Football News: Review Of The Day 18th March 2019
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Review of the Day
Contracts
Ryan Donk has been given a year's extension with Galatasaray. The 32 year old Dutchman was due to be out of contract in the summer, but he is now contracted until 2020.
Eredivisie side Willem II have given young goalkeeper Michael Woud a new deal. He is now tied to the club until 2022.
Transfers
Colorado Rapids have recalled Kofi Opare and Clint Irwin from their short 3 day spells on loan with Switchbacks FC of the USLC. Seems an odd thing to do, send a player on loan for 3 days.
Also in Major League Soccer, Toronto FC have splashed out over £8m for Spanish midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo from KRC Genk in Belgium.
Former Colombian international full-back Pablo Armero has found a new club in the shape of Brazilian top tier side Alagoano. The 32 year old former West Ham United player was released by CD America in January.
Australian midfielder Jordan Lyden has been released by Aston Villa.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago has been released by Boca Juniors.
Maddison Shows Backing For Ref Who Booked Him
After James Maddison scored a beauty of a free kick at the weekend, he took off his shirt to reveal the message: "RIP SOPHIE I LOVE YOU" printed on his t-shirt underneath, and received a booking from match referee Michael Oliver for removing his shirt. Social media was awash with criticism of Oliver for the booking, suggesting he should have shown some compassion, but Maddison has defender him saying: "Regarding tweets about Michael Oliver, he's just doing his job and didn't have a choice. He didn't enjoy showing me a yellow and shared his condolences about the passing of Sophie which I thought was very respectful." Sophie was a 5 year old girl from Norwich, who had bone cancer and met Maddison when she was a mascot for Norwich City while Maddison played there. After she passed away in January, Maddison had promised her family he would dedicate his next goal to her, her father Alex saying: "We speak to James [Maddison] a lot and he'd told us he couldn't wait to dedicate his next goal to Sophie. We were checking the scores and were so elated for him, because he genuinely loved Sophie. Football needs more people like James."
Monchi Goes Home
Despite interest from Arsenal in his services, Monchi has decided to return to Sevilla following his sacking from AS Roma. Monchi had previously spent 17 years in his post as sporting director of the La Liga side, making the club huge profits on players such as Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic. At Roma he was never given time (or proper backing by an owner with too much mouth and not enough football knowledge) to do his thing, with AS Roma owner James Pallotta expecting an overnight miracle from a man well known to work to a long term plan.
Gabon Boot Player For Having No Club
Gabon's Football Federation (Fegafoot) have removed Gilchrist Nguema from the national squad after finding out he was not registered to a club. The 22 year old was called up by Daniel Cousin for his first ever Gabon call up, only for it to emerge that he has not had a club for a few months now. Nguema had won the league in Macau with Benfica (not the Portugese version) last season and has now been replaced by Franck Obambou, who plays for Libya's Al Ittihad. A Fegafoot statement read: "After a thorough investigation, it appears that the player who is currently staying in Gabon, has been without a club for a few months now. The national team is not a field of experimentation. The President of Fegafoot reminds the various national coaches of all categories that they have the obligation to select players in good shape to avoid desecrating the principles of performance and prestige that should govern the national teams."
Scotland Hit By Withdrawals
Scotland's squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and the might of San Marino has seen a trio withdraw, while Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson has been ruled out of the Kazakhstan clash. Jordan Archer (Millwall), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday) and Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers) have pulled out of the squad and replaced with Liam Kelly (Livingston) and Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock). Robertson has missed out after having to undergo dental surgery, which may possibly rule him out of the San Marino clash 3 days afterwards. There are also doubts over Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna.
Spurs Will Face Palace In First Match At New Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium is finally ready to host its first Premier League game with the opponents to be Crystal Palace on Wednesday 3rd April, following the postponement of the match against Brighton & Hove Albion, who progressed in the FA Cup. They are also set to play Manchester City in the Champions League quarter finals at their new home less than a week later.
Ospina Collapses Mid-Game
Arsenal's on-loan Colombian international goalkeeper David Ospina collapsed while in goal for Napoli against Udinese on Sunday. Ospina collided with Ignacio Pussetto early in the game and sustained a blow to the head before collapsing just before half-time. The 30 year old was treated on the field before being taken to hospital for treatment, but it appears he has not suffered long term damage according to Napoli. This does once again call into question the way head injuries are treated in football.
FA Cup Semi-Final Draw
Manchester City v Brighton
Watford v Wolves
Written by Tris Burke March 18 2019 04:59:44
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