General Football 23/24

[dom9]

Haha. What a spoon.

[Fivex]

[Liverpel]

Adam Johnson is to return to training with Sunderland after the club lifted the suspension it imposed on the winger following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

It means the 27-year-old, currently on police bail, is in contention for involvement in Dick Advocaat’s managerial debut with Sunderland on Saturday when the struggling side travel to West Ham United. Johnson was suspended by directors shortly after being arrested at his County Durham home on 2 March. He was released on police bail after questioning but when, on Tuesday, it was extended until Thursday 23 April, Sunderland announced they would be “reviewing” their position regarding his ban. On Wednesday they released a statement confirming he was free to train and play while the police investigation continues. “The club has discussed the current position in detail with both the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) and Adam’s representatives,” it said. “In line with those discussions we recognise that the player is entitled to recommence his duties with the club while the legal process continues. He will therefore return to training.

“The club’s own investigation cannot continue until the conclusion of the legal process. Sunderland AFC will make no further comment on the matter due to the ongoing police investigation.”

It is understood that Advocaat, who succeeded the sacked Gus Poyet, on Tuesday, believes Johnson’s contribution could prove vital as Sunderland, separated from the bottom three by a single point, strive to avoid relegation. The former England winger has missed his team’s past two games but has been working out daily at home with a specialist fitness trainer supplied by the club.

As part of their ongoing inquiries into the matter officers from Durham Constabulary recently raided dressing rooms at both the Stadium of Light and the Academy of Light, where Sunderland train.

The police have confirmed that investigation remains “very much live” and said: “Sunderland AFC informed us this morning of their decision, which of course is a matter entirely for the club. The police investigation remains very much live and ongoing and a man remains on bail while inquiries continue.

“We would once again urge those posting on social media to be aware of the effects their comments can have. We accept rumour and speculation may be inevitable, but many of the comments have been distressing to the complainant, her family and people connected with the investigation.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/18/adam-johnson-return-sunderland-training-suspension

[danperkins]

Dunphy on Simeone, "He looks like a Mexican pimp"

[Shaggy]

Rob Harris @RobHarris
Confirmation from FIFA that the Qatar World Cup final will be December 18 2022 (as Sepp Blatter announced last month)

[red g]

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has claimed he prevented Tottenham selling Harry Kane last January.

Sherwood has been credited with helping Kane’s development during his previous job as Spurs’ technical director and gave the 21-year-old his first Premier League start for Tottenham in April 2014 during an ill-fated spell as head coach.

After praising Kane for winning his first call-up to the senior England squad, Sherwood claimed several Tottenham officials wanted to sell the youngster in order to bring in another striker but he “wouldn’t allow it to happen”.

Sherwood said: “When I first put Harry in the team, Roberto Soldado was on the bench, and after 30 minutes if Harry hadn’t scored the fans would be singing for Soldado to come on.

“It took time for Harry to win them over but they love him now and they’re reaping the rewards for it.

“I am delighted for him. It’s just great I resisted the temptation to get rid of him last January because perhaps he wouldn’t be the star he is for Tottenham now.

“He was never close to leaving in my opinion but there were people at the club who wanted to bring in another striker and sacrifice Harry Kane – but I wouldn’t allow that to happen."

Kane has scored more goals than any other English striker this season, notching 26 times in all competitions, including 16 in the Premier League.

And Sherwood said: “We never knew whether he was going to reach the level he’s at now but we knew his mentality, desire and passion for the game was second to none.

“He’s got tremendous self-belief, Similar to Guardiola and I, We are born winners and He doesn’t see anyone as competition; he just sees himself and wanting to improve.

“Tremendous credit should go to Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson. As much as Harry was a fantastic trainer, those two guys spent hours on the training field with him; striking balls, working on the right side, the left side, and showing Harry how to train properly.”

http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/9766677/Harry-Kane-could-have-been-sacrificed-by-Spurs-Tim-Sherwood

Not like Timmy ti miss an opportunity to pat himself on the back.

[Fivex]

General Football 2015

If you're gonna put edits in at least punctuate them properly.

[ChesterDave]

If you're gonna put edits in at least punctuate them properly.

Unless it is a Guardian article as that would give the game away

[red g]

If you're gonna put edits in at least punctuate them properly.

[Liverpel]

I've just booked December 19th 2022 off work.

[Boogs]

The African nations cup is going to furious Pel

[Liverpel]

The African nations cup is going to furious Pel

I'm on it.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Guinea. The competition may be held in June 2023, instead of the usual January, as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is scheduled to be held in November and December 2022. The host Guinea however has rejected that change.

[Shaggy]

[ame]https://twitter.com/Footy_Fooligans/status/579344021224579072[/ame]

[McDermotX]

Great to see the youngsters getting involved in football support.

[PTP]

Is that michael Jackson in front of the kid