An olive branch to try and resolve the problem between Celtic and the Scottish Football Association was offered last night. The president of the SFA George Peat that the difference between the SFA and Celtic are not the war some say, the reality is much different. He met with the chief executive of Celtic, Peter Lawwell and the Celtic CE is in full support of the plan Stewart Regan, our chief executive is driving, he said.
The Celtic manager, Neil Lennon also received words of support from Peat as well. There are fluctuations in football fortunes that continue to be a part of the game and so is an occasional visit to the sixth floor at Hampden Park but delivery of suspicions packages, death threats and the necessity for around the clock protection is most certainly not, expressed Peat.
Two managers were also in agreement when Lennon and Craig Brown agreed that the dismissal of a player for committing a foul trying to prevent a goal scoring opportunity has to be looked at. Andrew Considine brought down Gary Hooper and was sent off after having suffered the same outcome for a foul in a league match in February on Scott Brown.
Even though a penalty was saved by Jamie Langfield it was almost inevitable Celtic’s win when Aberdeen was reduced to 10 men. It was quite damaging for Aberdeen psychologically. The rule has to be looked because if a player makes a genuine attempt and is beaten, then of course a penalty should be called but a red car is harsh punishment enough.
The majority of managers want to see 11 versus 11 when at all possible. The mandatory sending off needs to be looked at because you lose the player for the game and that same player is lost for the following game and all for a genuine attempt to challenge for the ball.
The profile of women’s football looks set to be greatly raised by the developments in the game recently. Firstly, on Wednesday, it was announced that the first Women’s semi-pro league in now underway. As if that wasn’t enough, it has also been announced that A super league backed by the FA will be played over the summer.
The combined nations of South Asia are hoping that if they split the cost between them, they have a better chance of winning the chance to host the 2030 World Cup. Although the decision isn’t due to be made by FIFA for another 10 years, the Asian Football Federation is already the second party to express interest. Uruguay and Argentina are proposing a joint bid.
Stan Kroenke of Kroenke Sports Enterprises is soon to become sole owner of the premier football league club Arsenal. The American Kroenke, nicknamed ‘Silent Stan’ because of his reluctance to talk to the media, has a good bit of experience in the world of professional sports.
It was all over the front pages four years ago, when the chairman put it into administration but not much has been heard since. The thing is, even the fans aren’t sure who owns Leeds United football club. The club was in debt to the tune of £35m when Ken Bates and his fellow directors put the club into the hands of the administrators.