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Football News: Pulis Joins Chorus Calling For Reduced Ticket Prices, Everton Rule Out China Sale And More

Pulis Joins Chorus Calling For Reduced Ticket Prices, Everton Rule Out China Sale And More
Image from: zimbio.com

1. Scorer of the first Euro Championship qualifying goal dies
The Soviet Union's Anatoli Ilyin scored just four minutes into European Championship qualifying, on 28th September 1958, as the brand new continental competition launched. His goal helped the Soviet Union to beat Hungary 3-1 and to start them on the path to win the first Euros in 1960, though Ilyin never made that particular squad. He did also win Olympic gold in Melbourne with his country, scoring the only goal of the final as the USSR beat Yugoslavia. Five Soviet league titles and two Soviet Cups also passed through his hands in a career spent entirely with home-town club Spartak Moscow, with him finishing league top scorer in 1954 and 1958. Retiring from playing in 1962, Ilyin worked as a coach in the Spartak academy until his final retirement in 1996. Anatoli Ilyin passed away at the age of 84.

2. Pulis joins calls for reduced Premier League ticket prices
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has called on Premier League clubs to put a cap on the price of away tickets and stop milking supporters. Pulis has told the BBC that English football needs to take action to restore the fading atmosphere in grounds and to avoid pricing out a younger generation. "With all the money coming in, I'd love to see that atmosphere come back," said Pulis. "I'd love away supporters to only pay £10 a ticket: whatever ground you go to, make it £10. You can give 5-6,000 tickets to the away support, they'd sell them and we'd get back to the atmospheres we used to have. That's one thing the Germans have got over us at the moment: every ground you go to the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. It'll help the supporters as well. Clubs are getting enough money to subsidise and help the public. We've got to do more for the youngsters, to keep the youngsters involved. This is the greatest football nation in the world, we produce great players because of our systems, the way we work, the way we are - but we've got to make sure we're not milking, milking and milking. We've got to give something back."

 

3. Blanc signs PSG extension
With Paris Saint-Germain 24 points clear at the top of France's Ligue 1 and unbeaten domestically this season (though there is very little competition), PSG have tied head coach Laurent Blanc to the club with a contract extension taking him to 2018. The Qatari-owned PSG, backed by more cash than pretty much the whole of the rest of French football put together, are still in the Champions League and set to face Chelsea in the last 16. "I want to thank the club for the faith they put in me," said Blanc. "There's still one competition that has eluded us - the Champions League - and it's very difficult to win. But one day, Paris St-Germain will win it."

4. Nasri wants to end his career at Man City
Despite barely figuring this season through injury, and being left out of their Champions League squad for the final part of the season, Samir Nasri has said he would like to finish his career with Manchester City. The 28 year old French international has seen youngster Kelechi Iheanacho move ahead of him in the pecking order, with his season disrupted by a thigh injury he picked up in October. Nasri said: "You never know what will happen in football. It would be a pleasure to finish my career at City. I have a great relationship with the chairman. It's like one big family. The club is doing everything to be the most dominant in the world. We have an ambitious owner who tries to improve the team and facilities every single year."

 

5. Everton rule out China sale
Everton captain Phil Jagielka has recently been linked with a big money move to China before their transfer window shuts. Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed the claims that he could lose his key defender. Martinez said: "There is no substance whatsoever in that." Jagielka has been with Everton since 2007, joining them from his first club Sheffield United for just £4.5m.

6. Griezmann rules out move
With Chelsea interest being mooted in Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, the French star has insisted he has no interest in leaving. The 24 year old has been a revelation since joining from Real Sociedad, where he scored 52 times in 201 games. Since joining Atleti, his goalscoring has stepped up, with 44 goals in just 84 games. "I'm fine here, I'm at ease," explained Griezmann. "I want to continue here and I think the club's intention is not to sell, so I'm not going."

 

7. Manchester United pair in keepy up battle
Memphis Depay and Josh Harrop warm up for their U21s match with Norwich City in an unusual way:


8. Excellent finish - golazo
In the match between San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors

 

9. Worst dive ever?
For Valencia against Celtic in a youth match, David Pascual throws himself down while not even near the Celtic player. What is most amazing is the ref bought it!



10. New Hoffenheim head coach named
Hoffenheim's U19 coach Julian Nagelsmann was set to take over the first team's head coach role in the summer, but, following Huub Stevens surprise resignation, he has stepped up early. The 28 year old is the youngest head coach in the Bundesliga.


Hoffenheim press release

Written by Tris Burke February 11 2016 15:52:49