Football News: Review Of The Day 11th August 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Manager Karl Robinson has signed a new 3 year deal with Oxford United. The 38 year old only took charge in March 2018 and led them to a 12th place finish last season.

Transfers

Nantes have signed Peruvian midfielder Cristian Benavente on loan from Egyptian side Pyramids FC.

Granada have taken Jose Antonio Martinez on loan Eibar.

Fenerbahce paid less than £2m for Danish centre-back Zanka from Huddersfield Town.

Young Scottish forward Jack Harper has joined Alcorcon on loan from Getafe.

Aaron Lewis, the Welsh defender released by Swansea City in the summer, has signed for Lincoln City on a short term contract.

Oxford United have paid an undisclosed fee for striker Dan Agyei from Burnley.

Injury Round-Up

Trotters Field Youngest Ever Side

Bolton Wanderers put out their youngest ever team as they drew 0-0 at home with Coventry City. Not one senior player started the game, with the average age of the starting line up just 19 years old. This followed problems over the sale of the club, which is currently in administration, as Laurence Bassini managed to get a court order blocking the sale. Bassini had previously tried to buy the club but his takeover fell through in May as he was unable to provide proof of funds. Manager Phil Parkinson told the BBC after the match: "It's up to the people behind the scenes to do their bit. No more messing about, get your heads together quickly and sort this mess out because everybody is absolutely sick and tired of it. Mr Bassini, leave us alone, please leave us alone. Leave this great club alone to get on with building its future back together. I feel as a staff, myself and all the staff who were coming in without being paid, they have done their bit. Now people, whether it's the administrators, new people buying the club, the trustees, the old owners of the club, whoever it is - come on, get yourself sorted and get this mess sorted out quickly."

Poch Denies Vertonghen Problem

Despite leaving Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen out of his match day squad this weekend, Mauricio Pochettino has denied that there is a problem with the centre-back and stated it was just a tactical decision to not even put him on the bench. Vertonghen has entered the final year of his contract and has yet to agree a new deal but Pochettino said that had no bearing on his choices. Pochettino said: "This is my sixth season, I think everyone knows me. I am going to play the players who I believe deserve to play, with all the players fit you struggle to find a starting XI. This is my sixth season, I think everyone knows me. I am going to play the players who I believe deserve to play. There is not any issue, only my decision was to play with Toby and Davinson. We have more than 25 players and everyone needs to understand we have plenty of good players in every position."

Roof Collapses In Eredivisie

Part of the roof at the AFAS Stadium, home of Dutch top flight side AZ Alkmaar, collapsed on Saturday, luckily there was no game on at the time and no one was hurt. Alkmaar are to investigate after a large section of the roof fell onto seating below during high winds. Almaar's general manager Robert Eenhoorn said: "This surprised us all. We are very shocked but especially happy that there was no human suffering. In the coming days we will conduct a study with experts in this field. Only when that investigation has been done can we elaborate on the matter. It is much too early for that now. No matches will be played in the stadium if the situation is not safe. As soon as more is clear about our upcoming duels, we will report that as soon as possible."

Neymar Closes In On PSG Exit

The world's most expensive player Neymar Jr was left out of the Paris Saint-Germain squad for their opening Ligue 1 fixture as he closes in on a move away. PSG's sporting director Leonardo has confirmed that transfer talks were "more advanced than before". Head coach Thomas Tuchel had claimed that Neymar was not fully fit, which is why he had been left out.

Two Men Charged After Incident Outside Ozil's Home

Just a few days after Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, along with team-mate Sead Kolasinac, were targeted by carjackers in London, two men were arrested after an altercation with security staff outside Ozil's home. Police have said they are treating the two incidents as unrelated. The two men arrested, Ferhat Ercan and Salaman Ekinci, are due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on 6th September after being "charged under Section 4a of the Public Order Act". The two players are reportedly under 24 hour guard.

Schalke Fans Protest Against Racist Chairman

Schalke 04 fans staged a protest to show their chairman, Clemens Tonnies, a red card after his racist comments regarding tax increases and Africans. Tonnies said in a public meeting, where he was campaigning against tax increases, that is was better to fund power plants in Africa "then the Africans would stop cutting down trees, and they would stop making babies when it gets dark". He has since apologised for his remarks and stepped down from the chairmanship for three months but the fans want him to leave the club altogether.

Written by Tris Burke August 11 2019 06:44:07