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On Friday Birmingham’s worst fears became reality with confirmation arriving that the club is set for a nine-point deduction for a breach of spending rules.

It’s news that is set to plummet the club into relegation trouble, moving them from 13th in the Championship to 18th. As a result, they will now sit just five points off the drop zone. The Blues had initially been in with an outside bet of making the playoffs but any chance of that has now been swiftly eradicated.

As expected, supporters of the club have been busy reacting to the news on Twitter as some noted that it wouldn’t be a normal campaign for the Midlands club if they weren’t embroiled in a relegation battle.

There were split opinions though as some shared frustration and were shocked, calling it garbage and that financial fair play was flawed. Others demanded to know what the deduction was actually for.

However, with it originally thought to be in the region of 12 points, some fans feel as though the outcome isn’t so bad.

The club were put under a transfer embargo last summer whilst the EFL looked into their breach of profitability and sustainability rules so it’s a case that has dragged on for an extensive period of time.

During the embargo, Birmingham signed Kristian Pedersen which is something that is unlikely to have helped their cause either.

Although they are set to be nine points worse off, supporters will take comfort in the fact that matters have finally come to a conclusion.

Here’s how some segments of the St Andrew’s faithful have reacted.

انتهت قبل قليل مباريات تصفيات كأس الأمم الأوروبية المؤهلة لـ يورو 2020، والتي ستقام العام المقبل.

الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم “يويفا” كان أعلن عن تأجيل بطولة يورو 2020 لتقام عام 2021، دون تغيير اسم البطولة ليظل كما هو (يورو 2020)، في أعقاب تفشي فيروس كورونا وتوقف عجلة كرة القدم في القارة العجوز.

الدور قبل النهائي أقيم اليوم الخميس بمشاركة 16 منتخبًا في هذا الدور، وأقيمت ثماني مباريات من المرحلة الأولى، بواقع مباراتان في كل مسار من المسارات الأربعة، المُقسمة سلفًا من يويفا.

جورجيا انتصر على بيلاروسيا بهدف نظيف، فيما فازت مقدونيا على كوسفو بهدفين لهدف، وتلقت النرويج خسارة من صربيا بنفس النتيجة؛ بينما انتصرت إيرلندا الشمالية على البوسنة والهرسك بنتيجة 5-5.

وتمكن منتخب سلوفاكيا من الفوز على حمهورية إيرلندا بنتيجة 4-2، وفازت كذلك أيسلندا على رومانيا بهدفين لهدف ونجحت إسكتلندا في عبور الكيان الصهيوني بركلات الجزاء. إليكم المنتخبات المتأهلة للمرحلة النهائية من تصفيات يورو 2020

– آيسلندا × المجر.

– جورجيا × مقدونيا.

– صربيا × اسكتلندا.

– سلوفاكيا × إيرلندا الشمالية.

Fulham look set to lose star player Ryan Sessegnon this summer with Tottenham Hotspur the most likely destination – but his hugely inflated £50 million price tag might be concerning some.

According to the Mirror, Fulham prodigy Ryan Sessegnon is reluctant to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage handing Pochettino’s Spurs a major boost in their pursuit of the player.

The Englishman is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the country and has drawn interest from the likes of Manchester United, but his unwillingness to move away from the capital has become a major sticking point for the northern powerhouses.

This will come as a disappointing blow for Paris Saint Germain, who have apparently been pursuing the player for over a year (as per the Mirror).

Should Tottenham sign the player this summer there is every chance he could return to Craven Cottage on a temporary basis to help the side fight their way back into the Premier League – after they are inevitably relegated at the end of this season.

We have to question whether £50 million could be better spent elsewhere, though.

Indeed, despite being touted as one of the most promising young talents in English football, Ryan Sessegnon has barely made an impact in his first season in the Premier League, managing just two goals and five assists in 28 appearances.

Spurs do not have the time nor the money to be making investments who require extensive refining and it could be in the club’s interests to look elsewhere to find more accomplished to ensure they avoid a repeat of this season.

Spurs fans, do you think £50 million is a fair amount for Ryan Sessegnon – and if so where else would you want to see it spent? Let us know in the comments below…

أنهى فريق الزمالك مباراته أمام حرس الحدود، التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

فاز الزمالك على حرس الحدود بهدفين مقابل هدف، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثون من منافسات الدوري المصري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الزمالك على حرس الحدود

وبهذه النتيجة يهبط حرس الحدود رسميًا إلى دوري الدرجة الثانية برفقة نادي مصر وطنطا، فيما حافظ الزمالك على حظوظه لضمان المركز الثاني في نهاية الموسم الجاري، حيث سيتم خصم 3 نقاط إضافية من الأبيض بنهاية الموسم الجاري، كعقوبة لانسحابه أمام الأهلي في الدور الأول. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة أمام الرجاء

من المقرر أن يلتقي الزمالك في المباراة القادمة أمام الرجاء البيضاوي المغربي، في ذهاب دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا بالمغرب، والمقرر إقامتها في التاسعة من مساء الأحد المُقبل بتوقيت القاهرة، الثامنة بتوقيت المغرب، على ملعب مركب محمد الخامس.

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a doubt for Arsenal’s deciding Europa League second leg last-16 tie against Rennes, per the London Evening Standard.

The midfielder has struggled with injury all season and has made just 18 Premier League appearances.

What’s the word?

Mkhitaryan missed the weekend’s win over Manchester United due to a back injury that he continues to struggle with.

Prior to that problem, the Armenia international was absent from eight games due to a metatarsal injury.

The Standard report that Mkhitaryan will be assessed on Wednesday and is a doubt to play in a game that the Gunners simply have to win.

Unai Emery’s men lost 3-1 in France in the first leg last week, meaning they need to record a 2-0 victory, at least, to have any hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Mkhitaryan has played in six Europa League games thus far this season, providing two assists in total. In all competitions, meanwhile, he’s netted six times in 2018/19.

Risk him

If Mkhitaryan is fit enough to move freely, at least from the outset, this may be a risk that Emery has to take.

Arsenal were risible in France, playing absolutely terribly to leave their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread.

Mkhitaryan may not have averted the disaster but he could well be vital to the club fighting their way back into the tie.

At the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners will be expected to win and Mkhitaryan has been in the kind of form that could swing the game.

Prior to his injury, he scored once and laid on an assist in the 2-0 win over Southampton, as well as scoring once and providing two assists in the 5-1 thumping of AFC Bournemouth.

Emery may not be able to ignore him.

With a couple of victories in succession, Southampton now seem set to avoid relegation this season and considering their earlier form this campaign, that’s a strong achievement. Other than the gutting loss to Liverpool, things are going incredibly well on the South Coast. 

Thanks to the influence that Ralph Hasenhuttl has had on the players and around the club, St Mary’s is in far better spirits knowing they are almost safe. Thank the heavens for that, after such a miserable time of things over the last few years.

Though despite all the Austrian’s hard work, big changes must occur for Southampton to better themselves ahead of next season.

This transfer window is arguably their most important for years and it could really make or break their future as a Premier League club. Reports from TEAMtalk are circulating that one player Southampton hold an interest in is current Freiburg loanee Vincenzo Grifo.

Grifo, (who is valued at £5.4 million on Transfermarkt) is a dynamic wide player that could bring something totally different to St Mary’s next season and that would intrigue fans. After seeing how well Dusan Tadic has been playing since his departure, it’s clear the club need to replace him and the signings made over the course of the summer just haven’t worked.

Southampton are reportedly one of a number of sides that have pledged their interest in the Italian international and capturing him would certainly be a coup. Indeed, the lure of playing Premier League football could give Vincenzo Grifo all the incentive he needs to join Southampton, for whom he could make a real difference.

Although wingers have typically been poor for the Saints, take Sofiane Boufal and Mohamed Elyounoussi for example, Vincenzo Grifo is an experienced player that just wants to settle down with a permanent team.

With four goals and six assists in his 16 appearances this season, Southampton should see no reason but to invest in the 25-year-old this summer, given his prime age as well. Everyone knows their strikers can’t score, so why not try and introduce more goals throughout the team? It can’t get more barren, so taking a transfer gamble is certainly in order.

Do you agree that Southampton should target Vincenzo Grifo… Join the discussion and let us know!

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John Hartson was left mystified by Alex McLeish’s decision to leave Celtic’s James Forrest out of Scotland’s starting XI against San Marino on Sunday.

What’s the word, then?

Scotland limped to a 2-0 win over the European minnows, a result which heaped further pressure on the manager after the Scots lost their opening qualifying match 3-0 away at Kazakhstan.

With goal difference already becoming an issue the trip to San Marino offered an opportunity to move back into the black with a thumping victory, but a winning margin of just two goals left them in the red.

It was a game which did little to inspire the Scotland fans and convince them of McLeish’s credentials, and his decision to omit Forest from the starting line-up was met with bewilderment by Hartson.

The former Celtic man and regular BT Sport pundit published a column in the Evening Times discussing the peculiar decision, with the attacking midfielder’s heroics in the UEFA Nations League still fresh in the memory.

‘The Celtic man is a class act, one of the best Scots around, and should be the first name on Alex McLeish’s team-sheet.’

Hartson later went on to add: ‘This guy has to start.’

Forrest key to Euro 2020 qualification

The 27-year-old underlined his importance to the Scottish national side shortly before the turn of the year.

Forrest had never notched at international level prior to Scotland’s trip to Albania, and he went on to score five goals in the space of three scintillating days as they moved into top spot in the group.

Perhaps McLeish felt the trip to San Marino offered an apt opportunity to afford his star player some rest after the defeat at Kazakhstan, but his absence proved that he will be vital in his nation’s bid to qualify for Euro 2020.

The electric midfielder’s form at both club and international level has been outstanding this season so it’s easy to sympathise with Hartson’s standpoint, even if the Scotland boss had legitimate reason to leave him on the substitutes bench on Sunday.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer on a permanent deal? New signings to strengthen an already rejuvenated squad? What a time to be a Manchester United fan. Living in the moment, it sure is good again.

Still, on the run to the end of the Premier League and football leagues around the world, fans are beginning to look forward to the summer transfer window. That’s just the insatiable nature of the proverbial silly season.

Indeed, one name that has been thrown around for United is the young English superstar Jadon Sancho and it’s not hard to see why. The Dortmund star looks a real prospect and would be a statement signing for the Red Devils, helping form a wonderfully devastating attacking line with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

However, it could be that (as per the Sun) the 18-year-old could look to play his football elsewhere. So, with this in mind, we look at TWO other potential players United could spend their money on.

Gareth Bale 

Since leaving the Premier League for La Liga, Gareth Bale has struggled to hit the height of expectations at the Bernabeu. Despite winning a number of Champions League and La Liga trophies, the Welshman has become the subject of negative abuse from the Real Madrid fans, and is even failing to break into the first-team under manager Santiago Solari.

Perhaps the best British footballer of all time, he needs saving in the Spanish capital.

Having an impressive record in Spain, scoring 77 goals and providing 42 assists in 147 La Liga appearances, as well as being Premier League proven, this one makes sense. Yes, he’d be expensive, but can you imagine the sight of Bale running at full pelt in front of the Stretford End?

He’s often been linked with a move to Old Trafford, after all. They almost seem too perfect for each other.

Memphis Depay 

After already having an under par spell at Manchester United, Memphis Depay should look to return to the Premier League with some unfinished business. Indeed, since leaving the Theatre of Dreams, the Dutch winger has enjoyed a much happier spell in France with Lyon.

Things were never going to work under Jose Mourinho but the idea of the current Norwegian genius in charge of the Red Devils working with such a supreme talent is truly exciting.

Having scored 30 Ligue 1 goals and grabbing 29 assists, Depay is showing that his spell at Manchester United – who are understood to have a buy-back clause – was a blip in what is an otherwise impressive career so far.

It can be argued that his spell at United didn’t work due to the lack of creative football produced, however with this current side, the fans will feel that the 25-year-old will fit right in and can finally show he has what it takes to be a Premier League player.

Last week’s loss to Bristol City was a damaging result for Sheffield United’s promotion hopes.

The Blades were leapfrogged by Leeds United in the Championship standings and saw their unique attacking approach exposed by Robins forward Andreas Weimann whose hat-trick secured a superb comeback for his side at Bramall Lane. However, despite this defeat, Chris Wilder must not be tempted to make any alterations to how side approaches Saturday’s clash against Preston North End.

United’s belief in the 3-5-2 system which they have used for the last three years has delivered spectacular results during this period, with the club rising from League One in 2017 to the incredible situation that they currently find themselves in. A change in formation at this particular time in the season would be a risk that Wilder simply cannot take as they are still in with a great chance to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Indeed, a trip to Deepdale at this stage of the season will test the Blades’ resolve as their opponents are one of a handful of teams fighting for a play-off position in May. However, the Yorkshire-based outfit will take solace from the corresponding fixture with the Lilywhites which saw them prevail 3-2 earlier on this season. Since this clash, both sides have improved and so the showdown at the weekend should provide captivating viewing for the fans in attendance.

By maintaining the status quo, Wilder will not only avoid creating confusion amongst his players but will also give United the best possible chance of beating a Preston side who will be looking to respond to their disappointing 2-1 defeat against Reading last week.

A victory for the Blades could see them overtake Leeds United if Marcelo Bielsa’s side fail to pick up three points at Birmingham City. With the promotion race going down to the wire in the Championship, there is expected to be even more twists and turns in the weeks to come in what is turning out to be a fascinating battle.

What do you think United fans? How important is that Wilder sticks by his tactics at the weekend? Are you still you confident that your club can secure automatic promotion? Get in touch below.

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Back in May 2018, a solitary Tom Cairney goal saw Fulham promoted to the Premier League at the expense of Aston Villa.

What followed was the Cottagers spending £100m on players and subsequently being relegated from the division. Villa on the other hand, are right in the mix to be promoted this term.

As a result of Fulham beating the Villans in the play-off final last season, their fans have taken great delight at the London club coming straight back down, reacting on Twitter.

One fan called the club embarrassing whilst another said he enjoyed seeing them relegated.

A certain supporter chose to bring Joe Bryan into the equation, laughing at the fact he decided to join Fulham after making a U-turn from a potential move to Villa Park.

The attack on their play-off final opponents from last year was a savage one but the clubs could end up facing each other again soon unless Dean Smith’s men can find a way to go up.

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League on Tuesday evening following a woeful 4-1 defeat against Watford. It signifies one of the earliest relegations in the history of the division.

Here’s what Villa fans have been saying.