Blackpool: Owner Owen Oyston removed from League One club's board by receiver
Blackpool owner Owen Oyston and his daughter Natalie Christopher have been removed from the board of the troubled League One club. Receiver Paul Cooper, of David Rubin & Partners, has appointed ex-Manchester United chief operating officer Michael Bolingbroke as boardroom consultant. Ben Hatton has been appointed executive director/managing director and Ian Currie a non-executive director. Blackpool were put into receivership by the High Court on 13 February. That forced 85-year-old Oyston to pay former director Valeri Belokon the
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2019-02-26 02:00:00
Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs manager charged with improper conduct by FA
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour at the end of the 2-1 defeat at Burnley. The Argentine angrily confronted referee Mike Dean and also argued with the fourth official during the match. The Spurs boss did admit he "crossed the line" and might apologise to Dean. Pochettino indicated at the time that he would not contest any disciplinary action brought against him. He said: "I will accept everything that can happen from the Football Association but I hope they won't go any further." A statement from the FA read: "Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E3 following the game against Burnley on Saturday [23 February 2019]. "It is alleged the Tottenham Hotspur manager's language and/or behaviour at the end of the fixture - both on the pitch and in or around the tunnel area - amounted to improper conduct. "He has until 18:00 on 28 February 2019 to respond to the charge." The charge follows earlier news that Dean has been moved from his fourth official duties for Spurs' game at Chelsea on Wednesday.
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2019-02-26 02:00:00
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea's situation embarrassing - ex-England striker Ian Wright
Chelsea are in "disarray" and their current situation is "embarrassing", says ex-England striker Ian Wright. Keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga defied manager Maurizio Sarri's attempt to substitute him in the Carabao Cup final, while the Blues have been banned from signing players in the next two windows. "There's a certain sadness with what's happening," Wright told BBC Radio 5 live on Monday. "Something has to happen. It can't keep on carrying on." Wright added: "It's getting embarrassing on a daily basis." Kepa was fined a week's wages on Monday and apologised for refusing to be replaced by reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero at Wembley. Sunday's defeat against Manchester City effectively ended Chelsea's hopes of a domestic trophy this season. The Blues are 16 points off Premier League leaders Liverpool in sixth place, but are through to the last 16 of the Europa League. Kepa refused to be substituted for Caballero during extra time at Wembley with both Sarri, who was visibly angry at the time of the incident, and the Spanish keeper later saying there had been a "misunderstanding". Wright said he had not witnessed such an act of "insubordination" before but recalled a similar incident when he played for Celtic during their famous Scottish Cup loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2000. "The closest I've seen to that was in the dressing room when [former striker] Mark Viduka refused to play in the second half against Caley," he added. "I was in the dressing room cowering because I knew if he refused to go on I would be put on by [then manager] John Barnes. It didn't turn out very well." Chelsea have only managed six wins in their past 12 games, which have included a 6-0 league defeat by City and a 4-0 thumping at Bournemouth. Wright added: "I've not seen Chelsea [since Roman Abramovich became owner in 2003] in as much disarray as they are in now. "You've got a man [Sarri] but it's not quite happening for him. It doesn't look like it's getting better any time soon. "Do they stick with him? It seems like the easiest thing to do is to move him on." 'Mutiny, anarchy, lawless' Former Blues striker Chris Sutton said he could not see the club winning any major titles in the near future. "It was mutiny," he told BBC Radio 5 live, referring to the incident involving Kepa. "It was anarchy, Chelsea were lawless. "The manager looks so weak. Something has got to give. "In those seconds and minutes, that told us everything we need to know that this group of Chelsea players won't be able to challenge for a Premier League and Champions League in the near future. "They aren't a team."
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2019-02-26 02:00:00
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea goalkeeper fined & apologises for Wembley incident
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been fined a week's wages and apologised for refusing to be substituted during Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City. The Spaniard refused to be replaced by Willy Caballero at Wembley. "Although there was a misunderstanding, on reflection, I made a big mistake with how I handled the situation," Kepa said in a Chelsea statement. Manager Maurizio Sarri said he and Kepa had since had "a good conversation". Sarri, who reacted angrily when Kepa refused to leave the field towards the end of extra time, also said the incident had been "a misunderstanding". But he added: "Kepa realises he made a big mistake in the way he reacted. "He has apologised to me, his team-mates and the club. It is up to the club if they want to discipline him according to the club rules, but for me this matter is now closed. "The team performance as a whole was extremely positive and it is a shame to see how this incident has overshadowed our efforts in what was a very competitive cup final." Kepa, the club's record
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2019-02-26 02:00:00
Brendan Rodgers: Celtic a bigger job than Leicester, says David Weir
David Weir says it could take "a really, really top job" to prise manager Brendan Rodgers from Celtic. Rodgers is being linked with the Leicester City vacancy following Claude Puel's departure on Sunday. Former Rangers captain Weir managed Sheffield United in 2013 and has been an assistant at Rangers, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. "I think the Celtic job's a bigger job than the Leicester job at this present time," said Weir. "But I think Leicester's an attractive job because it's in the Premier League. The Premier League's obviously a fantastic league and where, I think, most players and managers want to be. I don't think there's any doubt about that. "But for Brendan Rodgers to be at Celtic, which is an unbelievable football club playing in Europe year in, year out, winning trophies, there's a massive attraction associated with that as well." Former Liverpool and Swansea City boss Rodgers has won seven trophies out of seven so far since joining Celtic in 2016 and could complete a third successive domestic treble this season. He has also taken Celtic into the Champions League group stage twice and into the knockout rounds of the Europa League twice. "To move from Rangers and Celtic, I think it's got to be a really, really top job to make you move," added Weir. 'I'll be amazed if does go this season' - analysis Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on Sportsound With all due respect to Leicester, Celtic are a much bigger club but the finances that are on offer mean that Leicester can operate at a different level and they're in the English Premier League, which is an attractive proposition as well. Is Brendan Rodgers going to be interested? I would imagine he would probably be quite keen to listen and hear what they've got to say. I would imagine that he would be reluctant to leave Celtic in the middle of a season, especially when they're on course to do a treble treble. Former Dundee manager Neil McCann on Sportsound I honestly don't think he will go. I'll be amazed if he does go this season. I think he'll believe that he's got business to take care of. I just don't see him going just now. I just don't think he's the type of guy who'd walk out mid-season. I don't think there's a need for him to jump. There's other clubs as well that may come up in the summer. Brendan Rodgers is a very attractive option to English Premier League boards and clubs because of what he did at Liverpool.
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2019-02-26 02:00:00
Maurizio Sarri: Kepa Arrizabalaga incident a 'misunderstanding', says Chelsea boss
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says the incident involving goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final was a "misunderstanding". The club record
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2019-02-25 02:00:00
Manchester United: Rashford a doubt for next match after being 'kicked' in Liverpool draw
Interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is a doubt for their next match after playing injured in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool. Rashford was forced to stay on for 90 minutes as United used up all their substitutions in the first half. Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all went off injured. "If he plays, I will be surprised," said Solskjaer ahead of the league game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. "I have never seen the likes of this before," he added. "Three hamstrings in the first half?" Solskjaer suggested Rashford's injury was the result of being "kicked" by Liverpool's players after the winger appeared to be hurt following an early challenge from Jordan Henderson. Liverpool substitute Xherdan Shaqiri was booked late in the game for a poor tackle, while free-kicks were awarded to Rashford following fouls by defenders Andy Robertson and Joel Matip. "Rashford was kicked. He did his ankle straight away," said Solskjaer. "We should have taken Rashford off as well but we couldn't." "He was... you can't say targeted but you can say there were quite a few fouls on him, definitely. Normally you would take him off after five minutes. When he went straight through his ankle blew up. "He wanted to run it off, then Juan [Mata] and Ander [Herrera] came off so we couldn't take the risk taking him off. Hopefully he has not damaged himself too much. "We played with 10 and a half men," he added. "The fans made up for it and Rashford's attitude made up for it also."
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2019-02-25 02:00:00
David Hopkin: Bradford City manager resigns from role at League One club
David Hopkin has resigned as manager of League One strugglers Bradford City after less than six months in charge. The 48-year-old Scot replaced Michael Collins in September, but only won seven of his 35 matches. Hopkin's final game saw the Bantams lose 3-2 at 10-man Walsall on Saturday to leave them 23rd in the table. "I have given my all over the past six months. I took on a tough job and have left no stone unturned in my efforts to help us climb the table," Hopkin said. "The club means a great deal to me as a former player and that is why I have made this decision - with a quarter of the season remaining." Bradford are now looking for their fourth permanent manager since Stuart McCall was sacked in February 2018. Simon Grayson departed in May and Irishman Collins left after just six league games on 3 September. The Bantams are three points from safety with 12 league fixtures remaining. First-team coach Martin Drury will take charge for Saturday's match against Portsmouth, alongside Anton McElhone.
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2019-02-25 02:00:00
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp admits missed opportunity
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool's point won at injury-hit Manchester United "could have been more" as they missed a big opportunity to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League. United were forced to replace three players before the break but frustrated an under-par visiting side. The point takes Liverpool one point clear of Manchester City at the top of the table with 11 games left to play. "On days when United are beatable you have to do it," Klopp told Sky Sports. "We played around with no speed. We expect to play better football. It is a point at United and everybody feels it could have been more. "United were favourites before the game, then it all changed and all of a sudden we had something to lose, people start to think if we don't beat this team there is something wrong with us. We are all human beings." There were four injuries in the first half of Sunday's game at Old Trafford, with United losing Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and the latter's replacement Jesse Lingard to injury. Liverpool were forced to send on Daniel Sturridge for Roberto Firmino, who later left the ground on crutches nursing an ankle injury. "It was a strange game," added Klopp. "We started really well. All the injuries in the game obviously cost us rhythm. It happened to us with Bobby [Firmino] and that was a catastrophe. "The boys didn't feel okay. I could see it in their faces. I was thinking, 'what is gong on here today?'. United played with a completely new midfield and three up front. We lost our rhythm and couldn't get it back. "It was a game without a lot of highlights - it was intense." On Firmino's injury, the German said: "First he said he could carry on, then that he couldn't. I don't know exactly the extent of the problem." The Reds will be hopeful Firmino's injury does not sideline him for long, with league fixtures against Watford, Everton and Burnley to come in the next two weeks before they go to Bayern Munich for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, which currently stands at 0-0. In the league, Liverpool still have to travel to Everton for what could be a heated Merseyside derby in March before welcoming Tottenham and Chelsea to Anfield. Rivals City also host Spurs and face Manchester United at Old Trafford in April. Since losing to City on 3 January, Liverpool have drawn three Premier League games against Leicester, West Ham and Manchester United. "It is 100% true that there have been a bit too many draws in the last couple of games but still, we are where we are," said Klopp. "United are in a fantastic moment but they still have 14 or 15 points less than we have and the good news of today is that didn't change." As well as the fitness of Firmino, Liverpool will hope top scorer Mohamed Salah can start firing against the big teams. He has netted just once against top six opponents this season (against Arsenal in December). He failed to make an impact in the goalless draw at Old Trafford but Klopp said he "didn't know" what the problem was. "I am here to help the players. They want to perform 100% but it doesn't always happen," said Klopp. "Mo knows he can play better than he did today. We know he can."
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2019-02-25 02:00:00
Maurizio Sarri: Has Kepa Arrizabalaga's cup final defiance fatally undermined Chelsea boss?
Maurizio Sarri left Wembley not only nursing the pain of a Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City but with every shred of his authority and a large slice of his credibility as Chelsea manager stripped away by a disgraceful act of insubordination from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. This dull final was destined to linger only briefly in the memory until an unsavoury, unprecedented series of events that must surely leave Sarri, already fighting to survive at Stamford Bridge, fatally undermined. It is often said that nothing surprises in football - but the sight of a