Football News: Review Of The Day 28th December 2018
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Review of the Day
Hemed Out For 6 More Weeks
QPR striker Tomer Hemed, who is on loan with them from Brighton & Hove Albion for the season, faces a further six weeks on the sidelines following a hernia operation. The Israeli has not played since the 1st December and surgery will keep him out even longer.
Tractor Boys Suffer Ward Loss
24 year old midfielder Grant Ward has been ruled out for 9 months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a defeat to Queens Park Rangers. The Ipswich Town midfielder was injured in a second half challenge and stretchered off.
Grant Holt To Return To Carrow Road
Former Norwich City player Grant Holt is heading back to Carrow Road in his new guise as a professional wrestler. The club's former captain is headlining a World Association of Wrestling show on 2nd June 2019. Holt, who is now 37, only retired from playing football in August, started his professional wrestling career in May.
Three More Up For Sale
Dundee have added three more players to the transfer list, which already has Sofien Moussa, Elton Ngwatala and Kharl Madianga on it. Manager Jim McIntyre has revealed that he has added Lewis Spence, Jean Alassane Mendy and Marcus Haber will also be on their way out of the exit door at Dens Park. McIntyre said: "We've had a couple of chats with some other players. Lewis Spence has been told if he can find a club, then we will let him move on. Jean Alassane Mendy is another one that we feel will not get as much game time as he would like. Marcus Haber will also leave as well."
Spurs Trigger Alderweireld Extension
Tottenham Hotspur have triggered an extension clause in centre back Toby ALderweireld's contract which increases its term until 2020, but includes a £25m release clause, similar to Jan Vertonghen. Manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed the news on Thursday, with now both Belgian centre-backs in the same situation it does leave them open to offers.
CD Alaves have awarded new contracts to two of their players. Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco has signed until 2023, while centre back Victor Laguardia has agreed a new deal until 2022.
Cherries Lose Captain For The Season
December has been a difficult month for Bournemouth, following their loss of Lewis Cook to an ACL injury earlier in the month, with 33 year old club captain Simon Francis suffering the same injury on Wednesday. The defender was carried off on a stretcher during his side's 5-0 hammering at the hands of Spurs.
No Christmas Cheer For Lower League Duo
Oldham Athletic manager Frankie Bunn and Chesterfield manager Martin Allen have both been sacked. Bunn had been in charge of League Two Latics for 6 months after replacing Richie Wellens. Oldham had gone on a six game unbeaten run before consecutive defeats at the hands of Exeter City and Carlisle United saw him sacked. Allen had also led his side on a lengthy unbeaten run, 19 games in the league and 12 in all competitions (their longest sequence without defeat for more than a decade). However they had won just once in 22 league matches to sit in the relegation zone of the National League after losing 4-0 to Solihull Moors.
Inter To Play Behind Closed Doors After Racial Abuse
Inter Milan have been ordered to play their next 2 home games behind closed doors following the racial abuse suffered by Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly at the hands of Inter fans. A 3rd match will be played with the 'curva' section of the ground, home to the Inter 'ultras', shut. Inter are considering an appeal. The match was also marred by violence in Milan which saw one Inter fan killed after being knocked down by a van before the game. The minivans containing the Napoli fans en route to the game were surrounded by more than 100 people armed with sticks and two of those were knocked down. The man who died was an 'ultra' who had previously been banned for his part in violence at Inter matches. Four Napoli fans were also hurt in the clashes, one being stabbed.
Transfers
Robinho, the former British record transfer fee, has agreed a deal to sign for Basaksehir, where he will play alongside former Manchester City team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor. Brazilian forward Robinho, now 34, was sentenced to 9 years in prison in November 2017 by an Italian court for his involvement, along with 5 other Brazilians, of a gang rape of an Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub. Robinho pled his innocence.
Portland Timbers have sold right back Alvas Powell to FC Cincinnati for £196,000. The 24 year old made 28 appearances for the Timbers last season.
Goalkeeper Joe Bendik has moved from Orlando City to Columbus Crew.
Emery Facing FA Charge
Arsenal manager Unai Emery is set to face an improper conduct charge after kicking a water bottle which hit a Brighton & Hove Albion fan. The incident was not included in the match officials' report. Emery immediately went to the apologise and said after the game: "I said to them I'm sorry. It wasn't hard but it touched one supporter. I kicked the bottle in frustration but not at the supporters, not with this intention. It's circumstances. I apologised. I hope it's the end of the matter, yes."
Written by Tris Burke December 28 2018 06:12:21
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