Football News: Review Of The Day 29th September 2018

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Review of the Day

Seagulls Extend Kayal Deal

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Biram Kayal has signed a one-year contract extension. The 30 year old Israeli international, signed from Celtic in January 2015, is now tied down until June 2020. Manager Chris Hughton said of his first Brighton signing: "I am delighted for Biram, he has been an important member of the squad and a very loyal servant to the club ever since he joined us almost four years ago. He is a player I know I can rely on, and he demonstrated his dependability on Saturday against Spurs when he came on early in the game, and I thought he was excellent for us in midfield. He's been through some tough times as well, coming through a couple of bad injuries, but he has always come back stronger and been a reliable member of the squad. Biram adds great competition for those midfield places, and I am really pleased he's agreed to extend his time at the club."

Robins Continue Signing Spree

Cheltenham Town have agreed to sign free agent striker Luke Varney on a deal until the end of the season. The 35 year old is mainly a lower-leagues journeyman, though he did have a year in the Premier League with Blackpool and spent last season with Burton Albion before his release in the summer.


Vegan Gloucestershire Club Named Greenest In The World

Forest Green Rovers have added the title of "greenest football club in the world" to their accolades. The League Two club is already the world's first UN certified carbon-neutral football club and one of just 15 organisations to win a UN Momentum for Change climate action award. Chairman Dale Vince claims that they have created a "new kind of football club" with the ground powered by renewable energy and serving vegan food to players, staff and fans and has a stadium roof covered with solar panels. Rainwater is collected and recycled, the pitch is cut by a solar-powered lawnmower, waste cooking oil is recycled into biofuel and is planning a new ground made entirely of wood.

Burnley And Olympiakos Fined By UEFA

Incidents between Burnley and Olympiakos during the two legs of their Europa League play-off have led to the two clubs being fined. The first leg in Athens saw one Burnley fan stabbed and 4 others injured before the match and Olympiakos were fined 41,000 euros for fans "throwing objects, setting off fireworks and blocking stairways. The second leg at Turf Moor led to a fine of 5,000 euros handed to Burnley after objects were thrown.

Kabasele Wins Red Card Appeal

Watford have won their appeal against a red card given to centre back Christian Kabasele during the midweek EFL Cup 3rd round defeat by Tottenham Hotspur. The defender will now not have to serve a ban this weekend.

Bilic Gets New Job

Slaven Bilic, out of work since being sacked by West Ham United in November 2017, has been appointed manager of Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad. Al-Ittihad have lost three of their four matches this season. Bilic has agreed a 3 year deal with the club.

Berlusconi Buys New Club

Former AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has bought Italian 3rd division side Monza. The former Italian Prime Minister, convicted criminal and host of bunga bunga parties, sold AC Milan in 2017 after 31 years as owner. Monza were once owned and nearly completely destroyed by Clarence Seedorf, in a period from 2009 until 2013 which are best remembered for protests, economic storms, constant changes to the board and bench and his shoehorning of brother Chedric and cousin Stefano into the set up. They will hope for better luck with Berlusconi.

Ronaldo Threatens Law Suit Over Rape Allegations

The lawyers for Juventus's Portugese megastar Cristiano Ronaldo have threatened to sue Der Spiegel over its "blatantly illegal" claims that Ronaldo had been accused of rape by an American woman in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. After the incident took place, Ronaldo and the woman agreed a cash settlement of $375,000.

Mayor Intervenes To Hold Up Bordeaux Sale

French Ligue 1 side Girondins Bordeaux have had their sale to an American investment fund delayed after an intervention by the city's mayor. General American Capital Partners (GACP) had expected to receive the go ahead at a council meeting on Friday, but the mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe, took the item off the agenda while the fund clarifies the debt that would be left owed by the club and how they would make the saving of 10million euros they stated they would make this year. Jupp said that he had expected the club to be free of debt and only discovered on Thursday that it would not be the case.

Nice Supporter Claims Police Assault

Police have begun an investigation into allegations that police officers knocked a Nice supporter unconscious at a Ligue 1 match last weekend. The man, identified only as Christophe B, has alleged he was assaulted by riot police after arriving at Montpellier's stadium and suffered a broken nose, fractured eye socket and concussion. Christophe told newspaper Nice-Matin: "The police met us at a motorway rest stop and took us to the Stade de la Mosson. They were very professional and there was no problem. I was searched and had my little bottle of alcohol. A steward said to me: 'You're not going in with that, so if you want to drink it, you finish it here.' And so I did. During that time, another police officer did not stop insulting me and promised me I wouldn't get into the stadium, all of it gratuitous. I didn't answer him. Verbal provocation isn't a problem for me. The steward told me to stay where I was and only talk to him. So I threw away my bottle as I went in and the police officer insulted me again: 'Get out of here! You're not coming in.' It was then that I answered back and asked him to talk better to me. The policeman grabbed me by the throat and pushed me back several metres before pinning me to the fence. I found myself surrounded by 10 riot police. At the start, I let it happen, then I reacted. I tried to take his hand away, which was strangling me, and it was then I started taking punches. I couldn't move. I tried to defend myself. It lasted 30, 40 seconds before I lost consciousness." Christophe claims he still had boot marks on his face and awoke in a pool of blood before spending 30 hours in custody before appearing in court on Monday accused of aggravated assault. After video footage of the incident was shown to the judge, the charge was immediately dismissed and Christophe filed a complaint against the police.

Toffees Suspend Head Of Youth Recruitment

Following the Premier League's announcement of an investigation into alleged tapping up of a former Cardiff City youth player in 2016, who has since joined Manchester United, Everton have suspended Martin Waldron, the head of recruitment for their Finch Farm youth academy.

Written by Tris Burke September 29 2018 06:12:19