Football News: Review Of The Day 4th April 2019

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Review of the Day

Jose In Dig At Pogba

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho told a little anecdote when discussing Paul Pogba, his former midfielder. Mourinho said: "We would play a team that was 30 kilometres from Manchester and a player asked me if after the game if he could return to Manchester without the team and go on his own. I told him: 'If we went to London and you wanted to stay there, that would be one thing. But this is close, it doesn't make sense.' The guy was upset. But then we won the game and he asked me again. Because I was happy, I gave in a bit and said: 'At least leave on the bus and ask your chauffeur to catch up with you ten minutes from the stadium, then go as you wish.' This guy in the locker-room still wasn't happy. After all, the car was new and His Excellency would like to leave the stadium in his Rolls-Royce."

Trotters Get Stay Of Execution

Bolton Wanderers have been given more time by the High Court to allow former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini to complete his takeover of the financially stricken club. Bassini, who has been made bankrupt twice and also banned from holding a position of authority at an English Football League club for 3 years back in 2013, has said he was made to be a scapegoat for financial misconduct at Watford and that he will be producing evidence to prove that, as well as naming and shaming those responsible. Bolton now have until the 8th of May before they are due back in court.

De Jong Rejected Spurs Offer

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is set to join Barcelona in the summer, has revealed that he rejected an offer from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. De Jong said: "I considered their [Spurs'] offer long and hard. I see Tottenham as a very stable club, and they are only getting better. They give young players a chance and I see Mauricio Pochettino as a manager who really improves young players. I like the kind of football they are playing. I think it would have suited my game. The moment wasn't right. I wasn't finished at Ajax, as I hadn't yet played a full season in my own position."

Tranfers

West Ham United youngster Vashon Neufville has returned from his loan spell at Newport County early after being unable to force his way into the side.

Udinese have sent winger Ewandro Costa on loan to Fluminese. The 23 year old Brazilian only returned from a loan spell with Austria Vienna the day before.

Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer have sent a trio of players on loan to Tacoma Defiance of the USLC. Will Bruin, Nouhou and Roman Torres will be available for the second tier club.

Polish midfielder Bartosz Kapustka has returned to Leicester City from a loan spell with Belgian side OH Leuven.

Fans Fined For Pitch Invasion

Five fans have been fined between £80 and £135 each for running onto the pitch while celebrating a late equaliser during Newcastle United's match at Brighton & Hove Albion. Four of the men are still under investigation over a nose injury suffered by a female steward according to police.

Another Caretaker Made Permanent

Rochdale's caretaker boss Brian Barry-Murphy has been given the job on a permanent basis despite the club remaining in the relegation places under him. The 40 year old has won 8 points from 4 games since taking over from Keith Hill in March. Dale's chairman Andrew Kilpatrick said: "The squad are fully behind Brian and this has been fully reflected in their commitment. He is young, hungry for success and extremely talented. We have seven vital games remaining this season. I hope that everyone will get behind Brian and the team, giving them our full support for the rest of the campaign and beyond." Funnily enough we were discussing on the editor's widget caretaker managers just yesterday. Between us we could not come up with one who had been successful after being made permanent boss in English football. Has anyone any examples? Or are Barry-Murphy and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer fighting a losing battle?

Cardiff Seek Talks With Nantes To Help Them Duck Out Of Paying For Sala Transfer

Cardiff City continue to show a sickening lack of humanity regarding the transfer fee for the sadly passed away footballer Emiliano Sala, as they continue to refuse to abide by the contract they agreed to and signed. The Bluebirds continue to argue that their agreement with Nantes was not legally binding on technicalities. FIFA have given the clubs involved until 15th April to resolve the dispute amicably. Cardiff have now said that Nantes refused to respond to a request for a meeting: "Cardiff City has requested and been granted an extension to the deadline to respond to Fifa on this matter. Cardiff City recently wrote to FC Nantes proposing a meeting to discuss issues surrounding the Emiliano Sala tragedy and planned transfer, in line with Fifa's request for our two clubs to come to a resolution directly. To date, Cardiff City has not received a response from FC Nantes." I think Cardiff are missing the point, Nantes had completed their side of the deal, the deal had gone through FIFA's TMS and, to all intents and purposes Sala was a Cardiff player. The issue is down to them now finding they cannot claim on their insurance, which is something they should deal with, rather than just welching on an agreement.

Sterling Criticises Bonucci

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling, who has been suffering his own problems with racial abuse, has given his backing to under-fire Juventus forward Moise Kean, who has been criticised by his own team-mates and given partial blame for being racially abused. Kean celebrated a goal against Cagliari, while being racially abused by Cagliari fans, by facing the crowd and spreading his arms, after which the racial abuse increased. After the match both Juve team-mate Leonardo Bonucci and manager Massimiliano Allegri heaped some of the blame for the racial abuse on Moise Kean, Bonucci even saying "the blame is 50-50" when referring to the goal celebration. Raheem Sterling pointed out the comment by Bonucci and said: "All you can do now is laugh." Bonucci responded by saying on social media: "Regardless of everything, in any case... NO TO RACISM." Shame he did not just say that at the time rather than telling a TV interview: "Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his team-mates. He knows he could've done something differently too. There were racist jeers after the goal. Blaise (Matuidi) heard it and was angered. I think the blame is 50-50, because Moise shouldn't have done that and the Curva (fans) should not have reacted that way. We are professionals. We have to set the example and not provoke anyone." Thankfully, at least one man at the club, captain Giorgio Chiellini, defended Kean from the ridiculous criticism from the cretins saying that Kean "did nothing". Yaya Toure has also hit out at Bonucci's comments saying: "Having your team-mate attacking and saying things like that is unbelievable. It was totally disrespectful. When this kind of situation happens people of course look to the black players but I feel Bonucci needs to be a bit cleverer and smarter than that." Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out have pointed out that this is the third year in a row that the Italian FA have done nothing to stop racist chants by Cagliari fans aimed at black players playing for Juventus.

Mendy Testing Pep's Patience

Always injured left-back Benjamin Mendy is pushing the limits of Pep Guardiola's patience with his actions. Having spent most of his time with Manchester City injured, you would think the Frenchman would concentrate on getting back to fitness but instead he is living the high life. In September he was 3 hours late for treatment on a toe injury, as he had been out in London all night watching the boxing, as Anthony Joshua fought for the world heavyweight title, along with numerous other incidents that have been leaked but the club has refused to confirm. However footage of him out clubbing at 3:30am despite having training a few hours later saw Guardiola asked questions about Mendy's conduct. Pep said: "I would prefer him to go home earlier but I don't control the players in that situation. They are old enough to know what they have to do. I'm not his father." Mendy failed to make the squad for the weekend's game. It looks likely he will be replaced sooner, rather than later.

Written by Tris Burke April 04 2019 05:41:33