Football News: Review Of The Day 9th March 2020

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Review of the Day

Transfers

Colorado Rapids have taken goalkeeper William Yarbrough on loan from Mexican Liga MX side Leon.

Former Sweden international Rasmus Elm has retired.

Injury Round-Up

Wales' former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is set to miss the European Championships this summer after suffering a ruptured Achilles. The 29 year old was playing for club side Stoke City in a 5-1 win over Hull City when he was tripped just before half-time. Manager Michael O'Neill said: "He's ruptured his Achilles, he had to be helped off at half time. You fear the worst, you hope for the player it is not the case, but the news is not what we hoped for and he will need surgery this week. It's a huge loss, he's a terrific player and a terrific lad. I am gutted for him, he had so much to look forward to with Euro 2020 as well. I am gutted for the player and it takes the shine off a 5-1 victory."

Rangers have been hit with a triple injury blow ahead of their Europa League tie against Bayer Leverkusen. Jermain Defoe, Ryan Jack and James Tavernier are all doubts for the game on Thursday evening.

Disciplinary Charges

Burton Albion keeper Kieran O'Hara, on loan from Manchester United, has been banned for six games and fined £2,500 for violent conduct. O'Hara was found guilty of biting the arm of Peterborough United player Sammie Szmodics in the 44th minute of a 1-1 draw. While Szmodics had complained to the referee at the time, no action was taken by him, though he mentioned it in his report. It was later that footage emerged which the FA believed showed O'Hara to be guilty and O'Hara is now out until April.

A misconduct charge against Birmingham City was dismissed, subject to an EFL appeal. The charge was in relation to an alleged breach of an agreed business plan.

A "senior youth coach" at Hamilton Academical was arrested at the end of last month "in connection with a reported incident relating to gambling in sport". The 36 year old man was "released pending further inquiries".

Despite the prosecutor saying that Ronaldinho would not be tried in court, a judge overruled him and the former Brazilian superstar and his brother, Roberto Assis, have been ordered to be placed in pre-trial detention. The duo were given false documents on arrival in Paraguay, whcih they claimed to have believed were a courtesy gesture. Paraguay's Interior Minister Euclides Acevedo told local media this week: "I respect his sporting popularity but the law must also be respected. No matter who you are, the law still applies."

Coronavirus Causing More Issues

Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Strasbourg has become the first top-flight game in France to be called off because of the coronavirus. A PSG statement read: "Following an order from the Bas-Rhin authorities concerning the spread of the coronavirus, the meeting is postponed." Other sporting events in the Paris region have also been called off, including the Paris Marathon.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Europa League tie against Olympiakos looks set to be played behind closed doors after the Greek government announced that all professional sports events over the next two weeks will be played without spectators.

There was chaos in Parma's Serie A match against SPAL, which kicked off 75 minutes late. The players were in the tunnel ready to head onto the pitch when they were told to return to the tunnel after Italy's sports minister requested that the league be suspended with immediate effect. The game did kick off over an hour later and SPAL went on to win 1-0. The president of the Italian players' union (AIC) released a statement calling for football to be suspended: "There is a risk for players and we must take all precautions for the security of those who play: on the pitch you certainly can't stay at a distance of one metre away. But every measure must be taken to guarantee the safety of everyone at the stadium, including staff and personnel, to reduce the risks. There are those among the players who are happy to continue, others who express their concerns. There are many foreign players too and it's obvious their families will be worried watching what's happening in Italy."

Jose Slams Ndombele Again

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has once again singled out club record signing Tanguy Ndombele for heavy criticism. Ndombele and Oliver Skipp were in midfield in the first half of the 1-1 draw at Burnley before Mourinho took both off at half time. After the game Mourinho said: "In the first half we didn't have a midfield. Of course I'm not speaking of Skipp because he's a kid of 19 who's played two hours in the last few days. I don't criticise him at all. But I'm not going to run away and I have to say he [Ndombele] has had enough time to come to a different level. I know the Premier League is difficult, and some players take a long time to adapt to a different league. But a player with his potential has to give us more than he is giving us, especially when you see how Lucas, Lo Celso and those players are playing. I was expecting more in the first half from him."

Written by Tris Burke March 08 2020 20:06:27