Category Uncategorized

The Lionesses' forward is in superb form right now, helping to make her side a genuine Women's Super League title contender

As the clock ticked into the 82nd minute, Manchester City must’ve worried that their Women’s Super League title challenge was going to suffer another unwanted setback. The Cityzens have been talked up by many this season, but they’ve been doused in cold water a few times along the way, leaving Chelsea in pole position. On Sunday, it looked like Leicester were going to be the next team to put the flames out.

But then Lauren Hemp, somehow, in rather unorthodox fashion, stoked the fire. She fizzed the ball into Bunny Shaw on the right wing, darted into the box, and when the Jamaica international delivered her cross, Hemp adjusted to backheel the ball into the bottom corner on the volley and finally break the deadlock. “I’ve just managed to see it again. I think it’s outstanding. It’s one of the best goals I've seen,” City head coach Gareth Taylor said after the game.

It’s been eight years since City last won the WSL title, but for a brief moment on Sunday, until Chelsea’s win over Everton later that evening, they were top of the pile. With others faltering, Taylor’s side appear to be the biggest obstacle between the reigning champions and a fifth successive league triumph. Central to that is Hemp and her truly wonderful form.

• Something special

  Hemp was typically modest about her contribution on Sunday, which set City on their way to a 2-0 win. “I just didn’t really want to use my right foot to be honest!” she said afterwards. "I don’t know, I think it hit around [my calf] but whatever it was it trickled in. A goal’s a goal!”

  Taylor, meanwhile, was more than happy to play up the 23-year-old’s crucial strike. “When I saw it in the moment, I didn't realise how much she had to do to get the ball in the goal,” he said. “The way she's been able to manoeuvre that is incredible. It’s a magical goal. Honestly, when I saw it after, I was like ‘wow’. That’s a world-class goal. We needed something like that.”

  It's not the first time the coach has used superlatives to describe Hemp this season, or the first time the player herself has been keen to downplay her actions after a big result. Her two “tap-ins” rescued City in a clash with Aston Villa just before Christmas, prompting Taylor to note the "new, new levels" the winger has hit this season.

  With six goals and three assists in her 12 WSL appearances this season, and the third-most chances created from open play of any player in the league, the role Hemp has been playing in City’s title challenge has been integral and that looks set to continue given the confidence and momentum she oozes.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Talented trident

  Hemp’s threat is only enhanced by the players around her, particularly the other two who help make up the front three. There have been a lot of stand-out performers in City’s team this season: Jill Roord made a real impact before a devastating ACL injury; Laia Aleixandri has been truly marvellous in defence; Alex Greenwood remains one of the best centre-backs around and Yui Hasegawa keeps things ticking over remarkably well in midfield. But if you’re an opponent analysing this City team, it’s the front three of Hemp, Shaw and Chloe Kelly that is going to concern you the most.

  Shaw leads the Golden Boot race in the WSL this season with 13 goals in just 12 games, and the attention she draws from defenders means that even if she isn’t able to get on the scoresheet herself, she creates space for those around her to thrive in. Kelly, meanwhile, leads the league in chances created and is a genuine menace out wide with her ability to use both feet. There is seemingly no situation from which she cannot carve out some sort of opportunity for a team-mate.

  Now in their second full season as a regular trio, the chemistry between the three is excellent. It makes City a truly potent outfit and helps to maximise the talents and contributions of each player. On Sunday, it was Shaw’s cross to Hemp that broke the deadlock and Kelly’s ‘Olimpico’ that sealed the three points. One of them will eventually hurt you – or, as is often the case, all three of them will.

• Getty
  

  Chelsea’s main threat

  Hemp’s crucial deadlock-breaker came on a big weekend, too, one which saw Arsenal drop even further off the pace in a shock defeat to West Ham. The Gunners had never lost to the Hammers before, but let a 1-0 lead slip on Sunday to fall six points off the pace with nine games to go.

  It meant that City, kicking off in the early afternoon, went to the top of the table on goal difference for a few hours before Chelsea’s win over Everton later that night. With Manchester United having long fallen behind in the title race, only the team in the blue corner of the city remains capable of putting real pressure on the reigning champions at this moment.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Bright future

  There’s excitement beyond this season for those at City, too. After all, only five players in the squad have celebrated their 30th birthday, and the club spent the January transfer window focusing on the future, recruiting three extremely-talented youngsters in Tara O’Hanlon, Poppy Pritchard and Laura Blindkilde Brown.

  "They're so confident in what they do, coaching-wise on a day-to-day basis within the methodology of the football club, that those players will definitely get up to speed quickly,” Izzy Christiansen, the former Man City and England midfielder, told GOAL last week. “I think it's exciting times ahead for City. I think that they're really starting to turn a corner and they're going to be the closest ones to challenge Chelsea all the way.”

  Shaw is still only 27 years old. Kelly is a year younger and Hemp is 23, the same age as Aleixandri. Throw in the likes of Khiara Keating, the 19-year-old starting goalkeeper, and the majestic Mary Fowler, who is 20, and this team is not only producing exciting performances right now, it has the potential to grow together and get better and better.

Wolves host Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, with the home side hoping to get off the mark in their second Premier League game of the season.

They were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday evening, but it was an encounter marred by a controversial decision.

Fans and pundits within the media thought the West Midlanders were the better side and unlucky not to at least come away with a point.

There was a stoppage-time collision between United goalkeeper André Onana and Wolves forward Sasa Kalajdzic, which many believed should have constituted a penalty. But after a brief VAR check, the penalty was not awarded, to the surprise of many.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls opened up their account with a thumping 4-1 victory over Premier League new boys Luton Town.

Roberto De Zerbi's side, who finished sixth last term, are expected to be back in and amongst the European spots once more, so they'll be a difficult test for Wolves on Saturday.

Ahead of the clash, Football FanCast has decided to take a look at the stats between the pair and how they've fared against each other over the years.

Wolves vs Brighton: Who has the better head-to-head record?

The pair have only faced each other 40 times throughout their long histories. Often, they've been in different divisions, so there have been periods where they've had long stints without meeting.

Perhaps quite surprisingly, Brighton dominate this statistic. The Seagulls have only conceded defeat on eight occasions – with 18 meetings resulting in victory.

What's perhaps even more surprising is that their first meeting didn't come until a League Cup third-round fixture in September 1969.

So considering Wolves had a lot of their success in the 1950s when they won three top-flight titles, this stat begins to make more sense.

Wolves wins: 8 Draws: 14 Brighton wins: 18 Wolves vs Brighton: Who has more wins at Molineux?

Considering the overall head-to-head statistic, it should come as no surprise that the south coast club come out on top in this one, too.

Though, you would expect the majority of Wolves' wins to have come at Molineux – but that isn't the case.

Just three wins from 19 games for Wolves have come at their home ground. It appears the Seagulls are most definitely their 'bogey team'.

Wolves wins: 3 Draws: 7 Brighton wins: 9 Wolves vs Brighton: Who has more wins on the south coast?

Brighton's home turf – be it at the Amex, Withdean Stadium or the Goldstone Ground – has produced a slightly more even affair between these two sides throughout the years. Of course, it is again the Seagulls who win this head-to-head statistic, but they only just edge it.

Wolves have picked up more of their victories on the south coast, so on Saturday, they'll be hoping to balance this out with a win at home.

Gary O'Neil's side will want to get off the mark as soon as possible as they bid to avoid a second successive relegation battle.

Brighton wins: 9 Draws: 7 Wolves wins: 5 Wolves vs Brighton: Who has the better domestic cup record?

It's the West Midlanders who win this statistic. There has been just the two meetings between the pair in domestic cup competitions, with one coming in the FA Cup and the other in the League Cup.

Interestingly, both affairs ended in 3-2 away victories for Wolves, with the first dating back to the 1969/70 campaign and the other in 1978/79.

Brighton have never won either the League or FA Cup, whereas Wolves have won the latter on four separate occasions. However, they are yet to win the former throughout their 146-year history.

If there come up against Brighton this year, though, history would at least be on their side.

Wolves wins: 2 Draws: 0 Brighton wins: 0 Wolves vs Brighton: What were the last five meetings?

29th April 2023 – Brighton 6-0 Wolves: De Zerbi's side recorded the club's biggest-ever top-flight victory and continued their push for a European spot.

They carved the away side open with ease as three players in Denis Undav, Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck all registered braces.

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui offered an apology to his fans following the match.

5th November 2023 – Wolves 2-3 Brighton: 10-man Wolves, managed by interim manager Steve Davis, suffered a sinking defeat on Bonfire Night after Gross netted the winner for Brighton with seven of the 90 minutes remaining.

The result left the West Midlands club in 19th, two points adrift of 17th-placed Aston Villa in safety.

30th April 2022 – Wolves 0-3 Brighton: Wolves' boss at the time, Bruno Lage, said this was his side's 'worst performance' of his tenure.

Brighton romped their way to a comfortable away victory thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard and Yves Bissouma, all of whom no longer play for the club anymore, interestingly.

Despite the sizeable defeat, Wolves remained in a healthy league position, as they sat eighth, five points clear of their opposition. Though, they ultimately ended that season in 10th, behind Brighton on goal difference.

15th December 2021 – Brighton 0-1 Wolves: Romain Saïss ended Wolves' five-game run without a win as his side picked up a 1-0 away victory at the Amex to fire themselves up to eighth.

They hadn't actually scored in the previous four matches, remarkably, so this victory was certainly needed.

Meanwhile, Brighton, who were managed by Graham Potter, may have just started to look over their shoulders, as they dropped down to 13th, nine points above 18th-placed Burnley and having played a game more – while going winless in 13 games across all competitions.

9th May 2021 – Wolves 2-1 Brighton: Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who now plays for Nottingham Forest, scored a 90th-minute winner to clinch the three points in a dramatic encounter.

Brighton were down to 10 men for much of the second half after Lewis Dunk received a red card for pulling back Fabio Silva as he ran through on goal.

It was the West Midlanders' first top-flight win over the Seagulls in the club's history.

Who has played for Wolves and Brighton?

Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves 2014-2016; Brighton 2015-2016): The Dutch winger had a 57-game career at Wolves after signing on a free transfer in 2014 from SC Heerenveen. He scored two goals for the club whilst laying on 11 assists.

Meanwhile, he spent less than two months on loan at the Seagulls from Wolves, making six appearances and scoring two goals.

Perhaps his most memorable spell in England was during his stint at Huddersfield Town, where he helped the West Yorkshire club to a shock promotion to the Premier League.

Keith Andrews (Wolves 1999-2005; Brighton 2013-2014): The 32-cap Republic of Ireland international began his career at Wolves after graduating through the academy. He made a total of 72 appearances for the club.

He had a season-long loan spell at Brighton during the 2013/14 season, where he made 37 appearances, helping the club reach the play-off semi-finals before suffering a thumping 6-2 aggregate defeat to Derby County.

Sam Vokes (Wolves 2008-2012; Brighton 2012): The towering centre-forward was on Wolves' books for four years, but much of that time was spent out on loan. He was shipped out to six separate clubs before Burnley signed him on a permanent deal in 2012.

Brighton were one of those six clubs, but his short time on the south coast wasn't particularly fruitful, as he netted just three times in 15 appearances.

Ade Akinbiyi (Brighton 1994; Wolves 1999-2001): The Nigerian forward had a short spell on loan at Brighton, where he scored four goals in seven appearances.

His two-year stint in the West Midlands saw him find the back of the net 16 times in 40 outings before he was snapped up by Leicester City, who paid a club-record £5.5m to sign him.

Steve Claridge (Wolves 1998; Brighton 2004): The forward made a total of six appearances during his five-month spell at Wolves and only five during a one-month stretch with Albion.

What is Wolves' biggest win over Brighton?

28th December 1991 – Wolves 2-0 Brighton: It's been over three decades since Wolves' biggest victory over the Seagulls, which was actually not a thrashing by any means.

Mark Burke opened the scoring in the second minute before Andy Mutch, who was well known for his strike partnership with Steve Bull, added a second.

The victory came during the 1991/92 season in the second tier. The West Midlanders finished the campaign in 11th, whilst Albion suffered relegation, finishing 23rd.

What is Brighton's biggest win over Wolves?

29th April 2023 – Brighton 6-0 Wolves: Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned 6-0 drubbing last season is Brighton's biggest win over Saturday's opposition.

It was a result that continued Brighton's assault on the European places, with the victory keeping them within touching distance of the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham, who they would eventually usurp come the season's end.

The gap in quality between the two sides over the last 12 months has started to widen, and it could be another tough afternoon for Wolves at the weekend if the current trends continue.

Key match stats It will be the 41st meeting between the pair Wolves have only beaten Brighton once in the top flight Brighton have won their last four matches against Wolves The last three fixtures between these two sides have produced 14 goals

Fulham are chasing both Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Everton forward Demarai Gray, according to reports.

Who will Fulham sign?

The Whites, having already signed centre-back Calvin Bassey and Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez this summer, are attempting to strengthen their ranks further before deadline day.

Fulham enjoyed a solid first full campaign back in the top flight under Marco Silva, finishing in mid-table and even above arch west London rivals Chelsea, who endured a nightmare season.

They even contested for Europe, but if they're to build upon that success, more new signing are needed after the captures of Bassey and Jimenez.

Last season's star striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, is reliably believed to be pushing for a Fulham exit with Silva even commenting on the saga amid his links to Saudi Arabia.

"It's not the ideal situation, I have to tell you. Not because he received an offer, it's the situation about himself," Silva told reporters last month.

"As you know, he's not going to play tomorrow, he didn't play last Wednesday. He's not working properly with his team mates and when I say this is not the ideal scenario, this is the situation.

"When it's out of my control as a manager, this is not something that concerns me, but I would like to have a different scenario in that situation … Sometimes you have individual decisions that is for them to take care of."

Meanwhile, another Fulham star who could move to the Middle East is Willian, despite him signing a new contract recently, as Al Shabab push hard for his signature.

The need for a new winger may have intensified as a result, with both Hudson-Odoi and Gray linked to Craven Cottage moves in recent weeks.

The BBC have backed Fulham talks to sign the latter player, while Hudson-Odoi is believed to be a firm transfer target as well.

According to The Daily Mail and journalist Simon Jones, it appears Silva's side are targeting both players simultaneously. Indeed, according to their information, Fulham are "chasing" Hudson-Odoi and Gray this summer, but with deadline day in just over three weeks, they may need to hurry.

Not much else is said beyond that, but it looks as if Fulham supporters could expect more activity before the window closes.

How good is Callum Hudson-Odoi?

While Hudson-Odoi struggled to make his impact on loan at Leverkusen, we believe he has more potential to thrive at Fulham than Gray, namely due to his younger age.

The £180,000-per-week Chelsea forward, 22, has far more years ahead of him than Everton's attacker (27), with legends of the game having also tipped him to be huge.

“I know what a player he is," said former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to the media in 2019.

"He can be an incredible player and he has improvement to make and I want to work with him to do it. But for that he needs to stay longer at the club and of course that then goes to a decision between him and the club itself. I can see him being a huge player for us.”

Meanwhile Gray, for his part, has been called "unbelievable" by former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Only Claude Henderson, the spin bowling consultant and Greg King, the fitness trainer have been retained from Russell Domingo’s technical team while Prasanna Agoram remains in place as the analyst

Firdose Moonda16-Nov-2017

Warriors’ coach Malibongwe Maketa has been appointed Ottis Gibson’s assistant, pipping Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana to the post in a shake-up of South Africa’s support staff. Former Natal and Durham batsman Dale Benkenstein will take over as batting coach from Neil McKenzie while Justin Ontong, the Cobras’ senior statesman, has been appointed fielding coach.Only Claude Henderson, the spin bowling consultant and Greg King, the fitness trainer have been retained from Russell Domingo’s technical team while Prasanna Agoram remains in place as the analyst. Physiotherapist Brandon Jackson has been replaced by Craig Govender. Team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee’s contract has been extended until April 2018 – the end of the South African summer – after which CSA’s board will appoint two successors, one in a managerial role and one in a medical role. That will increase the number of backroom staff to 12, from its current 11.Full list of staff appointments

Coach – Ottis Gibson
Assistant Coach – Malibongwe Maketa
Batting Coach – Dale Benkenstein
Fielding coach – Justin Ontong
Physiotherapist – Craig Govender
Fitness Trainer – Greg King
Spin Bowling Coach – Claude Henderson
Logistics Officer – Volvo Masubelele
Media Manager – Lerato Malekutu
Security Liaison Officer – Zunaid Wadee
Technical Analyst – Prasanna Agoram

Gibson, who was appointed in September, worked with Domingo’s support staff for his first assignment, a home series against Bangladesh. On its successful completion, Gibson said he had spoken to CSA about his choices for a backroom staff and had given them a list of name, “some from overseas, some local,” and would wait on the board to make the appointments. Who he had nominated from abroad is not known but only local candidates have made the cut, in what appears to be an exercise in cost-cutting.While Gibson had previously said he would perform the bowling coach duties himself, meaning one fewer member of his support staff, the batting coach Benkenstein is going to be shared with a local school. Benkenstein, who left Hampshire in July last year to return home for family reasons, has been working at Hilton College, a prestigious school in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands and will continue there while also working with the national team. CSA have made an agreement with the school that Benkenstein will accompany the national team on tours and will be around the camp when they play home matches but will also work for Hilton College.Maketa, the new assistant and Ontong, both come from within the current system and would not have been as expensive to hire as a foreigner. CSA’s financial position has been weakened following the postponement of the T20 Global League, on which they had spent millions organising, marketing and on upgrading stadiums, and their situation may worsen once a player-payout has been agreed. The South African Cricketers’ Association and CSA will undergo mediation to determine how to resolve the contractual fallout from the T20 Global League.In the meanwhile, attention will turn to Gibson’s sidekicks.Maketa has been with the Warriors since February 2015. He took over mid-season when Piet Botha stepped down and though he has not won any trophies, Maketa has had to work without many national players in his ranks and at a franchise without a sponsor. He has led the Warriors to two limited-overs finals – the one-day and twenty-over tournament last season – and has also worked with the national academy and the South African A side. Maketa was preferred over Toyana, who has won four trophies in five seasons with the Lions and was thought to be the favourite for the head coach’s role, will remain with the Warriors for the current Ram Slam before linking up with Gibson. It is not yet known who will succeed Maketa at the Warriors.Ontong will have a similar time-frame. He is still an active player for the Cobras and played in all five of their first-class fixtures this summer (and scored a century and three fifties) but a CSA spokesperson said he “will have to,” retire in order to take up his coaching duties.This will be his first coaching role and he will become South Africa’s first fielding coach since Rob Walter left the post after the Champions Trophy in 2013. Though South Africa have a reputation as a top-fielding side, standards have slipped on occasion in the recent past and it must have been something Gibson noted when compiling his staff.”My first six weeks as head coach gave me a good indication of the areas and resources needed for me to take the team forward,” Gibson said. “I’m confident with the coaching support staff we have put together and believe we share the same vision and understanding required to achieve success in our environment.”The coaches are experienced experts in their respective fields and will add value and energy to an already high-performing environment. The Proteas have a well-run and professional setup and I have no doubt that these additions will further enhance that element during my tenure.”South Africa’s players are currently engaged in the Ram Slam domestic tournament, which will run until December 16. Ten days later, they will begin the first of eight home Tests, a four-day, day-night fixture against Zimbabwe. South Africa host India for three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s and Australia for four Tests in March in their busiest home season to date.

Manchester United have reportedly been in contact over a potential move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

Erik ten Hag has already added to his squad this summer by securing a move for Mason Mount, with the England international arriving from Chelsea in a deal worth £60m and taking the famous number seven shirt at Old Trafford.

A new goalkeeper and centre-forward appear to be next on the to-do list for the Red Devils, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana appearing to be the top target to replace David de Gea.

Meanwhile, in attack, Antony Martial is reportedly up for sale, so a new forward would also be required. Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester and personal terms have already reportedly been agreed between Man United and the Denmark international.

However, Hojlund isn’t the only attacker who has been rumoured to have interest from those at Old Trafford, with Felix another player there has now been speculation over heading into the 2023/24 season.

Are Man United signing Joao Felix?

Sport Witness relayed an update from Spain in the last 48 hours regarding Felix’s future, where the Red Devils were named.

They claim that Man United, along with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United have all made contact over a potential move for the forward, who has asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club.

Felix appears to be after Champions League football next season, something that can be offered at both Old Trafford and St James’ Park, with Atletico Madrid seemingly happy for the Portugal international to move on.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Chelsea, making 20 appearances and scoring four goals for the Blues. His final goal came in a 4-1 defeat to Man United at Old Trafford in May, and it looks as if a return to England could well be on the cards following this update.

Hailed as "sensational" by members of the media, Felix can play on the left-hand side, as a centre-forward or in a deeper second-striker role, so would offer plenty of versatility to Ten Hag in the final third.

The player was valued at a career-high €100m back in 2019 by Transfermarkt, and that figure now stands at €50m, showing how he may need a new permanent home to get his career back on track.

Felix has contributed to 52 goals in 131 games for Atletico Madrid, though, and as per FBref in the past 12 months, has been compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Marcus Rashford. He ranks in the top 4% of forwards for shots per 90, top 2% for through balls and even top 8% for tackles, showing how he wouldn’t just bring goals to Old Trafford.

If Ten Hag can get the best out of Felix, he could be an extremely shrewd addition, and by the looks of things, a move could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

Responding to its allegations that he, along with other disqualified administrators, had “hijacked” the BCCI’s June 26 SGM, N Srinivasan has accused the CoA of projecting a picture of him that would “prejudice” him in the eyes of the Supreme Court

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Jul-2017In a stinging offensive against the committee of administrators (CoA), former BCCI president N Srinivasan has accused the panel of attempting to present “incomplete facts and circumstances” and projecting a picture of him that would “prejudice” him in the eyes of the Supreme Court.Srinivasan was responding to the CoA allegation (made in its status report) that he along with other disqualified administrators had “hijacked” the June 26 Special General Meeting (SGM) of the BCCI where the members – state associations – were supposed to adopt a new constitution as per the Lodha Committee recommendations.The CoA had said that Srinivasan and other disqualified administrators such as Niranjan Shah, who was attending the June SGM as a representative of the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), had prevailed upon the other BCCI members, who were otherwise “willing” to support the reform process.According to Srinivasan the CoA had contradicted itself because its status report states that no “consensus” could be arrived at in its two meetings with the state associations, first on May 5 and then on June 25. “In this background the aforementioned allegation made against the answering respondent [Srinivasan] of hijacking the proceedings and prevailing upon the other attendees, who were otherwise willing to facilitate the reform process, is not only false but is a mala fide attempt to mislead this Hon’ble Court and prejudice this Hon’ble Court against the answering respondent,” Srinivasan noted in his affidavit which the court heard on Monday.Srinivasan pointed out that as many as 19 state associations had filed petitions challenging the July 18 court order from last year which he said had “partially” approved the recommendations. Srinivasan challenged the CoA’s assertion that it had arrived at a “mutual consensus” with a “majority” of the state associations on implementing the recommendations when many had challenged the same in the court. “The entire basis of the allegations made by the CoA is unsubstantiated, hypothetical and contrary to the facts on record.”Srinivasan accepted that he stood disqualified as an office bearer, but argued that he was not ineligible to attend the BCCI meetings as a representative of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). Srinivasan’s justification for making such a statement, he said, was that neither the Lodha Committee nor the July 18 court order from last year had barred disqualified office bearers from attending BCCI meetings or from being part of any committee of the BCCI.”The true intent and purport of the orders of this Hon’ble Court was to change the degree of control which the off(i)ce bearers of the BCCI and the State Associations wielded, as pointed out by the Justice Lodha committee, and to prescribe certain disqualifications to stand for such elected office. There was no reference in the [Lodha] Committee report nor in any of the orders of this Hon’ble Court in regard to the membership or participation of individuals in cricketing affairs, in representative capacities. Equally, there was no discussion in any part of the committee report nor any of the orders of this Hon’ble Court on the right of an individual to join and participate in the affairs of a local club or a District Association.”Indeed, it was never the intention of this Hon’ble Court to define the parameters of eligibility for a citizen to pursue his interest in sport of cricket by being a member of any sports body or managing committee of any sports body. It is evident that the CoA seeks to expand the orders of this Hon’ble Court which is not permissible in law.”According to Shah, who was also pulled up by the CoA, he has not committed any violation by attending the BCCI meeting as an SCA representative. In his affidavit, Shah told the court that he was not playing the role of an “obstructionist” by attending BCCI meetings. He disagreed completely with being cast as a “disruptive and subversive” element as alleged by the CoA in its status report. “This approach of the CoA is contrary to democracy and meritocracy,” Shah said in his affidavit.

ESPNcricinfo previews the three Women’s World Cup matches to be played on July 5, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2017

With three wins from as many games, India, perched atop the points table, will look to continue their unbeaten streak against sixth-placed Sri Lanka in Derby. After two strong batting performances – against England and West Indies – India’s struggle against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling prompted the captain Mithali Raj to underline the need for batsmen to be wary of a collapse: “We definitely will look into the fact that we don’t lose wickets back-to-back because that puts a lot of pressure on the incoming batters as well as the team. We need to work on our partnerships as batters.”Having bagged 18 out of the 28 wickets taken by the team so far, India’s spinners have led the charge with the ball on pitches that have offered both turn and lateral movement. With their most recent win having come at the venue just two days ago, it is unlikely India would want to tweak their playing combination. That could mean Shikha Pandey, who was dropped in favour of fellow medium-pacer Mansi Joshi in the previous game, will sit out a second straight match.Sri Lanka’s hopes of notching up their first victory in this World Cup will rest on their batsmen, with their bowlers having scalped only six wickets in three consecutive defeats. Led by Chamari Atapattu, the second-highest run-getter in the tournament so far, and former captain Shashikala Siriwardene, Sri Lanka have amassed totals in excess of 200 against defending champions Australia and hosts England. It is an accomplishment the captain Inoka Ranaweera emphasised is “a big thing” for the team, and is likely to instill as much confidence in the side as will memories of knocking India out with a shock 138-run win at the 2013 World Cup.Bowlers have found it hard to crack open Australia’s top-order•Getty Images

Having opened their campaign with three losses, Pakistan are now left to try turning it around against an Australian team whose batting is as unflinching as their bowling. Despite a narrow loss to South Africa in their tournament opener, Pakistan looked like a team ready to challenge much-fancied opponents. But their bowling and batting let them down, by turns, subsequently, resulting in defeats to England and India by 107 and 95 runs respectively. Apart from openers Nahida Khan and Ayesha Zafar, who have struck one half-century apiece, no other Pakistan batsman has been able to get into the thirties.An untimely injury to their leading run-getter Bismah Maroof , weakened an already struggling middle order, but the inclusion of medium-pacer Diana Baig inspired Pakistan to a spirited bowling and fielding effort against India on Sunday. Much will depend on Nashra Sandhu’s leg spin for Pakistan to be able to pull off a miracle at Leicester.Australia have rollicked their way to three wins out of three matches and would look to forge their position at the top of the points table before the knockouts. They will, however, be without captain Meg Lanning, at least for this match, as she receives treatment for a shoulder problem. The team will be led by Rachael Haynes, who will turn out for her first match of this edition. Lanning’s absence will put more responsibility on opener Nicole Bolton, who has already struck a century and a fifty in three innings. When Australia’s openers have struggled, allrounder Ellyse Perry has picked up the mantle of holding the batting together. That has been Australia’s key to success in this World Cup, aided by a robust spin contingent that has pushed one performer to the fore every game.Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight have been pivotal to England’s turnaround after opening with a loss to India•PA Images

After being stunned by India in the tournament opener, England bounced back with successive wins. However, they will be wary of their fourth position, given three of their four remaining opponents are semifinal contenders. The first of those comes in the form of South Africa, whom they face in Bristol on Wednesday.Dane van Niekerk’s team are fresh off crushing West Indies, having sent them packing for the sixth-lowest score in tournament history on Sunday. Van Niekerk was at the forefront of the demolition of West Indies, her record haul of 4 for 0 making her the only bowler in cricket history to take four wickets in an international game without conceding a run. Prior to the win against West Indies, South Africa had barely scraped through against Pakistan and their match against New Zealand was abandoned without a ball bowled. But with a pace attack that is every bit as potent as van Niekerk talked up before the tournament, South Africa are a force to be reckoned with.England went back to their regular opening combination against Sri Lanka, with Lauren Winfield, returning from wrist injury, partnering Tammy Beaumont at the top. It facilitated a move down to her favoured No. 3 position for Sarah Taylor, who struck an unbeaten 74 – her first major innings since returning to the side after a year-long break due to anxiety issues.Bristol is expected to be warm for most of Wednesday, although there could be a partial cloud cover at the start.

Arsenal are “ready to let” forward Folarin Balogun leave the club this summer and they believe it will help them sign top targets, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Who will leave Arsenal this summer?

Supporters can expect serious transfer activity at the Emirates Stadium this summer as Gunners transfer chief Edu works on signing numerous players.

West Ham United star Declan Rice has been subject to bids from Arsenal as they battle treble-winners Man City for his signature, and the saga could well be one of their talking points of this transfer window.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that they’re actively pursuing a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with positive talks ongoing behind-the-scenes as the player himself eyes a move to north London (Sky).

Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is being targeted as well, with Germany international Kai Havertz already joining Arsenal as their first signing of the summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side could spend around £200 million on fresh faces this summer, according to some media sources, so they’ll need to offload efficiently.

Of the players tipped to leave, there are a fair few, with Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka all linked with an exit (Goal).

Balogun, who dazzled on loan at Reims last season, could make way as well with a report by O’Rourke and Football Insider sharing news.

They claim that Arsenal are “ready to let” the forward leave this summer, hoping to collect around £35 million, and the club believe this transfer could help them sign top targets financially.

This comes after Balogun ruled out another loan move, with a well-placed source telling the site that he is ready to lay down roots at a permanent new club.

Who is Folarin Balogun?

The 21-year-old scored 21 goals and in 27 Ligue 1 appearances over 2022/2023 (WhoScored), all while notching a further two assists, potentially prompting Arsenal to demand that £35m fee.

French football expert Julien Laurens, writing on Twitter, heaped praise on Balogun for an outstanding performance against PSG at the Parc des Princes in January – calling him an “amazing talent”.

Based off these accolades, there should be no shortage of suitors.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to revisit an old acquisition, seeking to make a questionable loan permanent.

What's the latest on Clement Lenglet to Tottenham Hotspur?

That's according to Spanish publication Sport, who suggest that Ange Postecoglou is keen to add Clement Lenglet to his squad for the foreseeable future, despite the French defender having struggled in north London.

The club have reportedly reaffirmed in recent months their satisfaction with his performances in a Spurs shirt, and therefore their willingness to strike a deal with Barcelona.

With three years left on his whopping £200k-per-week deal at the Spanish club, and the Catalan giants once again strapped for cash, they are seeking out a figure of around €12m (£10m) to recoup a portion of the €36m (£31m) they first invested.

Would Clement Lenglet be a smart signing for Tottenham Hotspur?

Whilst such a small fee would represent good value to add some depth to the squad, his performances for the Lilywhites were nothing short of abysmal in their most recent term.

Although it had been claimed so back in 2020, he really proved journalist Roy Nemer correct this season, who had branded him a "defensive liability". It could even be argued that the 27-year-old was even worse than Eric Dier, who acted as something of a lightning rod for criticism under Antonio Conte.

The England international may have been poor, but his 6.86 average rating was a far cry from the left-footed flop that Lenglet turned out to be. This figure was upheld by his 86% pass accuracy and 1.1 interceptions, 0.9 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game in the league, via Sofascore.

For comparison, the former Sevilla stopper saw his average rating plummet to 6.65, made worse due to his positional culpability and failure to dominate as expected. He would only muster 0.7 interceptions and 2.6 clearances per game in the league, also per Sofascore.

Even at the Nou Camp, his most recent year saw an average rating of 6.67 maintained too.

Despite this, it was the former Everton youth product that was most often lambasted, with talkSPORT pundit Darren Ambrose grouping him up with others who were "not good enough" for the club. He has become an easy target for ridicule in recent years.

It seems an easy excuse to rush at Dier for his failures, forgetting that the 29-year-old has been an ever-loyal servant to this club, making 361 appearances and enjoying some truly impressive spells. As recently as the 2021/22 season did he record a 7.01 average rating.

For all his shortcomings he at least deserves some credit, especially ahead of this loanee whom he actually outperformed during their most recent torrid campaign.

Lenglet could mark a bargain, but if he performs consistently like he did last term, at a level way below one of the club's most polarising figures, then it is a deal not even worth spending £10m on.

The 21-year-old has not played for the club since he was arrested in January 2022, and his future remains unclear

As it stands, Mason Greenwood is still a Manchester United player. He was included on their retained list for the 2023-24 season, and remains under contract until 2025. However, United are still in the process of completing an internal investigation to decide Greenwood's future. He was suspended by the club after being arrested on suspicion of rape and assault on January 30, 2022.

In October, Greenwood was arrested again over allegations he'd breached his bail conditions, and was subsequently charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Greenwood was re-bailed at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court a month later and his trial date was set for November 2023. But on February 2, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that all charges against him had been dropped.

A few hours later, United released the following statement: "Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete."

With the new season fast approaching, United are yet to conclude their investigation, buthas reported that a decision will be made before the end of July.

GETTYMan Utd staff 'split'

According to , United staff were "split" on whether Greenwood should be allowed to resume his career at Old Trafford when the internal investigation began. Some felt the club owed him a "duty of care" given the fact he has been on their books since the age of seven.

However, the report also stated that a "substantial portion" of staff "would be deeply unhappy" if Greenwood were to wear the famous red shirt again. Meanwhile, United manager Erik ten Hag was asked how he planned to deal with the situation.

“It’s really important but sometimes you get issues,” he told reporters. “Then as a club and team you have to deal with it. We have standards and values. We have to live along those high standards and values and that gives a base if you have a good culture and spirit. That’s our job, not to get distracted by anything. We are human beings and sometimes there are issues, we are not like robots, but we have to focus on our job."

AdvertisementWomen's team reaction

Some members of the United Women's team made it clear that they were "deeply uncomfortable" over Greenwood's potential return, after hearing an audio that was released on social media before his initial arrest – as per .

Their discomfort was shared by the founder of the United Women’s Supporters’ Club, Natalie Burrell. “I don’t think he should play again for Manchester United,” Burrell told . “It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. They need to make a statement and letting him back would be the worst thing they could do.

"It would set our club back in terms of what we’re trying to do with our women’s team and campaigns like Her Game Too, which are trying to encourage women to play and watch football. I just don’t want to see him training. I don’t want to see him in a (United) kit. I don’t want to see him ever coming out at Old Trafford again.”

GettyTV interview & therapy

By the start of March, United had begun mapping out a "phased process" for Greenwood's reintegration into the first-team squad as they considered all of their options – according to . This included encouraging the player to undertake a form of therapy, before a potentially more comprehensive rehabilitation.

The report added that Greenwood could also be challenged publicly on the events of the previous 18 months in a television interview. However, it was also stressed that this was merely one possibility, and that a parting of ways was also still under consideration.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesLoan transfer talk

United reportedly received loan enquiries for Greenwood from several Turkish clubs after the criminal charges against him were dropped. The Turkish Football Federation announced that their winter transfer window had been extended until March 5 by FIFA following the deadly earthquake that hit the country on February 6.

No deal was pursued by United at that stage, but speculation only increased heading into April. Spanish outlet stated that AC Milan had identified Greenwood as a summer transfer target in a bid to bolster their attacking ranks.

The following month, reported that Juventus had made contact with Greenwood's representatives over a potential season-long loan deal. It was then said that United had begun actively looking for European clubs willing to take the forward on a temporary basis.

United's 2022-23 campaign ended without Greenwood seeing a single minute of action, but he then reportedly emerged on the radar of Jose Mourinho at Roma. It was the Portuguese that initially brought him into the senior ranks as coach of United in 2018, and claimed he had spoken to Greenwood's father about a reunion at Stadio Olimpico.