premier League players. Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith are probably the two biggest names allowed to leave. They will be joined through the exit doors by Adam Collin, Carl Dickinson, Mike Edwards, Jonathan Forte, Elliot Hodge, Nicky Hunt, Rob Milsom, Callum Saunders and Curtis Thompson.
French Ligue 1 side Marseille have released Portugese centre back Rolando on a free.
Wigan Athletic left back Reece James has been released.
Young goalkeeper Anthony Maisonnial has left Saint-Etienne of France's Ligue 1 to join the Swiss Super League as he makes a free transfer to FC Sion.
SPAL of Serie A have signed forward Alberto Paloschi from Atalanta and midfielder Federico Viviani from Hellas Verona in a double deal worth around £6.5m.
Genoa have released midfielder Isaac Cofie.
Diego Contento has swapped Bordeaux for Dusseldorf as the left back moves on a free to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
FC Augsburg have picked up Julian Schieber on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin.
The big money move of teenage Brazilian starlet Paulinho has been confirmed. The 17 year old winger has left Vasco da Gama to join Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of nearly £24m.
Middlesbrough Appoint Bevington
Former FA executive Adrian Bevington has been appointed head of recruitment operations at Championship side Middlesbrough. Bevington was managing director of Club England in the past and spent 17 years at the FA, he has also been on the board at Aston Villa. A Boro statement read: "Adrian will be overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the department." Seems an odd choice for a recruitment role, as he has previous experience at Boro in their media department.
Ajaccio Keep Promotion Dream Alive Despite Play-Off Violence
Despite a mob of Ajaccio fans attacking the Le Havre bus en route to the French Ligue 2 play off match between the two teams, throwing stones and blocking its route to the stadium, that led to the match being postponed for two days, from its original Friday date until Sunday, the French league have refused to annul the result. Sunday's game saw 4 extra-time red cards for players and Ajaccio's manager Olivier Pantaloni was sent to the stands in a match that ended 2-2. Pantaloni then went and stood behind the goal during the deciding penalty shootout, but the result will stand despite the protests of Le Havre. Despite a pitch invasion, racist songs and other incidents in the crowd, Ajaccio will now face Toulouse for a chance to win promotion to Ligue 1. The only 'punishment' handed out was that the promotion/relegation playoff game would be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue.
Vieira Dismisses Reports Of Nice Job
NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira has dismissed talk of him leaving MLS to take over at OGC Nice this summer. Reports originating from France have claimed that he was close to agreeing a deal to take charge there, after Lucien Favre left the Ligue 1 club a few days ago. Vieira said: "It makes me smile, because of course there's no contract being signed or anything like that. This is the wrong information. I'm here, like always. I'm really happy. I really enjoy my work, I really enjoy being part of this football club. I'm just focusing and concentrating about our next game."
Dortmund Confirm Favre
While Nice might not have Vieira lined up to replace him, Lucien Favre himself has now been confirmed as the head coach of Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund parted ways with Peter Stoger after their 4th placed finish in the Bundesliga and turned to a man who has been comparatively successful in past spells in Germany with Hertha Berlin and the other Borussia, Monchengladbach.
Managerial Merry Go Round Underway In France
Troyes have sacked manager Jean-Louis Garcia following their relegation down to Ligue 2. Troyes will come up against former Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier next season as he has taken charge at RC Lens.
Wolfsburg Appoint New Director Of Sport
Jorg Schmadtke, a former sporting director at 1. FC Koln, Hannover 96 and Alemannia Aachen, has signed a deal to become director of sport at Vfl Wolfsburg from the 1st of July. Frank Witter, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: "In Jörg Schmadtke, we've found the right man for the job of restructuring the professional side of the club. He'll make sure that we return to winning ways with characteristic competency, passion and engagement. Jörg Schmadtke impressed us during talks, and his previous success in the Bundesliga is very impressive. As a person, he also fits in perfectly to VfL Wolfsburg." Schmadtke said: "I'm really excited about the task ahead. We'll closely analyse the current lie of the land and want to give the team some stability so that they can quickly regain ground in the Bundesliga and play successful football." General Managers Wolfgang Hotze and Dr Tim Schumacher said: "There's nobody better suited to this position. In Jörg Schmadtke we've found the right man to be in charge of the sporting side of Wolfsburg. Employees, fans and the team can look forward to a Director of Sport who is passionate and hungry for success."
Written by Tris Burke May 23 2018 11:09:50
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