Football News: Review Of The Day 2nd March 2019

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Review of the Day

Contracts

Levante centre back Sergio Postigo has extended his current deal until 2021.

Portland Timbers right back Nathan Smith has signed on for another year.

Midfielder Markus Henriksen and goalkeeper Will Mannion have both had their Hull City contracts extended by a year. The club had a 1 year option in their current contracts which they exercised to keep them both until 2020.

Transfers

Icelandic midfielder Emil Hallfredsson has signed for Udinese. The 34 year old was released by Frosinone in January.

Striker Quincy Amarikwa has left Montreal Impact to sign for DC United on a free transfer.

Pep Looking To Buy In The Summer

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has the most expensively assembled squad in footballing history but he is once again intent on spending in the summer. Guardiola said: "You know we are going to try for a holding midfielder and other positions we are thinking about. There are three or four positions I think we have to try to look for, and some ideas we have."

Solari Backs Important Golfer

Gareth Bale has been given backing from his Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari after the Welshman was whistled by the fans and refused to celebrate a goal with team-mates. Solari said: "Everyone knows what Bale can do and they know what he has given to the club. Bale has played in every game since returning from injury and he is scoring goals. He did it in the Club World Cup and in the Champions League final too. I have nothing to say to the fans. The fans express themselves with great respect."

Madrid Sack Youth Coach For Criticising Players

Alvaro Benito has lost his job as a youth coach with Real Madrid's U18s, despite his team being second in the youth league. The 42 year old has been doing some sidework as a pundit for TV and radio in Spain and criticised some of the first team players on the Carrusel Deportivo saying: "The problem is there are players like Casemiro who aren't even allowed to play a minute. Likewise Kroos. When the wind blows in his direction, he plays fantastically, but with headwinds you can't go sailing with him." Not sure what that even means, but apparently it annoyed the club enough that he is now out of a job. Raul is expected to succeed him in the role.

Berahino Gets Burundi Call

Burundi have kept Stoke City forward Saido Berahino in their squad for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon. It is Burundi's final qualifier and a draw would be enough to see them progress to the finals in Egypt.
Burundi squad:
Goalkeepers: Jonathan Nahimana (KMC, Tanzania), Justin Ndikumana (Sofapaka, Kenya), McArthur Arakaza (Lusaka Dynamos, Zambia)
Defenders: Frédéric Nsabiyumva (Chippa United, South Africa), Omar Moussa (Sofapaka, Kenya), Omar Ngando (AS Kigali, Rwanda), Rachid Léon Harerimana (AS Kigali, Rwanda), Mukura David Nshimirimana (VS,Rwanda), Amora Christophe Nduwarugira (TB Saad, Portugal), Abdoul Karim Nizigiyimana (Vipers FC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Gael Duhayindavyi (Mukura, Rwanda), Gael Bigirimana (Hibernian, Scotland), Pierre Kwizerae (Al Oruba, Oman), Fati Papy (Malanti Chiefs, Swaziland), Shassiri Nahimana (Al Mojzel, Saudi Arabia), Francis Mustafa (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Cédric Amissi (Al Tawoun, Saudi Arabia), Hussein Shabani (Ethiopian Coffee FC, Ethiopia)
Forwards: Saido Berahino (Stoke City, England), Abdoul Fiston (JSK (Algeria), Enock Sabumukama (Zesco United, Zambia), Selemani Y. Ndikumana (AL Adalah, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Amissi (Nec Breda, Netherlands), Laudit Mavugo (Napsa Stars, Zambia), Bienvenue Shaka (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia)

Coulibaly Loses Appeal

Partick Thistle attacker Soulimane Coulibaly has lost his appeal against a FIFA decision that he should pay Al Ahly for walking out on the club 4 months into his contract. Thistle will not be liable for any of the £1m Coulibaly has to find to pay off his debt to the Egyptian giants.

Palace Look To Track Down Supporter

Police and Crystal Palace are working together to identify a fan who mocked the Munich air disaster during Wednesday's defeat to Manchester United at Selhurst Park. Video footage of the fan emerged on social media and a Palace statement read: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour. As and when the individual is identified, we will take the appropriate course of action."

Solksjaer Fronts United Season Ticket Sales Pitch

Next season's Manchester United season tickets will be sold using interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the main face of their pitch. "I have done a video shoot. I am pleading for the fans to get their season tickets. It wasn't strange doing it but if my kids see a commercial with me in it and I'm back home in Norway, that will be strange. Everyone knows I'd like to stay of course, but that's not decided until the end of the season. But if it's me as a supporter or manager they should still buy their season tickets because the club is going somewhere."

La Liga Scraps Monday Night Games

At least one league in the world listens to their fans (well when it suits them anyway) as the Spanish league are scrapping Monday night matches due to fans' protests. Alaves fans even held a mock funeral during a Monday night game as the league saw attendances fall for the games, which had been ongoing since 2010. Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales said: "Business is important, but fans more so. There will be no more football on Mondays. From next season in La Liga, there will be football on Saturdays and Sundays. We will see what happens on Fridays, if we reach a good agreement for all."

Written by Tris Burke March 02 2019 05:41:31