Yes that is right. Think the agent was Willie Mackay or something like that. Didn't have the best of reputations anyway.
I'm surprised Cardiff have bothered with this, I'm not convinced that, given the previous ruling, they'll get very far: not of Nantes doing this, but the person who did organise it failed due diligence. Apparently the pilot had also had issues previously. A tragic mess.
Be a few away fans asking for their money back but excellent performances from Leicester and Arsenal under pressure.
Excellent opinion piece from Andrew French re the replayless FA Cup. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/24270451.fa-cup-changes-created-footballs-1-club/
Very, Very easy solution, Clubs playing in Europe opt out of FA Cup or League Cup or both, OR could play a junior side like they do in the Paint Pot Trophy against the lower EFL clubs
Even easier solution would be to just tell them to bugger off... Football is supposed to be a game for everyone - no one section should be pandered to. The elites seem to want everything their way, and everything they want is aimed at maintaining their elite status at the expense of others.
The final 18 minutes of Udinese's unfinished fixture against Roma was played tonight. Carrying on with the score at 1-1, it wasn't until the fifth minute of added time that Roma scored a second and winner - leaving Udinese deep in the relegation doodoo.
Done well in the Netherlands but so did Ten Hag.. Be a big step up for whoever goes there . From a corner given away by Kabasele. Had some flashbacks .
The best manager in the Netherlands, a character very similar to Klopp who also believes in a very high pressing game and has an excellent relationship to the players under him. He will do well at Liverpool and is ideally suited to them and to their fans. Ajax fans will be delighted to see him leaving Feyenoord..
Poor old Buckie Thistle - after their amazing run of wins to pip Brechin for the Highland League title, they're not being allowed to play in the pyramid play-off tie against East Kilbride. East Kilbride go straight into the League 2 play-off final. Rules is rules I suppose, but their fans will be gutted over this. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-pyramid-play-off-tie/
Gateshead in same position. They cannot guarantee 10 years security of tenure ( at the ground they have played at since 1971) , so are ineligible to be promoted to EPL.
It could be argued that Gateshead are at fault though. In their case, they knew the situation with the Council who own the stadium yet don't appear to have taken what could be the obvious step to address the problem. In Buckie's case, they have responded by denying the SFA's claims - https://www.buckiethistlefc.co.uk/news/club-statement--pyramid-playoff-semifinal-2847695.html? - but strangely appear to have caved in and accepted the somewhat harsh decision. The SFA's decision centred on the suitability of their stadium for SPFL fixtures, with a focus on safety concerns (to be honest, it is a tad 'antiquated' - imagine a stadium with the Shrodells as its only stand...) - yet there are clubs already within Leagues 1 & 2 whose grounds are in similar, if not worse, state and wouldn't achieve the 'Bronze' status that SFA demand if pushed to do so. The current favourites to drop out of League 2 are Clyde - who don't even have a stadium. Which brings me back to the obvious solution - neither club have investigated the possibility of ground sharing. I'm not too well up on geography regarding Gateshead - but think it's somewhere in the Newcastle/Sunderland area? I would have thought that there'd be other clubs around there that are suitable for EFL needs, and with whom it would be possible to ground share. In Buckie's case it's more puzzling - the club is situated around 15 miles from Elgin. Elgin City play in League 2 and their ground, Borough Briggs, has already passed muster with the SFA - so why Buckie haven't explored that option is odd - it could be easily argued that there is plenty of time left to at least investigate the possibility. I really think the problem is the lack of funds and desire - it would cost around £2.5 million to upgrade their ground, and the club are a big fish within the Highland League. Stepping up to become a minnow in the SPFL may not be an attractive proposition for them.
My apologies to Buckie Thistle - they haven't caved in to the SFA, and are fighting the decision. They issued this statement earlier which drops the SFA right in it. Popcorn time...
