Garnacho to pay for team’s dinner, Rosicky linked with Arsenal role: football news – live
Key events
Speaking of directionless Australasians, here’s a piece on the Matildas:
Hello everyone! The home straight (for our European audiences) until the weekend, just a couple of hours to go. For those in Japan and Australasia, what on earth are you still doing up? Go to bed, you football news-chasing wreckheads.
That’ll be all from me, with Michael Butler hopping on from here.
Championship: Frank Lampard is having a good time at Coventry after a couple of tough gigs with Everton and Chelsea. He has 10 wins and three draws from 17 matches in the Championship since replacing Mark Robins in November. His side are seventh in the table, with Oxford United up next tomorrow.
“The uplifting results is a consequence of the work done on the training round,” said Lampard. “We’ve done it with some injuries to important players which is good because now they’re coming back.
“We’re in a good position from where we started and we’ve also now got a pretty much fully-fit squad with some big players that are just back for us now for the run-in.”
Andy Hunter
Kevin Thelwell is expected to leave his job as Everton’s director of football when his contract ends this summer. He joined in February 2022.
Manchester United: Amorim has also backed up his captain, Bruno Fernandes, who’s come under fire from Roy Keane. “I have a different opinion,” Amorim said. “Bruno is really important for us in the club.
“I know sometimes, as a captain, he does things with his arms and sometimes you see [him] criticising the teammates. I think most of all it is a lot of frustration for this year and the last year and the others. He wants to win and sometimes it’s really hard to deal with that frustration.
“Everybody has an opinion. Roy Keane has big standards from him in his time and it’s normal to have an opinion. I have an opposite opinion, and I think it’s more important my opinion than Roy Keane because I am the coach and I think he is doing things quite well.”
Amorim: Garnacho to pay for team dinner after substitution reaction
Manchester United: Ruben Amorim was always going to be asked about Alejandro Garnacho, who went straight to the dressing room after being substituted against Ipswich earlier this week.
“He came to me, to my office,” said Amorim, cracking a smile. “I did some investigation. He went to the dressing room, changed his clothes because it was wet, he watched the game, not in the bench. At the end of the game he was there and he went home. There is not an issue there. But I told him that at Manchester United everything is important. Perception in a big club is really important. He’s going to pay a dinner to all the team. That’s it.” Sorted.
A bit of lunch-hour fun for all of you.
Philip Cornwall, of this parish, writes in. I didn’t know this was a thing:
I can’t help noticing that in their statement about tickets (12.26), whereas Rangers talk about “the Old Firm derby”, Celtic’s statement refers to “the next two Glasgow derby matches”.
Looking back at this season’s match reports on the respective websites, whereas Rangers refer to “Old Firm” regularly, Celtic do not do so at all.
This is, of course, a coincidence and nothing to do with Celtic fans asserting that Rangers’ financial collapse means the Old Firm ceased to exist in 2012.
Afternoon, everyone. Here’s the full story on David Coote, the former Premier League referee who has received a ban from Uefa.
Handover: Taha Hashim is here to take up the cudgels o’news, so thanks for your company this morning and have a great weekend.
Pep Guardiola: Plymouth Argyle are not unknown
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola has been rocking the mic and began his press conference ahead of City’s match against Plymouth tomorrow evening by refusing point-blank to answer three consecutive questions about yesterday’s accusations, made by La Liga president Javier Tebas, that Manchester City have engaged in an Enron-style financial deception. “Next,” he says, three times in quick succession.
He is, however, happy to field a question about whether or not Plymouth Argyle are something of an unknown quantity for a Manchester City side who are used to playing against more exalted opposition. “It is not unknown if you are able to beat the best team in the country this season Liverpool,” he says. “They went unbeaten also at Brentford, then it is not unknown.”
He then went on to speak about Oscar Bobb, who has not played for City since fracturing his leg during a training session between the Community Shield and the opening day of the season.
“He is getting better, training yesterday and today as well but have been [out] longer than we expect,” said Pep. “But hopefully he can finish his part and can help us in the last part of the season. We want to help him desperately. It is a tough period for him but always there is light at the end of the tunnel. Always has been like that in life – sport especially.”
Away fans to be allowed back into Old Firm derbies
Old Firm away tickets: Celtic and Rangers have finally reached an agreement that will see away fans being allowed to attend Old Firm matches again, ending a dispute between the two clubs that dates back to 2018, when away allocations were cut to around 700 tickets.
Both clubs have now agreed to an allocation of just over 4%, which means approximately 2,400 Rangers fans will get tickets for the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on 16 March.
“We can confirm that following the previous SPFL determination from last year and with necessary requirements being addressed, away supporters will be present at the next two Glasgow derby matches this season at Celtic Park (March 16) and Ibrox,” said a statement issued by Celtic. “Allocations will be around 4% of saleable capacity at both stadia.”
In their statement Rangers said: “Supporters will be able to attend our match with Celtic on March 16, with the two clubs agreeing for a reciprocal percentage of tickets to be allocated to away fans. The arrangement will then be repeated for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox following the split.”
Preston v Burnley: Two founder Football League members reconvene in the fifth round on Saturday, adding to a history of Cup rivalry writes John Brewin …
David Coote banned by Uefa until June 2026
David Coote has been banned from refereeing in Uefa competitions until the summer of 2026. European football’s governing body opened an investigation into the former Professional Game Match Officials Limited referee last year, following the publication of a video in which he appeared to be snorting a white powder while working at Euro 2024.
A Uefa statemenet said that Coote had violated “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “brought the sport of football and Uefa in particular, into disrepute.” Coote is now banned from refereeing in competitions played under the Uefa umbrella until 30 June 2026.
Coote had his contract as a Premier League referee terminated after an investigation into his off-field behaviour concluded in December. The PGMOL said had been found to be “in serious breach” of his terms of employment and had been removed from his position.
The referee, 42, subsequently said struggles with his sexuality contributed to the “really poor choices” that cost him his job last year.
Tomas Rosicky in running for Arsenal sporting director role
Ed Aarons
Tomas Rosicky has said he is honoured to be “in the thoughts of the Arsenal management” to become the club’s sporting director but that he has not received an offer to succeed Edu.
Arsenal are believed to be hopeful of finalising an appointment in March, having assessed candidates that include their former midfielder Rosicky, the sporting director at Sparta Prague.
“My connection with Arsenal is natural because I spent 10 years there and in that time, you form a very strong bond,” Rosicky told Flashscore’s podcast Livesport Daily. “I have it with Arsenal and Sparta, they are two clubs that I love. Just the fact that I am there in some thoughts of the Arsenal management is an honour for me. But I have no offer to go and work at Arsenal.”
Asked if he had spoken to anyone from Arsenal, Rosicky said: “I’m aware that I’m on their radar or I figure in their considerations in some capacity, but I haven’t received any offer.”
Edu stepped down in November to join the multi-club network of Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, with his deputy Jason Ayto taking over on an interim basis. Ayto is understood to remain in contention despite criticism from supporters over the club’s failure to sign attacking reinforcements in January.
Dan Ashworth, who left Manchester United in December after only five months, has also emerged as another candidate thanks to his close relationship with Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, who worked with England’s former director of elite development at West Brom. The former Atlético Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta, Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro of Monaco have also been linked.
Whiteley to oversee Liverpool for rest of WSL season
Tom Garry
Exclusive: Liverpool Women’s interim manager, Amber Whiteley, is likely to remain in charge for the remainder of the season, the Guardian understands, with the club prepared to undergo a lengthy recruitment process to identify their next long-term manager.
Whiteley was assistant to Matt Beard before he left on Thursday. She previously stepped up on a caretaker basis in 2021, when Vicky Jepson left by mutual consent, and there is understood to be a feeling at Liverpool that Whiteley is a safe pair of hands to steer the club for their final eight WSL fixtures, starting with Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace. Liverpool also face Arsenal away in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup on 9 March.
Women’s football: Aston Villa forward Kirsty Hanson talks about her 1km a day challenge for Dementia UK after her grandmother was diagnosed and how it has allowed her to slow down and think about life. Words: Suzanne Wrack …
Man United and Fulham fans to join forces in protest
FA Cup: Manchester United and Fulham fans will join forces to protest against ticket pricing ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash between the two teams at Old Trafford. Adult tickets are between £52 and £61 for away fans, while home fans have continued to express fury at the mid-season decision to increase prices of remaining tickets to £66 per match, without concessions.
Members of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) and the Fulham Supporters’ Trust (FST) will protest such pricing ahead of Sunday’s fifth-round tie in front of the Trinity Statue at Old Trafford. The supporter bodies participated in a yellow card protest when the sides met at Craven Cottage in November 2023, with this the latest action as part of the Football Supporters’ Association’s Stop Exploiting Loyalty campaign.
“Across the country football fans are putting rivalries to one side because we are all fighting the same fight on ticket prices,” said MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo. “Clubs are exploiting loyalty and fans are united in saying enough is enough.”
FST chair Simon Duke called the ticket pricing this weekend “outrageous” and said it showed “contempt” for loyal supporters. “The Fulham Supporters’ Trust are pleased to join our friends at MUST in this show of solidarity showing how match-going fans’ loyalty is being exploited,” he said.
Brighton: Having hogged the headlines in Eddie Howe’s press conference, the subject of Alexander Isak’s potential absence through injury was also raised at Hurzeler’s. The Brighton manager told reporters he has to presume Newcastle’s Swedish striker will play some part in Sunday’s FA Cup tie.
“He [Isak] is a special player,” said Hurzeler. “A player who can make the difference. You can’t replace a player like this because not every team has two, three or four players of this quality. Therefore, it is a different game if he won’t play, but the thing is now we don’t know it, so we really have to prepare as if Isak will start. We have to prepare for his actions, for his behaviour and how we want to defend this together as a group.
“You can’t gamble and say he won’t play. I am sure they will try everything to make him fit for the game and we have to be ready for that.”
Brighton: Fabian Hurzeler celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday basking in the warm afterglow of a win over Bournemouth, his Brighton side’s fourth victory on the spin in all competitions. They will be hoping to make it five from five when they take on Newcastle in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon and the young German is hopeful of bringing silverware of some sort to Brighton during his tenure, even if he thinks a Premier League title is something of a tall order.
“First of all, that’s my job,” he told reporters. “I always try to give everything for the club and, of course, I always want the club to be the most successful we can be. That’s my job, together with the staff and players, and therefore we try that.
“We promise everyone that we will try to give everything on the pitch and beside the pitch to make them proud, but we can’t promise to win a title. That’s the thing that we to work on and the thing we try to do in our daily behaviour and then we will see what will come in the future.”
Liverpool record £57m loss
Andy Hunter: Liverpool made a loss of £57m last season after missing out on the Champions League while wages and overhead costs increased, the club’s latest accounts have revealed …
Eddie Howe: “We will see how Isak is today”
Newcastle United v Brighton: With their team already in the Carabao Cup final, due to face Brighton in the last 16 of the FA Cup on Sunday and hopeful of securing qualification for the Champions League with a strong league finish, the fitness – or lack therof – of their striker Alexander Isak is uppermost in the thoughts of most Newcastle fans after he missed his side’s midweek defeat at Liverpool with a groin injury. Over to you, Eddie Howe …
“We will see today,” said Newcastle’s manager. “I haven’t seen him since the game. We will see how he is today. We don’t think it’s a long-term problem. There was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can’t be with the stage of the season we’re in. There is always a risk with any player but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness. We will see how he is today and if he is fit, he will play.”
Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle: Third from bottom of the Championship table and making an excellent fist of avoiding relegationo under Wayne Rooney’s replacement Miron Muslic, Plymouth Argyle are the lowest ranked team left in this season’s FA Cup and travel to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow for a potentially tricky – to say the least – appointment with Manchester City.
While the odds are stacked against the tie being settled by a penalty shootout, it’s no surprise to learn that Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard has diligently done his homework in the event of such an outcome. The Northern Ireland goalkeeper has form in the field of shootouts in big cup games, having been in goal for Celtic when they beat Hearts on penalties in the 2020 Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.
“We did well in that game but as a goalkeeper you prepare for penalties in every game,” said Hazard. “You’ve got to kind of have an idea what you’re going to be coming up against, what’s their preferred side and what to do.
“We’ll try to keep the game going as long as possible and there’s every chance a game like this could go to penalties. We’ll definitely do some preparation on that.”
If the Pilgrims are to progress to the quarter-finals they will have done exceptionally well, having advanced from the third round with an away win at Brentford before beating Liverpool at Home Park in the period between Rooney’s departure and Muslic’s arrival. Now City await.
“We’re all really up for it,” said Hazard. “We know the task ahead and what we need to do to try and get a result there. That’s our aim.”
The Championship: Sunderland travel to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday in tonight’s only Championship game. In fourth place in the table, 12 points clear of Coventry in seventh, Regis Le Bris’s side are handily placed to grab a place in the playoffs but their chances of securing one of the two automatic promotion spots available have taken a serious dent following back-to-back defeats against Leeds United and Hull City.
“Our main output will always be on the football output, rather than physical data or anything like that,” said the Frenchman, when quizzed about his team’s mini-slump. “It’s the stage of the season where this is important. We have done well so far, and we have to remember this.
“The team and the squad are in a good place, but it is possible we can struggle for a period. We were good at Leeds, I think – it wasn’t our best performance against Hull but at the same time it wasn’t a disaster. We could have won the game but sometimes you can make a mistake and be punished – maybe in the next game it doesn’t happen this way.
“It’s important to manage the squad for sure, to finish the league with good momentum. We have had many injuries, sometimes suspensions, so it wasn’t always possible [to rotate]. Now we have this opportunity a bit more because we are closer to a full squad. We will see.
“In a long season like this, this stage is like ‘the wall’ in the marathon and it is tough for everyone. We have to manage it properly and we know it’s normal to have fatigue, but at the same time it creates the condition to manage the squad and to involve the players in the recovery process.”
Football governance: Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has said the Premier League should consider selling its global TV rights to Netflix, as he shrugged off tensions with supporters and questions over his model of ownership in rare public remarks. Paul MacInnes reports from Business of Football Summit in London …
French match officials threaten strike action
The French referees union said its members would exercise their right to withdraw if they or their families are put at risk after a match official faced an “outpouring of hate” following comments by Olympique de Marseille President Pablo Longoria.
Local media reported that Longoria had objected to the appointment of referee Jeremy Stinat for their game against Auxerre on Saturday, which they lost 3-0. Longoria said the defeat was down to “true corruption” and expressed his anger over the red card shown to defender Derek Cornelius. The French football league’s governing body (LFP) handed Longoria a 15-match ban for his comments on Wednesday.
Local media reported that the tyres on two of Stinat’s family’s cars were found slashed at his home before the match and that he had filed a legal complaint over the damage. A delegation from the referees union (SAFE) met the French minister for sport Marie Barsacq on Thursday to voice their concerns regarding the safety of referees.
“The nature of the remarks … called into question the integrity of the referee and, more generally, that of the refereeing body,” SAFE said. “In the event of a new breach of their private sphere, putting them or their families at risk, [the referees] would exercise their right to withdraw.”
The union added in a statement that it had instructed its legal advisers to join Stinat in filing a civil action with an investigating judge of the Paris court of first instance.
Premier League match report: Birthday boy Thomas Soucek was among the goals as a dismal defeat at West Ham extended Leciester City’s doomed, zombified lurch towards relegation to 11 league defeats in 12 games, 12 of 16 in all since Ruud van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper in November. John Brewin reports from the London Stadium …
FA Cup fifth round
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Aston Villa Cardiff City (8pm Fri)
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Crystal Palace v Millwall (12.15pm Sat)
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Preston v Burnley (12.15pm Sat)
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Bournemouth v Wolves (3pm Sat)
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Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle (5.45pm Sat)
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Newcastle United v Brighton (1.45pm Sun)
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Manchester United v Fulham (4.30pm Sun)
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Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town (7.30pm Mon)
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All times GMT
Exclusive: WSL plotting the abolition of relegation
Women’s Super League: The top tier of the women’s game in England is considering abolishing relegation as part of a radical proposal to grow the sport that will be discussed by the clubs at a meeting today, reports Matt Hughes in a Guardian exclusive.
Something for the weekend …
With a big weekend of FA Cup action kicking-off at Villa Park tonight, we’re here to bring you news from all the news from the pre-match managerial press conferences ahead of the fifth round.
Our first ports of call are expected to be Brighton and Newcastle, where Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe will be getting their media duties out of the way early doors ahead of Sunday’s meeting between the two sides at St James’ Park, where Brighton have already won this season in the Premier League.
We’ll flag up any other major talking points and items of interest throughout the day, while gently nudging you in the direction of any top Guardian #content from our website. For starters, how about perusing these Ten Things our crack team of writers think you should be looking out for in the FA Cup between now and Monday evening …
