Lebanese referee Bachir Awasa was glad to have escaped alive after being assaulted by players and staff in a domestic second division match last week but the official has decided to quit following the horrid experience.
Awasa was kicked and chased around the pitch in Beirut after showing a red card to an Al-Nahda player in Saturday’s match against Al-Salam Zgharta.
“From the reaction of the players and the staff I expected to be harmed in a grave way ... to be honest I did not expect to get out alive,” the referee said.
“Usually, whenever we issue a red card we expect a reaction from the player ... and indeed that is what happened. He ran after me and attacked me.”
Mancini baffled by Richards fitness
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has expressed surprise that defender Micah Richards is still not fully fit.
Richards has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a knee injury in October.
The 24-year-old was initially ruled out until the end of February but, despite returning to training, is not yet ready to play.
Mancini said: “I don’t know how it is possible, this. But we can do nothing. I think maybe in three or four weeks he will be ready.
“I don’t know (the problem). His knee was not 100 per cent. He continued to work. Now its two months that he’s been working.”
Hodgson galvanised England – Foster
Goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Roy Hodgson has put pride and passion into the England team.
Foster has ended his two-year international exile and is hoping to be included in the squad for the forthcoming qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
But Foster feels Hodgson has already made his mark.
“When you look at the way we’re playing it’s great. Against Brazil we played some really good football. Proper, good English-style football,” he said.
“Roy has put that kind of feeling back in the national team, which is nice, because now the fans really are starting to get behind us and willing us to do really well, which the players are really receptive to.”
Roberts fears his season is over
Veteran Reading striker Jason Roberts expects to undergo hip surgery which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
The 35-year-old announced on Twitter his recovery had not gone to plan and that going under the knife looked to be his only choice.
“Injury Update...Rehabilitation has not been successful...seems at this point Surgery is our only option..meaning my Season is over! #gutted”, he posted.
“Everything that could have been done has been done.. but..the most important thing is P.L. Football for Reading FC next Season...”
Jeffers signs for Accrington Stanley
League Two strugglers Accrington Stanley have signed former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers on a deal until the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has been without a club since leaving Maltese side Floriana last year and will now link up in attack with another former England international, James Beattie.
“We’re delighted to have a player of Franny’s quality on board,” said manager Leam Richardson.
“We’ve been looking to add experience to the squad and we feel he brings lots of that.
“In his career he’s been involved in multi-million pound transfers and played at the highest level. He’ll score goals for us.”
Pogba staying at Juve – Raiola
Paul Pogba has no plans to leave Juventus despite rumours of a move to English champions Manchester City, his agent Mino Raiola told reporters yesterday.
The teenage French midfielder joined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer when his contract with Manchester United expired. He has won over the fans, media and coach Antonio Conte, and has no plans to move.
“I was at the Juventus HQ the other day, but I was not there to talk about Pogba,” agent Raiola told Tuttosport.
“He has found the right coach and the right environment at Juventus. He will remain here and you have my word on that because I promised my son that Pogba wouldn’t leave.”
Ballardini blasts ref Mazzoleni
Davide Ballardini hit out at referee Paolo Mazzoleni following Genoa’s defeat to Milan on Friday and claimed his team should have been awarded three penalties.
Milan scored a goal in each half to seal a 2-0 win over the Rossoblu who were unable to break the visitors’ defence despite the second half-dismissal of Kevin Constant.
“We should have had three penalties,” Ballardini lamented.
“If a referee doesn’t give them, then that can happen, but they seemed clear to me. I would love an English or Scottish referee to officiate these games.
“We were missing important players in midfield, but the lads still gave their all and it’s a shame that a game like this had to end with this result.”