Football News: Review Of The Day 12th March 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Cristian Ansaldi has extended his deal with Torino until 2021.

Ajax have given Klaas-Jan Huntelaar an extended deal which runs until 2020.

Transfers

Defender Ben Frempah has joined Wycombe Wanderers on non-contract terms for the remainder of the League One season. The 23 year old, previously with Ross County, has been training with the club ever since he featured as a pre-season trialist.

Udinese's Iraqi left-back Ali Adnan has been loaned to Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.

Congo Turn To Experience

The Democratic Republic of Congo have recalled veteran former Norwich City and Hull City forward Dieumerci Mbokani for their win-or-bust clash against Liberia in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers. DR Congo have to win to give themselves a chance of qualification from Group G. Mbokani has not been included in their squad since the 2017 AFCON.
DR Congo squad:
Goalkeepers: Auguy Katembwe Kalambay (SM Sanga Balende), Ley Matampi Mvumi (Al-Ansar, Saudi Arabia), Anthony Mossi Ngawu (FC Chiasso, Switzerland)
Defenders: Issama Mpeko Djos (TP Mazembe), Djuma Shabani Wadol, Glody Ngonda Muzinga, Padou Bompunga Botuli (all AS Vita Club), Arthur Masuaku (West Ham, England), Bobo Ungenda Muselenge (Primeiro de Agusto, Angola), Christian Luyindama Nekadio (Galatasaray, Turkey), Merveille Bope Bokadi (Standard Liege, Belgium), Marcel Tisserand (Wolfsburg, Germany)
Midfielders: Jacques Maghoma (Birmingham City, England), Chancel Mbemba (FC Porto, Portugal), Paul-José Mpoku Ebunge (Standard Liege, Belgium), Tresor Mabi Mputu (TP Mazembe), Fabrice Luamba Ngoma, Nelson Omba Munganga (both AS Vita Club), Youssouf Mulumbu (Kilmarnock, Scotland)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Beijing Guoan, China), Yannick Bolasie (Anderlecht, Belgium), Dieumerci Mbokani Bezua, Jonathan Bolingi (both Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Elia Lina Meschack (TP Mazembe)

Ghana Drop Captain

Ghana have left out their national team captain, Asamoah Gyan, as the striker has struggled with injury this season playing in Turkish football for Kayserispor. The former Sunderland forward has been replaced by former Crystal Palace forward Kwesi Appiah, now at AFC Wimbledon.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa), Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders: Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Lumor Agbenyenu (Göztepe SK, Turkey), Andy Yiadom (Reading FC, England), Amos Frimpong (Asante Kotoko), Nuhu Kassim (Hoffenheim, Germany), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy), John Boye (Metz, France), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium)
Midfielders: Andre Ayew (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Kwame Bonsu (Asante Kotoko), Ernest Asante (Al Jazira, UAE), Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Alhassan Wakaso (Vitória Guimarães, Portugal), Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace, England), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy)
Forwards: Caleb Ansah Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China), Kwesi Appiah (AFC Wimbledon, England)

South Africa Make Surprise Choices

South Africa's head coach Stuart Baxter has surprisingly included two midfielders in his squad who have not played any first team football for their clubs after just returning to action from long term injuries. Keegan Dolly has been out since September, when he broke his fibula, while Bongani Zungu has also been out since September, but with a knee injury. Both players have made just one reserve team appearance on their way back to fitness.
South Africa squad:
Goalkeepers: Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sfiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Aubrey Modiba (SuperSport United), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Bidvest Wits)
Midfielders: Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford, England), Thulani Serero (Vitesse FC), Bongani Zungu (Amiens, France), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Strikers: Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebo Mothiba (Racing Strasbourg, France), Percy Tau (Royal Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium), Lars Veldwijk (Sparta Rotterdam)

German Club Stages Far-Right Tribute

A 4th tier club in Germany has been at the centre of a row after the club, fans and a player paid tribute to a far-right activist and known football hooligan before and during a match. Chemnitzer FC's main sponsor, the Sparkasse Chemnitz bank has already informed the club that it will withdraw its backing when the current sponsorship deal ends this season. Chemnitzer have said they will press charges against fans for displaying banned flags, but the club itself was part of the tribute, as they held a minute's silence in honour of Tommy Haller, which was also displayed on the stadium's video screen, while fans held up a big banner reading "Rest in peace, Tommy". Haller was a co-founder of a group called 'HooNaRa' (standing for Hooligans, Nazis, Racists) in the 1990s and also ran a security firm which provides stewards for the stadium. He was known for playing a part in building up the far-right youth scene in the city and for his involvement in violent far-right protests in August. Sources within the club have been quoted by local media as saying that there had been threats of violence against the club if they did not hold the tribute, but chief executive Thomas Uhlig has resigned after accepting responsibility for it. Chemnitzer striker Daniel Frahn has been fined after he scored one of the goals in Saturday's 4-4 draw, which took place after the tribute, and held up a black T-shirt bearing the slogan: "Support you local hools" (which is German slang for hooligans).

QPR Launch Probe Into McClean Abuse

After a video circulated on social media showing a section of Queens Park Rangers fans shouting abuse at Stoke City winger James McClean and asking him "where's your poppy?" QPR are launching an investigation in an attempt to identify those who were involved. A QPR statement read: "The club wholly condemns such abuse. An internal investigation is now under way as we seek to identify those involved." McClean chooses not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt in November. Sadly it seems some people forget why so many of their ancestors fought and died in two world wars. While they claim that McClean is insulting their memory, it is those who abuse him for using the freedom of choice that was fought for that are disrespecting the occasion. Those same people will no doubt claim they should have freedom of speech to abuse him, but forget that he should also be entitled to the freedom of choice.

Quieroz Calls Up Youngsters

New Colombia head coach Carlos Quieroz has called up a number of youngsters for a pair of friendlies in Asia later this month. Three 22 year olds that have only recently made their national debuts have been called up again. Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, Boca Juniors midfielder Sebastian Villa and Luis Diaz of Junior Barranquilla have all been included in the squad to jet off to Asia for games against Japan and South Korea.
Colombia squad:
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Andres, Vargas Gil, Ivan Mauricio Arboleda
Defenders: Santiago Arias, Helibelton Palacios, Davinson Sanchez, Jeison Murillo, Yerry Mina, William Tesillo, Cristian Borja, Deiver Machado.
Midfielders: Wilmar Barrios, Gustavo Cuellar, Andres Uribe, Jefferson Lerma, James Rodriguez, Juan Fernando Quintero, Sebastian Villa, Luis Diaz.
Forwards: Radamel Falcao, Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, Alfredo Morelos.

Scotland Lose McGregor

Scotland will have to plan for the future without goalkeeper Allan McGregor after the 37 year old announced his international retirement. Rangers number one has decided to concentrate on club football saying: "This decision was an extremely hard one for me to make. It's a sad day for me to bring an end to my international career, but unfortunately I feel it is a decision I have to make. I am playing over 50 games each season, but I know my body and at this stage of my career I need to use the international breaks to rest up to help ensure that I play at the top level for as long as possible."

Man Charged With Assault On Smalling

The idiot who ran onto the pitch to give Manchester United defender Chris Smalling a shove after Arsenal went 2-0 up against them has been charged with assault. 30 year old Gary Cooper from Surrey is also facing a charge of 'encroaching on to the playing area', alongside the common assault one.

Fan Jailed For Attack On Grealish

While we are on the subject of imbeciles who run on to the pitch, Paul Mitchell, the moron Birmingham City fan who punched Aston Villa's Jack Grealish from behind, has been jailed for 14 weeks and ordered to pay £350 in fines and costs, which includes £100 compensation to Grealish. The cock from Cock Hill Lane has also been banned from attending any football matching in the UK for 10 years. Birmingham have banned Mitchell for life from attending any of their matches, home or away. Police are also investigating "offensive social media posts" aimed at Grealish, referencing his younger brother who died when Jack was 4 years old. Birmingham have already acted to ban one supporter for life over what they described as "vile and malicious" tweets. Birmingham are also investigating the actions of one of their stewards during the Villa players' celebration of their winning goal.

Silva Facing FA Charges

After his furious argument with officials at the end of his Everton team's 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United, manager Marco Silva is facing improper conduct charges from the FA. Silva was unhappy that his team threw away a 2 goal lead due to his inability to organise a defence and lack of tactical knowhow. Ooops sorry, Silva was unhappy that Everton did not get a penalty and also claimed that Newcastle's winning goal was "a clear offside".

Bolton Players Turn To PFA For Help Over Still Unpaid Wages

Despite Bolton Wanderers' owner and chairman Ken Anderson publicly stating that all staff salaries would be paid by Monday, players at the club have turned to the Professional Footballers' Association for help after claiming that they have still not received their wages for February. A statement from the players read: "We were promised our wages and staff wages would be paid by Monday - unfortunately, that hasn't happened. With no idea of when our wages will be paid our only option is to ask the PFA to take it up with the EFL (English Football League) and start proceedings on our behalf. Hopefully the issue gets resolved very soon so we can all move forward as a group and put all our focus into winning games of football and staying in the league." The statement also stated that the players "feel extremely let down by Anderson". The club issued a statement in response: "We are disappointed that the players have taken this course of action. However, we will continue to have ongoing dialogue with them. The takeover process is progressing and all parties are working hard to reach a speedy completion. We hope to be able to make a further statement prior to Tuesday evening's game. Once finalised, all outstanding salaries will be paid as a matter of urgency." This is the second time this season that the PFA have had to step in over unpaid wages.

City To Set Up Compensation Fund For Abuse Victims

After a former Manchester City youth coach, Barry Bennell, was convicted of 43 charges of child sex abuse, some of it related to his work with the club, City have set up a compensation fund to pay damages to victims of the abuse. Man City are also expecting claims against another former youth coach of the club, John Broome who has passed away since his time working with the youth set-up in the 1960s. Three of Bennell's victims sued the club in 2016 amid claims the club knew of his actions but failed to stop him. One of his victims, Gary Cliffe saying: "They let us down, they didn't challenge him. They knew who he was and they allowed it to continue because he was producing results." The other club heavily involved in working with Bennell, Crewe Alexandra have been trying to avoid any liability by quoting technicalities according to victims. One former Crewe player, Steve Walters, has said that the club told him he waited too long to report abuse and refused to accept any liability.

Zidane Returns To Madrid

Not even a full season has passed since Zinedine Zidane quit his role as Real Madrid head coach but the Frenchman returns as the 3rd appointment in that short time! Zizou has agreed a contract which runs until 2022 as Madrid's beleagured president Florentino Perez tries desperately to keep his hold on the presidency. Zidane and Perez clashed in the summer as Perez wanted the team built around Bale, while Zidane wanted major changes to the side, including Bale being offloaded.

Written by Tris Burke March 12 2019 04:53:11