Football News: Review Of The Day 22nd March 2020

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Review of the Day

Coronavirus Latest

Motherwell's CEO Alan Burrows believes it is "optimistic at best" to expect the Scottish season to be finished by June. Burrows is however confident that his club, which is fan-owned, is in a good financial position to survive the virus. Burrows said: "We've managed finances well over the last couple of years. In reality for us though, whilst we see ourselves in relatively good shape to get through it, it only takes one or two things to fall for us, for things to get very difficult very quickly. That not withstanding, I'm confident in the supporter base, the Well society, and extremely confident in the guys that run the club to help us get through this issue. If we're being realistic, we've got to understand having the season completed before the end of June, which is the deadline for the domestic fixtures to be complete by Uefa, is very optimistic. It's all going to depend on circumstance. A lot of the SPFL payments are determined on where you finish. Maybe those payments are the raft that keeps clubs afloat in the summer. There are a lot of really tough decisions to be made, but at this moment in time, we need to wait for the next week or two to hopefully get clarity from government in terms of what's going to happen, then really difficult work begins to decide what we're going to do here in terms of playing out the season or if it is finished, how it is decided."

Portsmouth quartet James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga have become the latest professional footballers to test positive for the coronavirus. The four are all self-isolating according to the club. Pompey's chief executive Mark Catlin said: "Football is not immune from this virus and I can assure you that it only really hits home when those that you know contract it." Cannon rooms with Portsmouth captain Tom Naylor, who has also had to go into isolation.

The chairman of the English Football League, Rick Parry, has said that the EFL should not ask the Premier League for financial help during the coronavirus pandemic. Parry said: "I'm not a fan of the begging-bowl culture. [Rather than] just looking for handouts, it's better to go with a self-help mentality, saying 'this is what we've done, this is the problem that we find ourselves in, so how can we all help to produce a better future?' I think it's much better, in dialogue with the Premier League, to talk about sustainable futures and how we might be able to have a reset going forward. We've already been looking at measures to control costs. In the Championship, wages represent 107% of turnover of clubs. That is completely and utterly unsustainable in any climate. In this climate, it comes home to roost very quickly when there's no money coming through the door. We need to have better cost-control measures. I'm sure we will because, if this doesn't focus minds, frankly, what will."

AS Roma have pledged to fund three intensive care ventilators and eight beds for a hospital in Rome. The club's first team players and coaching staff each donated a day's salary to take their fundraising campaign to around £424,000. Roma have already delivered 13,000 FFP2 masks and 120 500ml bottles of hand sanitisers to hospitals in the Italian capital on Tuesday. On Thursday they gave 8,000 pairs of protective gloves and 2,000 bottles of sanitising hand gel to churches in the city, to be handed out amongst the vulnerable in their communities.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna have donated one million euros to the fight against coronavirus, while Manchester City's Leroy Sane also made a sizable donation. The Lewandowskis said in an interview with Bild: "We are all aware of the difficult situation. Today we all play in a team. Let us be strong in this fight. If we can help someone, let's do it. This situation affects every one of us, so we ask you to follow the instructions and listen to those who know best. Be responsible."

Manchester United and Manchester City have come together to pledge £50,000 each to the Trussell Trust, which supports a network of over 1,000 food banks. A joint statement issued read: "We are proud of the role our supporters play in helping local food banks and recognise the increased strain likely to be placed on these charities by the impact of coronavirus. At a time of challenge for our community, we are pleased to come together with our fans to help vulnerable members of society in a City United.

Wilfried Zaha has offered the NHS free use of 50 properties the Crystal Palace forward owns for staff to stay in. Zaha said: "If you do good, good will come to you. It is clear that my intentions are that all I want to do is help at every opportunity, especially in the crazy period we are going through. Health workers please reach out. We have already had feedback; this is exactly what we wanted to achieve."

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has donated £20,000 to the charity Age UK saying: "Let's do all we can to protect the older generation."

Everton put £50,000 into a new outreach programme called 'Blue Family' to help "the most vulnerable, socially isolated and at-risk people".

Paulo Dybala has become the third Juventus player to contract Covid-19, as the Argentine revealed both he and his girlfriend have tested positive. Dybala joins Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi as he wrote on social media: "Hi everyone, I just wanted just to inform you that we have received the results for the Covid-19 test and both Oriana and I have tested positive. Luckily we are in perfect conditions. Thanks for your messages."

And Another Pointless List

Transfermarkt are obviously still bored in self-isolation as they have moved onto a list of the most valuable players in 2006. What will they do when they catch up to 2020??
Player Team Value in Euros
1. Ronaldinho Barcelona 70m
2. Andrii Shevchenko Chelsea 51m
3. Thierry Henry Arsenal 50m
4. Frank Lampard Chelsea 38.5m
5. Francesco Totti AS Roma 37m
6. Michael Essien Chelsea 36.5m
7. Samuel Eto'o Barcelona 36m
8. Ruud van Nistelrooy Real Madrid 36m
9. Wayne Rooney Manchester United 36m
10. Michael Ballack Chelsea 35m
11. Gianluigi Buffon Juventus 35m
12. Patrick Vieira Inter Milan 35m
13. Adriano Inter Milan 35m
14. Kaka AC Milan 35m
15. Steven Gerrard Liverpool 34m
16. Ronaldo Real Madrid 33m
17. Alessandro Nesta AC Milan 32m
18. Alberto Gilardino AC Milan 30m
19. John Terry Chelsea 30m
20. Miroslav Klose Werder Bremen 30m
21. David Trezeguet Juventus 30m
22. David Beckham Real Madrid 28m
23. Xavi Barcelona 28m
24. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Juventus 28m
25. Gianluca Zambrotta Juventus 28m

Some Good News At Last

Liverpool fan Sean Cox, who was attacked by AS Roma supporters before the Champions League game at Anfield in April 2018, has finally been able to return home. The father-of-three suffered serious brain injuries in the attack. His wife Martina said: "his is a day we as a family have been looking forward to for a long time. While Sean still has a long road to travel, having him home with us is an incredibly important step as we come together as a family unit again. I can't thank enough those who have helped Sean along the way over the past two years. Without a doubt this support has made today possible. In particular, I would like to thank the incredible staff in Marymount Care Centre in Lucan for the care and support they have provided to Sean over the past number of months. At a time when staying at home takes on new meaning for all of us, its clear that there is no other place that Sean would rather be."

Written by Tris Burke March 21 2020 21:59:30