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Tag: Premier League

  • ‘Project Restart’: Premier League ramps up plans for resuming season

    Plans to resume the Premier League season will step up this week in what has been labelled “Project Restart”.

    Arsenal and Brighton have opened their training grounds to players for individual workouts on Monday.

    The league is hopeful of a potential 8 June restart and finishing at the end of July to fit in with Uefa’s European competition plans. This would require full training to begin by 18 May.

    Top-flight clubs will meet on Friday to discuss options for the restart.

    The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic and all clubs remain committed to playing this season’s 92 remaining fixtures.

    All games are expected to be held behind closed doors and the league is considering making some available free-to-air.

    One issue under debate on Friday will be what “approved stadiums” will be used and whether that will be a limited number of grounds or neutral venues.

    However, a return to action still depends on the government’s five tests being met, especially an increase in testing, and meeting social distancing guidelines.

    It also hinges on the conclusions reached by regular cross-sport meetings of senior medical officials discussing the health protocols for competing behind closed doors, which are set to start this week.

    The BBC reported on Saturday how the government has plans for a series of these meetings to help elite sport resume.

    The move was described by a source close to the plans as a “quickening of the pace” and intended to help sport resume “within weeks”, if progress was made.

    More than 20,000 people in the UK have died with coronavirus.

    On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it would be “difficult” for amateur sport to return this summer due to the “level and scale of interaction” but that professional sport may be able to return “because of the scale of testing” that could be introduced.

    Clubs in Germany’s Bundesliga have already returned to training and the top-flight season is ready to restart on 9 May if given the go-ahead by the government.

    In Italy, Serie A sides can return to individual training on 4 May and team training on 18 May after the Italian prime minister announced the first steps in lifting the country’s coronavirus lockdown.

    World players’ union Fifpro says the return of football risks sending a “bad signal”.

    “There is a huge logistical and medical/scientific question about testing and protocols but also a social one,” said secretary-general Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.

    “We need guidance and protocols on how to return in a healthy and safe manner. Football is a contact sport and we feel very high protection standards are required.

    “Are we sending the right message to society, and are we encouraging a healthy return to normal life? Or are we sending a bad signal that football has different rules to the rest of the world?”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Premier League clubs to discuss a possible 30 June deadline to the season

    Premier League clubs will discuss the option of putting a 30 June deadline on the 2019-20 season at a meeting on Friday.

    Not all clubs have been involved in informal discussions at this stage but, with a hoped-for May resumption to the season unlikely, club owners are looking at how to avoid potentially difficult contractual situations.

    Numerous players’ present deals expire on 30 June, notably Chelsea midfielder Willian and Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

    In addition, Liverpool are due to change shirt manufacturers from New Balance to Nike, while Watford and Newcastle are also changing kit suppliers.

    World governing body Fifa is aware of the problem and is looking at alternatives, like rolling contract extensions, with the season currently suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    However, legally, players cannot be forced to sign them, raising the possibility of clubs losing key parts of their squad before the campaign has been concluded.

    It has led to an increasing body of opinion that, no matter what the state of the Premier League at that point, 30 June should be the final day.

    Such a move would also bring more clarity to the 2020-21 season, which BBC Sport has been told by numerous sources is more important than the current one.

    Putting a deadline on this season is fraught with problems, particularly surrounding relegation and promotion.

    One idea being pushed forward again is to promote current Championship top two Leeds and West Brom, not relegate anyone from the top flight and go with a 22-team competition, which would increase the number of TV games and potentially avoid the need to repay this season’s broadcast money.

    However, that would create a problem for the Football League as it would lead to an imbalance in their numbers.

    These are all issues that will be debated by Premier League executives on Friday, although a definitive decision seems unlikely given Uefa has pleaded for leagues to give them time to return with their own proposals for ending the season across Europe, something they expect to do by mid-May at the latest.

    Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder though does not expect a deadline to be set for the end of the campaign.

    He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’m sure that we will adjust accordingly. I think for the integrity of the competition and competitions, especially the top end of English football and European football, they’ll want to finish the season.

    “I believe that there will be an ability next year to adjust, with international breaks, with moving a few games into midweek. We have that ability through organisation and planning to finish this season off.

    “But only as everybody said, and I’ll reiterate that, when it’s safe to do so for everybody. And that obviously we have to take our lead off the government and what they suggest and want us to do.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Brighton open talks with Trabzonspor about Caleb Ekuban

    Brighton and Hove Albion have expressed interest in signing Ghana striker Caleb Ekuban.

    According to Fanatik, the English Premier League side have approached Trabzonspor for the Ghana international.

    Ekuban, 26, had an unsuccessful stint with Leeds United before being shipped out to the Turkish side where he revived his career.

    After scoring eight goals in 25 games despite battling injuries, the Italy-born forward could be making a return to England.

    But Brighton must be ready to fend off competition from Scottish Premier League duo Celtic and Rangers.

    Ekuban’s contract with Trabzonspor expires in 2022.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Premier League ‘could lose £1bn’; while football’s ‘clubs and leagues in danger’

    The Premier League could lose £1bn if the 2019-2020 season cannot finish – and English football faces “the danger of losing clubs and leagues” amid economic challenges “beyond the wildest imagination”.

    The season has been halted indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Premier League chief executive Richard Masters warned of “further losses” if the situation “deepens and extends” beyond this season.

    Meanwhile Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said: “Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chance of resurrection.”

    Amid those projected losses, Masters also defended clubs considering the use of government furlough scheme. However the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee responded to tell the Premier League to “stop defending the indefensible”.

    Some clubs have placed non-playing staff on temporary leave, while talks continue over the salaries of players. On Monday, Liverpool reversed a decision to furlough staff and apologised after facing criticism.

    The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut for players, but the Professional Footballers’ Association says it would harm the NHS.

    Top-flight players are now negotiating on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after collective talks broke down without resolution over the weekend.

    ‘Clubs showing restraint on furloughing’

    Masters’ warnings came in a letter to MP Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee – who has accused top-flight football of being in a “moral vacuum”.

    In the letter, Masters defended clubs’ rights to furlough staff, saying: “We do agree with you that restraint needs to be shown by all and we and our clubs are doing just that. Individual clubs will need to make these decisions based on their own forecasts as each club will have its own unique position.”

    “The furlough scheme announced by Government is meant for the whole economy, including many enterprises which might be regarded as providing entertainment or otherwise dependent on elite talent.

    “Not only is our industry facing losses now, but to be realistic, we must also base our plans on full recovery being some distance away.

    “Ultimately, the very heavy losses that we face will have to be dealt with or else clubs or other enterprises who depend on football for income will go out of business.”

    However, Knight continued his criticism on Tuesday, responding: “It is time for the Premier League to stop defending the indefensible.

    “It is frankly laughable to think that clubs are showing restraint on use of government money to pay non-playing staff and flies in the face of public opinion. Liverpool has listened to fans, done the right thing and changed its mind.”

    ‘Agree a common cause to save our game’
    Speaking at an FA Council meeting, Clarke said “in the face of this unprecedented adversity” there was a need to “share the pain to keep the game alive” among all stakeholders – players, fans, clubs owners and administrators”.

    “It is time for the stakeholders to agree common cause to save our game. Contribute. Football is a team game and now is the time for teamwork,” he added.

    With no games being played, Football League clubs are struggling with cashflow issues without ticket sales, as well as matchday and merchandise income.

    On Monday, England men’s manager Gareth Southgate and women’s boss Phil Neville said they would take a 30% pay cut.

    FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the financial impact of postponements, including England fixtures, FA Cup matches and Wembley events could be as high as £150m.

    Clarke said: “We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit.

    “However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority – human life is – and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds.

    “Further down the football pyramid, our leagues have requested that the season is curtailed and that decision rests with the FA Council.

    “The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences and all business sectors will suffer.

    “We face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse.”

    National League chairman and former FA chief executive Brian Barwick admits the game will change as a result of the pandemic, but insists the “starting point” will be to “protect our clubs”.

    “Certainly at National League level, we have to look at all the ways we can retain our clubs,” Barwick told BBC Radio 5 Live.

    “We have 68 clubs across our three divisions and we are concerned about making sure that when we come through this we have 68 left.

    “It is going to be tough and tight, so any opportunities that the government give us, or the wider sporting industry gives, or football gives us, we have to take heed of and do the right thing.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Seidu Yahaya: Ghanaian midfielder seals move to Latvian club FK Liep?ja

    Ghanaian international Seidu Yahaya has completed his transfer to Latvian Premier League side FK Liep?ja.

    The experienced midfielder has been in talks with the club over a possible move in the last couple of weeks.

    After successful negotiations, the 31-year-old has sealed his move to FK Liep?ja from Belarusian giants Dinamo Minsk.

    With the Latvian top-flight expected to commence soon, Seidu Yahaya is expected to immediately link up with his new teammates for pre-season training.

    Seidu Yahaya has loads of experience after playing for the likes of AEK Athens, Meccaibi Haifa, Sherrif Tiraspol and Al Fayha.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Premier League players prepared to step up – Taylor

    Premier League players are “mindful of their social responsibilities” and “prepared to step up to the mark” during the coronavirus pandemic, says Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor.

    Talks are ongoing about a collective pay deal in response to the crisis.

    The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut, but the PFA said it would harm the NHS.

    “It is a question of asking players to be involved,” Taylor told BBC Sport.

    “The question needs to come from the clubs and then to open up on the table and say it is not a question of us using your money for purposes you don’t want.”

    Premier League players are set to start negotiations on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after talks broke down without resolution over the weekend.

    Four top-flight clubs – Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich – have placed some non-playing staff on furlough leave under the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme, increasing the pressure on players to take a pay cut.

    On Monday, Premier League leaders Liverpool reversed the decision to furlough some staff after criticism from fans and former players.

    “It is not for me to tell clubs how to run their businesses. It is for me to look at the players’ side of things,” said Taylor.

    “A football club is an entity involving non-playing staff – they need to look at the position of non-playing staff, the youngsters at clubs, the academies, the community programmes in their own areas and the bigger picture of the national health.

    “I can only repeat that the players are mindful of their social responsibilities and they are quite prepared to step up to the mark to deal with it.”

    Taylor said all parties involved in the talks “can agree” if there are “full and frank discussions” between clubs, owners and players.

    Players are understood to be wary of agreeing pay cuts that would help billionaire owners save money which may subsequently be spent on transfers.

    “The players want to do their bit into the charity that they would donate to. They didn’t want money being used for things that they didn’t agree with,” said Taylor.

    “We have to deal with this on a club-by-club basis. It is the hardest way but I believe it is the best way.”

    Health secretary Matt Hancock last week called for players to take a pay cut and “play their part”.

    Former England captain and current Derby striker Wayne Rooney said players have been left in a “no-win situation”, and Taylor agreed they were “very put out that they were being put in a corner”.

    “Many players have their own charity foundations and, within their contracts, players give six hours a week to community activities,” said Taylor.

    “It is unfair the Secretary of State singled out footballers because of their profile – they are not self-employed, they do pay tax and they do contribute.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Premier League 30 April restart date to be pushed back; Uefa warning for clubs

    The restart date for the Premier League will be pushed back on Friday.

    All 20 Premier League clubs will meet via video and it is accepted by all that there is no hope of professional games being played immediately after the current 30 April deadline.

    The Premier League could shift the date back into May or opt to follow Spain and France, who have shut down their leagues for an indefinite period.

    Italy have talked of Serie A returning in late May, but that seems optimistic.

    European governing body Uefa has written a joint letter with the European Clubs’ Association and the European Leagues urging domestic bodies not to abandon their competitions.

    Leagues across Europe have been told that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.

    Pushing the date back would allow Premier League clubs the chance to offer their stadiums and medical staff to the National Health Service, knowing they would not be required in the short term.

    That would at least correct some of the negative publicity that has accompanied news that four clubs, including Tottenham, are already using the government’s furlough scheme to compensate laid-off workers by up to £2,500-a-month, despite their players and manager Jose Mourinho, some of whom earn in excess of £100,000-a-week, remaining on full pay.

    Talks between the Premier League, Football League and both the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and League Managers’ Association (LMA) are continuing, with clubs expected to be updated on this at Friday’s meeting.

    Explanation for the delay in players accepting pay cuts or, more likely, wage deferrals – including the fact they are financial assets of their clubs in addition to employees and have watertight contracts which, in some cases, expire on 30 June – has cut little ice with many within the general public and also some politicians, who have made their displeasure clear.

    Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Brighton counterpart Graham Potter have both taken the personal decision to accept significant cuts without waiting for any central directive from the LMA.

    Talks about a resumption are also anticipated, when the prospect of games being played behind closed doors, potentially in a limited number of locations, will be discussed.

    Training grounds have been mentioned as potentially hosting games, although it is difficult to work out how this would be a safer environment than stadiums, which, evidently, are built to host matches that, by definition, need to be broadcast in order to avoid the £750m repayment to TV companies that would be triggered by a failure to complete the current season.

    That such a scenario has even been discussed underlines the overwhelming desire among Premier League clubs, which remains to complete the season in its entirety.

    However, Premier League sources are equally adamant nothing will be agreed that places any unnecessary strain on medical resources at a time of national crisis.

    Even in a sterile environment it is acknowledged how bad it would look for the game if a player needed hospital treatment for a broken leg at a time when significant numbers of the general population were dying of coronavirus.

    So, alternative options are being discussed, in England and across Europe.

    Insiders at European football’s governing body Uefa have confirmed that places reserved in next season’s Europa League for domestic cup winners would revert to league positions if those tournaments were not completed.

    The Belgian League has become the first to declare its season over, although with 29 games out of 30 in the regular league programme already played, effectively it has abandoned the play-off system that should have followed and is seen as a special case.

    Of more consequence for the major leagues is the massive financial hit taken by Ligue 1 after their domestic rights holders Canal+ and beIN Sports confirmed an intention to withhold the latest payment, which was due on 5 April.

    Should France, Italy or Spain close their leagues down for the season, that is likely to have far reaching consequences for the game given, together with England, 16 out of the 28 teams remaining in the Champions or Europa Leagues come from one of those four countries.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Myron Boadu tops Dutch topflight league team of the year

    Dutch striker of Ghanaian descent Mayron Badu has been named in Dutch League’s team of the season in an opinion poll conducted by sportsnieuws.nl.

    With 52 percent of the votes, the majority of you see Boadu as the best striker in the Netherlands, the report says.

    In the likeliest event that the Eredivisie will not resume, the 19-year-old will remain the best attacker the 2019/20 Dutch League.

    The league is on suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has torn though Europe and other continents.

    Among all the other experienced players in this team, Myron Boadu is by far the youngest player in this team with his 19 years of age. Despite that age, the Amsterdammer has already done a lot. A serious ankle and knee injury meant that Boadu had to play no less than 68 (!) Matches.

    Boadu has been in blistering form all season with his 14 league goals helping the Cheeseheads to second place, same on points with Ajax at the top of the table.

    He has six assist to his credit an regarded as the most improved and best player in the Eredivisie ahead of Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech.

    With 14 goals in 24 games, he only sees Steven Berghuis and Cyriel Dessers on the top scorers list of the Eredivisie.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

     

  • Coronavirus: Premier League to discuss plans to complete season

    Premier League clubs will attempt to hammer out a plan to complete their suspended season when they meet via a conference call on Thursday.

    English football is in lockdown as part of the worldwide bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

    Top-flight fixtures have been suspended until April 4 at the earliest and while it seems certain that the lay-off will be extended, the postponement of the Euro 2020 finals has created room for manoeuvre.

    It is understood the focus at the meeting will be on concluding the 2019/20 campaign at some point rather than on what might happen should they be unable to restart.

    There are signs that clubs are split on the way forward.

    Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber said if the season were to be “frozen” it would be unjust on Liverpool, who are on the brink of their first top-flight title for 30 years.

    But West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said if the fixtures could not be completed, the only fair solution would be to declare the season “null and void”.

    Some clubs lower down the English football pyramid fear they could be forced out of business if football does not return until after the summer.

    The English Football League (EFL) has already announced a £50 million ($58 million) short-term relief package to help out struggling lower league clubs.

    Underlining the parlous state of some clubs, Scottish Premiership side Hearts announced that it had asked staff to take a 50 percent pay cut.

    In a statement on the club’s official website, Hearts owner Anne Budge said: “In order to try to prevent a staff redundancy programme and to protect as many jobs as possible, I am proposing to implement a club-wide salary reduction programme.

    “We have asked all full-time employees, managers, coaches, players and player back-room staff, with effect from the beginning of April, to accept a 50 percent cut in their monthly salary.”

    She said she did not know how long the measure would be in place for.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus: Premier League ditches pre-match fair-play handshakes

    The Premier League has announced that the pre-match handshakes between both teams and officials will not take place until further notice because of fears over the spread of coronavirus.

    The measure comes the day after the government asked the league “to step up its contingency planning”.

    The teams will still line up as usual but the home team will walk past the away side without shaking hands.

    There have been more than 90,000 cases of the virus in 87 countries.

    A statement on the Premier League’s website said: “The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.

    “Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake.”

    Premier League leaders Liverpool announced on Thursday that they would not be having mascots at Anfield.

    They have also cancelled staff travelling to any high-risk countries and “reminded everyone of good hygiene practices”.

    The club also said there will be “hand sanitisers and/or antibacterial handwash in all the washrooms at Anfield” as well as hygiene information posters.

    Last week Newcastle manager Steve Bruce said the club had stopped their morning handshake ritual while West Ham boss David Moyes said the players would be fist bumping instead of shaking hands.

    Southampton also banned players from signing autographs or taking selfies with fans.

    League One club Sunderland have also told their players to not go abroad during their upcoming break.

    Source: BBC

  • Man City appeal against European ban registered by Court of Arbitration for Sport

    Manchester City’s appeal against their two-year ban from European club competition has been registered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

    The Premier League champions were also fined 30m euros (£25m) for “serious breaches” of Uefa’s financial regulations.

    City chief executive Ferran Soriano has said the breaches are “simply not true”.

    Cas says “it is not possible” to say when the matter will be resolved.

    Cas arbitration procedures involve an exchange of written submissions between the parties while a panel of arbitrators is convened to hear the appeal.

    The independent adjudicatory chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) said it found City had broken the rules by “overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to Uefa between 2012 and 2016”, adding that the club “failed to cooperate in the investigation”.

    At the time, City said they were “disappointed but not surprised” by the “prejudicial” decision and would appeal.

    Uefa launched an investigation after German newspaper Der Spiegel published leaked documents in November 2018 alleging City had inflated the value of a sponsorship deal, misleading European football’s governing body.

    Reports alleged City – who have always denied wrongdoing – deliberately misled Uefa so they could meet financial fair play rules requiring clubs to break even.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Kotoko will revert to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after March 6

    Ghanaian giant, Asante Kotoko will be back at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for their Premier League games as authorities have confirmed to the club that the stadium will be made available after the 6th March Independence celebration.

    The Stadium was closed down for renovation works last week, with clubs using the venue asked to find alternative venues for their home games.

    Asante Kotoko resorted to the Accra Sports Stadium as their new home venue for the remainder of the season but latest information gathered by Finder Sports indicates that the team is likely to play some of its Premier League games at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after the independence day celebrations which has been confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the club Kennedy Boakye-Ansah in an interview with the media.

    The Acting Ashanti Regional National Sports Authority boss,Edmond Appiah told reporters that clubs can use the venue as renovation will be done in phases after 6th March.

    According to him, the NSA will meet the various stakeholders and outline the planson how the renovation works will be carried out at the stadium.

    “This is a temporal closure because after the independence celebrations the clubs can still use the stadium. The work will be done in phases, the Kumasi Stadium will not be completely shut down”, he told the media.

    He also indicated that the NSA will meet the clubs on the renovation works to be carried out at the stadium as well as the phases at which the works will be carried out.

    Meanwhile, Communication Director for Asante Kotoko Kennedy Boakye-Ansah has said that the team will camp in Kumasi and travel to Accra to play some of their home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    He also confirmed Kotoko playing some of its games at the venue after 6th March.

    According to reports, Asante Kotoko are considering on honoring their home games in the night due to the number of teams that use the venue.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Sadio Mane strikes late to sink spirited Hammers

    Sadio Mane’s 81st-minute strike ensured Liverpool overcame an almighty scare to beat a spirited West Ham 3-2 at Anfield and re-establish their 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side trailed the Hammers with 22 minutes remaining, but goals from Mohamed Salah (68) and Mane ensured Liverpool equalled Manchester City’s Premier League record of 18 consecutive league wins.

    Georginio Wijnaldum’s ninth-minute opener was immediately cancelled out by Issa Diop’s third league goal in six games, before substitute Pablo Fornals completed a remarkable turnaround nine minutes into the second half.

    But a dreadful error from Lukasz Fabianski allowed Salah to level, before Mane nudged Liverpool to within four wins of their first league title in 30 years.

    Substitute Jarrod Bowen squandered a glorious chance to level moments after Sadio Mane was denied a second following a VAR offside review, with the result leaving 18th-placed West Ham still deep in relegation trouble, a point adrift of safety.

    Player ratings

    Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (9), Gomez (6), Van Dijk (7), Robertson (7), Keita (6), Fabinho (6), Wijnaldum (6), Salah (7), Firmino (6), Mane (7).

    Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain (6), Matip (n/a).

    West Ham: Fabianski (6), Ngakia (7), Diop (8), Ogbonna (7), Cresswell (6), Rice (7), Snodgrass (7), Soucek (7), Noble (6), Felipe Anderson (7), Antonio (6).

    Subs: Bowen (5), Fornals (7), Haller (n/a).

    Man of the match: Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Arsenal edge Everton in five-goal cracker

    Arsenal came out on top in a five-goal thriller as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double gave them a 3-2 victory over Everton in the Premier League on Super Sunday.

    In-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring for Everton after just 49 seconds with an intuitive acrobatic effort, but Eddie Nketiah levelled with just his second Premier League goal from early sub Bukayo Saka’s brilliant cross (27).

    Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead with a neat finish inside the box (33), but Richarlison poked Everton level late in the half as the hosts failed to clear a set piece (45+4) in a game where defensive solidity was not the order of the day.

    Arsenal took just 22 seconds to regain the lead in the second half through Aubameyang’s header (46), before Calvert-Lewin missed two fine chances late on.

    The result means Arsenal leapfrog Everton into ninth, seven points off the top four with 11 to play. Everton are a point further back in 11th.

    Player ratings
    Arsenal: Leno (8), Bellerin (6), Mustafi (7), Luiz (6), Kolasinac (NA), Xhaka (6), Ceballos (7), Ozil (7), Pepe (6), Aubameyang (8), Nketiah (7).

    Subs: Saka (7), Torreira (NA), Guendouzi (NA)

    Everton: Pickford (6), Sidibe (6), Holgate (6), Mina (6), Baines (7), Delph (6), Schneiderlin (6), Sigurdsson (6), Iwobi (6), Richarlison (7), Calvert-Lewin (8)

    Subs: Gomes (6), Bernard (6), Kean (NA)

    Man of the match: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

    Source: skysports.com

  • Eddie Nketiah praises ‘great’ Arsenal performance in victory over Newcastle United

    English-born Ghanaian Eddie Nketiah has hailed Arsenal’s ‘great team’ performance in their 4-0 thumping of Newcastle United in the English Premier League on Sunday.

    The Gunners returned to winning was with an emphatic victory over the magpies with the 20-year old playing 85 minutes of the game.

    He was replaced by French forward Alexander Lacazette, who set up the third and finished off a brilliant fourth.

    “Back to winning ways! Great performance from the team, matched by the support of the fans. Happy to mark my first PL start with 3 points. God is good!,” he posted on Social Media after the game.

    Gabon forward Pierre Emerick Augbamayeng opened the scoring 9 minutes after the break before Nicolas Pepe, who was provider for the opener connected to a Bukayo Saka assist for the second three minutes later.

    The win was Arsenal’s first in the Premier League since beating Manchester United on New Year’s day.

    Edward Nketiah was recalled by manager Mikel Arteta from his loan spell at Leeds United.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

     

  • Former Premier League official Bobby Madley to return to refereeing

    Ex-Premier League referee Bobby Madley says he has accepted an opportunity to officiate in England again.

    Madley was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in 2018 after sending a video mocking a disabled person to a friend.

    Following discussions with PGMOL, Madley will return as an official at League One and League Two level from the start of next season.

    Madley, 34, says he has also agreed to attend an FA discrimination workshop.

    He will also work at grassroots level for the remainder of this season before becoming a National List referee.

    In a blog post, Madley wrote: “Eighteen months ago I lost my dream job as a professional football referee due my own regrettable, naive and stupid actions.

    “I am delighted, however, that I have been given the opportunity to return to referee in the professional game in England.”

    He added: “I am not proud of my actions in 2018 and I have learned from this and feel I am a better and stronger person for it.

    “PGMOL dealt with what they considered a discriminatory act in the strongest way. There can be no criticism for that and I have never sought to do anything other than respect the decision and to learn from it as a person.

    “I can only thank them for having the ability to forgive, recognise that one naive moment does not define a person and offer me a second chance to do what I love to do.”

    Madley took charge of 91 top-flight matches between 2013 and 2018 until he was sacked.

    Following his dismissal he moved to Norway where he has refereed in the lower leagues.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Legon Cities coach Goran Barjaktarevic not under pressure despite poor run of results

    Legon Cities FC coach Goran Barkjaktarevic says he doesn’t feel any pressure despite the poor run of results in the on-going Ghana Premier League.

    Cities are currently 15th on the league table after nine round of matches played so far with 10 points, just a place and one point above the relegation zone.

    They’ve won two, drawn four and lost three games in the process.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference, coach Barjaktarevic says he doesn’t feel any pressure despite sack rumours.

    “How many fans do we have?,” he quizzed after he was told fans are dissatisfied of their performance. “I mean we are a new club and I’m not sure we have that kind of fan bases who can judge something like that.

    “I think those people who are talking are prepared by some kind of people and I as a coach, my expertise is judged by the best people in Germany.

    “Those people who think they can judge me as not qualified for this, I have read from social media that I ma coming here to get the possibility to make my A license and this expert that wrote this that I made my A license in 2000, and I made my professional licence in 2005 so I didn’t come here to make my A license or make profit. I came to work football,” he reacted angrily.

    “I mean all these people, I am an open person, all these people can come to me if they have questions and I can guarantee you it’s not from our fans.

    “Someone prepare them say things like that. I am responsible to my board.

    “I don’t feel any pressure, I am like a fish in the water. This business for me is like a fish in the water. What pressure.”

    Legon Cities will welcome Great Olympics to the Accra Sports stadium on Friday on match day 10 of the Ghana Premier League.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • No action over Bournemouth allegations

    The Premier League will not take any action against referee Jon Moss after Bournemouth alleged he made comments during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United, says BBC Radio Solent.

    Cherries midfielder Dan Gosling says Moss showed “zero respect” and was a “disgrace” for making “sarky comments” about their league position.

    The Football Association will also not be taking any action against Gosling.

    Bournemouth are 16th in the table, two points above the relegation zone.

    Bournemouth and Gosling consider the matter closed, but the club back their player unequivocally after the Professional Game Match Officials Limited – who are are responsible for match officials in English professional football – and the Premier League decided no action was necessary against Moss.

    Moss apologised to Bournemouth’s Adam Smith in 2017 after wrongly booking the defender.

    And while Moss again irritated the Cherries players on Sunday with some of his decisions, Gosling says the official also made disparaging comments about the club being in a relegation battle.

    “The ref didn’t help. Giving soft fouls away and little comments to two or three of the lads didn’t help as well really,” Gosling told the Daily Echo.

    “I thought it was very disrespectful what he was saying.

    “It was just the little niggly ones and then the little sarky comments.

    “The officials talk about respect at the start of the season and there was zero respect from Jon Moss on Sunday.

    “The comments that he made especially to me and one other player – talking about the relegation zone and ‘you’re still in the relegation zone’, ‘you’re having one’, ‘your team’s having one’ this and that and it was very, very disrespectful.”

    Gosling confirmed the comments were made during the game before adding: “I think he should really come out and apologise because I thought he was a disgrace.”

    Sunday was the first occasion this term that Moss had taken charge of a game involving Bournemouth.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Results of Ghana Premier League matches after week eight

    Herewith results of the Ghana Premier League matches after matchday eight.

    Sogakope: WAFA SC 0-0 Kotoko

    Kumasi: King Faisal 3-4 Olympics

    Tarkwa: Medeama SC 1-0 Bechem United

    Accra: Legon Cities 0-0 Elmina Sharks

    Berekum: Chelsea 1-0 Karela United

    Cape Coast: Ebusua Dwarfs 3-1 Aduana Stars

    Dansoman: Liberty 0-2 Dreams FC

    Techiman: Eleven Wonders 0-3 Inter Allies

    Source: GNA

  • Three things we learned from the Premier League

    Liverpool’s relentless march to a first English title since 1990 gathered pace with a comfortable win at Bournemouth, while Manchester City’s defence of the trophy was hit by a painful defeat against rivals Manchester United.

    Fuelled by Jamie Vardy’s blistering form, Leicester have emerged as the closest challengers to Liverpool.

    AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the Premier League weekend:

    Solskjaer’s big week

    Seven days ago Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fielding questions over whether he is the man to return Manchester United to their former glories after a 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa left the Red Devils in ninth and with just four wins from their opening 14 Premier League games.

    Read:Premier League considers ban on heading for youths amid dementia fear: reports

    A week on and Solskjaer has secured the two biggest victories of his time in charge since a famous 3-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in March helped turn his caretaker spell in charge into a full-time position.

    United have beaten Tottenham on Jose Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford and now Manchester City 2-1 to climb up to fifth and within five points of the top four. On both occasions the scoreline arguably flattered the losing side with Solskjaer’s vision slowly coming to fruition.

    Marcus Rashford has already matched his previous season’s best for goals with 13, Fred has enjoyed two of his best games since a £50 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk 18 months ago, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was outstanding in nullifying the threat of Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire marshalled his defence resolutely under a late City bombardment.

    There is still much to do for Solskjaer to convince the doubters, not least catching Chelsea in fourth to secure a return to the Champions League next season, but this was undoubtedly his best week as permanent United boss.

    Read:ICC on StarTimes: Premier League rivals clash in China

    Klopp relishes Liverpool shutout

    Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s first clean sheet in 14 games was the talk of the dressing room after the leaders’ 3-0 win at Bournemouth.

    Klopp’s side made it 33 league games unbeaten as they maintained an eight-point lead over second-placed Leicester.

    Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah earned the victory, but it was Liverpool’s first shutout since September 28 that pleased Klopp the most.

    “I forgot actually how it feels, to be honest. It’s great, we should have that more often,” Klopp said.

    “For the boys, that was the most used word in the dressing room when I came in, ‘clean sheet, clean sheet, clean sheet’.

    “Obviously everybody was desperate for that and now we have it, so let’s have it more often.”

    Read:VAR implemented better in Champions League than Premier League Lampard

    Leicester happy to stay in the shadows

    With Jamie Vardy on the kind of hot streak he last managed when Leicester won their fairytale title in 2016, Brendan Rodgers’ side have become the last hope of a competitive race to be crowned kings of English football.

    Liverpool have left Manchester City trailing in their wake, but Leicester remain in the hunt after Vardy’s double inspired a 4-1 rout of Aston Villa.

    Vardy, the Premier League’s leading scorer with 16 goals this term, has netted in eight successive games, recalling his 11-match scoring streak from 2015-16.

    The Foxes have reeled off a club record eight consecutive top-flight victories, but Rodgers has no intention of talking up his team’s title chances.

    “I don’t think anyone expects us to be near the top. We respect that, we get on with our work and keep developing as a team,” Rodgers said.

    “It’s just natural, Man City and Liverpool are both incredible teams. We know we are looking to improve and close the gap. We have finished ninth in the last two seasons but today we looked like a top team.”

    Source: France24