The Nation Newspaper

Tag: English FA

  • English FA set to announce mid-season Premier League break

    The English FA will go ahead with plans to implement a mid-season Premier League break “very soon”, the governing body’s chief executive, Martin Glenn has said.

    The British media are reporting confirmation should come in the next two weeks.

    Talks have been continuing between the FA, Premier League and Football League regarding the proposal.

    They look at the possibility of bringing their fixture schedule more in line with the top leagues in Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

    British media on Wednesday reported that the break for Premier League teams would be staggered over two weekends.

    10 teams are expected to play one weekend and the other 10 the next weekend, giving each club a two-week rest from the competition.

    “We’ve (been) working closer and more collaboratively with the professional game than at any time in recent years.

    “Very soon this will pay dividends with the creation of a mid-season break,” Glenn said in a statement released on the FA website.

    Glenn added that the winter break, which British media reported would be brought in during the 2019-20 season, was a “much needed improvement” for clubs and the England team.

    Sky Sports reported that the details of a winter break are expected to be confirmed in the next two weeks.

    A winter break has long been mooted in the Premier League, not least by overseas coaches who have argued that the existing schedule is too taxing on players.

    There have been suggestions that the lack of a break leaves Premier League players exhausted for international competitions such as the World Cup which starts in Russia next month. 

  • Racist charge: FA apologises to Eniola Aluko

    Racist charge: FA apologises to Eniola Aluko

     

    English FA chief executive Martin Glenn has made an embarrassing U-turn after admitting Mark Sampson DID subject Nigerian born England internationals Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence to racist abuse.

    Sampson was sacked last month following evidence of ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ behaviour with female players in his previous role as Bristol Academy manager.

    But Sampson had been earlier cleared of wrongdoing by two previous external investigations into allegations he discriminated against Chelsea duo Aluko and Spence.

    Glenn appeared before a Government select committee Wednesday to answer questions about the bungled inquiries.

    Glenn said: “On behalf of The Football Association I would like to sincerely apologise to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence.

    “Based on new evidence submitted to independent barrister Katharine Newton, she has now found that they were both subject to discriminatory remarks made by an FA employee. This is not acceptable.

    “In her final report Katharine Newton concluded that on two separate occasions Mark Sampson made ill-judged attempts at humour, which as a matter of law were discriminatory on grounds of race within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.”

    “Katharine Newton did however conclude that Mark Sampson was not racist.

    “She also concluded that there was no evidence to support the allegations that Eniola Aluko was subjected to ‘a course of bullying and discriminatory conduct’ by Mark Sampson.

    “Our ambition has always been to find the truth and take swift and appropriate action if needed.

    “It was our decision to have the original, second and final investigation to ensure that due diligence was taken.

    “It is regrettable that Eniola did not participate in the first external investigation as this would have enabled Katharine Newton to conduct and complete her investigation sooner. Eniola who plays for Chelsea ladies, has made over 102 appearances for England scoring 33 goals. she has also scored 26 goals for Chelsea Ladies in over 60 appearances since joining the club from Birmingham city Ladies  in 2012

  • Criticism hurting Rooney – Mourinho

    Criticism hurting Rooney – Mourinho

    Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has hit out at the Football Association’s failure to protect Wayne Rooney, saying a week of negative headlines involving the England captain has had “an effect.”

    Rooney, 31, is expected to face Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday after training at Carrington following his departure from the England squad with a minor knee injury.

    Since being released from Gareth Southgate’s squad, reports of Rooney allegedly drinking into the early hours at the England team hotel, with accompanying photographs, led to claims he could be stripped of England captaincy.

    He has issued an apology and the Football Association has said it will be conducting a “proper investigation” into reports that members of England’s backroom staff had been with him.

    While sources within the FA told ESPN no decision will be made on Rooney’s status until a permanent manager has been appointed, Mourinho suggested at a news conference that the FA had failed to properly look after Rooney.

    “I am saying that I think even if you build a kind of wall around you to try to feel protected from what people write about you or think about you, the comments people make about you, even if you tried to build that wall, the wall has always points of fragility,” ESPN quoted the ex- Chelsea manager as saying on Saturday.

  • Breaking news: Sam Allardyce resigns as England coach

    Breaking news: Sam Allardyce resigns as England coach

    Sam Allardyce has resigned his dream job as coach of England, after irreconcilable talks with English FA over an allegation that he agreed a payment of 400,000 pounds in exchange for information on how to beat transfer rules.

    He was appointed into the three million pounds job on 22 July to succeed Roy Hodgson. He quit just after 67 days.

    The English FA confirmed his departure, from a job that offered three million pounds a year, making him the highest paid national coach

    In a statement, the FA said on Monday night: ‘The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager.

    “Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised.

    “However, due to the serious nature of his actions, The FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

    “This is not a decision that was taken lightly but The FA’s priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football.

    “The manager of the England men’s senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times.

    “Gareth Southgate will take charge of the men’s senior team for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain whilst The FA begins its search for the new England manager.

    “The FA wishes Sam well in the future.”

    In a statement released moments ago, Sam Allardyce’s says he is ‘deeply disappointed’ to be leaving his job as England manager.

    “Further to recent events, The FA and I have mutually agreed to part company.

    “It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome.

    “This afternoon, I met with Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for my actions.

    “Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need The FA’s full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment.

    “As part of today’s meeting, I was asked to clarify what I said and the context in which the conversations took place. I have co-operated fully in this regard.

    “I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals”

    English CEO, Martin Glenn: said, “A very difficult 24 hours. In the light of the media allegations that we’ve seen, we’ve concluded and Sam’s agreed that his behaviour’s been inappropriate and frankly not what is expected of an England manager, discussing a range of issues from potential contraventions of FA rules through to personal comments that frankly just don’t work when you’re the manager of England.”

    Glenn spoke on FATV Tuesday.

     

  • Liverpool striker, Suarez banned for ten matches

    Liverpool striker, Suarez banned for ten matches

    Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, was handed a 10-match suspension by the Football Association (FA) on Wednesday, following his bite on Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic, at the weekend.

    Suarez accepted a charge of violent conduct after the incident in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Anfield on Sunday, but disputed the FA view that it merited more than a three-game ban.

    An Independent Regulatory Commission met in London on Wednesday to decide the Uruguayan international’s fate and added seven games to the usual ban for violent conduct.

    The suspension begins immediately, meaning Liverpool’s leading scorer will miss his side’s last four games of the season and the first six at the beginning of next term.

    Liverpool, who expressed their shock at the Commission’s decision, have until Friday (1100 GMT) to appeal.

    “Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today’s Independent Regulatory Commission decision,” Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said in a statement on the club’s website.

    “We await the written reasons on Thursday, before making any further comment.”

    Suarez’s bite on Ivanovic’s arm at Anfield was missed by referee Kevin Friend, but television replays showed him sinking his teeth into the Serbian