Football News: Review Of The Day 5th November 2019

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Review of the Day

Transfers

Gareth Barry has completed his return to West Bromwich Albion, who released the 38 year old former England midfielder in the summer.

Injury Round-Up

Metz left-back Manuel Cabit has been seriously injured in a car crash on the A4 motorway near Metz on Sunday afternoon. He was travelling with teammate Kevin N'Doram who escaped uninjured. A Metz statement read: "N'Doram, injured, was able to leave hospital quickly. At the same time shocked by the accident - he will be resting for a few days. Manuel Cabit, unfortunately, was seriously injured. He is currently at CHU hospital in Reims. His condition is not life-threatening. His family and those close to him are around him. His team, coaches and all at FC Metz are giving him their intense support in these difficult moments and wish a speedy recovery."

Some good news for Everton midfielder Andre Gomes who is "expected to make a full recovery" from his horror injury suffered during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The 26 year old has already had successful surgery to repair a fracture dislocation to his right ankle.

Keeper Hits Out At Empty Stadiums

AS Monaco goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte has hit out at the empty stadiums in France's Ligue 1 as the league averages less than 70% full stadiums. Only Serie A of the big 5 European leagues has a lower average of 68%, while the English Premier League has an average of 97.3% full stadiums. Lecomte's Monaco average just under 45%, despite only having a capacity of just 18,523 and he said: "It starts to become annoying to play in empty stadiums."

Cameroon Call Up New Blood

Cameroon's coach Toni Conceicao has called up 3 new players for his squad. Royal Antwerp forward Lemkel Ze, Maritimo's former French youth international Franck-Yves Bambock and CIK Kamsar keeper Haschou Kerrido have all been given their first call ups. Brighton & Hove Albion full-back Gaetan Bong has been left out.
Cameroon squad:
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Fabrice Ondoa (KV Oostende, Belgium), Haschou Kerrido (CIK Kamsar, Guinea)
Defenders: Fai Collins (Standard Liege, Belgium), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), Allan Nyom (Getafe,Spain),Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Joyskim Dawa Tchakonte (Mariupol, Ukraine) Jean Charles Castelletto (Brest, France)
Midfielders: Andre Zambo Anguissa (Villareal, Spain), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz, Germany),Arnaud Djoum (Al-Raed, Saudi Arabia), Fabrice Olinga (Mouscron, Belgium), Franck Bambock (Maritimo, Portugal)
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Nice, France), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Paris Saint Germain, France), Christian Bassogog (Henan Jianye, China), Jean-Pierre Nsame (Young Boys, Switzerland), Karl Toko Ekambi (Villareal, Spain), Brice Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Fc Porto, Portugal), Didier Lamkel Ze (Antwerp, Belgium)
Standby List: Harold Moukoudi (Saint-Etienne, France), Olivier Ntcham (Celtic, Scotland), Jeando Fuchs (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Clinton Njie (Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France)

Jatta Withdraws

Hamburg's starlet Bakery Jatta, who was mostly known for being the subject of questions about his age, has asked to be left out of matches for his country Gambia. The 21 year old has requested time to establish himself at his club, despite his country having AFCON qualifying matches to play this month. Gambia's head coach Tom Saintfiet said: "Naturally as a coach you're always disappointed if one of your good players cannot come. I was hoping he would be here because he's performing very well in Germany for Hamburg and he would add something to our team in these important games against strong opponents like DR Congo and Angola. We spoke and he explained his situation and I understand what happened the last month's it was not easy for him. Everything in the media and all the discussions and everything that he would like to at this moment not create any new stories but focus on Hamburg. I respect his decision but naturally as coach am disappointed I selected him because I wanted him to come just like any other player I select. He's a very good player and together with all our other good players he would make a very strong squad. So disappointed but I have to look forward and I still have many good players who are coming we would create strong team for these difficult games coming."

FA Finds No Sancho Payment

The Football Association has concluded that there is no evidence to back up claims in Der Spiegel that Manchester City had made an illegal payment to Jadon Sancho's agent. Der Spiegel had claimed City had paid Emeka Obasi £200,000 when they signed Sancho from Watford in March 2015 when Sancho was 14. Players are not allowed to be represented by an agent until the year they turn 16.

Hibs Boot Heckingbottom As They Sit Rock Bottom

Hibernian have sacked their head coach Paul Heckingbottom after conceding five goals in a Scottish League Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Celtic on Saturday. Hibs are bottom in the SPFL with no league wins since the opening day. Former Leeds United manager Heckingbottom had lasted just a few months before receiving his cards.

Keita Gets Guinea Recall

Didier Six has recalled Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita in his latest Guinea squad.
Guinea squad:
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersunds, Sweden), Moussa Camara (AC Horoya, Guinea), Sekouba Camara (AS Kaloum, Guinea).
Defenders: Ibrahima Sory Sankhon (Sint-Truiden, Belgium), Simon Falette (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Julian Jeanvier (Brentford, England), Sekou Conde (Chateauroux, France), Pa Konate (GIF Sundsval, Sweden), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Mickael Dyrestam (AO Xanthi, Greece).
Midfielders: Naby Keita (Liverpool, England), Ibrahima Conte (Beroe Stara Zagora, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (Olympiakos, Greece), Sadio Diallo (Gençlerbirligi, Turkey), Kamso Mara (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic).
Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia), Mohamed Yattara (Auxerre, France), François Kamano (Bordeaux, France), Demba Camara (Apoel Tel-Aviv, Israel), José Kanté (Nastic Tarragona, Spain), Momo Yansané (FC Isloch Minsk, Belarus), Morlaye Sylla (AC Horoya)

Casilla Denies Racist Abuse Charge

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has denied a charge of breaching FA Rule E3 after he had words with Charlton Athletic forward Jonathan Leko which were alleged to have "made reference to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin". A Leeds statement read: "Kiko strenuously denies the allegation and has proactively worked with the FA during their investigation to date. The next step of this process will be a personal hearing, in the meantime Kiko will remain available for selection."

Union Keeper Stops Masked Fans Attacking

The first ever east Berlin/west Berlin derby nearly descended into violence as Hertha Berlin fans burned stolen Union Berlin shirts, flags and scarves. The game had to be stopped after a firework thrown from Hertha supporters landed close to the Union bench, which saw the referee take both sets of players off the pitch. Another landed close to the children and partner of Union forward Sebastian Polter. Masked Union fans attempted to reach the Hertha fans only to be stopped by Union goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz, who stepped in to push one back and urge the rest to return to the stands. Other Union players quickly rushed to help their keeper out and it defused the situation quickly as the Union crowd chanted Gikiewicz's name. Polter, who scored the winner, said: "It's our duty to save our fans from stupidity. We wanted to hold the fans back before it escalated."

Mario Hits Back After Verona Ultras Deny He Is Italian

The leader of Verona's ultras Luca Castellini has told a radio station in Italy: "Balotelli is Italian because he has Italian citizenship, but he can never be completely Italian. We also have a negro in our team who scored yesterday, and all of the Verona fans applauded him. The chants came from only four people, who were only heard by the people who recorded the video. Balotelli only heard it in his own head." I wonder if he was under a white hood while talking? At least no one can claim that this bout of racism was meant as a compliment, surely? Mario Balotelli had kicked the ball into the crowd and tried to leave the pitch before being convinced by teammates to keep playing on Sunday, after he was racially abused by Hellas Verona fans while facing them for his current side Brescia. Balotelli replied to the comments on his social media saying: "Listen, my friends, this is not about football anymore. This is much bigger than you small-minded people. Wake up, you ignorant people. I'm not Italian? But you were fine with it when I scored and guaranteed goals for Italy?".

Watford Report Racist Abuse Of Kabasele

Watford have reported racist abuse aimed at their Belgian centreback Christian Kabasele to police. Kabasele had flagged it up as part of a campaign the club are mounting against discrimination on social media. The Hornets commented: "We have already received a crime reference number from the Hate Crime team at Hertfordshire Police, having reported the abuse directed at Christian Kabasele. Thanks Kaba for calling this out. We will report back news of any action against the offender."

Written by Tris Burke November 04 2019 19:33:09