UEFA executive committee member David Gill has welcomed England FA chairman Greg Dyke’s call for more English players to be given a chance in the English Premier League.
Whilst the move has been welcomed by many, the Premier League are yet to respond.
But with barely 30 per cent of Premier League players now English, former Man. United CEO Gill says something has to be done.
“Having a very successful England team and a very successful Premier League are not mutually exclusive,” he said.
“We have to look at where we want to be in 10 years’ time.”
Thigh injury for Thiago Silva
Paris St Germain centre-back Thiago Silva will be out of action for an undefined period after picking up a thigh injury during Sunday’s 1-1 home draw against Monaco, coach Laurent Blanc said.
“He will have to undergo examinations tomorrow (today) or the day after,” Blanc said. “It’s obviously a muscular problem so I think we’ve lost him for a while.”
Thiago Silva appeared to suffer the injury in the 15th minute by jumping for a defensive header and immediately asked to be replaced.
Besiktas fans face action after riots
Turkish government officials have promised strong action after the Istanbul derby between Besiktas and Galatasaray was abandoned due to rioting.
The match had entered injury time with Galatasaray leading 2-1 when they had Felipe Melo sent off for a wild challenge.
That sparked the Besiktas fans inside the Olympic Stadium to pour on to the pitch with some hurling plastic chairs at police as the players scrambled to the sanctity of the dressing rooms.
“We will do what is required by the police department, given that there were varying aspects involved. We will try and determine if there was any pre-planning prior to the game,” Interior Minister Muammer Guler said.
Bale suffers muscle fatigue
Gareth Bale faces a wait to see if he can make his Real Madrid home debut in this weekend’s derby against Atletico Madrid after tests taken yesterday revealed he was suffering from “muscle fatigue” in his thigh.
Bale had been due to make his Bernabeu bow in Sunday night’s clash with Getafe but felt a tweak in his left thigh during the warm-up and was left out by coach Carlo Ancelotti as a precaution.
Bale underwent further tests at the Sanitas hospital in La Mora-leja where it was confirmed that the Wales international was suffering from muscle fatigue.
Reports said he will miss tomorrow’s trip to Elche but could be fit to face Atletico on Saturday.
Tevez pleased for Llorente
Carlos Tevez was pleased to see his striking partner at Juventus, Fernando Llorente (picture) put his name on the scoresheet following his team’s 2-1 defeat of Verona on Sunday.
The Spaniard had only played a handful of minutes for the Italian champions but was included in the starting formation against Verona at the Juventus Stadium and marked his debut by netting his team’s winning goal in a 2-1 success.
“I’m really happy for Fernando, he’s working well and deserves to enjoy this moment,” the former Manchester City striker said.
“It’s difficult to play against teams who come here looking to shut us out. You have to manage to find the right spaces in between and make the most of the chances you get.”
Di Francesco future uncertain
Eusebio Di Francesco’s days as coach of Sassuolo could be numbered as speculation is rife that he could be replaced by either Domenico Di Carlo and Serse Cosmi respectively.
The Serie A newcomers have lost all their four league matches and Di Francesco’s place has been put in further jeopardy after the team suffered a humiliating 7-0 home defeat to Inter.
“Di Francesco is our coach, but there are some considerations to make,” club director general Nereo Bonato said.
“The situation is getting heavy and the performance was very disappointing.
“Now we have to find the Sassuolo spirit again and we need to try and understand what has happened.”
Valencia give Djukic guarantees
Under-pressure Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic has been assured his job is safe for the remainder of the season despite the club’s poor start to the campaign.
Djukic guided Valencia to victory against Malaga in their La Liga opener but then saw his team suffer four defeats in a row.
That increased the heat on Djukic but the 3-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday eased the pressure and the Serbian received the backing of Valencia president Amadeo Salvo.
He said: “He (Djukic) will finish the season whatever happens. He has signed for two years with us and the normal thing would be that he completes his contract.”