Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will plead his case against a suspension for a failed drugs test to UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body today.
The France international tested positive for a ‘fat burner’ after the Reds’ Europa League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March.
He served a provisional 30-day suspension after opting not to have his B sample tested but the initial ban was not extended as UEFA launched an investigation into whether the substance Sakho took should even be on the banned list after new evidence came to light recently.
Chelsea, Tottenham fines reduced
Chelsea and Tottenham have had fines reduced on appeal following their fractious London derby in May, the FA announced.
The Blues ended Spurs’ title challenge and Leicester were crowned Premier League champions following a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge which featured 12 yellow cards and two mass brawls involving players and coaches from both sides.
Matters came to a head again at the full-time whistle when a melee in the tunnel resulted in Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink being pushed to the ground.
The clubs’ sanctions have been reduced by £85,000 for Chelsea and £50,000 for Tottenham.
Kroos sidesteps transfer rumours
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is ignoring speculation linking him with Manchester City while he focuses on Euro 2016.
Kroos, who lifted a second Champions League title with Real Madrid in May having previously won it with Bayern Munich in 2013, would not rule out linking up with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, but insisted his focus is currently elsewhere.
“We’re in a tournament here where my total focus is on the semi-finals,” he said.
“You know that you should never rule anything out in football, but I enjoy a great deal of respect from Real.”
Swansea City sign Van der Hoorn
Defender Mike van der Hoorn has moved to Swansea City on a three-year contract from Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club announced.
The 23-year-old, who started his career with Utrecht, played 43 times during his three-year stay with Ajax, winning the Dutch title in his first season and helping them to finish as runners-up in the following campaigns.
Capped at youth level, Van der Hoorne follows fellow Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer, who has signed a three-year deal, to the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea open their 2016-17 league season at newly-promoted Burnley on August 13.
Samp ‘perfect fit’ for Mario Balotelli
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has urged striker Mario Balotelli to join the Serie A side, saying that the club would be the perfect place for the player to revive his flailing career.
The 25-year-old has returned to parent club Liverpool for pre-season training after failing to earn a permanent move following an injury-hit season-long loan spell at Milan.
The Italy international is unlikely to feature in Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp’s plans for next season, and has been linked by the British media with a move to Turkey or China.
“Balotelli is Balotelli’s own worst enemy,” Ferrero said.
“He could re-launch his career at a passionate club like ours but he’s still got mixed feelings. I’ve tried to tell him to come to Samp because he’s a great talent.”
Zambrotta named Delhi side coach
Italian 2006 World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta has been appointed as the new coach of Delhi Dynamos, the Indian Super League side announced in a statement yesterday.
After his retirement, the former Barcelona, Milan and Juventus defender had a coaching stint with Swiss club Chiasso from 2013-15 and will replace Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who guided the Dynamos to the ISL semi-finals last season.
The ISL has set out plans to become the top league in India with an expanded season played over an eight-month period.
Winger Phillips joins West Brom
Winger Matt Phillips has become West Bromwich Albion’s first signing of the close season after he penned a four-year deal with the club yesterday.
The 25-year-old, who has four caps for Scotland, scored 14 goals in more than 90 appearances for second tier side Queens Park Rangers prior to his switch to the Hawthorns.
Although the Premier League side did not reveal any financial details, British media estimated the transfer fee at around six million pounds.
“We’re really pleased to have Matty on board. This is a great chance for him to show everyone he belongs in the top-flight of English football,” manager Tony Pulis said.