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Tag: Players

  • Barcelona releases COVID-19 test results of first team players

    Barcelona releases COVID-19 test results of first team players

    All first team players of Spanish giants FC Barcelona have tested negative for COVID-19.
    The results of the mandatory tests they took on Wednesday returned negative.

    The players will now start training on Friday, as it’s been planned.

    The first sessions will be held in small groups.

    Highly reliable RAC1 report that all Barcelona players tested negative for the coronavirus.

    The source adds that the Blaugrana players will start training on Friday, as it’s been planned.

    There haven’t been confirmed cases of the coronavirus among Barcelona’s first-team squad.

    However, a couple of employees were diagnosed with the novel disease in March.

    As a reminder, the Spanish Ministry of Health has allowed football to resume on the condition that all players from the first and second division are tested for COVID-19.

  • Arsenal board, players disagree over pay-cut

    Arsenal’s front office have agreed to slash their own wages as the players continue to refuse pay-cuts.

    The Sun says execs have agreed to slash their own wages by over a third for the next year in a bid to stop the impending financial ruin.

    Gunners players voted against a 12.5 per cent pay-cut earlier this week but the club have claimed talks are ongoing and have been “productive”.

    Board members have agreed to slash their own wages by more than a third in order to help keep the club afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

    In a long update on their club website, Arsenal revealed a three-pronged plan.

    They promised:

    – Executives would take a pay-cut of more than a third for the next year.

    – They would continue to pay all casual staff until at least May.

    – “Productive talks” with players would continue over whether or not to cut their salary.

  • Pressure mounts on EPL players to make move on wages

    Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to impose a 20 per cent wage reduction on 550 non-playing staff due to the impact of the coronavirus has prompted increased pressure on Premier League players to take a pay cut.

    The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) are in talks with the Premier League over how best to deal with the current suspension of competition.

    However, the moves by some clubs to use the government’s furlough scheme has prompted sharp criticism.

    On Monday, Newcastle United put non-playing staff on leave and instructed employees to apply for the government’s newly-created coronavirus job retention scheme.

    Professional football in England has been suspended until April 30, at the earliest, due to the pandemic.

    Norwich City on Tuesday said they were taking similar steps to “safeguard future jobs and help sustain the club” through the crisis.

    The Norfolk club said they would top up the government’s help to ensure staff received their full salaries.

    Julian Knight, the Conservative MP who is chair of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in the British parliament, has condemned such moves.

    “It sticks in the throat. This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre,” he said.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said top players should be the ones who make the sacrifices.

    “It should be those with the broadest shoulders who go first because they can carry the greatest burden and have probably got savings…

    “… rather than who were in catering or hospitality who have probably got no savings and live week by week and who probably won’t get the (government) benefits for five weeks,” he told the BBC.

    Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said the situation was an “awful look” for football.

    “I believe there is a moral issue around an industry like football that has been awash with money,” Jordan told the talkSPORT radio station.

    “Football players and football clubs over the last five years have really had it on their toes with the revenues that have increased because of the broadcasters.

    “I think there is a situation here where football has to look at itself and say, ‘Do I really, just because the government is offering its teat, have to nuzzle on that?’.”

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said his move aimed to protect the club, but said he hoped that talks between players, managers and the Premier League would reach a decision.

    “We hope the current discussions between the Premier League, PFA and LMA (League Managers Association) will result in players and coaches doing their bit for the football ecosystem,” he said.

  • Coronavirus: Players treated like ‘guinea pigs – Rooney

    Coronavirus: Players treated like ‘guinea pigs – Rooney

    Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney claims the British government and football authorities have treated players like “guinea pigs” during the coronavirus crisis.

    While the rest of European football was shutting down due to the growing threat of the global pandemic, Rooney is angry it took several days for the Premier League and Football League to postpone their matches until April 3.

    It was only when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus on Friday that football’s UK governing bodies called a temporary halt to the season.

    Rooney, currently playing for second tier Derby, felt they should have acted quicker and the former England captain said he would “never forgive” the authorities if his family fell ill as a result.

    “Why did we wait until Friday? Why did it take Mikel Arteta to get ill for the game in England to do the right thing?” Rooney wrote in the Sunday Times.

    “For players, staff and their families it has been a worrying week – one in which you felt a lack of leadership from the government and from the FA and Premier League.

    “After the emergency meeting, at last the right decision was made – until then it almost felt like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs.

    “I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected through me because I’ve had to play when it’s not safe, and they get seriously ill, I’d have to think hard about ever playing again. I would never forgive the authorities.”

    Many matches at non-league level were going ahead as scheduled in Britain this weekend and Rooney believes Prime Minister Boris Johnson “dodged” the issue by letting football make its own decision about playing on.

    The 34-year-old claimed money was key to the authorities’ reluctance to cancel games.

    “The rest of sport – tennis, Formula One, rugby, golf, football in other countries – was closing down and we were being told to carry on,” Rooney said.

    “I think a lot of footballers were wondering, ‘Is it something to do with money being involved in this?’”

    Once the virus is under control, Rooney wants a radical schedule shake-up which could see the current season being concluded as late as September, and the next two kicking off in winter-time as a result.

    “We’re happy to play until September if the season extends to then, if that’s how it has to be. That’s our job. As long as we know we’re safe to play and it’s a safe environment for spectators, we’ll play,” Rooney said.

    “The next World Cup is in November and December 2022, so you could actually use this situation as an opportunity and say we’re going to finish the 2019-20 season later this year, then prepare for 2022 by having the next two seasons starting in winter.”

  • Four Sampdoria players, doctor test positive to coronavirus

    Four Sampdoria players, doctor test positive to coronavirus

    Sampdoria has announced that four more of its players and one of its doctors have tested positive for COVID-19.

    The club stated that after forward Manolo Gabbiadini tested positive on Thursday, it carried out tests on defender Omar Colley, midfielder Albin Ekdal, forward Antonino La Gumina, and midfielder Morten Thorsby, who all had light symptoms, and they also tested positive.

    The club confirmed that they are all in good condition in their own homes in Genoa. The same applies to club doctor Amedeo Baldari.

    The rest of the team, as well as the staff and directors, are also in self-isolation at home.

    The club’s offices and training facilities have been closed and all sporting activity has been suspended.

  • AFCON 2019: Rohr lists conditions to accept fresh players into Eagles squad

    AFCON 2019: Rohr lists conditions to accept fresh players into Eagles squad

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has reeled out conditions that must be met by any player who hopes to gatecrash into his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, footballlive.ng reports.

    While affirming that the current set of players in the Eagles have already laid a strong foundation for a successful outing at AFCON 2019, Rohr said chances will be given only to newcomers with special qualities.

    The Franco-German gaffer added that any intending new member must also show an ability to offer something better than those already in the squad.

    An inside source, however, hinted that Rohr could be looking mostly at defenders during his build-up to the continental soccer showpiece, with a new goalkeeper also likely on the cards.

    The source disclosed that Rohr is not satisfied with his full-back positions and is already scouting for new faces that would bring competition into the fight for shirts in those departments.

    “Right now the full backs in the team don’t have stable clubs and the coach thinks they may not be ready psychologically,” he added.

  • Man Utd players reportedly angry with Mourinho

    Manchester United players are reportedly angry with Jose Mourinho, after their draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, following his comment about them “lacking heart”.

    The Portuguese turned on his squad after their lacklustre display against Palace, accusing some of them of not caring enough about results.

    He said some of his players would happily “party” after the result and said he might have to pick himself in future as he truly cares about the club’s fortunes.

    However, the Daily Mail is reporting that the comments did not go down well with Mourinho’s squad as some of the first-team members are angry that he has criticized them publicly again.

    The comments follow Mourinho’s controversial interview with Univision in which he questioned the maturity of Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

  • Why we can’t pay players’ salaries, allowances – Ifeanyi Ubah FC

    Why we can’t pay players’ salaries, allowances – Ifeanyi Ubah FC

    FC IfeanyiUbah president,Ifeanyi Ubah, has admitted that the Nnewi Premier League club are owing their players.

    Ubah said this during an interactive session with some youths in Awka on Tuesday.

    He said indebtedness to players was common with most clubs in the country because of the inability of the League Management Company to pay the clubs their entitlements.

    The businessman said the players were right to demand their pay but decried social media attacks on him.

    Ubah told said: “The players can agitate because it is their due, they deserve their pay, but the LMC has been owing all football clubs in Nigeria for two years now, they have not paid a dime.

    “They have been collecting rights from television, radio, adverts but they have not paid anything to us.

    “Governments use their clubs for politics but we are using our own to keep our youths gainfully busy.

    “My players are all being taken care of irrespective of the fact that they are being owed like most clubs owe their players too.”

    The Anambra Warriors financier described football business in Nigeria as “expensive”.

    He said, “Football is expensive to run; out of the 20 clubs in the Premier League, 17 belong to state governments, only three are owned by individuals.

    “I deserve commendation, staying in the Premier League is not a mean feat.”

    He added, “In two years we won the FA Cup, we played the South-East and South-South competition last year and won.”

     

  • 10 players most likely to earn a World Cup move

    10 players most likely to earn a World Cup move

    The just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which was tagged as one of the best tournament so far produced a lot of brilliant performances from players, shocks and records.

    Below are 10 players who might get a move following an impressive showing in Russia .

    Aleksandr Golovin, 22 (Russia midfielder)

    Linked with: Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus Club: CSKA Moscow

    Golovin, who has spent his career to date with CSKA, impressed at his home World Cup – scoring one and assisting two in their opening 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

    That was the most goals a Russian has been involved in during a World Cup game since Oleg Salenko scored five and assisted one against Cameroon in 1994.

    He did not have a direct hand in any other goals during Russia’s run to the quarter-finals but still impressed.

    Hakim Ziyech, 25 (Morocco midfielder)

    Linked with: Liverpool, Roma Club: Ajax

    Ziyech looked good in the group stages as Morocco were one of the unluckiest teams in the tournament – losing to an injury-time Iran goal, an early Portugal goal and being denied by a 91st-minute Spain equaliser.

    He created six chances in the group stage, more than any other player for Morocco. Ziyech has never played outside the Netherlands, where he was born, but that could change this summer.

    Benjamin Pavard, 22 (France defender)

    Linked with: Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich Club: Stuttgart

    Pavard, who played at right-back but can also feature at centre-back or in midfield, scored one of the goals of the tournament against Argentina with a fantastic spinning 20-yard strike.

    That made him the first French defender to score at a World Cup since Lillian Thuram in the 1998 semi-finals. He only made his international debut in November, having been a German second division player in 2016-17, and is now a world champion.

    Andre Carrillo, 27 (Peru winger)

    Linked with: Everton, Fulham Club: Benfica

    Carrillo, who spent last season on loan at Watford, scored Peru’s first World Cup goal since 1982 with a fine volley against Australia.

    He completed 10 of his 15 dribbles – more than three times what any of his Peru team-mates managed to achieve.

    Ahmed Musa, 25 (Nigeria forward)

    Linked with: Galatasaray, Al Nassr Club: Leicester

    Musa scored a brilliant double against Iceland – leading to adoration in Argentina as his goals gave them renewed hope of reaching the knockout stage.

    He is now the third top African goalscorer at World Cups with four. Only Asamoah Gyan (six for Ghana) and Roger Milla (five for Cameroon) have managed more.

    Musa spent the second half of last season on loan with former club CSKA Moscow but his World Cup exploits may help him have a career at Leicester – or get a permanent move away.

    Hirving Lozano, 22 (Mexico winger)

    Linked with: Manchester United, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Barcelona Club: PSV Eindhoven

    Lozano was excellent in Russia, scoring the winning goal against Germany and running from his own half to set up Javier Hernandez’s strike against South Korea.

    He had 13 shots in total – no Mexican player attempted more – and created 11 chances for his team-mates.

    Cho Hyun-woo, 26 (South Korea goalkeeper)

    Linked with: Liverpool Club: Daegu

    Cho, who has spent his career so far with K League side Daegu FC, really impressed in the group stage – especially in the win over Germany where he made six saves and kept a clean sheet.

    Only Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa (17) made more saves in the group stage than Cho (12).

    He has previously said his dream is to play in the Premier League, but a move to Europe would be complicated by the fact he is due to carry out military service.

    Harry Maguire, 25 (England defender)

    Linked with: Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea Club: Leicester

    The only Englishman on this list – but the second Leicester player. Maguire was a colossus at the back for England and scored the opener in the quarter-final against Sweden, as well as assisting Harry Kane’s winner against Tunisia.

    Maguire won the joint second highest amount of aerial duels in the tournament (41).

    Moussa Wague, 19 (Senegal defender)

    Linked with: Napoli Club: Eupen

    The teenage right-back plays for Claude Makelele’s Eupen in Belgium, only making his competitive club debut in 2017. He smashed home one goal for Senegal in a 2-2 draw with Japan to make him Africa’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer.

    Yerry Mina, 23 (Colombia defender)

    Linked with: Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Liverpool Club: Barcelona

    Centre-back Mina is not thought to be in manager Ernesto Valverde’s plans at Barcelona. He had an impressive World Cup, scoring three goals – all headers – including an equaliser against England before the Three Lions’ penalty shootout win.

    No defender has ever scored more goals at one World Cup than Mina’s three.

     

  • Players like Messi born once every 50 years — Conte

    Players like Messi born once every 50 years — Conte

    Antonio Conte hailed Lionel Messi as the kind of player born once every 50 years after the Barcelona superstar’s virtuoso performance eliminated Chelsea from the Champions League at Camp Nou, ESPN reports.

    Messi scored twice to take his tally to 100 goals in the competition and also set up Ousmane Dembele to open his Barcelona account, as Chelsea were made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness in the final third as well as defensive mistakes.

    At the final whistle Conte marched onto the pitch to congratulate Messi on his display, and the Chelsea coach had more kind words for the Argentine in his postmatch news conference.

    “We are talking about a player who can move the final result for every team, for any team he is playing in,” Conte said of Messi.

    “He started to play with Barcelona and for sure he will finish his career in Barcelona. Many teams can hope to have him in their team, but it won’t be possible.

    “This is a great story for Barcelona and Messi. This type of player is born (once) in 50 years. We are talking about one single player with this capacity, with this ability, with these skills.

    “He’s fantastic. We are talking about a player who is able to move the final result for the team for whom he is playing.”

    Asked what he said to Messi, Conte said, “When you have the opportunity to make a great compliment to Messi, I think it’s right.

    “It’s right to praise a super, super, super top player. A player who is able to score 60 goals in every season, not only for one season. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity at the end of the game to give him my compliments because we are talking about an extraordinary player, the best in the world.”

    Chelsea created a host of chances to change the course of the tie, hitting the post with a Marcos Alonso free kick in the first half and seeing Antonio Rudiger’s header crash off the crossbar late on, and Conte insisted that the 4-1 aggregate scoreline did not reflect his team’s performances across the two matches.

    “If you watched the game, you can see the final result is unfair,” he added. “Our start was terrible, to concede a goal after only two minutes. But, after this, we tried to play football for a long time and dominated the game, creating chances to score.”