UEFA to make Champions League final decision
UEFA will make a decision on where the 2021 Champions League final will be played after holding talks with the UK government and the FA.
Chelsea are due to play Manchester City in Istanbul on May 29 but there are concerns over the suitability of Turkey after it was placed on the UK government’s ‘red list’, meaning travel there is restricted.
Wembley has been touted as a possible alternative venue, but it is currently scheduled to host the EFL 2021 play-off finals that weekend.
Reports suggest Portugal would be a viable alternative if an agreement cannot be reached over the UK.
Cavani signs United extension
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has signed a one-year extension to his contract, taking his stay at Old Trafford until June 2022.
Cavani signed a one-year deal with United in October after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, and has impressed by scoring 15 goals and counting so far this season.
Despite his form, there had been speculation that the 34-year-old would leave United come July as he favoured a return to South America for personal reasons.
UK government confirms return of fans
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the long-awaited news that fans will be allowed to return to Premier League matches from May 17.
Johnson confirmed the UK will enter stage three on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, which includes the re-opening of sports venues at reduced capacities.
Each Premier League club will have one home match with 10,000 fans or their stadium at 25 per cent capacity, whichever is fewer, before the season ends.
EFL win FFP appeal that could see Derby relegated from Championship
The EFL has won its appeal to find Derby County in breach of financial fair play rules, meaning Wayne Rooney’s club could yet be relegated from the Championship to League One, The Athletic understands.
Derby drew 3-3 at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday to remain in the Championship by a single point.
An independent panel will now decide on what punishment should be imposed on Derby for breaking FFP rules. Derby could be fined or hit with a points penalty, which could relegate them to League One for the 2021-22 season instead of Wycombe Wanderers.
Juventus could be kicked out of Serie A
Juventus will not be allowed to participate in next season’s Serie A unless they withdraw from the Super League, according to Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian FA.
Gravina told the Naples radio station Kiss Kiss: “The rules are clear. If Juventus is still part of the Super League when it enters next season, it can’t participate in Serie A.”
Surprise at Villa as club sack Gemma Davies
There has been surprise from key figures at the club after Aston Villa Women head coach Gemma Davies was sacked, The Athletic understands.
It was announced on Monday that Davies, as well as assistant Jenny Sugarman, would leave Villa after the club avoided relegation on the final day of the WSL season.
Marcus Bignot, who took over as interim manager midway through the season, has also departed the club. It was expected that Bignot or Davies would be in contention for the job on a permanent basis.
West Ham hoping for Abraham loan deal
West Ham will make a loan offer for Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham when the transfer window opens
Manager David Moyes recently insisted that Abraham’s £40 million valuation meant West Ham could not afford a permanent deal, but sources have told The Athletic they will try for a loan deal instead.
West Ham’s interest in the 23-year-old was revealed in David Ornstein’s weekly column for The Athletic. For more detail on Abraham, as well as news on Patrick Bamford’s contract, Ilias Chair’s future and the PFA awards, Go Deeper below.
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