FRANCE RISK DISQUALIFICATION FROM U17 WORLD CUP

 France could be disqualified from the U17 World Cup after fielding Yanis Issoufou, who had already represented NIger during the qualification stages.

As reported by Sport News Africa, an administrative error could put pay to Les Bleuets’ chances of winning the ongoing tournament, which is taking place in Indonesia. France are through to the quarter-finals after beating Senegal in the Round of 16 on Wednesday. However, one player absent from the squad was Issoufou. The Montpellier forward was withdrawn from the teamsheet at the last minute with France worried about the player’s inclusion. He had registered two assists in three appearances at the competition, but the FFF did not want to take any chances.

Issoufou had recently played for Niger U17s in a competition that allowed the African nation to qualify for the U17 World Cup, whilst FIFA’s rules prohibit a player from representing two nations during the same tournament. Burkina Faso, who were dumped out of the competition at France’s expense, could file a plea, according to Sport News Africa. The publication added that France had not requested to change Issoufou’s nationality.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/france-risk-disqualification-from-u17-world-cup-38604151

THE GREAT DEBATE: WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE THIS SEASON?

 There’s a huge game coming our way from the Premier League on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool.

The match pits 1st vs 2nd, and both clubs are expected to be in contention to win the title until the very end of the season.

But who will end up as champions this year? Our writers made their predictions in the summer, and now they are being given the chance to revise them. Let us know what YOU think in the comments.

Dan Burke

I had the rather hot take in the summer that Manchester City wouldn’t even finish in the top two, with Arsenal going on to be champions and Liverpool finishing second. But I’m allowed to change my mind, and that’s what I’ve done.

I don’t think City have been at their absolute best so far this season, yet they’re top of the league at the time of writing, and I feel like their ceiling is higher than their competitors this season.

If Pep Guardiola’s side are still top or within touching distance of the summit in the second half of the season, I would expect Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury to spark one of those mad winning runs, and come the end of the season they will become the first club ever to lift a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Richard Buxton

It seemed inconceivable during their summer of transition, but Liverpool are already looking like a firm option to claim their second Premier League crown.

With an ageing midfield replenished, Darwin Núñez finding form and both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at the peak of their powers, Anfield may finally get its long-awaited title party.

City, however, have previous with challenging such perceptions by putting together unrelenting late runs to deny Jürgen Klopp’s side in 2018/19 and Arsenal last season.

Whether Pep Guardiola can produce another such masterstroke is likely to again be the deciding factor but the margins will still be tight between these two heavyweights.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-great-debate-who-will-win-the-premier-league-title-this-season-38602664

STEPHEN KENNY LEAVES ROLE AS IRELAND MANAGER AFTER CONTRACT IS NOT RENEWED

Stephen Kenny’s contract as manager of the Republic of Ireland will not be renewed, the Football Association of Ireland has announced.

His departure comes following Ireland’s disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, where the team missed out on a spot in next year’s finals in Germany.

Their qualification run came to a close on Saturday after being beaten 1-0 by the Netherlands in Amsterdam and as a result finished fourth in the Group B standings having won only two of their eight games.

Kenny’s final game in charge saw Ireland draw 1-1 with New Zealand in a friendly in Dublin on Tuesday, with the FAI deciding that his contract would not be renewed following the conclusion of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

They added that “now is the right time for change” ahead of friendly matches taking place in March and June 2024 and confirmed that the recruitment process for a new head coach is now under way.

Speaking about the decision, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “Over the period of his tenure, Stephen and his staff have worked tirelessly to create the right environment to support the development of our senior men’s team, and we are hugely grateful for that considerable contribution.

“Stephen has also overseen an important period of transition for our senior men’s national team and has given debuts to a significant number of new and younger players and this will serve as a solid platform for whoever now takes this group of players forward.”

FAI President Gerry McAnaney added: “The Board and all at the FAI would like to sincerely thank Stephen and his staff for their hard work, professionalism and unwavering dedication to the team, the fans, and to Irish football. We wish Stephen every success for the future.”

Kenny has been at the helm since 2020, replacing Mick McCarthy and has overseen plenty of changes within the squad, but only recorded six wins out of 29 competitive matches during his reign.

His contract expired following the New Zealand draw and admitted post-match he did not expect to continue as Ireland manager.

“Of course, it would be a dream to carry on and manage the team, of course it would, but my instinct is that’s not going to happen,” Kenny said.

“That’s my own instinct and the evidence suggests that probably won’t happen, so I respect that as well.”

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/stephen-kenny-leaves-role-as-ireland-manager-after-contract-is-not-renewed-38604159