Football News: Review Of The Day 22nd March 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Real Betis have handed Spanish full-back Francis Guerrero a new deal which runs until 2023.

Tom Huddlestone has extended his deal with Derby County by a year to end in 2020 after activating an appearances-based clause in his current deal.

Former Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas has been given a new deal with Porto that expires in 2021.

Teenage midfielder Charlie Lakin has extended his deal with Birmingham City through to 2021.

Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Jamie Jones has been given a 2 year deal, keeping the 30 year old at the club until 2021.

Transfers

Cardiff City's Icelandic international midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is set to leave at the end of the season to sign for Qatari Stars League side Al-Arabi. Gunnarsson, who captains his national side, will team up with former Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.

City Group side NYCFC have paid over £2m to sign Brazilian winger Heber from Croatia's HNK Rijeka.

Giroud Admits Frustration

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has admitted he is frustrated with his lack of playing time in the Premier League this season, despite being Europa League top scorer with 9 goals in 9 games. While the Frenchman gets the nod in Europe, in the Premier League he has had to play second fiddle to Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain, with even Eden Hazard chosen to play ahead of him as a striker at times. Giroud told French radio: "Of course it's frustrating. It's like that, I know that I will only play in the Europa League. I try to do what it takes to be as effective and as important as I can for the team. Today, I have the impression there is clearly no competition (for a place in the attack) since January. The future may be hectic this summer. I'm not afraid to go down a level to have more playing time. It could be I end my career in France."

Forest Director Leaves For Return To Coaching

Nottingham Forest's former player Johnny Metgod has left his role as a director at the club to return to coaching with the UAE. The 61 year old will begin a job as assistant coach of the UAE in April. "Everyone knows about my love for the people at the club and in the city so this was a very difficult decision for me. However the opportunity to get back on the grass and the day-to-day involvement with the football department is a role I have started to miss so this opportunity appealed to me greatly."

Rovers Reveal Losses

Blackburn Rovers required another large injection of cash from the owners to keep the club afloat last season in League 1. Venky's invested a further £14m to take the total owing to them in loans to £108m. Rovers came second in the division to immediately return to the Championship but their turnover fell by 24% while down there, meaning their wages were 187% of their £9m turnover! The club reported a total net loss of £16.8m, nearly double their turnover. It is quite worrying that, despite having had 9 years in charge of the club, Venky's have still not reduced salaries to manageable levels, or reduce losses to reasonable ones.

Football Team Kidnapped In Cameroon

Following on from the abduction and release of Yong Sports Academy head coach Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso, an entire university football team has now been taken by gunmen in the English-speaking region of Cameroon, Bamenda. With tension between the government and those seeking independence on the rise, kidnappings have also risen, with both sides blaming the other, leaving it unclear who is at fault or why the abductions are happening. What is clear is that 15 students from the University of Buea are now missing.

Roma Set Up Pidgin Language Social Media Account

After creating a huge rise in the club's popularity in Nigeria, following AS Roma's tweet about supporting Nigeria in the World Cup as there was no Italy there, Roma have followed up with a pidgin language Twitter account. The account will be run from Lagos and was created in response to suggestions from Nigerian fans. Roma now have 13 different language accounts on the social media platform, Italian, English, Arabic, Indonesian, Spanish, French, Portugese, Bosnian, Turkish, Dutch, Farsi, Chinese and the new Pidgin account.

Ref Banned For Match Fixing

Togolese referee Kokou Hougnimon Fagla has been barred from football for life for 'manipulating' an international friendly in return for bribes. FIFA also fined Fagla US$3,000.

Huddersfield Invite Youngster To Meet Look-a-Like

Huddersfield Town managed to attract a fan in Dallas, Texas during the World Cup last year. Seven year old Bella, who suffered hair loss during treatment for Medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, took a shine to Huddersfield Town's shaven-headed Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy, because she thought he looked like her. After her parents ordered her a Huddersfield kit with Mooy on the back, they posted pictures on social media and staff at the club saw them and they will be bringing the family over to watch the match against Leicester City next month. The Terriers commercial director Sean Jarvis said: "Everyone at the club is looking forward to welcoming Bella over for her special trip in April. Her story, and bravery, are extraordinary and she thoroughly deserves what should hopefully be a very special experience. The fact that she relates to Aaron's shaved head is really beautiful and as soon as Aaron heard, he shared our desire to do something special for Bella and her family."

Former Player Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Former Portsmouth and Southampton midfielder Jhon Viafara has been arrested for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking. The former Colombian international was arrested along with 4 other suspects in a sting operation in Jamundi, near Cali. The 40 year old now faces extradition to the USA to face trial.

Ronaldo Fined

After mimicking the goal celebration that saw Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone fined 20,000 euros by UEFA, copycat Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo has also been fined 20,000 euros. Ronaldo did so after scoring the third goal of his hat-trick against Simeone's Atleti side.

Written by Tris Burke March 22 2019 05:24:20