Football news live: Italy out of World Cup, plus Nigeria vs Ghana qualifier build-up

March 25, 2022 at 9:48 AM EDT

Smiles and sun at St George’s Park

The England team are training hard at St Georges Park ahead of their friendly against Switzerland on Saturday.

The weather would have me smiling from ear to ear too!

Holly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 8:57 AM EDT

West Ham make donations to nine animal welfare charities after £250,000 Kurt Zouma fine

West Ham United have made donations to nine animal welfare charities after fining Kurt Zouma £250,000 after the defender was filmed kicking and slapping his pet cat last month.

A video obtained by The Sun last month showed Zouma, 27, dropping the cat from chest-height, and kicking it as it lands. He then chased it around the living room, at one point throwing a pair of shoes at the cat, before slapping it in the face.

Zouma faces an RSPCA prosecution alongside his brother Yoan, who filmed the video, under the Animal Welfare Act.

To read the full story, click here.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 8:34 AM EDT

NEWS: FA lift blackout to allow Manchester City vs Liverpool semi-final to be shown at 3.30pm on Saturday

The FA will lift English football’s 3pm blackout to allow Manchester City and Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final to be shown on television in the United Kingdom at 3.30pm, The Athletic understands.

The game was set for 3.30pm by the FA. Due to the Easter weekend schedule and FA Cup postponements, only three Premier League games, and no Championship, League One or League Two matches, will kick-off at 3pm.

This means they have lifted the blackout.

For the full story, click here.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 8:19 AM EDT

Italy FA chief Gravina backs Mancini to continue as manager despite missing out on World Cup

Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina has thrown his support behind Roberto Mancini to continue as manager despite missing out on a place at the World Cup following their shock defeat to North Macedonia.

The 1-0 defeat on Thursday night knocked Italy out of the European play-offs. This is the first time Italy have failed to qualify for successive tournaments — two humiliations booking their Euro 2020 win.

“I hope Mancini continues with us,” said Gravina. “He has a commitment with us for this project, I hope he can shake off this elimination just like all the Italians and that he remains at the helm to continue our work together.”

To read more, click here.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 7:55 AM EDT

FM22: Managing Newcastle (Part 37)

Iain Macintosh streamed his FA Cup final on a variety of social media platforms on Tuesday.

If you were unfortunate and missed it, don’t worry, Iain has provided the full update on the match.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

GO FURTHER

FM22: Managing Newcastle United on Football Manager (Part 37)

March 25, 2022 at 7:31 AM EDT

Vitality Women’s FA Cup details confirmed

The FA also confirmed the details of the semi-finals for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup:

  • Saturday 16 April: West Ham United v Manchester City at 12.15pm
  • Sunday 17 April: Arsenal v Chelsea at 12.30pm

For Manchester City fans, the FA are also providing a number of free return bus services due to limited trains.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 7:20 AM EDT

Emirates FA Cup schedule and travel confirmed

The Emirates FA Cup semi-finals have been confirmed.

  • Saturday 16 April: Manchester City v Liverpool at 3.30pm
  • Sunday 17 April: Chelsea v Crystal Palace at 4.30pm

Due to planned engineering works on train lines — limiting travel for both Liverpool and Manchester City fans — the FA will charter 100 buses from Anfield and the Etihad Stadium to ensure 5000 fans from both teams will be able to travel to Wembley free of charge.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 7:10 AM EDT

Arsenal Women vs Tottenham at Emirates Stadium postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak

Unfortunate news as Arsenal vs Tottenham this weekend has been postponed.

Tottenham put forward an application after multiple COVID-19 cases in their camp.

Tottenham’s mid-week game against Chelsea was also postponed.

For more, click here.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 6:51 AM EDT

AFC monitoring security situation in Saudi Arabia ahead of Australia’s trip for World Cup qualifier

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have confirmed that they are monitoring the security situation in Saudi Arabia ahead of Australia’s World Cup qualifier in Jeddah on March 29.

On March 20, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen reported that it had intercepted a “hostile air target” aimed at Jeddah. An Aramco distribution plant in the city was also attacked.

The AFC told The Athletic: “The AFC is closely monitoring and assessing the safety and security situation in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Saudi Arabian authorities.

“The AFC has a robust security and safety framework in place for its competitions, participating teams and all stakeholders, which ensures that the risk levels are continuously monitored and assessed, with appropriate action taken when deemed necessary.”

For more, click here.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

March 25, 2022 at 5:53 AM EDT

FM22: Best coaches to sign to fill every role

It’s easy to skip across one of the most admin-related aspects of Football Manager.

If you’re like me, I am currently looking at doing a large coaching staff overhaul but have been procrastinating about it because I don’t know who I should look to get.

Ajay Rose’s piece makes coaching staff replacements an easy task rather than having to search through all the options.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

GO FURTHER

Football Manager 2022: Best coaches to sign to fill every role in FM22

March 25, 2022 at 5:23 AM EDT

Lamptey withdraws from England U21 squad

Get well soon Tariq Lamptey.

The Brighton fullback has had to withdraw from the England under-21 squad because of illness.

Holly PercivalHolly Percival·

Junior Editor, News

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