Football News: Review Of The Day 1st March 2020
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Review of the Day
Transfers
DC United have signed Erik Sorga from Loudoun United.
Wuhan Zall have signed Eddy Gnahore from SC Amiens on loan.
Injury Round-Up
American international forward Timothy Weah has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The 20 year old Lille attackers had only just come back from 6 months out with a torn hamstring when he tore it once more.
MLS Reduce Transfer Cut
Major League Soccer have altered their rules to allow clubs to keep a bigger cut of any transfer or loan fee they receive for non-homegrown players. In the past, MLS took a 25% cut of the fee. In future they will take just 5% as they look to encourage teams to sell players abroad to develop the national team. I am not sure how that helps the league develop or the national team if it is just for non-homegrown players though.
IFAB Make Rule Changesd
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the rule-makers for the sport of football, have decided to make changes to the handball law, in an attempt to "differentiate more clearly" between arm and shoulder. They are also set to run trials for concussion subs, which could take place at the Olympics in Tokyo this summer. The board have also agreed to discuss changes to the offside rule to encourage attacking play.
Bundesliga Game Descends Into Farce
A one-sided match in which Bayern Munich were giving Hoffenheim a 6-0 battering, in Hoffenheim, became one of the most bizarre spectacles that competitive football has seen. The Bayern fans decided that, with their club leading 6-0 it was a good time to unfurl an offensive banner aimed at the owner and president of Hoffenheim, Dietmarr Hopp. Bayern's coach Hansi Flick, the players, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and board member Oliver Kahn all attempted to get the fans to put the banner away, to no avail. Eventually the referee took the players off the pitch and away down the tunnel and the game was suspended for 20 minutes. Eventually the game was restarted with less than 15 minutes to play, with the fans warned that the game would be abandoned if the banner re-appeared. Except that the game was no longer a contest, as the keepers never took their places in the goals and both sets of players just passed the ball around between them until the final whistle. Hopp is unpopular as he is one of just 3 exceptions to the rule in German football that members of the club (ie fans) have to have a majority voting share, after the billionaire helped fund Hoffenheim's climb from the fifth tier in 2000, to the Bundesliga in 2008. This is the second weekend in a row that a banner depicting Hopp in the crosshairs has been held up by away fans as Borussia Moenchengladbach fans did the same last weekend, delaying kick-off to their match. Earlier in February, Borussia Dortmund fans were banned from away games against Hoffenheim for the next 2 seasons after they unveiled a similar banner. As an ex-Hoffenheim manager Bayern head coach Hansi Flick was particularly incensed and was amongst many from Bayern who were involved in angry exchanges with the ultras. Most of the players were trying to remind the fans that they were winning 6-0 and that the game was in danger of being abandoned. You have to wonder what the Bundesliga will now do, as the game was a farce and this whole situation is getting out of hand.
Bayern Put Stop To Autographs And Selfies
Bayern Munich have told their players not to sign autograph or pose for selfies with fans to try and avoid spreading the coronavirus. A Bayern statement said: "Based on the recommendations of the [state-run] Robert Koch Institute and their extended implementation. Prof. Dr. Roland Schmidt, the interneal head of FC Bayern's medical department, has advised that FC Bayern players refrain from signing autographs for the time being and also from being available for photos or selfies with fans."
Written by Tris Burke February 29 2020 23:12:11
