Football News: Review Of The Day 17th April 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann has signed a new deal extending his contract with the Bundesliga club until 2023.

Transfers

Real Betis have taken up their purchase option on Argentine midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso, making him the second most expensive player in club history. Lo Celso had been on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and has cost them around 25m euros to make the deal permanent. Lo Celso has already scored more goals for the club than previous record signed Denilson in just a quarter of the games Denilson played.

Swans Legend Retires

Swansea City's legendary player and coach Alan Curtis is retiring from his coaching role with the club to take up a new position as honorary club president. The 65 year old had been assisting Graham Potter since the new manager arrived in the summer but decided it was time to go into retirement at the end of the season. Curtis said on the club's website: "After over 40 years serving the club, I felt this was the right time to step back from day-to-day involvement. After considering this for some time, the end of the season was the correct time for me to finish my coaching career. "I am now looking forward to seeing how this young team progresses under Graham while serving my new role as honorary club president."

Baggies Stick With Shan

West Bromwich Albion have decided to keep caretaker boss Jimmy Shan in charge until the end of the season. Shan took charge after Darren Moore was sacked on the 9th of March. Technical director Luke Dowling said: "He has fully earned this opportunity to take us to the end of the season. He has earned the support and confidence of the players who have bought into the structural and organisational changes Jimmy has introduced. He has the backing of everyone to push on now and take us forward with momentum. Of course he recognises, as do we, that there is space for some more experience to join the coaching group and we expect to be able to clarify this element over the coming days. But Jimmy has impressed everyone with the way he has tackled the challenge. He is confident in his abilities, just as we have confidence in him, and he has convinced us all that our best prospects for promotion lie with him overseeing the first team."

Killie Cut Rangers' Allowance

Kilmarnock have announced that only half as many Rangers' fans as usual will be able to attend the final day match at Rugby Park. Rangers are usually alloted two stands at the ground, giving them 8000 seats but they will get just one of the stands for the match on the 19th May. A club statement read: "As we continue our 150th anniversary, we want to turn our final match of the season into a celebration of all things Killie. With this in mind, we as a board of directors have made the decision to house Rangers supporters solely in the Chadwick Stand with Kilmarnock supporters in the remaining three stands."

McNeill Gets One Club Man Award

Athletic Bilbao have chosen a Celtic Lisbon Lion to be their One Club Man for this year. The Spanish club have previously awarded the trophy to Matt Le Tissier, Paolo Maldini, Sepp Maier and Carles Puyol. Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said: "This award is a fantastic recognition for Billy and recognises the phenomenal contribution he made to Celtic over so many years. A towering figure in the history of our great club, Billy's achievements at Celtic form a legacy which we will always be so thankful for. Billy has always represented Celtic at all times in the best of ways with true integrity and professionalism and is someone who has always been the finest ambassador for the club." Unfortunately the 79 year old suffers from dementia and will not be able to receive the award in person.

Weah's Former Club Relegated For Non-Payment Of Fine

A fine of US$909 was enough to send Invincible Eleven, who Liberian president George Weah played for in 1987, down to the third tier of Liberian football. The club has been suffering with financial problems in recent years and were unable to pay the money in time to avoid sanctions.

Snodgrass Gets One-Match Ban

West Ham United's Robert Snodgrass has been found guilty of misconduct towards anti-doping officials. The 31 year old was fined £30,000 and given a one-match ban for using abusive and/or insulting language towards the officials.

Barnsley Lodge Complaint With EFL About Barton

Barnsley have formally complained to the English Football League over an alleged incident involving their head coach Daniel Stendel and Fleetwood's manager Joey Barton. It was reported by BBC Radio Sheffield that Stendel suffered facial injuries and Barnsley's player Cauley Woodrow had claimed on social media that Barton had "physically assaulted" Stendel, who was left with "blood pouring from his face". Woodrow later deleted the post.

Scholes Charged With Misconduct

Paul Scholes has been charged with misconduct over alleged breaches of the FA's betting rules. Scholes is said to have placed 140 bets on matches between August 2015 and January 2019.

Gomes Gets 3 Game Ban

On-loan Everton midfielder Andre Gomes has accepted a charge of violent conduct for stamping on Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in stoppage time. The incident was missed by the officials at the time but the FA acted with a violent conduct charge. Gomes will now be missing from Everton's next three matches, but can return for the final game of the season at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ligue 1 Investigates Result

Guingamp president Bertrand Desplat complained to the French league (LFP) over "doubts about the integrity" of Caen's defeat to Angers before the game took place. The LFP are not looking into the allegations. Desplat told L'Equipe: "My player told me things that seemed strange. I have not denounced anyone. I have not accused anyone. I will answer the questions of the commission because I saw that an investigator had been named." Both Caen and Angers have dismissed the allegations.

Hennessey Only Adult To Not Know Nazi Salute

According to a Football Association panel, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is the one adult to have been brought up in the UK since the 1930s to not know what a Nazi salute is, as they accept his ridiculous explanation for a photograph which clearly showed him with one arm up, palm forward, and the other over his lip in mimickry of a moustache. Hennessey, who is obviously just not brave enough to accept his bad joke at the expense of German team-mate Max Meyer went wrong, has put forward the most laughable defence of all - ignorance. Clearly the FA do not remember that ignorance is no defence in a court of law. It could not have been more blatant what Hennessey was doing if he had goosestepped around the bar while shouting "sieg heil!" Even an acceptance of ignorance should not have been met with an attempt to educate Hennessey and anyone else who might possibly be ignorant of the symolism evoked, rather than just swept under the carpet.

Written by Tris Burke April 17 2019 09:30:22