Mourinho & Klopp Condemn CAS Decision on Manchester City; Didier Drogba's Election Hopes Suffer Setback and More (Football Round-up)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho and Liverpool manager both expressed disappointment with the decision made by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) to overturn Manchester City’s two-year UEFA ban from participating in European football with a fine of $11 million (10 million euros) yesterday.. 

In February, UEFA had concluded that Manchester City had committed serious violations of Financial Fair Play ( FFP) regulations and imposed a $34.2 million fine. The fine was reduced and the decision to ban them from the Champions League was dismissed on Monday. 

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"It's a disgraceful decision because if City are not guilty then they should not be punished with the fine," Mourinho told reporters in a virtual news conference, a day after the ban was reversed. "If you're not guilty you shouldn't have a fine. If they are guilty the decision is also a disgrace and they should be banned from the competition. I don't know if the City is guilty or not but either way it's a disgraceful decision."

Klopp meanwhile also took aim at a proposed change to the UEFA FFP regulations.

“I don't think it was a good day for football yesterday, to be honest,” Klopp said. “FFP is a good idea. It is there for protecting teams and the competition, so that nobody overspends and has to make sure the money they want to spend is based on the right sources. 

Drogba's Election Hopes Take a Hit 

Former Chelsea striker and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba bid to become president of the Ivory Coast football federation faced a severe blow after his fellow players did not support his candidacy. 

The 42-year old is among the three candidates who contested for the presidential election of Ivorian Football Federation in September. 

Drogba’s expectations have been shattered after his former teammate and head of the football union Cyrille Domoraud failed to back him up and instead is supporting one of the other remaining candidates, Idriss Diallo.

A statement by the Association of Ivorian Footballers said, "The majority of our members decided to grant our endorsement to the list led by Mr. Idriss Diallo." It further added that the decision stems from loyalty from three years ago to contest the election which was before Drogba proclaimed his candidacy. 

The fate of the former striker now depends on medical practitioners' endorsement for the upcoming election on September 5. The doctors’ decision is expected to arrive in the coming weeks. 

Search for New England Women Manager 

The Football Association (FA) will begin interviewing candidates for the role of the England Women’s team manager after 79 applicants were considered to have satisfied the requirements,the Guardian has reported.

142 applications have been sent to the FA for the role to replace Phil Neville, whose contract expires next summer. The FA has shortlisted 79 applicants who hold A or pro licence and understand the varying needs of the club and international football. 

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The job entails building a winning team that is consistent with the philosophy and values of the FA and seeks to promote a culture based on confidence, unity and team spirit. 

The deferral of the Olympics to next summer and 2021 Euros to 2022 will require the incoming manager to deal with consecutive tournaments prior to the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

McClean on Racial Abuse

Stoke City’s James McClean says he’s witnessed “more abuse than any other player” during his 9-year long stint in England, and did not receive any form of help from the authorities, the media or his teammates from the Republic of Ireland.

McClean's statement comes after fellow footballers, from Crystal Palace-- Wilfried Zaha and Sheffield United-- David McGoldrick faced racial abuse online.

“Driving back from training while listening to TalkSport discussing the vile racist comments this week made towards Zaha and McGoldrick on social media,” McClean wrote on Facebook. “Listening to their reaction of disgust at it, and rightly so ... because it’s horrendous and nobody should be subjected to that. People need to be held responsible for their words and actions.

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“What leaves a sour taste though ... I’ve received more abuse than any other player during my nine years in England ... This isn’t a cry for sympathy, but one to ask the question, what is the difference?” he continued on his Facebook post.

The player faced online abuse throughout his career and also received sectarian taunts from opposition fans over his refusal to wear a poppy during the annual remembrance period every autumn. McClean refused to wear the poppy in respect of the fact that British soldiers shot dead civilian protesters in McClean's home city of Londonderry in 1972 in what became known as Bloody Sunday.

"Have I ever had my abuse condemned by the media? No! In fact, quite the opposite. The slightest thing that I do that might cause offence to anyone is highlighted by them," he added.

In March earlier this year, McClean was fined two weeks’ salary by Stoke for an Instagram post in which he was seen wearing a black balaclava while teaching his children, what he called a “history lesson”. In his apology for the post he said “I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly.” He later also deleted his Instagram account.

Serie A Wants Fans in Stadiums

Serie A has expressed hope to play matches in the presence of spectators before the end of the season. All matches post restart have been played in empty stadiums.

A proposal to open stadiums to spectators will be sent to the Italian football federation (FIGC) after a video call between the 20 top-flight clubs and Serie A's governing body took place on Monday.

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Of many talking points, the need to reopen stadiums to the public, after keeping in check all the safety measures, was reiterated, Lega Serie A said in a statement. 

A detailed and systematic protocol guidance will be shared by the FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, so that it can be discussed with concerned governmental institutions.

The league has also taken the decision to not cut Sky's transmission right of the matches despite the broadcaster not having paid the final instalment of money for this season’s rights.

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