Football News: Review Of The Day 24th March 2022

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Review of the Day

Become a Patron!

Contracts

Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has extended his contract until 2026.

Almeria forward Dyego Sousa has signed a new deal which will expire in 2024.

Cagliari's Italian defender Giorgio Altare has signed up until 2026 with the Serie A club.

Granada have extended veteran forward Jorge Molina's contract by a year to keep the 39-year-old at the club until 2023.

Brentford left-back Rico Henry has signed a new deal to tie himself to the club until 2026 with a club option for another year on top of that.

Experienced midfielder Robbie Willmott has extended his contract with Newport County to run until the end of next season.

Transfers

Ukrainian Premier Liga side Chornomorets Odessa have loaned Swedish defender Douglas Bergvist out to Kalmar FF.

Rostov's young Norwegian midfielder Magnus Knudsen has joined Lillestrom on loan.

Brazilian winger Thiago has joined Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo on loan from Flamengo.

Sunderland's former Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has retired from playing aged 39.

Injury Round Up

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has pulled out of the England squad with illness and been replaced by Southampton keeper Fraser Forster to produce the worst trio of England goalkeepers in my memory of Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Fraser Forster.

Everton winger Andros Townsend is sidelined for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Republic of Ireland have called up uncapped Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary to their squad after Portsmouth's Gavin Bazunu withdrew with illness.

Managerial Changes

FC Utrecht have appointed former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat as a special assistant at the club to help interim head coach Rick Kruys.

Disciplinary Charges

Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous is to serve a 4-game ban in the SPFL after failing in an appeal, which the Scottish FA deemed frivolous.

Swansea City have been fined £5,000 for their players' reaction to Ryan Manning's red card against Fulham after failing in an appeal. Manning was banned for 4 games, due to it being his second red card of the season. The club's goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton has been fined £3,000 and banned from involvement in two matches for "abusive, insulting and improper" behaviour in or around the changing area from the same game.

Crawley Town have been fined £1,000 by the FA due to their players behaviour just before half-time during the 2-1 loass against Exeter City.

Ukraine Invasion

Chelsea have been given an alteration to their license to allow them to sell tickets, with all proceeds to go to the Premier League for distribution. Chelsea have asked for those proceeds to be donated to victims of the war in Ukraine. Part of the license change also allows for Roman Abramovich's Fordstam Ltd to pay £30m into Chelsea for running costs.

Euro 2028 Bids

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland have submitted an expression of interest into jointly hosting the 2028 European Championships. The quintet were initially considering a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup but decided to focus on Euro 2028 instead. Both Russia (despite their current ban from international football) and Turkey have also expressed an interest. Russia, Turkey and Italy have also expressed interest in hosting the 2032 edition of the Euros.

Pogba Reveals Depression

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed he suffered depression while Jose Mourinho managed the club. Pogba told La Figaro: "I've experienced depression many times in my career, but you don't talk about it. Sometimes, you don't know you're depressed, you only want to isolate yourself, be alone, and these are signs that don't deceive. Personally, it started when I was with Jose Mourinho in Manchester. You ask yourself questions, wonder if you're at fault, because you have never lived moments like these in your life. I don't want these negative moments to make me forget all my achievements, but it's not necessarily easy. And when you can't do it all alone I talk a lot with 'Uncle Pat' [Evra], former players who lived it, because they'll understand you right away. Talking, being listened to, getting out all this anger and depression that gnaws at you, it's mandatory for me. Of course, we earn a lot of money and we can't complain, really, but it doesn't stop you from going through these moments. Just like everyone in life, some moments are more difficult than others. Because you earn money, you should always be happy? That's not how life is. But, in football, it's not accepted, even though we're not superheroes, only human beings. Football is the most individual team sport, you're judged every three days, you have to be good all the time although we have problems just like everyone has. Obviously, you'll feel it in your body, in your mind, and you can feel unwell for a month or even a year. But you can't say it. At least publicly. Everything's in your mind, your mind controls everything and every high level athlete go through these moments, but only a few talk about it. If you're not mentally strong, you're dead, in this sport. These trials forge you, but you can't give up."

Potters Finances Eased

The bet365 group have converted £40m of loans to the football club they own, Stoke City, into equity in the club's holding company. They have also waived £120m of shareholder loans. Stoke are in their fourth season in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League, their first without parachute payments. Plans to redevelop the club's stadium and training ground were announced last month.

Become a Patron!

Written by Tris Burke March 24 2022 13:02:04