Football News: Review Of The Day 6th March 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry has extended his contract with Bayern Munich to run until 2023.

Transfers

Philadelphia Union have taken Jamiro Monteiro on loan from FC Metz of France's Ligue 2.

South Yorkshire Police Heavily Criticised

South Yorkshire Police thanked fans for their good behaviour during the Sheffield derby on Monday, but the fans themselves have heavily criticised the police's "shambolic handling" of supporters amid disorder between the two sets of fans. Despite police claims, there was trouble at the game itself, with Sheffield United defender Jack O'Connell finding objects being thrown at him as he attempted to take a throw in. Despite this, police saw fit to let both sets of fans leave the stadium together, instead of the usual procedure of holding the away fans back to avoid further trouble. As soon as they left the ground, fans clashed and fireworks, coins, cans and stones were thrown, according to the police. The same police that praised the fans good behaviour also made 6 arrests due to the trouble.

Bolton Game Under Threat

With Bolton Wanderers on the verge of going out of business unless sold quickly, their home match on Saturday is under threat as the council are concerned there will be inadequate safety provisions made. With the police still owed money and the club in such dire straits financially they have closed down their training ground, the council have given the club 24 hours to prove they will be able to handle the crowd safely and provide enough stewards, despite none of them being paid so far this month. A council statement read: "We are hopeful a resolution will be found. The club has recently been unable to demonstrate it can meet the legal conditions of the ground's safety certificate. After consultation with all members of the Safety Advisory Group, the council has taken the decision to give the club 24 hours to address all safety concerns, otherwise we will reluctantly issue a prohibition notice. We understand some fans may be alarmed by this news, but the council is bound by legal process and we are not prepared to risk public safety by allowing any event to go ahead without proper resources in place."

Hibs To Upgrade CCTV

Hibernian are to invest in a new upgraded CCTV system after their current one failed to identify a fan who threw a bottle at Celtic forward Scott Sinclair on Saturday. Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster said: "Clearly this is also money we would rather be spending on football. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our security personnel, we have been unable to pinpoint the individual through the existing CCTV set-up at Easter Road Stadium. However, we are heartened that several supporters have been in touch to try and identify the person responsible and we are following up on those. In future, there will be no hiding place for those few individuals who seek to tarnish the reputation of the vast majority who do Hibernian proud on a weekly basis at grounds all over the country. Any supporter caught engaging in behaviour that places players, staff and other fans at risk will be dealt with in the strongest possible terms available to us, whether that involves exclusion from Easter Road Stadium, a Football Banning Order or criminal prosecution when appropriate."

Bamba Out For Season

Cardiff City's Ivory Coast international Sol Bamba will miss the rest of the season and the African Cup of Nations in the summer after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The 34 year old, who can also 'play' in midfield (sort of), was stretchered off during the Bluebirds' 2-0 weekend defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manager Neil Warnock said: "Unfortunately our biggest fears have been confirmed regarding the injury Sol suffered at Wolves on Saturday. Scans have shown that Sol has ruptured his ACL. He will have an operation on Wednesday and therefore miss the rest of the season. It is a major blow to the squad but I know all of our supporters will join me in wishing him the very best during his recovery." Colin will be lost without a player he once described as a better defender than Virgil van Dijk, though even he admitted he must have been drunk when he said it.

Kalu's Mother Returned By Kidnappers

Nigerian international Samuel Kalu has his mother back safe after she was kidnapped on 27th February while travelling home. The 21 year old, who was picked in Nigeria's squad for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Seychelles, is a Girondins Bordeaux player and is one of many to suffer the kidnap of a family member. Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has suffered twice the kidnapping of his father, paying a ransom last June to have him released.

Football Leaks Hacker Facing Extradition

The man at the centre of allegations he hacked the data which website Football Leaks used to expose corruption in the sport is facing extradition to his home country Portugal. Rui Pinto was arrested in Budapest, where he lives, in January due to an arrest warrant issued by Portugal. The judge at the hearing, Judit Csiszar, has said that the extradition request cannot be refused due to it being a fellow EU member state making the request. Pinto is accused of "aggravated attempted extortion, illegitimate access and theft of data from some institutions, including the state itself", charges he denies. Pinto said: "I have not committed any of the criminal acts that I am accused of, I have never received any material gain for what I have done. I appreciate all the support that me and Football Leaks received. I hope the support will increase now, I did this for the public, for all the football fans. Since the Sabado magazine (in Portugal) revealed my identity I have received several death threats, my family has been threatened at home and online. I should be on a witness protection scheme as exists for whistleblowers elsewhere in Europe. Instead, the Portuguese authorities are treating me like a criminal. It is in their interest that something bad happens to me." The documents have exposed particularly damaging allegations against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, allegations neither club have actually denied.

Sanchez Out For 6 Weeks

Manchester United will once again be without Chilean winger flop Alexis Sanchez as the 30 year old suffered a knee injury which rules him out for between 4 and 6 weeks according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Sanchez was taken off with the injury after 52 minutes of the 3-2 win over Southampton at the weekend, after just finding his way back into the first team following another lengthy injury lay-off. Makes you wonder if the poor guy is being paid in cash and having to carry his wages home each week or something. Only he does seem to have picked up a lot of injuries since joining Man Utd.

FIFA Confirm Rice's England Switch

FIFA have ratified West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice's switch of international allegiance from Republic of Ireland to England. The 20 year old, who has been in excellent form this season, played 3 times for Ireland in friendlies, but had decided to pledge his long term future to England. Rice was eligible for Ireland due to his grandparents being Irish, but he was born and lived his whole life in London. However you have to feel for Ireland, who have lost one of the most promising young players in Europe, who has been performing better and better as the season goes on.

Ox Nears Return

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be set to play for the Under-23s as he attempts to return from an ACL injury suffered last April. The 25 year old had been the surprise hit of Liverpool's Champions League run, before suffering the injury in the semi-final against Roma.

Bale Injured For A Change

Once more Gareth Bale has suffered an injury after coming on in the 29th minute as a substitute for the injured Lucas Vazquez. Welsh whinger Bale was unable to stop his Real Madrid side crashing to an ignominous 4-1 defeat at the hands of Ajax, which knocked Madrid out of the Champions League, a competition they had won 3 times in a row.

Wolves Records £1m+ Per Week Losses

Wolverhampton Wanderers accounts' have revealed that promotion to the Premier League came at a cost as last season's Championship winners lost over £57m as they bought their way into the top flight with the help of 'super' agent Jorge Mendes. Despite the losses, the club have continued to spend large sums in the pursuit of success, with over £100m spent on players since the dates these accounting figures cover.

Trio Out Of German Reckoning

Germany's head coach Joachim Low has told Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller that they will no longer be considered for selection by him. Low said: "2019 is the year of the new start for the German national team. We want to give the team a new face and I am convinced that this is the right step. The young national players will have the space they need to fully develop, and now they have to take responsibility."

And Finally.....

Spare a thought for our very own Ed003, who could finally go and watch his beloved Mandarin-clad Blackpool team, following the ousting of the odious Oystons from the Satsumas. He was so excited he arrived early to watch the warm up, clad in a brand new Clementine top, only for club captain Jay Spearing to smash a ball into the stand hitting him smack in the face, breaking his glasses and giving him a nose bleed. So now his top is more Blood Orange than Tangerine....Bless him. At least he can rest assured it was an accident, as Spearing could never have hit the target if he was trying. Well maybe if it was Ed025, as it would be more difficult to miss him.

Written by Tris Burke March 06 2019 05:42:58