General Football 23/24

[Rich]

Ivanovic is particularly strange when he had a horrendous start to the season.

[RedReet]

Clyne has been much better than him and Bellerin been very good for Arsenal. Simpson been excellent for Leicester too since they decided to tighten up.

Not been too many stand out FB's in any team this year TBF, although there has been a lot of chopping and changing for all teams. Azpi for Chelsea has been steady again and also better than Ivan.

[Phoenix07]

The Premier League have changed the referee for Tottenham’s crucial game in the title race against Stoke on Monday following pressure on social media.

The original choice of Kevin Friend outraged Spurs fans because he lives in Leicester and admits to being a fan of the Premier League leaders, who have a seven-point lead over the north London club with five games to go.

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd do not pick Friend to referee matches involving Leicester because of his allegiance, but they normally do not take into consideration secondary factors such as a referee officiating in a match that might have ramifications for the club he supports.

But PGMOL boss Mike Riley had second thoughts over Friend’s appointment because of the importance of the Spurs fixture to the title race and to avoid unnecessary pressure on the referee.

He has been replaced by Neil Swarbrick, who hails from Preston, and Friend will switch to Newcastle’s home tie against Manchester City.

A statement said: ‘Kevin Friend, initially selected for the game, is from Leicester and has attended matches at Leicester City in a personal capacity. Given the context of this match, it was felt unnecessary to add extra scrutiny on the refereeing appointment.’
Leicester need just three victories from their remaining games against West Ham, Swansea, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to lift the title.

Friend told the Leicester Mercury in a 2013 interview: 'I have got two teams, Bristol City, because I was born in Bristol, and also Leicester because I live here.

'I do go down to the King Power quite a bit. They have got a good bunch of lads at the minute and a really good manager in Nigel Pearson - they will succeed.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...e-hots-up.html

[Muddled]

[ame]https://twitter.com/martynziegler/status/720567384495546369[/ame]

[Bender]

THE GREAT STADIUM RIP OFF.BBC

West Ham will pay £2.5m a year to rent the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium, it has been revealed after the deal was made public following a legal battle.

United will not have to pay for a range of staff including cleaners and turnstile operators. Heating and lighting costs will also be covered by the stadium managers.

[ChesterDave]

Surely that has to constitute state aid? Supposedly banned, isn't it?

[meffin]

This is so dodgy its untrue.

If this was City or Chelsea, people would be going mad! If its not something that is available to all teams, it shouldn't be allowed. They shouldn't be gifted a new stadium just because of location

[Rich]

The deal absolutely stinks. The whole Olympic legacy has been a shambles to be honest.

[Kenneth]

Even over the 99 years of the lease they won't pay back the cost of converting it to football use. ****ing stinks, a stadium for free (considering the normal costs that are included) from the state.

[Buzzo]

What deal did City get on their stadium, which was built for the Commonwealth games?

If West Ham go for naming rights then the first £4m goes to the local council anything above that to West Ham.

[ChesterDave]

I think City have annual rent of 1.5m but don't get free staff or policing.

[BillobShaisley]

Just to be pedantic, 1st 4mil then 50% of naming rights. About the only thing vaguely fair in the whole thing.

Still a giveaway

[Muddled]

[ame]https://twitter.com/SoccRepublic/status/721309351407792129[/ame]

[Chazza]

[baitman]

the Oirish and their craic