The Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League have formed a joint response group to address any effects of coronavirus.

The group will consider the impact on domestic and international games

It will include SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and SPFL counterpart Neil Doncaster, as well as SFA medical consultant Dr John MacLean.

They will consider the implications on home competitions and national teams.

Maxwell said: “Our medical consultant is in regular dialogue with experts and colleagues across the UK and beyond.”

International Champions Cup matches scheduled to take place in Asia this summer have been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Manchester United played Tottenham in Shanghai last summer as part of the 2019 International Champions Cup

The pre-season tournament sees European sides play friendlies across North America, Australia, Europe and Asia.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal took part last summer.

Meanwhile, the Swiss Football League has been put “on hold” until 23 March after a meeting between all 20 clubs on Monday discussed “various solutions”.

That decision comes after the Swiss government banned events involving more than 1,000 people until 15 March. The league added fixtures “will be resumed and continued as usual” should the government ban not be extended further.

The Norwegian striker joined Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window, but has suggested that he wants to experience other countries.

Photo by Getty Images

Erling Haaland has offered hope to Manchester United and Real Madrid by hinting that he would like to emulate Zlatan Ibrahimovic by experiencing life in many different countries.

The exciting teenage frontman has already spent time in his native Norway with Molde and Austria with Red Bull Salzburg.

He is now starring for German giants Borussia Dortmund, having completed a switch to the Bundesliga during the January transfer window.

Haaland is tied to a long-term contract, but talk of future switches to England or Spain refuse to go away and the 19-year-old admits that he may be tempted to follow the lead of iconic globe trekker Ibrahimovic – who has spent time with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy and AC Milan.

“I like his mentality and how he sees different things,” Haaland told FourFourTwo of a legendary Swede.

“I think I’ve always had that confidence, too – that’s just me.

“I also like how he moves from one club to another, in another country – which isn’t easy – but he always comes in and just bangs in goals, from the first second. I liked seeing that.

“We’re both strikers and we’re both tall. But we have a different game. It’s hard to compare us. I am who I am.”

Pressed on the interest which has been shown in him from Old Trafford and Santiago Bernabeu, Haaland added: “It’s always nice when clubs are interested. It means you’ve done something right.”

A move to Manchester over the winter would have seen Haaland reunited with fellow countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjaer  – the man currently calling the shots at the Theatre of Dreams.

“I arrived at Molde as a young kid, and he helped me a lot,” Haaland said of the Red Devils boss.

“He was a good finisher, and helped me with striking skills and different finishing methods. He’s been important in my career.”

Those words of wisdom have helped to turn Haaland into one of the most fearsome strikers in European football, with 12 goals for Dortmund added to the 28 he managed for Salzburg this season.

“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” said the confident youngster.

“It’s what I wanted to do when I was older. It’s what I do. I always knew I’d be a good player, but things have been going fast. I like that speed!”

Source – Goal.com

The 30-year-old, who is now without a club after leaving the Turkish side by mutual consent, has also seen his original fine of £75,000 doubled.

Photo by Getty Images

The English Football Association (FA) has suspended Daniel Sturridge from all football related activity until the end of June 17 following an investigation into betting misconduct, with FIFA also confirming that the former Liverpool striker’s ban applies worldwide.

Sturridge, most recently of Trabzonspor in Turkey, was originally handed a £75,000 fine and a six-week suspension back in July of 2019, with four of those weeks having been pushed back until August 31, 2020.

However, it has now been decided that the Regulatory Commission’s punishment was “unduly lenient”. The striker has seen the originally fine doubled to £150,000 and, effective immediately, will not be allowed to participate in any football activity for four months.

An FA statement released on Monday reads: “Daniel Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activity from today until the end of June 17, 2020.

“Following an appeal by the FA of the previous findings of the independent Regulatory Commission in this case, an independent Appeal Board has found that the Regulatory Commission misapplied the FA’s rules in relation to the use of inside information and made findings of fact which could not be sustained.

“As a result, the Appeal Board has found proven two further charges which were originally dismissed. Other factual findings of the Regulatory Commission were left undisturbed.

“In relation to the sanction, the Appeal Board agreed with the FA that the penalty originally imposed on Mr Sturridge was unduly lenient and therefore increased his effective playing ban from two weeks to four months. The Appeal Board also doubled the fine to £150,000.

“The written reasons in this matter are available below and provide considerable detail in relation to all the charges and the Appeal Board’s determinations of them. As will be clear, the FA takes any form of betting misconduct and the provision of inside information very seriously.

“FIFA has confirmed that the suspension will be of worldwide effect.”

The news comes following a statement released by Trabzonspor on Monday in which the Super Lig side relayed that Sturridge’s three-year contract had been terminated by mutual consent.

It had been speculated that the England man’s fitness issues had been the cause of the parting of ways, but the FA’s communique has cleared up the matter.

Indeed, those investigating the case released a 65-page document on their findings, all relating back to the player breaching the “inside information” rule in 2018, during which time he had given details to family and friends regarding a potential move to Sevilla.

Source – Goal.com

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says he “did not disrespect” the referee despite being sent off following a disallowed goal at the end of his team’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Ancelotti said “there was a misunderstanding on the pitch” with the referee

Ancelotti went onto the pitch at full-time to confront Chris Kavanagh after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-time strike was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.

Gylfi Sigurdsson was lying offside in front of United goalkeeper David de Gea when the goal was scored, leading VAR to rule it out.

Ancelotti said he thought the midfielder “didn’t affect the vision of the goalkeeper”.

And he said he would be “disappointed” if the dismissal resulted in being banned for the trip to his former team Chelsea next Sunday.

The Everton boss is the first Premier League manager to be a shown a red card since the rule was introduced last year.

Ancelotti said: “There was no explanation [from the referee]. I asked for one. After the game there was a misunderstanding on the pitch, he sent me off, after that I spoke with him calmly.

“I want to keep this conversation private, now he’s doing a report to the Football Association and we will see.

“For sure I didn’t disrespect him, but I can understand also at the end of the game, there is a lot of pressure and excitement, a lot of important decisions but I didn’t disrespect him.”

What happened?

Sigurdsson was on the ground in front of De Gea when Calvert-Lewin scored

Pep Guardiola’s side made it six domestic trophies out of the last seven available with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Photo by Getty

Don’t tell Manchester City that domestic trophies aren’t important.

After beating Aston Villa at Wembley to secure a third successive League Cup, it is now eight English trophies won from the last nine on offer, if you include two Community Shields, which Pep Guardiola certainly does.

The Catalan was a serial winner at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and he’s become one at City too.

His players are “starving” for more success Guardiola said before the Sunday showdown. After the semi-final victory over neighbours Manchester United, rock star Noel Gallagher joined them post-match for a party in the dressing room.

Of course, Europe remains the final frontier to conquer but they took a significant step forward on that front in midweek, with their 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Four days later, City faced a less illustrious opponent in relegation-threatened Villa but the score was the same – and so too was the drive and hunger.

“Three times in a row is a big success,” Guardiola enthused afterwards. “It’s the consistency, incredible. It was awesome, a big success. Our second title of the season with the Community Shield, it’s so nice.

“We’ve won a lot. I tried when I arrived to ensure that every game we play, we try to win it; every competition, we try to win it, so being here three trimes in a row and winning it again is great.”

Guardiola had made eight changes but there was hardly an impact to his side’s intensity during a dominant opening half.

Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling all started on the bench for the win in Madrid but there was no suggestion of any rancour as they pulled the Villa defence apart for 45 minutes.

Perhaps more surprisingly, 19-year-old Phil Foden was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time in a month, meaning the past, present and future of City were all represented in the XI and all played their part in the club’s latest triumph.

Silva, with the captain’s armband, was making what could be his last ever start at Wembley in a City shirt, Foden what could well be the first of many, and both led the charge on Villa with their intensity, movement and skill.

Foden started in an unfamiliar right-wing spot but instinctively knew what to do, repeatedly losing the cover of Matt Targett. He was too sharp for the Villa full-back in the 20th minute and his neat header teed up Aguero for his inevitable goal.

City’s record goalscorer wasn’t going to miss another opportunity to secure his place in the club’s history. Indeed, he has now been directly involved in eight goals in 10 appearances at the national stadium.

Within 10 minutes, City doubled their lead when Rodri headed in a wrongly-awarded corner and it looked like a repeat of last season’s 6-0 FA Cup embarrassment of Watford could be on the cards.

With Kevin De Bruyne kept on the bench until the 58th minute, Foden was the standout creator. Just six minutes in, he had served warning of his attacking intent with a brilliant run past three Villa defenders to create a chance for Sterling.

Midway through the first half he created a chance for himself by cutting inside and driving a fierce shot that Orjan Nyland was relieved to see deflected inches wide of his goal.

But it’s not just the flair where Foden shines. Schooled in the Guardiola ethos and playing alongside Silva, he has the hard work to match, sprinting 20 yards to brush Villa danger man Jack Grealish off the ball as he threatened to set up a counterattack.

However, without the defensive leadership of Aymeric Laporte, who limped out of the midweek win in Madrid, City remain shaky at the back. John Stones had a horror moment when his slip led to Mbwana Samatta heading home shortly before the break, a goal which kept the game alive until the final whistle.

Defensive issues must be solved if City are going to end their wait for European success but they can wait for another day.

For now, Pep and his players can bask in the glow of yet another trophy.

Source – Goal.com

The Argentine was strangely out of sorts as Barcelona slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu that saw the hosts move above them in the table.

Photo by Getty

This was a free hit for Barcelona but Real Madrid’s season was on the line. They had to dig deep, and they did.

Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz’s goals earned them a 2-0 Clasico victory which took them a point clear of their bitter rivals at the top of the Liga table and gave them the better head-to-head record, which could be crucial in such a tight title race.

Certainly, there is little to choose between the two teams, as Sunday’s game showed. This entertaining, end-to-end battle at the Santiago Bernabeu between two clearly flawed teams could have gone either way.

This was a free hit for Barcelona but Real Madrid’s season was on the line. They had to dig deep, and they did.

Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz’s goals earned them a 2-0 Clasico victory which took them a point clear of their bitter rivals at the top of the Liga table and gave them the better head-to-head record, which could be crucial in such a tight title race.

Certainly, there is little to choose between the two teams, as Sunday’s game showed. This entertaining, end-to-end battle at the Santiago Bernabeu between two clearly flawed teams could have gone either way.

Marcelo’s contribution made it clear this was a night for Madrid players to redeem themselves after the meltdown against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Casemiro played poorly that day but stood up huge in the second half here, helping to break down Barcelona attacks as they tried to fight back into the game.

Toni Kroos, who was dropped for the City loss, helped Madrid perform at a much higher level in this clash, showing up big despite his disappointment at not starting in midweek.

Isco continued his revival and was afforded a standing ovation by the Bernabeu as he departed, only denied a goal himself by one excellent Marc-Andre ter Stegen save and Gerard Pique’s goalline clearance.

The Barcelona defender had excelled, blocking everything, intercepting everything, serving a one-man wall which Madrid were unable to knock down, until he threw it all away for Vinicius’s goal.

Nelson Semedo, who had also impressed, was caught out of position with Vinicius in behind, and Pique bizarrely elected against closing down the Brazilian teenager until it was far too late.

Maybe he was afraid of getting too tight and being beaten by a bust of speed, or being drawn into a foul, but he should have done more to get close to the winger before he shot.

In the end, he was punished for his hesitation as Vinicius’s effort deflected off Pique and into the Barcelona net, leaving Ter Stegen with no chance.

At 19 years and 233 days old, Vinicius became the youngest player to score in the Clasico in the 21st century. He was one of the few players that offered something against City too, setting up Isco’s goal.

Madrid deserved the lead for their pressure after the break, having seen Isco go close twice and then Karim Benzema volley narrowly over, while Ter Stegen made a good stop to keep Sergio Ramos at bay.

Barcelona had the bulk of the chances in the first half, with Antoine Griezmann, Arthur and Messi all with clear-cut opportunities. Promising for the Catalans, but nothing tangible and Madrid were always dangerous on the counter.

They took advantage of Barcelona’s desperation and tiredness at the end, with substitute Mariano – on his first league appearance of the season – racing away from Samuel Umtiti to double the hosts’ advantage in injury time.

This was how deep Madrid had to go, with Eden Hazard injured, Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic badly out of form, and Gareth Bale not trusted.

Mariano killed the game – but breathed life back into the title race.

Source – Goal.com

La Liga strugglers Leganes say “enormous damage” has been caused by the Spanish Football Federation’s rejection of their request to replace striker Martin Braithwaite.

Martin Braithwaite has scored eight goals in 27 appearances for Leganes this season

Braithwaite, 28, joined Barcelona on 20 February to cover while Ousmane Dembele is out injured for six months.

La Liga allows clubs to replace a player who is out for over five months, but Leganes cannot replace Braithwaite.

“These are unfair regulations,” a Leganes statement said.

“It goes against the integrity of the competition and the right of all clubs to compete in equal conditions and has caused enormous and serious damage to the club.”

Barcelona signed the Danish striker for 18m euros (£15m) in a contract that will run until the end of June 2024.

Denmark striker Braithwaite signed a four-year-deal at Leganes – who are in the La Liga relegation zone – in July following a spell on loan from Championship side Middlesbrough last season.

He scored eight goals in 27 games since joining them permanently and has six of Leganes’ 18 league goals so far this season.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected Leganes’ request on the grounds that there is no Fifa, RFEF or La Liga ruling that allows a club to sign a player outside the transfer window to replace one who has left to cover for a long-term injury absence.

But the federation is going to begin the process of proposing a change to the rule.

“The RFEF states that allowing Leganes’ request could lead to a chain of transfers outside the window which could pose a big threat to the integrity of the competition and equality of participants,” the Leganes statement added.

Source – BBC News

Five Serie A matches, including the clash between Juventus and Inter Milan, will be played without fans due to the coronavirus emergency.

Juventus and Inter Milan are locked in a battle for the Serie A title with Lazio

Serie A leaders Juve had been due to meet third-placed Inter for the Derby d’Italia in front of an expected sell-out crowd, with fans ready to see Antonio Conte’s return to the Allianz Stadium as both sides continue to battle for the Italian title, but it will now be played behind closed doors.

The move has disappointed Conte, who said: “Soccer needs the crowd, to hear the atmosphere around it. That’s the best thing about the game, the atmosphere around the soccer being played.