Football News: Review Of The Day 11th October 2018

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Review of the Day

Everton Move Got Me Recall

Everton's summer signing Lucas Digne believes he owes his France recall to his move to the Toffees. From Barcelona back up to Everton's first choice left-back and back in the France squad rather than on the standby list, as he was in the summer, Digne believes he owes it to his move. Digne told EvertonTV: "I think it (moving to Everton) is so important to my recall. When I came here I wanted to play every week, to enjoy it and discover a new country, a new league, and then see what happens (with France), but now I am so happy. I want to say thank you to my team-mates, the coach and the staff and the fans too because they helped me a lot to get the recall. We have one friendly game against Iceland and then we play Germany in the Nations League. Every game is important for the national team. You are representing your country and it's important to prove you deserve your place."

Jones Gets Two Game Ban

Despite Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones adamantly declaring his innocence, his club have decided not to appeal his 2 game ban for diving. Jones won a penalty for his team against Dundee at the weekend, which gave Killie a 2-1 win, though footage suggested there was no contact on him. A Killie statement read: "Jordan is adamant that he did not carry out an act of simulation, nor did he claim for a penalty kick or intend to deceive the referee. However, whilst we have every right to deny the allegation we are not inclined to on this occasion as we had no additional substantive evidence to submit for consideration."

Royle And Son Set To Join Wigan Board

Joe Royle and his son Darren will be a part of the new board at Wigan Athletic when the takeover is completed. Joe is a former Everton, Oldham Athletic, Manchester City and Ipswich Town manager and had returned to Everton as part of the backroom staff until leaving in December.

Belgian Clubs Raid In Fraud Investigation

An investigation into "suspicious financial transactions" during last season in Belgian football has led to raids on a number of Belgium's top football clubs, including Club Bruges, Standard Liege and Anderlecht. Agents, referees and officials from those clubs, and other clubs, are being investigated as police look into an alleged fraud involving football transfers. Bruges' manager Ivan Leko is one of a number of people being questioned, including at least one prominent agent, Mogi Bayat, who was reportedly arrested at his home. Raids were conducted on properties in a number of countries, France, Luxemburg, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia amongst them.

Benteke Undergoes Knee Surgery

Crystal Palace are expecting to lose Belgian striker Christian Benteke for just a few weeks after he underwent a minor knee operation. The 27 year old had been struggling with a knee problem that it was hoped would settle down over time, but rest was not enough to cure it. A Palace statement read: "The club can confirm Christian Benteke has undergone minor arthroscopic explorative surgery and washout of his knee. The surgeon was happy with the outcome and we expect Christian to return to training very soon. A further update will be given in a few weeks' time."

Leeds Owner Calls For Premier League 2

The owner of English second tier club Leeds United, Andrea Radrizzani, has called for the creation of a Premier League 2 in order to increase revenue in the second tier. Radrizzani said: "We lose money and we are creating a show that is high-interest for everybody. We're always on TV, maybe more than 20 times. It doesn't work. I think the other chairmen would love to open a conversation. The time is getting ready to consider what to do to move forward so we don't have a crisis every two years when a club go bankrupt or changes ownership every other year." Personally I would like to know how moving to a PL2 would change anything for the better. Unless he means to share less with the lower tiers?

Villa Appoint Smith

Lifelong Aston Villa fan Dean Smith has left Brentford, after 3 seasons of top-10 finishes, to take charge of his favourite club. John Terry has returned to Villa to work as Smith's assistant manager and Jesus Garcia Pitarch will take the sporting director role. Smith's Brentford side were actually 3 points better off than his new charges. Pitarch had previously worked as director of football at both Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

Messi's Life's A Circus

Lionel Messi's life is set to be the inspiration for a new show by Cirque du Soleil, the first to be inspired by a sports star. The show will go on a world tour in 2019. Messi said: "Cirque du Soleil is a family favourite of ours. It feels both crazy and incredible that Cirque du Soleil will create a show based on my life, my passion, my sport. I have no doubt this show will amaze people as their shows always do."

UEFA Up Nations League Money

UEFA has confirmed that each of the 55 participating European countries in the Nations League will receive more money than originally suggested. The "solidarity payment" to be made to each competing nation is being increased by 50%, as well as more prize money for the 4 league winners. The overall winner will collect 10.5m euros, an increase of 3m euros from the original expectation.

Jardim Sacked

AS Monaco have sacked manager Leonardo Jardim with the team sat 3rd from bottom in Ligue 1 with just 6 points from their first 9 games. It was just over a season ago that Jardim had led the team to a Champions League semi-final place and Ligue 1 title, their first since 2000, before seeing his star players sold en masse. Former French international striker Thierry Henry is amongst those in the running to replace Jardim.

Bale Out Of Friendly

Unsurprisingly Gareth Bale, the modern day Darren Anderton, has been ruled out of Wales' friendly with Spain and is touch-and-go to face Republic of Ireland in the Nations League in a few days' time. The 29 year old had been subbed off by Real Madrid in their 1-0 defeat at Alaves at the weekend with the injury. Wales manager Ryan Giggs said: "Gareth has got a little bit of muscle fatigue and he won't be involved against Spain. We don't want to take any risks and we are monitoring it every day. I would say he is 50-50 at the minute for the Ireland game. He had a scan last week, a couple of weeks ago with Real Madrid. We rescanned it and have done everything we can to get as much information. He feels good but we have to weigh up the risk whether he can be part of the game on Tuesday. There was a little bit on both scans - but there's always something. We're treating the symptoms but it's nothing to worry about. Either way, I expect him to be fit for Madrid's next game. I don't think I was ever 100% [when I was] playing. When you have niggly injuries it's maybe at the back of your mind until you're flying again, but I'm not worried and Gareth isn't worried. It's something of nothing but it's a short turnaround and we'll take no chances. But if he's available he's available. The medical team are constantly in dialogue with Madrid like they are with every team. Playing in Spain he wants to be a part of it [the friendly] but first and foremost health comes first - we want a fit and raring-to-go Gareth Bale."

Turan In Fight Over Woman

It has been claimed in the Turkish press that Arda Turan, the former Barcelona player, broke the nose of a singer after an argument over the artist's wife. Turan was out with friends in Istanbul, when, according to the wife, Ozlem Ada Sahin, he leaned over to talk to her, as she was sat on the next table, alone while awaiting her husband to arrive. She claims Turan said he would have made a move on her if he was not married, at which point her husband, Berkay, returned to the table and told Sahin he was sending her home. According to Sahin, Turan then punched Berkay in the face and broke his nose and Berkay was taken to hospital for surgery on his nose. Sahin claims that Turan took a gun to hospital to beg for Berkay's forgiveness, saying that he was not aware that Sahin was his wife and telling the singer to "kill him". Turan's response was to admit that there was an argument but denied that Sahin's story was true. I just wonder what Turan's pregnant wife must have thought?

Huesca Replace Franco With Francisco

Bottom of La Liga side Huesca have sacked manager Leo Franco, following 5 losses in 6 matches. The Argentine has been replaced Francisco, who had been in charge of second-tier side Cordoba for the sum total of zero matches.

Written by Tris Burke October 11 2018 06:37:36