The English Premier League is to fund a scheme which aims to significantly boost the number of coaches from black and ethnic minority (BME) communities.
A meeting of 20 club chairmen on Thursday agreed to fund a scheme that every year will see six of 23 coach apprentice places reserved for coaches from BME backgrounds.
A further three places will be given to female coaches and the scheme will aim to boost the number of new coaches with the UEFA Pro Licence qualification generally, and from the BME communities as well.
Khedira to stay
Sami Khedira cannot see himself leaving Real Madrid in January.
The Germany international was linked with a move away from Madrid in the summer, but he says he never once considered moving, nor did he talk to any other club, and he does not plan on doing so in January either.
“Right now, I cannot see any reason why I would leave the club this winter,” he said.
“Real has a place in my heart and there is absolutely no reason for me to say that I want to or have to leave. I get the feeling I am still wanted by the coach.”
FA chief Dyke gets a timely warning
English FA chairman Greg Dyke may be heading for troubled waters with soccer’s governing body over his refusal to return a $25,000 World Cup watch, a FIFA official said.
FIFA investigator Michael Garcia ordered Dyke, one of 65 officials to receive the gift, to return the watch.
However, Dyke has failed to do so three weeks after the deadline, indicating he will auction it on behalf of Breast Cancer Care – the FA’s charity partner.
“Giving something to charity is good but it is very clear what he has to do,” Walter de Gregorio, FIFA Director of Communications & Public Affairs, said.
“If he does not do it, then it is up to Garcia to take the measures he thinks are appropriate.”
Valencia protest over ticket prices
The board of directors at Valencia have made the decision to boycott their local derby in Levante in nine days’ time due to a rise in ticket prices.
Tickets for the league match at the Ciutat de Valencia have been priced at €30 for away fans wishing to make the short journey from the Mestalla, but the Valencia hierarchy are unhappy with the cost and said the club would pay €15 towards any supporters wishing to watch the match.
Valencia also confirmed they would keep their ticket prices down for the reverse fixture at the Mestalla on April 12 as they continue to put the fans first.
Valencia are currently enjoying a good run in La Liga and sit third in the table.
Giovinco could go abroad in January
Juve’s Sebastian Giovinco could seek a move outside Italy in January if he decides to leave the Italy champions.
The 27-year-old striker has found himself on the bench on many occasions this season and reports are now mentioning him in transfer moves.
Fiorentina and Napoli are showing keen interest but the player’s agent, Andrea D’Amico, said Giovinco is considering the idea of playing outside Italy.
D’Amico said: “For now, we can only speak about Juventus and then we will also evaluate the offers of other clubs abroad.
“He has never questioned the choices of his coach but when the time to make evaluations comes, we will see.”
More injury woes for Parma’s Donadoni
Beleaguered Parma coach Roberto Donadoni will have more injury worries to deal with at the bottom-placed club in Serie A after news was confirmed that Abdelkader Ghezzal had joined a long list of unavailable players.
Reports said Ghezzal has suffered a fractured ankle and the 29-year-old will be out of the game for several weeks.
Parma have also released a statement confirming that the Algeria international fractured the distal end of his right fibula during training in midweek.
Donadoni is already without regulars Jonathan Biabiany, Mattia Cassani, Gabriel Paletta, Soufiane Bidaoui, Cristobal Jorquera and Massimo Coda through injury.
Fazio wants more teamwork at Spurs
Federico Fazio believes Tottenham have the players to challenge for the title but only if they can operate as a unit.
The 27-year-old Argentina international moved to White Hart Lane in the summer but, like many new faces at Spurs over the last 18 months, he has struggled to make an impact.
“I think at Tottenham we have very good players who can fight for first position in the Premier League,” he said.
“But we need to improve like a team, to be like a team because I think we have got very good players. I think this (fans jeering the players) is not the problem.
“We need to play like a team on the pitch. We have very good players... good enough to be higher in the league.”