Category Other

Blues ‘appalled’ by fan racist abuse of Deeney

Birmingham City say they are “appalled and saddened” by alleged racist abuse towards Blues captain Troy Deeney from the home end at St Andrew’s. The Championship side issued a statement saying Deeney and a number of Blues fans had reported hearing the slurs at the end of Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Cardiff City. Deeney, 34, joined his hometown club in 2021 and has made 53 Blues appearances. “There is no…

Man Utd’s Toone has red card overturned

Ella Toone is available for Manchester United’s next three games after having a red card overturned. The England midfielder was sent off late on in United’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday after appearing to hit out at Eveliina Summanen. After the match, United boss Marc Skinner said he believed Summanen was “play acting”. The Football Association said Toone had made “a successful claim of wrongful dismissal”. United returned to…

Chelsea boss Hayes ‘open’ to idea of closed league

Women’s football in England should be “open” to the idea of a closed league, says Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. The Women’s Super League in England, as with other European leagues, operates on a traditional promotion and relegation system. In contrast, the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States is a closed league featuring the same teams, or franchises, each season. “I’ve worked in that in the United States,” said…

Scottish Gossip: Kyogo, Celtic, Rangers, Tillman, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Hibernian

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi is still hopeful he will be fit for the Viaplay Cup final against Rangers after sustaining a shoulder injury against St Mirren on Saturday. (Scottish Sun)external-link Rangers are in line to bank another £7m in transfer add-ons following the sales of some of their top academy talents to the Premier League. (Glasgow Times)external-link Former Brazil and Inter Milan defender Ze Maria is a shock contender for…

The night Gattuso clashed with ‘Jaws’ Jordan in Milan

Gennaro Gattuso had been spoiling for a fight all night. Peter Crouch was not built to react to the Milan midfielder’s late lunges and provocation, Rafael van de Vaart and Steven Pienaar too amiable or astonished to respond to his antics, the officials seemingly unwilling to properly clamp down. However, in the Tottenham technical area stood a square-jawed, shaven-headed Scot, eyes burning, dentures grinding. Joe Jordan had spent nearly half…

What is it Aberdeen are looking for in a manager?

It’s now over two weeks since Jim Goodwin walked down the Easter Road pitch with his bag over his shoulder, before climbing over a cartoon cat on an advertising board and ignominiously leaving the stadium. Since that undignified exit as Aberdeen manager, there has been a strange silence about who might replace him. The usual rumour mill which goes into frenzied overdrive when a manager departs has been oddly quiet.…

Hundreds of referees reveal level of abuse

Hundreds of grassroots referees have told the BBC they fear for their safety when refereeing and are dissatisfied with current measures to tackle abuse. More than 900 referees in England responded to a Radio 5 Live questionnaire, with 293 saying they had been physically abused by spectators, players, coaches or managers. Some described being punched, headbutted and spat at. Almost all the respondents had experienced some form of verbal abuse.…

Can crisis-hit Merseyside clubs save their seasons?

It is a Merseyside derby that will see two clubs in crisis situations come up against each other. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side go into Monday’s Premier League meeting at Anfield in freefall. They are without a victory in their past four league games and suffered a humbling defeat at Wolves in their last game. Sean Dyche, meanwhile, enjoyed a dream start as Everton manager last weekend with victory over leaders…

Monday’s Scottish Gossip

Rangers are being linked with a summer move for FCSB midfielder Darius Olaru, 24, according to reports in the Romania international’s homeland. (Scotsman – subscription required)external-link Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on 28-year-old Celtic and Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi, 28. (Football Insider)external-link Oh Hyeon-gyu is ready to lead the line for Celtic against Rangers in the Viaplay Cup final on 26 February if Kyogo is unfit to play following a…

Ange Postecoglou: Celtic boss shutting out ‘noise’ around Leeds United speculation

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou insists he will not be distracted by the “noise” of speculation linking him with Leeds United. The Elland Road club are seeking a replacement for Jesse Marsch. When asked what he would say to any fans who may be concerned by media links, the Australian replied: “I don’t think I need to say anything to them. “I think what supporters want is to make sure I’m…