Football News: Review Of The Day 10th February 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Ipswich Town midfielder Teddy Bishop has signed a contract extension ahead of the Old Farm Derby. The 22 year old's new deal runs until 2021 but has the option for a further year.

Transfers

Morecambe have completed the signing of free agent Aaron Collins on a short term deal. The 21 year old was released by Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.

Atlanta United have released Irish midfielder Chris McCann.

Former Liverpool youngster Astrit Ajdarevic has found a new club in the shape of Djurgarden. The Albanian international, who had spells on loan with Leicester City and Hereford Town while in England, had been a free agent since AEK Athens released him when the January transfer window opened.

Cheikh M'Bengue has become the latest player to follow the money to China. The 30 year old full back was one of two players Saint-Etienne sold to Shenzhen FC, the other being Norwegian midfielder Ole Selnaes. Shenzhen paid just over £3.5m for M'Bengue and just under £5m for Selnaes.

Another former Liverpool youngster has moved to Swedish football as Alexander Kacaniklic has left Nantes on a free transfer to join Hammarby.

Vancouver Whitecaps have made a double loan signing in the shape of defender Erik Godoy from Colon and striker Joaquin Ardaiz from FC Chiasso.

Leeds' Youngster Taken To Hospital

Teenage Leeds United player Jack Clarke had to be taken to hospital yesterday. The 18 year old winger started the game but was replaced at half time, took ill while sat on the substitutes' bench in the second half, causing a lengthy stoppage while paramedics treated him. Lengthy enough to see Leeds score the equaliser in the 101st minute, after the referee added on 12 minutes of stoppage time! A Leeds statement read: "Jack Clarke began to feel unwell during the second half of our Championship fixture with Middlesbrough and received medical attention. The player is responsive and attending hospital with the club's head of medicine and performance. On behalf of everyone at Leeds United, we would like to thank the medical staff from both clubs for their response to the incident."

Hibs Contest Johnson Ban

Hibernian are set to challenge the proposed 2 match ban for Darnell Johnson, who was set off on his debut for the club for a challenge on Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre which saw the Celtic left back taken off on a stretcher.

Nigerian International In Eligibility Storm

Nigeria's international keeper Francis Uzoho made a deadline day move on loan to Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta from Deportivo La Coruna but he has now been caught up in a row over potentially forged documents. Uzoho faced Apollon Limassol on the Saturday 2nd February, the day after his arrival in Cyprus, but his validity to play is now in question after his winning start. Players in Cyprus require a health certificate to be issued by the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA), but Apollon questioned the "validity of the health card" as they claim that Uzoho arrived in Cyprus after the KOA had shut down for the weekend. The KOA has confirmed that an investigation is underway by themselves and police. Anorthosis left out Uzoho this weekend saying: "Due to the climate of recent days and to avoid further disruption and rumours, Francis Uzoho will not be involved in Saturday's clash with Nea Salamis."

Saints Pair Face Bans

A pair of Southampton fans caught taunting Cardiff City fans by making aeroplane gestures are set to be banned by the South Coast club. The duo were pictured making the gestures and spoken to by Hampshire Police. A Southampton statement read: "Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary's. Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City on Saturday. The club will continue to work with Hampshire Police to identify any individuals deemed to have made indecent gestures towards Cardiff supporters. The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified."

Cavani Doubt For PSG

Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani is a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League first leg against Manchester United after the striker went off injured at the weekend. PSG's head coach Thomas Tuchel said: "Not good news. Perhaps it is not the main muscle [thigh], but one nearby. In any case, we must wait. I have not seen Edi yet, nor the doctor. For Manchester United, I do not know yet, I simply do not know. If he comes off, obviously I am worried. Striking the ball and having to come off is concerning. If Edi is not there in Manchester, of course it is big. Yes, there has been a lot of bad luck - we do not have a second Edi, or Neymar."

Milk Stops Cagliari

Dairy farmers and shepherds on the island of Sardinia blockaded the training ground of Cagliari on Saturday, as the team were trying to leave to head to their Serie A match with AC Milan. Around 100 sheep farmers blocked the exits as they ask the team to boycott the match in solidarity with them. Sheep farmers on the island have been protesting about the low price of sheeps milk and demanding the government place a minimum price per litre on their produce. Farmers are using the motto, "I'd rather dump it than sell it for next to nothing to rally behind" and have filmed themselves dumping hundreds of litres of the liquid onto the ground, rather than selling it. Eventually they agreed to allow Cagliari to depart after several players symbolically kicked over jugs of milk.

Courtois Bombarded With Rats

A plaque outside Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium, dedicated to Thibaut Courtois, is in need of restoration once again. The plaque was cleaned up prior to the Madrid derby only to be defaced once more as fans spat, poured beer and dropped toy rats on it ahead of the derby match. Inside the ground Courtois faced banners, such as one behind the goal reading 'Thibu Rata' and more toy rats being thrown at him. He did get to have the final laugh though as he played in goal for Real Madrid's win over their rivals. The 3-1 win for Real Madrid was shrouded in VAR controversy though as a number of decisions seemed to wrongly go against Atletico despite the use of VAR, including a penalty given for a foul that looked to take place outside of the box, while what looked a clear penalty for Atletico was not given and a goal was ruled out for offside incorrectly according to the pictures shown. Atletico coach Diego Simeone refused to blame VAR for the defeat, unlike the club's official social media channels which highlighted the calls with stills that seem to show they were incorrect.

Written by Tris Burke February 10 2019 06:03:59