Proceeds from August’s FA Community Shield match between Premier League winners Chelsea and FA Cup winners Arsenal will be donated to the victims of last week’s Grenfell Tower Fire in London, the English Football Association has said.
Seventy nine people were killed and thousands more were affected in last week’s tragic apartment fire and football’s national governing body estimates that £1.25 million could be raised towards helping the victims.
“Whilst only a football match, we hope that in some small way through the Community Shield we can help,” FA chairman Greg Clarke said.
Ashley sells off Rangers shares
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has sold his Rangers shares to Hong Kong-based investor Julian Wolhardt and supporters group Club 1872, chairman of the Scottish Premiership team Dave King said.
The 52-year-old billionaire, who founded British retailing group Sports Direct, had a nine per cent stake in Rangers International Football Club PLC since 2014.
“This is the partnership I want to see lead Rangers forward,” he said.
“Rangers run by those who care for it most... a mature and structured organisation which can galvanise and represent our supporters and use their skills and talents to drive our Club back to the top of Scottish and European Football.”
WBA give nod to safe-standing trial
West Bromwich Albion have responded positively to the Premier League’s letter asking the 20 teams about their interest in re-introducing standing sections in stadiums on a trial basis, the club’s director of operations Mark Miles has said.
English clubs are legally required to have all-seater stadiums since the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster recommended the change but the league’s governing body is keen on re-opening discussions about the matter.
“I have written back to the Premier League and told them our position remains that we would be very keen to be involved in a pilot,” Miles said.
“It is the same message I have delivered verbally at previous meetings.”
Ex-Real defender Arbeloa retires
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid defen-der Alvaro Arbeloa has decided to retire from professional football, the 34-year-old told a Spanish newspaper.
The Spain international won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two European Championships in 56 appearances for his country.
He also won multiple trophies at Spanish champions Real Madrid, including one league and two Champions League titles.
Arbeloa signed a one-year contract at West Ham after being released from Madrid last August but made just four appearances for the London side.
Huddersfield sign striker Depoitre
Huddersfield Town have signed striker Laurent Depoitre from Portuguese side FC Porto on a two-year contract for an undisclosed club record fee, the promoted Premier League club said.
The 28-year-old scored once in eight appearances for Porto last season as the club finished behind champions Benfica in the league and lost out in the Champions League Round of 16.
The Belgian is Huddersfield manager David Wagner’s first signing in the current transfer window.
Celtic not taking fans to Belfast
Celtic have announced they will not take up their ticket allocation for next month’s possible Champions League qualifier with Linfield.
UEFA confirmed the first-leg tie in Belfast will take place on July 14 should the Northern Irish champions make it past San Marino minnows La Fiorita.
The original dates set aside by UEFA would have seen the Parkhead outfit travel to Belfast at the height of the marching season on July 11/12. That sparked fears of trouble among the Glasgow club’s supporters and Linfield’s loyalist faithful.
But following talks with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, it has been decided to move the clash back to July 14.
Celtic have decided the potential for disorder is still too big a risk to take and will not invite their travelling support to follow them.