Football News: Review Of The Day 11th September 2018

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Review of the Day

Duff Takes Charge At Cheltenham

Former Cheltenham Town player Michael Duff has been appointed as their new manager in place of Gary Johnson, who was sacked last month. The 40 year old spent 8 years as a player with the Robins before moving to Burnley in 2004. Since retiring as a player two years ago he has been Burnley's U-23s head coach. He has now returned to his first club and said: "It's a big step for me to leave a job where I was settled, working at a Premier League club, but I feel that the time is right now. It is a fantastic opportunity and I would like to thank the Cheltenham board for the faith that they have shown in me. I only played professionally for two clubs so obviously Cheltenham is a club that I know well and one that is very close to my heart."

Blackpool Also Appoint New Manager

Blackpool have appointed caretaker manager Terry McPhillips on a permanent basis. McPhillips has been in charge since Gary Bowyer quit following the season's opening game against Wycombe Wanderers. After losing the first game he took charge of, McPhillips has taken the Tangerines on an 8-match unbeaten run. He has now been awarded a 12-month rolling contract in recognition of his good work.

Players Union Reiterates Stance On US Away Game

Spain's players' union (AFE) have once again talked of their unease at the plan to play one league game a season in the USA over the next 15 years. The AFE released a statement which claimed that the players will make the final decision on the match and that they were unhappy at the lack of information they had been given regarding the agreement.

Marseille Have European Ban Lifted On Appeal

After repeated acts of violence and vandalism by the club's fans during their Europa League run last season, Marseille were handed a year's ban from European competition by UEFA. However Marseille appealed and UEFA bottled it and reduced the deferred ban for a probationary two year period. It is now just two home matches in UEFA games behind closed doors, with the second deferred for a probationary two year period. They will also have to close the north and south end of their stadium for four European games, with again two of those deferred for a two year probationary period. The fine of 100,000 euros, to be paid to Lyon, whose stadium was smashed up by Marseille fans when it hosted them in the final, was maintained.

UEFA Charge Poland With Fan Racism

UEFA have launched its first disciplinary cases arising from the Nations League. The Czech Republic and Ukraine are facing charges after pitch invasions, while Poland has been charged over fan racism in their match against Italy. Ukraine also face charges over fan unrest as they threw objects and damaged the stadium. Knowing how hard UEFA crack down on racist chants in club competition, if Poland are found guilty they will face a 25p fine and a warning not to do it again.

Hammers Get Injury Boost

West Ham United get a double injury boost (well, boost is maybe not the right word according to a growing portion of their fans) as Mark Noble and Arthur Masuaku both return to fitness. Aaron Cresswell has replaced Masuaku, but neither player have really looked a good fit so far this season and Noble has looked like a player who is struggling with injury for the last few years. Despite West Ham's poor start, they might not be any better off having those two back!

Hammers' Landlords Deny Misleading Public

Speaking of West Ham, the LLDC, which runs the London Stadium, has denied claims from the Hammers board that they have been misleading the public over the deal which sees West Ham rent the stadium for a pitifully low fee at taxpayers' expense. The club had claimed that LLDC CEO Lyn Garner had been "deliberately misleading the public and taxpayers", claims that the LLDC has termed "extremely serious and damaging". One thing that is not in dispute is that West Ham do not cover match day costs and the deal is very much in their favour.

Written by Tris Burke September 11 2018 06:12:08