Football News: Review Of The Day 5th May 2018

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Review of the Day

Simeone Banned From Europa League Final

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has been handed a four match touchline ban by UEFA, which starts with the Europa League final later this month. Simeone was found guilty of insulting a match official during the first leg of Atletico's semi-final with Arsenal. He was sent to the stands at the time of the incident but will now have to serve the touchline ban as well as pay a fine of 10,000 euros. Atletico have also been fined 10,000 euros because their fans threw objects onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium.

Madrid To Refuse Barca Guard Of Honour

Real Madrid will not give Barcelona the traditional guard of honour before Sunday's game between the two at the Nou Camp. In 2008 Barca gave Madrid the guard of honour after Madrid had just won the league but refused to give that same honour this season after Real Madrid had won the Club World Cup.

Lightning Strike Kills Footballer

South African side Maritzburg United are mourning the loss of a player they described as 'one of our rising young stars' following a lightning strike. 21 year old striker Luyanda Ntshangase had been in an induced coma since being struck during a friendly game on 1st of March. Ntshangase was one of three players struck, but the only one to suffer serious injuries. A Maritzburg statement read: "We are extremely sad about the loss of Luyanda, an exciting young player with enormous potential. On behalf of Maritzburg United Football club, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Ntshangase family."

Henry Facing FA Charges

Former director of player recruitment at West Ham United, Tony Henry, has been charged with misconduct by the FA following comments he made regarding the signing of African players. Henry was quoted as stating that the Hammers would not sign any more African players as they 'cause mayhem' when they are not in the team. West Ham sacked him after his comments came to light, terming them 'unacceptable'.

Allardyce Makes Bizarre Almost Delusional Claim

Sam Allardyce has made the claim that the way he has his Everton team playing is winning over the Toffees' fans, despite the banners and abusive chants he has faced at every game. Allardyce said: "It's an entertainment game, you're trying to capture hearts and minds, and I think, particularly from a home point of view, we've achieved that .... not just with the results but the way we've played and the way we've beaten teams."

Koscielny To Miss The World Cup

France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Laurent Koscielny has, as feared, suffered a ruptured Achilles which will lead to him missing the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Deschamps said: "It's a very big blow. Laurent is an exemplary player. I am really very sad for him because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career."

Toure To Leave City

Manchester City have confirmed that Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure will leave at the end of the season. Manager Pep Guardiola said: "Yaya came here at the start of the journey. Where we are now is because of what he has done. We cannot forget the period from Roberto Mancini, and especially Manuel Pellegrini, Yaya was the key player. The Brighton game we will give him what he deserves, one of the most beautiful farewells a player can receive. All the game will we be focused on winning for Yaya, we are going to try to do it for him."

Ref Who Lashed Out At Player Named Ligue 1 Ref Of The Year

Tony Chapron, the Ligue Un referee who was banned for six months after kicking out at a player who accidentally collided with him and then sent him off for questioning why he was kicked, has been voted Referee of the Year in France. I am not sure what that says about his fellow officials who voted for him, but, judging by the quality of refereeing in English football, those six months he spent on the sidelines were probably the best of his career....

Lyon File Lawsuit Ahead Of Europa League Final

With rivals Marseille in the final of the Europa League, scheduled to take place in Lyon on 16th May, Olympique Lyonnaise have filed a lawsuit alleging incitement to criminal damage. Social media has seen Marseille fans expressing violent slogans against Lyon and promises to 'smash everything' during the final. Lyon also claimed in a statement on Friday that "a French international playing in England" has encouraged the Marseille fans in their plans, though they stopped short of naming the player. It is believed the player involved to be Bejamin Mendy, now of Man City, who posted a video on Instagram of him singing a song the Marseille fans have adopted ahead of the final with the line: "We will break everything at yours, we are in the final and we will break everything at yours."

Cult Brighton Hero To Return Home To Padeborn

German defender Uwe Hunemeier will return to the club Brighton & Hove Albion bought him from, as the 32 year old has agreed a deal to join SC Padeborn in the summer when his Brighton contract expires. Hunemeier had been beset by injuries after initially making a strong start to his time at Brighton after signing in 2015, allowing Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy to build a strong partnership which he was never able to break. Despite rarely featuring, Hunemeier became a firm fan favourite due to his off pitch attitude and actions such as paying for one Brighton fan to go and watch Padeborn, ensuring his friends looked after the fan during his stay in Germany.

Bayern Board Member Indicted By Grand Jury In The USA

Bayern Munich board member, and former Volkswagen CEO, Martin Winterkorn has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US on three counts of wire fraud and one of conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act for his part in the 2015 VW emissions scandal. Bayern president Uli Hoeness, himself a former convict who was imprisoned for tax evasion, has extensively praised and backed Winterkorn.

Roma And Liverpool Receive UEFA Charges

Both Roma and Liverpool have been charged by UEFA for setting off fireworks during the 2nd leg of their Champions League semi-final in Rome. Roma have also been charged over insufficient organisation and blocked stairways, while their president James Pallotta will also face charges over his post-match comments.

Written by Tris Burke May 05 2018 07:13:54