Massimo Cellino’s Leeds United ownership disqualified by Football League

Massimo Cellino’s Leeds United ownership disqualified by Football League - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino’s ownership have been disqualified, The Football League have confirmed on Monday.

The Italian had opposition before he took over the Championship Club earlier in April this year. He was facing charges of tax evasion, which had forced the Football League to block his takeover.

Cellino challenged the Football League and won an appeal against their decision to block his takeover. However, the Italian court has convicted Leeds owner of tax evasion after which the League’s board of directors agreed unanimously decided to disqualify the Cellino’s ownership.

A statement on The Football League’s official website read, “The Board of Directors of The Football League has, once again, considered the position of Leeds United President, Massimo Cellino, under its Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

“Previously (March 2014), the Board had ruled that Mr. Cellino was subject to a disqualifying condition after he was found guilty of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the non-payment of import duties on a boat (which resulted in him being fined €600,000). In April 2014, this decision was successfully appealed by Mr. Cellino at a hearing of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) chaired by an independent QC (sitting alone).

“In reaching his verdict, Tim Kerr QC concluded that: “Mr Cellino has satisfied me that on the facts before me, what he was convicted of was not conduct which would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.” Before going on to state that: “if the reasoned ruling of the court in Cagliari discloses that the conduct of Mr Cellino was such that it would reasonably be considered to be dishonest, he would become subject to a Disqualifying Condition.”

“At its meeting last week, the Board considered the reasoned Judgment of the Italian Court against Mr. Cellino, having successfully applied to the Italian Courts for its full disclosure. The Board considered detailed legal advice and agreed unanimously (with the exception of its Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, who did not take part in the debate or vote having declared an interest*) that Mr. Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under the terms of the Test.

Meanwhile, Cellino has two weeks to appeal the board’s decision to the PCC. It should be seen whether he will challenge the Football League’s decision for the second time or not

“Mr. Cellino is entitled to appeal the Board’s decision to the PCC within 14 days. As the Judgment of the Italian Court has not been published in Italy, The Football League will not make any of its contents public,” the statement added.

“Additionally, the Board concluded that it was appropriate to ask an independent Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) to consider whether Mr Cellino and/or Leeds United breached League regulations relating to the timely disclosure of relevant information. The matter will be heard by an FDC in due course.”

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Brendan Rodgers gives injury update on Liverpool duo for Leicester clash

Brendan Rodgers gives injury update on Liverpool duo for Leicester clash - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed striker Mario Balotelli and defender Mamadou Sakho will miss the Reds’ league clash against Leicester City on Tuesday.

The Merseyside club visit to King Power Stadium for the upcoming league clash after sealing a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at home on Saturday. The French international has last featured for Liverpool in the Capital One Cup clash in September.

Since then, Sakho has been on the sidelines with a thigh injury. The Northern Irishman confirmed that the centre-half has returned to training and Leicester match will be too early for him to make a return.

Meanwhile, Balotelli is also out of action and has already missed Stoke clash over the weekend. Rodgers confirmed the Italian international will not feature against the Foxes during the midweek.

“The squad will be pretty much the same. Sakho trained yesterday with the team for the first time, but won’t be match-ready yet. And Mario is still not fit,” Rodgers said in his pre-match press conference on Monday.

With the former Manchester City striker still injured, Rodgers could hand Rickie Lambert yet another start in the league on Tuesday. He has scored twice in the last three matches and the England international would be hoping to find the back of the next against Leicester.

Summer signing Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure are the options available for the team selection and the former Swansea manager could choose either of the two for the midweek league clash.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Brendan Rodgers speaks about Steven Gerrard’s contract situation at Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers speaks about Steven Gerrard’s contract situation at Liverpool - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Brendan Rodgers confirmed Liverpool have offered a new deal to skipper Steven Gerrard and the midfielder is now weighing up his options.

The 34-year-old retired from international football earlier in the summer to focus on the club career. He has less than a year left on his contract and his current deal expires at the end of this season.

The former Swansea boss heaped praise on Gerrard for his contribution to Liverpool and has also revealed the star midfielder is now given time to consider the offer made by the Merseyside club.

“The latest is we have spoken to Steven and his representative and he has been offered a contract here. At this moment that is where it is at,” Rodgers told in his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“For everything he has done here over 16 years he deserves the respect and time to consider that. It’s a big move in his life in terms of determining where his next contract will be. It certainly won’t be about money.

“I have spoken to him enough times and at length, so he deserves the opportunity to think about that. He is the best player I have worked in with the Premier League and I hope that continues, but i will give him as long as it takes.

“It is always the case no matter how good they have, once a player gets to the final years you have to work out how to get the best from him. Everyone knows his history and what a player he has been and still is. I still see that talent. He is a wonderful player.

“We are talking about someone who is still a world class talent but when you get older you have to manage that.

“Every players wants to play every game but his focus has always been on the team. It is about managing the period of his life he is in. It reaches every player. It is not an issue or a problem,” Liverpool manager concluded.

The Reds face Leicester City in the Premier League clash on Tuesday evening. Gerrard was benched for their last fixture against Stoke City, which also marked his 16th anniversary at Liverpool.

Rodgers admitted that he was unaware of the occasion and has also played down suggestions that there is a rift between him and Gerrard.

“I saw some things written that were unfortunate in terms of a rift. That is disappointing. There is only honesty and respect between us. He is at the stage of his career where it’s not only about the number of games he plays but quality of those games,” Rodgers said.

“One hundred per cent there is no problem and Steven made that point on social media. We have huge respect for each other,” the Northern Irishman concluded.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Louis Van Gaal unhappy with Manchester United schedule

Louis Van Gaal unhappy with Manchester United schedule - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal is unhappy with the amount of English Premier League games his side will be playing in December.

The Premier League is famous for its congested winter schedule over Christmas and the New Year, while other major European leagues take a mid-season break at that time.

Between December 20 and January 2, United will face Aston Villa away and host Newcastle United before traveling to Tottenham and Stoke.

“I’m not happy but I cannot change it,” Van Gaal told reporters. “I don’t agree with it because I don’t think that it is good for the players that they play another match within two days. In December, it shall be like that.

“We also have families. I also have a wife and kids and grandchildren and I cannot see them this Christmas.

“But I want to work in the Premier League, I have to adapt and I shall adapt. But I don’t think it is good for players, neither for the families.”

Van Gaal has seen his squad depth tested by a lengthy injury list this season, with Angel Di Maria set to miss at least one match with a hamstring problem.

The winter schedule will put further strain on the Dutch manager’s players, with many only recently returning from the treatment table and working their way back to full fitness.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Premier League weekend roundup: Five things we learnt

Premier League weekend roundup: Five things we learnt - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Yet another excruciating weekend of Premier League action came to and as we saw 21 goals being scored. The League now enters the business end of 2014; the festive December period kicking in which will see a host of games coming thick and thin. While both the Manchester sides won, league leaders Chelsea dropped points away to Sunderland. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all secured important narrow wins while QPR won the ‘six pointer’ against Leicester City.

We take a look back to the action and come up with five things that we learnt as November came to an end

The tide is turning in Manchester United’s favour: There was no doubt that it was the Red Devils’ best game in the Louis Van Gaal era. The 3-0 thrashing of Hull City was almost the perfect spectacle in front a packed Old Trafford barring the hamstring pull suffered by Angel Di Maria. United were dominant and looked calm and composed with their effective passing. Ander Herrera hardly put a put wrong while Michael Carrick looked at his effective best. Wayne Rooney got on the score sheet while Robin Van Persie also found the net with a great effort. And you know Manchester United are playing well when Chris Smalling also scores.

Manchester City thump Southampton: Ronald Koeman has insisted that his side can finish in the top four but as Sunday showed in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City, the Saints need to hold their own in the upcoming games. The south coast club will face Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton in December, a tough round of fixtures which could effectively shape up their season. City however looked in great form with Sergio Aguero being unstoppable. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are 6 points off Chelsea at the top but the gap could shorten by the time we enter 2015. You never count them off, the Citizens.

Chelsea look tired and will with the fixture congestion: As I had pointed out in this piece of mine, Jose Mourinho tries to win every competition that he enters. Chelsea are in the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup and are expected to reach the semi finals where they face a two legged tie at the end of January. The Blues are also expected to make at least the quarter finals of the Champions League and the luck of the draw could see them reach the last four of Europe’s elite club competition. The fixture congestion is bound to take a tool on the side and it will be important for Mourinho to rotate his team to keep the players fresh. Chelsea played the same starting eleven 3 times in 7 days and looked out of ideas against Sunderland. They lacked, pace and width in the scoreless draw but Gus Poyet’s side missed glorious chances to grab a famous win.

Arsenal, Liverpool return to winning ways: Both Arsenal and Liverpool secured narrow but crucial victories. Danny Welbeck scored the all important header for the Gunners but Arsene Wenger’s side were lucky to see Saido Berahino fine header strike the bar at the Hawthorns. Glen Johnson was the unlikely of goal-getter for the Reds at Anfield but Brendan Rodgers’s side looked out of ideas against Stoke City at Anfield. That doesn’t matter though as Liverpool needed a win somehow and they managed to hold on. The question is can they resurrect their season?

Tottenham win a classic, QPR still have life: Roberto Soldado finally scored, yes he did as Spurs beat Everton in a fantastic high tempo encounter at White Hart Lane. Kevin Mirallas arguably has his name on the list for the goal of the season contenders as the Belgian put Everton on the lead. Christian Eriksen restored parity minutes later but Soldado grabbed a superb goal as Tottenham finally recorded a home win.

Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers beat Leicester City 3-2 at Loftus Road in a bottom of the table clash as Harry Redknapp’s side finally showed some grit and determination to hold on for 3 points. Newcastle’s winning run came to an end as West Ham beat the Tynseide outfit by a solitary goal. Burnley held Villa 1-1 as Swansea failed to beat Crystal Palace at home drawing the game with a similar scoreline.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Why Arsene Wenger and Arsenal need Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko

Why Arsene Wenger and Arsenal need Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Arsene Wenger spoke about the difficulty of being able to sign players in the transfer market, ahead of his side’s 1-0 against West Brom.

The Arsenal manager has come under intense pressure from both fans and commentators this season after failing to properly add to his squad during the summer.

“I would like to remind you that to buy football players is not to go into a supermarket and just say: ‘I want to buy a right-back or a centre-back,’” Wenger said.

“It’s to find the right quality. If you go out tomorrow, you will see that everybody looks for the same positions everywhere. It’s not as simple as it looks.

“In January, it is even more difficult because players are even less available than in June or July. But we will try to be creative and have one or two good ideas.”

Wenger is a student of economics and his fastidiousness when it comes to signing players is well documented. He will not overpay for a player and will only bring in those who fit his philosophical framework.

It is an admirable approach in an era where the transfer market seems particularly inflated.

But there is one player Wenger cannot ignore and that is Moussa Sissoko of Newcastle.

The Sunday Times have report that Arsenal are preparing a £15 million move for the France international, who was in fine form during Newcastle’s recent winning streak.

Jack Wilshere’s injury has apparently forced the move, although Wenger has identified a centre-back as his priority in January.

However, he simply must reinforce his midfield, which has lacked a physical presence and leader since Patrick Vieira left the club nearly ten years ago.

Sissoko fits the mould, offering pace, power and versatility, able to play anywhere from the face of midfield to a position just behind the striker(s).

If Wenger is worried about overpaying for the player, he is surely aware of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s tendency to sell players for a profit. Compared to some of the alternative options in the market, Sissoko might come at a comparatively cheaper price.

The advantages Sissoko offers are numerous: he has already adapted to English football, offers a goal-scoring threat from midfield and is already in excellent form. Arsenal would be signing a player ready-made for their top-four challenge and eager to play in the UEFA Champions League.

At times this season the Gunners have suffered from the absence of a ‘Plan B’ to their more fluid, possession-based game.

And whilst Sissoko is a slightly more direct player than those Wenger usually relies on, his slightly different approach to the game might be decisive in matches where Arsenal’s usual route to goal doesn’t work.

The 25 year-old netted the winner in Newcastle’s recent 1-0 win over QPR and has made similarly important contributions in the past.

His addition to the Arsenal midfield would give it bite and added depth, while Newcastle are a club who have proved they are ready to sell their best players in the past (Yohan Cabaye the most recent example).

Despite Wenger’s reservations about the current transfer market, this is one opportunity he should not pass up.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Manchester United 3-0 Hull City: Three things we learnt from Old Trafford

Manchester United 3-0 Hull City: Three things we learnt from Old Trafford - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Total domination might be the best word to describe Manchester United’s near flawless 3-0 over Hull City on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford. The Red Devils were superior in every department of the pitch and it was no doubt their best performance in the Louis Van Gaal era.

Chris Smalling scrambled the home side to an early lead before Wayne Rooney doubled the advantage before half time. Robin Van Persie then capped off a fitting performance with wonder striker to secure a stroll in the park and his team’s third consecutive victory on the road.

Robin Van Persie celebrates his wonderful goal as Manchester United beat Hull City 3-0

Here are the three things we learnt from Old Trafford:

The United strike-force can only get better Credict must go to Louis Van Gaal for keeping his faith on Robin Van Persie despite describing the striker’s performance against Arsenal as ‘very bad’ one. There is no doubt that much is expected of the 31 year old Dutchman who has struggles this season.

However, the former Arsenal man first teed of Wayne Rooney for the captain’s delightful strike and then came up later with a lip-smacking goal of his own. It was also the first appearance for Radamel Falcao in nearly six weeks and with games coming thick and fast in December heading up to the new year, Van Gaal would be happy with his strikeforce.

Louis Van Gaal’s effective mid games: Over the years the Dutch legend has earned his fame as a master tactician. He is good at mind games too. United lined up in a 3-5-2 formation to counter Hull’s similar formation but in reality the Red Devils played with a more conventional 4-4-2.

Steve Bruce’s side were thus dominated right from the start and his spare man philosophy was thus thrown out of window as despite trying to adjust the away side never quite recovered. What was great to see how Marouane Fellaini looks a completely different player now, putting in a great central midfield performance. It was also the fluidity of players like Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney on how they switched positions seamlessly and looked so comfortable with their intricate passing.

Micheal Carrick deserves a mention: Well it’s easy to judge that United are playing when Micheal Carrick is pinging 40 yard cross field passes.

The Englishman accumulated 117 passes with a success rate of 92.3% having 125 touches of the ball throughout the 90 minutes. The 33 year old never quite deserves the applauds but his panache in orchestrating the midfield today was simply sensational. Man of the match for me.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Louis van Gaal gives injury update on Angel Di Maria and Wayne Rooney

Louis van Gaal gives injury update on Angel Di Maria and Wayne Rooney - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Angel Di Maria will miss Red Devils’ upcoming clash against Stoke City, while expecting Wayne Rooney to be fit for the midweek tie.

The Argentine international picked up a hamstring injury early in the game and was replaced by another summer signing Ander Herrera. The Spaniard was impressive against Hull City as goals from Chris Smalling, Rooney and Robin van Persie helped United seal 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

The England international limped out in the final moments of the game. However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager expects Rooney to be fit for Stoke clash.

“Angel shall be out for Stoke, I think. Wayne, I don’t know. He said he would be fit for Stoke. I hope he is because he is in great form,” Van Gaal explained.

Boss on injuries to Di Maria and Rooney: "Angel shall be out for Stoke City, I think. Wayne, I don't know. He said he would be fit." #mufc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2014

Smalling, who was blamed for United’s last defeat at the hands of Manchester City after he was sent off has come good for Van Gaal’s side. The English centre-back was impressive against Arsenal and put on another brilliant show against Hull on Saturday.

The defender even managed to get a goal – with help from Goal Line Technology. Against Hull, Smalling was the senior defender in the starting lineup. He expressed his delight after he managed to shine for the Old Trafford club.

“I enjoyed that [being the senior defender]. It was obviously a very young back four but I’m very loud and talk quite a lot which was important in that game because of the young lads around me,” Smalling told the club’s official website.

“We were lucky not to have come off at half-time having lost a couple of goals, but we regrouped and stuck to what we’d trained at and got better as the match went on.”

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo could face Hull City, confirms LVG

Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo could face Hull City, confirms LVG - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed striker Radamel Falcao and defender Marcos Rojo could be in the squad for their upcoming clash against Hull City.

The 20-times English champions host the Tigers at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Colombian international has been out of action prior to Chelsea clash and has not featured for both club and country since then.

Meanwhile, Rojo picked up a shoulder injury during United’s narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City during the Premier League derby.

United tweeted, “Louis van Gaal says @Falcao and @MarcosRojo5 could both return to #mufc’s squad against Hull City tomorrow.”

Louis van Gaal says @Falcao and @MarcosRojo5 could both return to #mufc's squad against Hull City tomorrow.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 28, 2014

More to follow…

From Soccerlens.com - Football News