Soccer Nostalgia: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 27 (Week of October 9-October 15, 2018)

Note:

The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.

We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.

I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I. England

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Wayne Rooney has defended Jose Mourinho and asked the players to step up. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-Serbia’s Nemanija Matic (Manchester United) has returned to the club (from International duty) due to injury . (Source Manutd.com Online)

-France Manager Didier Deschamps stated that the Jose Mourinho-Paul Pogba feud has been been exaggerated and that people have jumped to concluions. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former manchewster United midfielder Michael carrick stated that he was in a two-year depression following the 2009 UCL loss to Barcelona. (Source BBC Football Online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Thierry Henry is no longer considered as a potential Aston Villa Manager, as he is now closer to join Monaco. Rui Faria, a former assistant to Jose Mourinho, has also ruled himself in the running for the position. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Former Manchester United player Louis Saha criticized Paul Pogba for undermining Jose Mourinho with his recent statements advocating to change tactics for a more attacking game. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Aston Villa have appointed Dean Smith as their new Manager with John Terry as his assistant. (Source Daily Telegraph online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Danny Rose and Alex McCarthy have withdrawn from the England squad due to injuries. (Source BBC Football online)

-Former Aston Villa Chairman Sir Doug Ellis passed away aged 94. (Source BBC Football online)

-Leeds Owner Andrea Radrizzani has proposed the idea of a ‘Premier League two’, as the Championship does not generate enough money. (Source The Guardian online)

-Eden Hazard ruled out a transfer away from Chelsea in the January transfer window. (Source AS.com online)

-Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen has been ruled out until December due to injury. (Source BBC Football online)

-Chelsea have a new idea to handle racist fans. Instead of banning them, they will send the fans to visit Asschwitz and attend educational courses. (Source The Sun online)

-Chelsea’s Eden Hazard stated that for him to have any chance to win theBallon d’Or , he has to jon the Spanish La Liga, which fueled the rumors of his impending departure to Real Madrid. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Watford Manager Javi Gracia is set to sign a new three year contract with the club. (Source Daily Telegraph online)

-Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho was in the audience in the Montenegro-Serbia , UEFA Nations League match to observe Serbia and Lazio’s Sergei Milinkovic-Savic. (Source A Bola online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Eden Hazard was chosen as the Premier League’s player of the Month of September. Wolves’ manager Nuno Espirito Santo was chosen as the Manager of the month, while Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge’s goal vs. Chelsea was chosen as the goal of the month. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey stated that he will not leave in January despite the club’s unwillingness to offer a new contract. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Former Poland star Zbigniew Boniek has advised Krzysztof Piatek to remain at Genoa for “another two years”. (Source Sportskeeda online)

-In England’s match vs. Croatia, Jordan Sancho (18 years and 201 days) became the second youngest Engliksh player to win his first cap in a competitive game, after only Duncan Edwards (18 years and 183 days April 1955 vs Scotland). (Source BBC Football online)

-Liverpool’s Mphamed Salah scored from a direct corner in Egypt’s win over Eswatini. He was later injured and will return to Liverpool. (Source BBC Football online)

-Jordan Henderson and John Stones were ruled out of England’s next match in the Nations League after receiving their second yellow cards. (Source Daily Mail online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

-Manchester City have denied reports that theyr had offered Lioenl Messi, triple his salary to sign him. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Paul Gascoigne responded to his snub by the SFA by stating that he does not need to be in the Scottish Hall of Fame to be recognized as one of the best. (Source BBC Football online)

-Gareth Southgate started that his English players are short of ‘psychological freshnes’ and felt that the Premier League season had started too early. (Source Sky Sports online)

- Arsenal’s French striker Anthony Lacazette stated that he missed the atmosphere of French stadiums, saying “there are more spectators than supporters in England”. (Source L’Equipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
October 9, 2018	Bakary Sako (Mali)	Midfielder	Free Agent (formerly Crystal Palace)	WBA	Loan	L’Equipe
					Loan

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
October 10, 2018	Kevin Long	-	Burnley	2021	RTE Soccer

II. Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Giampiero Ventura has been named as the new Manager of Chievo, following Lorenzo D’Anna’s sacking . (Source Calciomercato online)

-Simone Zaza has withdrawn from Italy squad due to injury. Kevin Lasagna (Udinese) has been called up as a replacement. (Source Football Italia Online)

-Davide Ballardini has been fired as Genoa Manager. He is replaced by Ivan Juric. (Source sportskeeda online)

-Former Inter President stated that there is ‘no rancour’ against Juventus stemming from Calciopoli. He also stated he refused to be the Federation President as it did not feel right to push aside Gabriele Gravina who had worked hard to earn the votes. (Source Football Italia Online)

-The Italian National team honored the 43 victims of Genoa’s Morandi bridge collapse by placing a wreath at the site. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Italy U-21 Manager Luigi Di Biagio has named his squad for the upcoming matches vs. Belgium and Tunisia. (Source Football Italia online)

Crotone defender Riccardo Marchizza was called up, while Sebastiano Luperto and Giuseppe Pezzella withdrew. (Source Football Italia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emil Audero (Sampdoria), Lorenzo Montipò (Benevento), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);

Defenders: Claud Adjapong (Sassuolo), Alessandro Bastoni (Parma), Arturo Calabresi (Bologna), Davide Calabria (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta), Riccardo Marchizza (Crotone), Luca Pellegrini (Roma), (Udinese), Filippo Romagna (Cagliari);

Midfielders: Gaetano Castrovilli (Cremonese), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo); Rolando Mandragora (Udinese), Alessandro Murgia (Lazio), Matteo Pessina (Atalanta), Luca Valzania (Atalanta), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);

Forwards: Federico Bonazzoli (Padova), Simone Edera (Torino), Andrea Favilli (Genoa), Moise Kean (Juventus), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Vittorio Parigini (Torino), Luca Vido (Perugia).

-Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentis has once again attacked former Manager Maurizio Sarri by implying he was greedy and he was using the club as ‘a bank’. (Source Football Italia online)

-AC Milan have signed Brazilian Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo) and he could join them in January. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

-After their tie vs. Ukraine, Italy is now winless at home for five matches, equaling a run form 1923-1925. (Source Football Italia online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Marcelo Brozovic si set to renew his contract with Inter until 2021. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Walter Zenga has been appointed as the new Manager of Venezia. (Source Football Italia online)

-Leonardo Bonucci stated that the Italian National Team still has not improved from last year and its elimination from the World Cup. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Antonio Cassano has retired for good just seven days after signing for Virtus Entella . (Source BC Football online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

-Italy’s win over Poland, was it’s first competitive win in over a year, their last win was over Albania (1-0) on October 9, 2017. (Source Italian Footbal TV online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Silvio Berlusconi stated that he does not understand AC Milan Manager Gennaro Gattuso’s ideas. According to Berlusconi, Higuain needs to play with a support striker. However, former AC Milan Manager Fabio Capello stated that Gattuso is the right man for the job . (Source Calciomercato online)

-As part of the ongoing Investigation into Belgian Football, Authorities intned to interview Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savci about his transfer to Genk as well as to Lazio. (Source Calciomercato online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
October 10, 2018	Christopher Attys (France)	-	US Torcy	Inter	Purchase	Calciomercato

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
October 10, 2018	Kevin Lasagna	Striker	Udinese	2023	Football Italia
October 11, 2018	Francesco Magnanelli	-	Sassuolo	2021	Football Italia
October 15, 2018	Patrick Cutrone	Striker	AC Milan	2023	Corriere dello Sport

III. Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal has expressed his frustration (in an instagram post) at being left off the squad too often. (Source AS.com/ Sport Bild online)

-According to some reports, Real Madrid would like to sign Chelsea’s Eden Hazard in the January transfer window. (Source Corrier dello Sport online)

-Leo Franco has been dismissed as Huesca Manager. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Cirque de Soleil will make a new show in 2019 based upon Lionel Messi’s life in Football. (Source AS.com online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Spain Manager Luis Enrique defended the Nations League but acknowledged that were he a club Manager, it would interest him less. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Huesca have appointed Francisco Rodriguez as their new Manager. (Source AS.com online)

-Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez revealed that he had an offer to join Real Madrid but he rejected the offer as he had renewed his contract with Atletico. (Source Marca.com online)

-According to a report, Zinedine Zidane quit as Real Madrid in part due to Gareth Bale. Zidane had wanted to sell Bale to have cash to sign Salah/Hazard or Kane. Instead after his goal in the UCL Final, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez decided to retain him and even suggested that Bale was better than CR7. This forced Zidane to re-evaluate his position at the club. (Source Wales Football online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has tipped Real Madrid’s Luka Modric to win the Ballon d’Or. (Source AS.com online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Gareth Bale has decided to return to Real Madrid due to his injury doubt and miss Wales’ match vs. Republic of Ireland. (Source AS.com online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Barcelona’s Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen will be out injured 6-8 weeks. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Serena has passed away aged 77. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Argentinean Manager Angel Capp has echoed Maradona, by saying Messi is an ‘earthly player, the rest is marketing’. He added without Messi, Barcelona would be 10^th in La Liga as he has saved them many times in the past. (Source A Bola online)

IV. Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Markus Weinzierl has been named as the new Manager of Stuttgart. (Source L’Equipe online)

-In contrast with Jurgen Klopp, National Team Manager Joachim Low defended the UEFA Nations League, but acknowledged that club coaches are opposed due to the absences of so many of their players. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Germany Manager Joachim Low’s squad for the upcoming matches vs. Holland and France after all the defections and call-ups. (Source 90min.com online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Thilo Kehrer (Paris Saint-Germain), Jonas Hector (Koln), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Nico Schultz (Hoffenheim), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Emre Can (Juventus), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Manchester City), Sebastian Rudy (Schalke)

Forwards: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mark Uth (Schalke)

- Frankfurt were fined 22,000 Euros for the misbehavior of its fans . (Source Sport Bild online)

- Kevin Trapp and Leon Goretzka have withdrawn from the Germany squad due to injuries. Bernd Leno (Arsenal) and Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) have been called up as replacements.. (Source Bild.de online)

-Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City) has withdrawn from the Germany squad due to injury. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Lothar Matthaus criticized James Rodriguez by branding him as ‘Egotistical’ and ‘disrespectful’. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Michael Ballack stated that he was surprised that Joachim Low had not been fired after a poor World Cup. (Source Goal.com online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Jonatah Tah (Leverkusen) has been called up by Germany Manager Joachim Low to cover for the recent withdrawals. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Joachim Low has managed his 168^th match for Germany overtakingSepp Herberger. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

- Jerome Boateng has withdrawn from the Germany squad due to an injury and will miss the match vs. France . (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

- Leon Bailey (Leverkusen) refused to play for the National Team of Jamaica, because his brother Kyle Butler was not selected as the Federation wants him to do try outs first. (Source L’Equipe online)

-According to Lothar Matthaus, Marc Andre Ter Stegen should be the starting goakeeper for Germany as Neuer has struggled. Manuel Neuer has responded by saying that he is fit and has just bene unlucky. Joachim Low confirmed that Neuer would start against France tomorrow. (Source Goal.com / Sport Bild online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
October 12, 2018	Paco Alcacer (Spain)	Striker	Dortmund	202	Sport Bild

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
October 11, 2018	Ahmet Gurleyen	Defender	Mainz	Sport Bild

Photo From: L’Equipe, October 14, 2018

(October 13, 2018, Holland 3-Germany 0)

V. France

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Antoine Griezmann stated that the Ballon d’Or winner should be French, as he belives the World’s best player should come from the World’s Best team. (Source AS.com online)

-Leonardo Jardim has been dismissed as Monaco Manager. (Source Libertaion online)

-Paul Pogba stated that he would like Griezmann, Mbappe or Varane to win the Ballon d’Or and believed he himself should not be the winner. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-French Federation President Noel Le Graet stated that Karim Benzema is unlikely to be recalled for the National Team. (Source Miami Herald online)

-Andrea Raggi (Monaco) has been suspended for five matches for punching Clement Grenier (rennes). Marcus Thuram (Guingamp) has been suspended for four matches for striking Daniel Congre (Montpellier). Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) has been suspended for three matches. (Source L’Equipe. online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Leonardo Jardim was officially dismissed as Monaco Manager. (Source BBC Football online)

-Karim benzem aresponded to French Federation President Noel Le Graet’s comments from the previous day. Benzema tweeted asking Mr. Le Graet to forget about him and leave him be and that France are World Champions and that’s the important thing . (Source AS.com online)

-PSG’s Kylian Mbappe has made the cover of Time Magazine. (Source AS.com online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Thierry Henry is set to leave his post with the Belgian National Team to be appointed Monaco Manager on Monday. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Michel Platini has field a lawsuit in France to prove former FIFA officials conspired to have him banned from Soccer. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-An investigation has been launched about PSG-Red Star Belgrade, UCL match that PSG won 6-1. It was reported that a Red Star official had bet £4.4 £Million if his team lost by 5 goals. (Source Daily Mail online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Thierry Henry was officially named as the new Manager of Monaco. He has appointed Welshman Kwame Ampadu (father of Ethan) as his assistant. (Source L’Equipe / Wales Football Online online)

-PSG and Red Star Belgrade have denied the match-fixing claims of their UCL match . (Source Football Italia online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

-Laurent Koscielny announced his International retirement, he also stated that he felt abandoned by the France team (particularly Dider Deschamps) following his injury with Arsenal late in last season that deprived him of the World Cup. He stated Deschamps has only called him once for his birthday since. (Source France Football online)

-Florian Thauvin has withdrawn from France squad due to injury. (Source France Football online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Nicolas Pepe (Lille) has been elected as the L1 player of the month of September. (Source L’Equipe online)

-French gendarme Daniel Nivel, injured dueing the 1998 World Cup, has received the Federal Cross of Merit. (Source Sport Bild online)

-France Manager Didier Deschamps has responded to Laurent Koscielny;s recent comments. He said he was surprised because the members of the National Team had sent him well wishes. Deschamps stated that he had even recommended him a surgeon for his injury. He stated they had briefly spoken the day before without getting into details. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Henri Fontaine, the oldest living fomer OM player, passed away aged 93 . (Source L’Equipe online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, October 12, 2018

(Kylian Mbappe, October 11, 2018, France 2-Iceland 2)

VI. Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Holland Manager Ronald Koeman stated that his squad can draw inspiration from Ajax’s performance vs. Bayern Munich, from the previous week in the UCL, ahead of their match vs. Germany . (Source Sportskeeda online)

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Holland Manager Ronald Koeman criticized his defender Virgil van Dijk as being too laid back at times and urged him to show more urgency in his game. (Source vi.nl online)

-Defender Serginho Greene (formerly RKC) has announced his retirement from the game. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Marco van Basten will leave his post as FIFA’s head of technical development at the end of this month. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Holland U-20 Manager Bert Konterman confirmed that in the Youth International vs. Germany on the day before, Jordan Teze spat on Germany’s Salih Ozcan. The player has regretted his decision. He will be suspended until further notice. (Source vi.nl/Sport Bild online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

-Virgil van Dijk will miss Holland’s match vs. Belgium on Tuesday due to a rib injury. (Source BBC Football online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Denmark’s Ajax player, Lasse Schone has returned to his club from International duty after consultation between club and country to avoid burn-out. Ajax’s Moroccan International Nussair Mazraoui has also returned due to injury. (Source vi.nl online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
October 10, 2018	Torino Hunte	Striker	Free Agent (formerly VVV)	Almere City	Purchase	vi.nl
October 11, 2018	Terell Ondaan	Striker	Free Agent (formerly PEC)	Telstar	Purchase	vi.nl

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
October 12, 2018	Marc Olivier Doue (France)	Defender	PEC Zwolle	vi.nl

VII. Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) has withdrawn from the Scotland squad due to injury. (Source BBC Football online)

Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland).

Defenders: Jack Hendry (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Aberdeen), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen O'Donnell (Kilmarnock), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen), John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), James Forrest (Celtic), Kevin McDonald (Fulham), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Robert Snodgrass (West Ham United).

Forwards: Oliver McBurnie (Swansea), Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian), Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City).

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Some member of SFA Board are to boycott a dinner to induct Paul Gascoigne into the Scottish Hall of Fame, due to his controversial past. (Source Daily Mail online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Due to threats of boycott, The Scottish Hall of Fame have withdrawn Paul Gascoigne’s nomination into the Scottish Hall of Fame. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Vinnie Jones balsted the Scottish Hall of Fame’s decision to withdraw Paul Gascoigne’s nomination into the Scottish Hall of Fame.. (Source Daily Record online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Charlie Mulgrew, John Souttar (sent off in the match vs. Israel), Kieran Tierney and Robert Snodgrass have withdrawn from the Scotland squad.

Tierney was released to avoid burnout as he has played many matches for his club this season already, the others were injured.

Ryan Christie (Celtic) and Michael Devlin, Gary Mackay-Steven (both Aberdeen) have been called up. (Source BBC Football / Sky Sports online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Gary Caldwell has been appointed the new Manager of Patrick Thistle. (Source BBC Football online)

VIII. Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Former 1970s-80s Portugal Star Joao Alves revealed that he had at one point the chance to join Real Madrid (from Salamanca) but turned it down to join Benfica. (Source AS.com online)

-Following the matrch vs. Poland, the day before, Pepe and Bernardo Silva have left the team party and will not be available for their next match. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Leixoeamde a complaint to FIFA over Spanish club Majorca’s unpaid debt stemming from 2009 and the transfer of Bruno China . (Source A Bola online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Rui Patricio has withdrawn from the Portugal squad due to injury. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

Monday, October 15, 2018:

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
October 9, 2018	Sergio Semedo	Midfielder	Leixoes	Free Agent	Contract rescinded by mutual consent	Maisfutebol

IX. Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Belgian prosecutors made a series of raids and arrests at Belgian soccer clubs across the Nation, as part of an investigation into financial fraud and possible match-fixing. Agents, referees and officials from top clubs are being questioned. 44 raids were held in Belgium while 13 others were in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia and FYR Macedonia. (Source Reuters uk online)

-Anderlecht’s Alexis Saelemaekers has been suspended for two matches and fined 2,000 Euros for his sending off in a Cup match on September 27th. (Source Jupiter League App online)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Danish Manager Jess Thorup was appointed as the new Manager of Gent. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Belgian Referees Sebastien Delferiere and Bart Vertenten have ben implicated as part of the scandal. (Source Footnews.be onlie)

-Club Brugge Manager Ivan Leko was held in custody (spent the night in jail) as he is being questioned as part of the corruption scandal that has touched Belgian Football. He has been released and apparently is not a suspect anymore. (Source Footnews.be / vi.nl online)

-Goalkeeper Davy Roef (Waasland-Beveren) is the first player questioned as part of the Investigation on Belgian Football. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-KV Mechelen ares suspected to have attempted to fix matches last season in the hopes of remaining in D1A. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Belgian Referee Sebastien Delferiere was to referee the Nations League match between Georgia and Andorra. However, since he is implicated in the Belgian Football scandal, UEFA has replaced him with Cypriot Referee Leontios Trattou. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Belgian Agent Mogi Bayat was also questioned as part of the ongoing Investigation. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Vincent Kompany expressed that he was not surprised of the recent scandal. He believes that world is full of corruption. (Source Le Soir online)gents

-The Belgian Federation have decided that 1) Referees Vertenten and Delferiere will no longer officiate any matches this season 2) The Division 1B will be suspended this weekend. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Club Brugge stated that they will retain confidence on Manager Ivan Leko. (Source RTBF.be online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Agents Mogi Bayat and Dejan Veljkovic were arrested as part of the Investigation on Belgian Football. Others to be arrested were Referee Bart Vertenten, Manager Karim Mejjati and his fomer lawyer Laurent Denis. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Waasland-Beveren have appointed an interim President (Jozef van Remoortel) as Dirk Huyck is being questioned as part of the Investigation on Belgian Football. The club also defended goalkeeper Davy Roef, stating that he was a witness and no more. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Former Standard Liege President Roland Duchatelet believes that in 2014, Standard’s loss in the tite-run to Anderlecht could be due to foul play and match fixing. (Source Footnews.be online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Obi Oulare (Standard Liege) has sued his agent Stijn Haeldermans for irregularities steeming back to 2015 and his transfer to Watford. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Cercle Brugge have demanded an investigation over their match vs. Mechelen on March 15, 2015 that they believe could have ben fixed. (Source RTBF.be online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

-Swedish player Isaac Kiese Thelin, now at Leverkusen, but at one time at Waland-Beveren now believes that a match between the team vs. Mechelen (won 2-0 by Mechelen) may have been fixed. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Pierre Kompany, Father of Vincent, has become the first black mayor in Belgium (Municipality of Ganshoren, Brussels). (Source BBC Football online)

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, October 9, 2018:

-Republic of Ireland Manaer Martin O'Neill has trimmed his squad to 26 players.

Midfielder Richie Towell , Greg Cunningham, Ronan Curtis, Graham Burke, Daryl Horgan and Alan Judge have also been left out. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers)

Midfielders: Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Harry Arter (Bournemouth, on loan at Cardiff City), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa)

-Goalkeeper Roan Burki (Dortmund) and Breel Embollo (Schalke) have withdrawn from the Switzerland squad due to injuries. Midfielder Renato Steffen (Wolfsburg) has been called up as a replacement. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Inter pair Sime Vrsaljko and Marcelo Brozovic have withdrawn from the Croatia squad due to injuries. Goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic (Gent) has also withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Zlatko Dalic called up Simon Sluga (Rijeka) to replace him. (Source Football Italia / Jupier League App online)

-Diego Maradona has once again urged Lionel Messi to leave the National Team, as he will be a scapegoat for the team’s failures, and also attacked Javier Mascherano for not giving Messi Support. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Ryan Johansson (Bayern Munich) has been left out of Republic of Ireland’s U-19 squad as he seems set to declare for Luxembourg Internationally. (Source the42.ie online)

-Matias Almeyda was named as the Manager of MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Uruguayan Gustavo Matosas was named as the Manager of Costa Rica. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Christian Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots has dismissed the reports that Eriksen has a chronic injury and assured that his long-term health is not under threat. (Source AS.com Online)

-It was revealed that current peru Manager Ricardo Gareca could have potentially been a victim of a bomb attack by the Colombian Drug Kingpin Pablo Escobar in 1989 when he was a player at America Cali. One of Escobar’s assassins, John Jairo Velasquez revealed this in an interview with Peru newspaper ‘El Popular’. (Source A Bola Online)

-Venezuela Manager Rafael Dudamel has named his squad for the upcoming match vs. Euskadi. (Source Eitb.eus online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Wuilker Faríñez (Millonarios F.C. / Colombia) y Rafael Romo (Apoel Nicosia / Chipre).

Defenders: Roberto Rosales (Espanyol / España), Ronald Hernández (Stabaek / Noruega), Jhon Chancellor (Anzhi / Rusia), Wilker Ángel (Akhmat Grozny / Rusia), Mikel Villanueva (Reus / España), Yordan Osorio (Vitoria Guimaraes / Portugal), Luis Mago (Carabobo F.C.) y Rolf Feltscher (L.A. Galaxy / MLS).

Midfielders: Júnior Moreno (D.C United / MLS), Tomás Rincón (Torino / Italia), Aristóteles Romero (Crotone / Italia), Arquímedes Figuera (Universitario / Perú), Jhon Murillo (C.D. Tondela / Portugal), Rómulo Otero (Al Wahda F.C. / Arabia Saudita), Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake / MLS), Eduard Bello (Antofagasta / Chile) y Adalberto Peñaranda (Watford / Inglaterra).

Strikers: Josef Martínez (Atlanta United / MLS), Andrés Ponce (Anzhi / Rusia), Jhonder Cádiz (Vitória Setúbal / Portugal), Ronaldo Peña (Houston Dynamo / MLS).

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

-Kyle Lafferty has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad. Manager Michael O’Neill expressed his disappointment at the decision that the player had releayed to him on Sunday. (Source BBC Football online)

-Ivory Coast Manager Ibrahim Kamara has named his squad for the upcoming matches in the African Nations Cup qualifiers. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ali Badra Sangare (Free State Stars, South Africa), Sylvain Gbohouo (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Abdoul Karim Cisse (ASEC Mimosas), Nicolas Tie (Chelsea, England)

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Tottenham, England), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Mamadou Bagayoko (Mechelen, Belgium), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France), Adama Traore (Goztepe, Turkey), Kouadio-Yves Dabila (Lille, France), Wilfried Kanon (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), Ismael Traore (Angers, France)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Sangare (Toulouse, France), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England), Cheick Doukoure (Levante, Spain), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy) Serey Die (FC Basel, Switzerland), Victorien Angban (Metz, France)

Forwards: Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa, England), Roger Assale (Young Boys Bern, Switzerland), Nicolas Pepe (Lille, France), Max-Alain Gradel (Toulouse, France), Vakoun Bayo (Dunajska Streda, Slovakia), Maxwel Cornet (Lyon, France), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England)

-The Confederation of African Football has cancelled the two matches of Sierra Leoen vs. Ghana. The cancellations were due to Sierra Leone not meeting the conditions for lifting the the suspensions on the Country’s Football Association. (Source BBC Football online)

-Liberia U-20 Manager Christopher Wreh has been suspended for six months by the Nation’s Football Association for insulting match officials after his sending off while managing his club side Nimba United. (Source BBC Football online)

-Libya Manager Adel Amrouche has resigned. His assistant Omar Al-Maryami will act in interim basis. (Source BBC Football online)

-Goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali has opted to represent Benin Internationally. He has reperesented France in U-20 level in the past. (Source BBC Football online)

-Ivory Coast Manager Ibrahim Kamara has named his squad for the upcoming matches in the African Nations Cup qualifiers. (Source BBC Football online)

-Gareth Bale willmiss Wales’ match vs. Spain due to injury. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Russian players: Alexandr Kokorin and Pavel Mamaev have been arrested following their assault on a political Functionary at a café. Zenit St Petersburg (club of Kokorin) expressed their disgust for the attack of their player, while Krasnodar (club of Mamaev) want to end his contract.. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Euskadi Managers Mikel Etxarri and José María Amorrortu named their squad for their upcoming match vs. Venezuela. (Source lavanguardia.com online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Asier Riesgo (Eibar), Jon Ander Serantes (Leganés).

Defenders: Iñigo Martínez, Yuri Berchiche (Athletic Club); Aritz Elustondo (Real Sociedad); Anaitz Arbilla (Eibar); y Martín Aguirregabiria (Alavés).

Midfielders: Dani García (Athletic); David Zurutuza, Asier Illarramendi, Luca Sangalli (Real Sociedad); Mikel Vesga y Javier Eraso (Leganés); Manu García, Ibai Gómez (Alavés).

Strikers: Aritz Aduriz, Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club); Jon Bautista (Real Sociedad).

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

-Former Argentina defender Nicolas Burdisso announced his retirement from the game. (Source Football Italia online)

-Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill criticized Alan Shearer, after the former player criticized Cyrus Christie for his display in Fulham’s (1-5) loss to Arsenal . (Source Extra.ie online)

-Belgian Manager Georges Leekens was appointed as Manager of Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Turkish International Arda Turan got into a fight on Tuesday night with Turkish singer Berkay at a club. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtnerhas been charged with violence after the incident last month when he struck a cab driver in Copenhagen (Source Reuters uk online)

-Swedish player Labinot Harbuzi has passed away aged 32 after he collapsed at his home (Source voetbalzone.nl online)

-Russian players Alexandr Kokorin and Pavel Mamaev accused of assualting a political Functionary at a café have been sentenced to two months detention. They presented their excuses to the tribunal (Source Walfoot.be online)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

-Greek striker Georgios Samaras has announced his retirement from the game. (Source BBC Football online)

-Croatia’s Luka Modric stated that during the World Cup, they were extra motivated against England as they felt disrespected by the English media. This was not directed directed at Gareth Southgate nor the English players he added. Croatia Manager Zlatko Dalic also mentioned the alleged disrespect shown by the English Press. (Source Sky Sports / L’Equipe online)

-Former Sprint Olympic Champion Usain Bolt scored two goals for Central Coast Mariners in a trial match vs. Macarthur South West United (4-0) . (Source Reuters UK online)

-Gwion Edwards (Ipswich) and Kieron Freeman (Sheffield United) have been called up by Wales as Gareth Bale’s participation remains in doubt due to injury. (Source Daily Mail / wales online online)

-Defender Jimmy Dunne (Burnley) is considering a switch from Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland at International level. (Source extra.ie online)

-Armenia Manager Armen Gyulbughyants has named his squad for the upcoming matches vs. FYR Macedonia and Gibraltar. (Source macedonianfootbal.com online)

Squad:

Arsen Beglaryan – Liepāja
Aram Ayrapetyan – Banants
Anatoly Aivazov – Banants

Hrayr Mkoyan – Alashkert
Kamo Hovhannisyan – Zhetysu
Varazdat Haroyan – Ural
Hovhannes Hambardzumyan – Enosi Neon
Taron Voskanyan – Alashkert
Gagik Daghbashyan – Alashkert
Artur Kartashyan – Pyunik
Artyom Khachaturov – Lori

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Arsenal
Marcos Pinheiro Pizzelli – Aktobe
Gevorg Ghazaryan – Chaves
Karlen Mkrtchyan – Pyunik
Artak Yedigaryan – Alashkert
Edgar Malakyan – Zhetysu
Artak Grigoryan – Alashkert
Rumyan Hovsepyan – Pyunik
Gor Malakyan – Ararat
Ivan Yagan – Eupen
Petros Avetisyan – Pyunik

Artur Sarkisov – Yenisey
Yura Movsisyan – Chicago Fire
Tigran Barseghyan – Vardar
Sargis Adamyan – Jahn Regensburg

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide stated that he has not speoken with Republic of Ireland Manager (and former teammate) Martin O’Neill, since last year’s World Cup qualifier. At the time Hareide had ‘thanked’ Ireland for giving Christian Eriksen too-much space. (Source Extra.ie online)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

-Diego Maradona went after Lionel Messi by saying “you can’t call someone a leader who goes to the bathroom 20 times before every game” and added “Messi is a great player, but he doesn’t get it. Before speaking to the Manager, he will be on the Playstation and then on the field.” . (Source AS.com online)

-Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill stated that the row between Roy Keane and Harry Arter has been exaggerated. He said the pair had made up after their argument in the summer, but after the heavy loss (1-4) vs Wales the row re-surfaced in the media. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Will Grigg has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad due to injury . (Source BBC Football online)

-Gibraltar won its first ever competitive match in their win over Armenia (1-0). Prior to the match the wrong National Anthem (that was of Liechtenstein instead of Gibraltar) was played before being corrected. (Source BBC Football online)

- The talking point of Ireland-Denmark match was an incident involving Jeff Hendrick. The Danes had apparently stopped play because Harry Arter appeared injured and needed treatment. However, Hendrick continued to play to score but missed, afterwards the Danish players angrily confronted him. (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

- Ethan Ampadu and Chris Mepham have withdrawn from the Wales squad due to injuries. (Source BBC Football online)

-Following their loss vs. Italy, Poland have become the first team to be relegated from the Nations League. (Source Fox Soccer online)

-Jan Kozak has resigned as National Team Manager of Slovakia. Stefan Tarkovic, his assistant, will manage the swuad in their match vs. Sweden tomorrow. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

-Wales Aaron ramsey has left the squad as his wife is to give birth to twins. (Source BBC Football / Daily Mail online)

-Repunlic of Ireland’s Harry Arter has revelaed that a phone call from Roy Keane convinced him to return to the squad following their quarrel. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has been offered a two-year contract with Central Coast Mariners. He has surprisingly also received a notice from the Australian Federation for a Drugs test. He expressed his surprise for being asked to test when he has not even signed a contract. (Source Daily Mail online)

Friendlies:

Wednesday, October 10, 2018:

Italy 1-Ukraine 1 (Federico Bernardeschi 55 / Ruslan Malinkovsky 62)

Albania 0-Jordan 0 (-)

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

United Arab Emirates 1-Honduras 1 (Omar Abdulrahman 32 / Romell Quioto 18)

Turkey 0-Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 (-)

Argentina 4-Iraq 0 (Lautaro Martinez 18, Roberto Pereyrz 53, German Pezzella 82, Franco Cervi 90)

Wales 1-Spain 4 (Sam Vokes 89 / Francisco Paco’ Alcacer 8, 29, Sergio Ramos 19, Marc Bartra 74)

France 2-Iceland 2 (H.Orn Eyjolfsson (own goal) 86, Kylian Mbappe 90 pen / Birkir Bjarnason 30, Kari Arnason 58)

USA 2-Colombia 4 (Kellyn Acosta 50, Bobby Wood 53 / James Rodriguez 36, Carlos Bacca 56, Radamel Falcao 74, Miguel Borja 79)

Mexico 3-Costa Rica 2 (Victor Guzman 33, Henry Martin 56, Raul Jimenez 71 pen / Joel Campbell 29, Bryan Ruiz 44 pen)

Friday, October 12, 2018:

Japan 3-Panama 0 (Takumi Minamino 42, Junya Ito 66, Harold Cummings (own goal) 85)

South Korea 2-Uruguay 1 (Ui-Jo Hwang 66, Woo-Young Jung 79 / Matias Vecino 72)

Qatar 4-Ecuador 3 (Akram Afif 32, 36, Hassan Al Haidos 61 pen, Almoez Ali 67 / Enner Valencia 66, 70, Jose Vcevallos 89)

Saudi Arabia 0-Brazil 2 (Gabriel Jesus 44, Alex Sandro 90)

Peru 3-Chile 0 (Enzo Roco (own goal) 64, Pedro Aquino 75, 86)

Euskadi 4-Venezuela 2 (Ibai Gómez 25, Jon Bautista 48, Arbilla 52, Aritz Elustondo 87 / Romero or own goal (Yuri Berchiche), Ponce 89)

Saturday, October 13, 2018:

Maynmar 0-Bolivia 3 (Luis Haquin 4, Marcelo Martins 26, Leonardo Vaca 68)

Sunday, October 14, 2018:

Scotland 1-Portugal 3 (Steven Naismith 90 / Helder Costa 4, Eder 73, Bruma 84)

Monday, October 15, 2018:

Kuwait 0-Australia 4 (K.Ebrahim Haijah (own goal) 13, Apostolos Giannou 21, Tom Rogic 82, Awer Mabil 88)

Saudi Arabia 1-Iraq 1 (Abdulaziz Al Bishi 90 / Muahanad Ali 71)

Croatia 2-Jordan 1 (Domagoj Vida 24, Matej Mitrovic 63 / Baha Faisal 73)

UEFA Nations League:

UEFA Nations League-League A-Group 3:

Thursday, October 11, 2018:

Poland 2-Portugal 3 (Krzysztof Piatek 18, Jakub Blaszczykowski 77 / Andre Silva 31, Kamil Glik (own goal0 43, Bernardo Silva 52)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Portugal	2	2	0	0	4	2	2	6
2	Poland	2	0	1	1	3	4	-1	1
3	Italy	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1