Czech second division club Banik Most have been criticised by the world players’ union FIFPro over plans to make their players take lie detector tests after a run of nine defeats.
“FIFPro is totally opposed to the use of a lie detector test and strongly recommends all players not to cooperate with this test,” said FIFPro in a statement.
According to FIFPro, the players were suspected of having been involved in match-fixing.
“Banik Most’s club directors are treating their players as suspects, even though there appears to be no evidence,” said FIFPro.
Banik are one off the bottom of the table and facing relegation.
No replay
Blackpool’s abandoned match against Huddersfield at Bloomfield Road last Saturday will not be replayed.
The Seasiders’ final fixture of the season was halted 48 minutes in when supporters poured on to the pitch in protest at the Tangerines’ chairman Karl Oyston.
The Football League said: “The board will consider the result of the match at its next meeting on May 14.”
At the time of the stoppage, the score was 0-0 and if the League elect to declare that as the final result, the Seasiders would at least equal the lowest-ever points tally posted by a second-tier side since the 1988 expansion to 24 teams.
Ramires doing well
Midfielder Ramires has taken to Instagram to reassure supporters after missing Chelsea’s title-clinching victory on Sunday through illness.
The Brazilian was named in the starting line-up for the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but withdrew late before kick-off and departed for hospital with a kidney problem.
Ramires wrote on Instagram: “I was very sick minutes before the match because of a renal complication, but I’m well and home with my family.
“Thank God it was nothing serious and I will be fully recovered in a few weeks. I was sad not to be part of the party on the pitch, but pleased with the title.”
Mourinho: I cannot match Ferguson
Jose Mourinho has dismissed the prospect of matching Alex Ferguson’s haul of 13 Premier League titles as “impossible”.
The self-proclaimed Special One led Chelsea to his third Premier League title with Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Crystal Palace.
Ferguson was 51 when he steered Manchester United to the inaugural Premier League title in 1992/93. Mourinho is 52 and has this season’s trophy to go along with the 2004/05 and 2005/06 wins from his first spell.
“I have a long way to go, but Sir Alex left the bar in an impossible position for anyone. I cannot win 13 Premier Leagues,” Mourinho said.
Prince Ali stays in FIFA race
Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has confirmed he will continue his bid to become the next FIFA president.
There had been speculation Prince Ali was considering pulling out of the election campaign but the FIFA vice-president from Jordan has assured he will “continue the race until the end”.
The 39-year-old is standing against current president Sepp Blatter, Michael van Praag and Luis Figo, with the elections taking place on May 29 in Zurich.
The statement read: “Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein reaffirmed he will continue to run for the FIFA presidential elections.
“This comes after some tweets claiming Prince Ali’s intentions to consider withdrawing from FIFA elections to back a single challenger against Sepp Blatter.”
Sanchez surpassing Wenger expectations
Alexis Sanchez became the first Arsenal player since Thierry Henry to score over 20 goals in his first season and manager Arsene Wenger said the Chilean has exceeded all his expectations.
The 26-year-old scored a brace in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Hull on Monday to take his tally to 24 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign.
Henry joined from Juventus in 1999 and scored 26 goals in all competitions in his first season in Arsenal colours.
“Yes (he has exceeded all my expectations) because I expected him to be more of a provider than a goalscorer,” Wenger said.
“And especially because I play him on the flank where you have less chances.”
Australia to bid for women’s WCup
Australia will bid for the women’s World Cup in 2023 as part of a 20-year vision to boost the sport in a country dominated by rival football codes.
Australia hosted and won the men’s Asian Cup in January, restoring some pride to the local game after the country’s costly bid for the men’s 2022 World Cup failed dismally and drew fierce criticism from home media.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief David Gallop said soccer’s “best years were ahead” in the country, where indigenous Australian Rules football and rugby league still rule the roost in terms of crowds and broadcast dollars.
The World Cup bid would help drive “women’s participation and professionalism,” the FFA said.