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The Premier League season might be on pause, but it has been a breakthrough campaign for several youngsters.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka are already established in the top flight, but what about those who have only just announced themselves at the highest level?

BBC Sport has selected a team of young players who have impressed in 2019-20 - we've only picked from players aged 21 or under at the start of the campaign.

At the bottom of the page, you can rank the players in order of who you think has had the most impressive breakout season - and use the comments section to tell us who would make your XI https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/18/premier-league-the-youngsters-who-have-shone-in-2019-20/

Premier League clubs will discuss the option of putting a 30 June deadline on the 2019-20 season at a meeting on Friday.

Not all clubs have been involved in informal discussions at this stage but, with a hoped-for May resumption to the season unlikely, club owners are looking at how to avoid potentially difficult contractual situations.

Numerous players' present deals expire on 30 June, notably Chelsea midfielder Willian and Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

In addition, Liverpool are due to change shirt manufacturers from New Balance to Nike, while Watford and Newcastle are also changing kit suppliers.

World governing body Fifa is aware of the problem and is looking at alternatives, like rolling contract extensions, with the season currently suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, legally, players cannot be forced to sign them, raising the possibility of clubs losing key parts of their squad before the campaign has been concluded.

It has led to an increasing body of opinion that, no matter what the state of the Premier League at that point, 30 June should be the final day.

Such a move would also bring more clarity to the 2020-21 season, which BBC Sport has been told by numerous sources is more important than the current one.

Putting a deadline on this season is fraught with problems, particularly surrounding relegation and promotion.

One idea being pushed forward again is to promote current Championship top two Leeds and West Brom, not relegate anyone from the top flight and go with a 22-team competition, which would increase the number of TV games and potentially avoid the need to repay this season's broadcast money.

However, that would create a problem for the Football League as it would lead to an imbalance in their numbers.

These are all issues that will be debated by Premier League executives on Friday, although a definitive decision seems unlikely given Uefa has pleaded for leagues to give them time to return with their own proposals for ending the season across Europe, something they expect to do by mid-May at the latest.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder though does not expect a deadline to be set for the end of the campaign.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm sure that we will adjust accordingly. I think for the integrity of the competition and competitions, especially the top end of English football and European football, they'll want to finish the season.

"I believe that there will be an ability next year to adjust, with international breaks, with moving a few games into midweek. We have that ability through organisation and planning to finish this season off.

"But only as everybody said, and I'll reiterate that, when it's safe to do so for everybody. And that obviously we have to take our lead off the government and what they suggest and want us to do." Source by https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/16/premier-league-clubs-to-discuss-a-possible-30-june-deadline-to-the-season/

Newcastle United transfer target Ademola Lookman has finally dumped England for Super Eagles after switch his international allegiance to three-time African Champions.

The 22-year-old forward who was a member of the England U-20 squad that won the FIFA Youth World Cup in 2017, wants to switch nationalities to represent the country of his parents.

Lookman returned to RB Leipzig on 25 July 2019 on a five-year deal after a successful loan spell at the Bundesliga outfit were scored 5 goals in 11 appearances but the London-born has failed to make an impression since joining Die Bullen from Everton and Newcastle United ready to bring the Super Eagles hopeful back to Premier League.


Nigeria’s technical assistant Tunde Adelakun told Opera News: “Lookman has applied for the switch and all the documents are in order,”

“It’s a positive step forward when made his commitment to Nigeria and we are just waiting for a Fifa clearance.

“Once the go-ahead is sorted, it will be up to coach Gernot Rohr to decide if his club performance would earn him a call-up.”

A top official of the Super Eagles has welcomed his decision and he is now awaiting approval from world governing body the FIFA.

ALERT: Coronavirus pandemic emergency kit — facts, myths and how to protect yourself

Get more stories like this on https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/16/newcastle-transfer-target-dumps-england-for-super-eagles/

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The US Soccer Federation said on Wednesday it was shutting down its youth development academy permanently due to the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

US Soccer, the sport's governing body in the United States, said in a statement the decision to shutter the academy, which it founded in 2007 and included competitions across five age groups, was effective immediately.

"The extraordinary and unanticipated circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a financial situation that does not allow for the continuation of the development academy program into the future," it said.

The academy, which had halted operations due to the coronavirus outbreak, featured youth academies and clubs from various organisations, including Major League Soccer, and provided regular competition for those teams. https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/16/us-federation-shutters-youth-academy-due-to-covid-19-fallout/

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Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, has identified 2 players in the Super Eagles team that would not allow him to return to the team.

Ighalo, in a Twitter Q&A, said the young players in the Super Eagles squad are doing well.


I can’t play for Super Eagles because of 2 players in the team – Ighalo
The 30-year-old specifically name-checked Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze as standout performers.

Ighalo retired from international football in July 2019, days after finishing as the top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria won bronze.

Ever since his loan move to United in January, there have been renewed calls for him to return to Gernot Rohr’s setup.

“For now I am done with the Super Eagles but in life you can never say never. I am in contact with the coach constantly, four days ago he sent me a message.
“I still message him to wish the team good luck before they play a game.
“We have young, very good players in the team, the likes of Osimhen coming up scoring goals, Chukwueze – good exciting players.
“I just want them to keep doing the job because they are doing so well. For Super Eagles I want to concentrate on club football for now,” Ighalo said.

The Italian Football Federation hopes that players can be tested for coronavirus at the start of May in preparation for the season to restart.

Serie A has been suspended since 9 March because of the global pandemic.

There is no set date for when the campaign can resume in Italy, with 12 full rounds and four outstanding fixtures still to play.

"As soon as the conditions are right, we'll finish the championship," said federation president Gabriele Gravina.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, he added: "Soon, there will be a meeting. We will establish the procedure which we will then communicate.

"We will start, I hope, at the beginning of May with tests to ensure that players are negative and training can follow. https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/14/italian-football-federation-hopes-to-test-players-for-coronavirus-in-may-before-season-restart/

Tottenham have reversed their decision to use the government's furlough scheme for some non-playing staff during the coronavirus crisis following criticism from supporters.

On 31 March, the club announced 550 employees would take a 20% pay cut in an attempt "to protect jobs".

But on Monday, a Spurs statement said non-playing staff will receive "100% of their pay for April and May".

Only board members will now take salary reductions, the statement added.

What are Premier League clubs doing on pay?
On Friday, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) urged the club to "do the right thing" and reverse the decision, saying "mass supporter opinion against these decisions had solidified".

Spurs' statement on Monday said: "With no clarity on when football might resume, and under what conditions, we shall continue to keep this under ongoing review. https://liberiabet.com/tottenham-hotspur-reverse-furlough-decision-for-non-playing-st

Premier League players have launched a "collective initiative" to help generate funds for the National Health Service and distribute them "where they are needed most".

The initiative - named #PlayersTogether - has been set up to "help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It has partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT). https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/09/nhs-premier-league-players-initiative-to-generate-distribute-funds/

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the narratives of world activities with all sporting activities halted due to the sad deadly epidemic.

The English Premier League (EPL) fans have wished and prayed for the end of the outbreak to enable them reignite their passion for football.

National Daily recalls that Liverpool were just six points away from winning their first EPL title after 30 years with their nine games left as they were 25 points away from their nearest rival in Manchester City who have ten games left before the league was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/08/breaking-the-epl-sets-to-cancel-the-rest-of-the-2019-2020-season/

After Ronaldo got the ball rolling with an impressive 142 crunches in 45 seconds, Arsenal youngster Saliba took his turn.

However the Saint-Etienne loanee, 19, showed he has plenty more developing to do before matching a powerhouse like Ronaldo - tallying 65.

Still, teammates and fans gave Saliba a pat on the back for giving the challenge his all in the face of stiff competition.

Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stefan Bajic wrote on Instagram: "Wilo, Cristiano and Messi the world top three."

A Gooner added: "Beast can't wait to see you in an Arsenal kit next season."

Another fan replied: "My Centre Back. Bondy’s finest."
Manchester United playmaker Fernandes also came up short of Ronaldo's total, notching 117 reps while the Portuguese star's Juventus teammate Blaise Matuidi edged him with 144.

And 800-metre Olympic queen Caster Semenya has the footballers comfortably beat after showing off her core strength.

The South African put together a mighty 176 reps in 45 seconds, a rate of 3.9 every second.

The Jupiler Pro League has called an end to the 2019-20 season and crowned Club Brugge champions, with England allegedly set to do similar
The Premier League will follow Belgium's top tier and cancel the rest of its season, according to Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.

With Liverpool 25 points clear atop the table, the Premier League was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the league announced that its suspension would continue indefinitely.

Many leagues around the world have been brought to a standstill, with Belgium's Jupiler Pro League having cancelled the rest of its campaign and awarded the title to leaders Club Brugge.
https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/08/udinese-chief-marino-says-premier-league-will-cancel-rest-of-season/

Former Fifa executives took bribes in return for voting for Russia and Qatar to host the World Cup, according to US prosecutors.

In what could be a highly significant twist in the FBI's long-running investigation into allegations of football corruption, a new indictment was revealed in the US District Court on Monday.

The documents claim several former Fifa executive committee members "were offered or received bribes in connection with their votes".

The Department of Justice makes allegations against Nicolas Leoz, the former president of South American governing body Conmebol, and ex-Brazil federation supremo Ricardo Teixeira.

Both are accused of taking money "in exchange for their votes in favour of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup".

Disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago was also allegedly paid £4m through a host of offshore shell companies to back Russia's 2018 bid.

Russia beat England to win the right to host the most recent World Cup in 2018. Warner was president of the North and Central American and Caribbean confederation Concacaf.

Another former Fifa ExCo member - Guatemala football chief Rafael Salguero - was allegedly promised a bribe to vote for Russia.

Leoz died last year under house arrest in his native Paraguay, having fought extradition to the US. Teixeira has been banned from the game for life by Fifa for taking bribes for marketing and media rights for football competitions between 2006 and 2012 https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/07/former-fifa-executives-accused-of-bribes-over-world-cup-bidding/

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says he “cannot imagine” Liverpool being denied the Premier League title by the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to all football being suspended last month as a result of the spread of Covid-19, the Reds sat 25 points clear at the summit of the English top-flight and just two wins away from confirming a first league success since 1990 https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/07/liverpool-will-be-crowned-premier-league-champion-uefa-chief-confirms/

A South-East group, Igbo Renaissance Forum has knocked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government over its approach to the N20,000 stimulus package for the ‘poorest in the society https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/06/covid-19-buhari-govt-under-fire-over-money-sharing-exclusion-of-south-east/

After completing his loan move to First Amateur Division KSK Heist - where he scored two goals in 14 appearances, Bernardinho was snapped up by the Ontario based club.

The Ghanaian becomes the 12th player under contract in coach Mista’s squad ahead of the 2020 Canadian Premier League season.
https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/03/bernardinho-ghanaian-winger-joins-atletico-ottawa-from-westerloo/

The restart date for the Premier League will be pushed back on Friday.

All 20 Premier League clubs will meet via video and it is accepted by all that there is no hope of professional games being played immediately after the current 30 April deadline.

The Premier League could shift the date back into May or opt to follow Spain and France, who have shut down their leagues for an indefinite period.
https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/03/premier-league-30-april-restart-date-to-be-pushed-back-uefa-warning-for-clubs/

These were the words FIFA President Gianni Infantino “We need teamwork to combat the coronavirus,”. I call upon the football community worldwide to join us in supporting this campaign to pass the message even further. Some of the greatest players to have played the beautiful game have put their names to the campaign and are united in their desire to pass the message to kick out COVID-19.”
https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/03/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-football-in-liberia-liberia-national-team-captain-donates-to-health-workers-in-liberia/

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-min will report to a marines boot camp later this month to fulfil military service duties, a report said Thursday.

All able-bodied South Korean men are obliged to serve in the military for nearly two years, making up the bulk of Seoul's 600 000-strong forces – who face off against North Korea's army of 1.3 million.

https://liberiabet.com/2020/04/02/son-set-for-military-training-during-virus-shutdown-report/

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The new league season of the US League Two (USL2) is set to hopefully kick off on May 9, 2020, based on the status of the Coronavirus pandemic. At the moment, all football activities are suspended amid coronavirus fear.

However, Philadelphia Lone Star is working in every department to better prepare the team ahead of the new league season kickoff. Here is a round-up on the team’s level of preparedness so far.

Read more: https://liberiabet.com/2020/03/31/philadelphia-lone-star-weekly-round-up/

During the past 3 weeks, new major epidemic foci of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), some without traceable origin, have been identified and are rapidly expanding in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, with the first confirmed cases being identified in African and Latin American countries.

The outbreak of the pandemic has led to the suspension of major sporting events especially football in particular around the globe, with Liberia being no exception. The Liberia Football Association on March 17 announced the suspension of all football activities; following the confirmation of COVID19 in the country with no propose date insight.

https://liberiabet.com/2020/03/30/liberia-fa-sets-congress-date-amid-covid-19-pandemic-for-may-23-2020/

The 2020 edition of annual Kigali International Peace Marathon which was scheduled for May 17 has been postponed with immediate effect,

https://liberiabet.com/2020/03/30/rwanda-covid-19-kigali-peace-marathon-moved-to-june/

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Monrovia – Liberia midfielder David Tweh has continued his exceptional form for his club Energetik-BGU Minsk in the new season of the Belarusian top league.

Tweh who is playing his second season in Europe was instrumental in his team’s escape from relegation last season and has kickoff the season from where he stopped with his skill and passing ability.The former Barrack Young Controller midfielder scored 6 goals in all competition last season with five goals in the league and one in the Cup while providing 11 assists to end the season at 13 place.

The Liberian attacking midfielder provided two assists against the league former champion BATE – a game they Energetik won 3-1 as he was named in the team of the week. That was followed with the attacking Tweh full ninety minutes of play in his teams 1-0 away win over Ruhnn Brest in tin the Belarusian Premier league.

The midfielder put up a very good performance and played the entire duration of the match. Energetik-BGU Minsk now has six points from two league matches.

Tweh has admitted he is ‘loving’ his football at the moment, after the midfielder once again Provided two assists and to see his team at an early stage challenging for the top spot.

Tweh’s early showings were so impressive for Energetik, he was last week voted as the Club Midfielder of the Season.

Unsurprisingly, the youngster revealed he is delighted with how his career is developing since his move from Liberian Champions BYC.

“I’m loving football at the minute,” said David. “It’s started well but it’s something I have to keep continuing to do. I think I’ve got the right people around me. So, it’s just about continuing that,” he said.

https://liberiabet.com/2020/03/30/tweh-kickoff-season-in-grand-style/

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The wellbeing of student-athletes admits the Coronavirus crisis is one of the major priorities of LEAD-Africa, the parent organization of LEAD-Monrovia Football and LEAD-Morocco.

Liberia and Morocco are among many countries battling the COVID-19, which has led to LEAD’s academies cancelling all its activities, with the parent body shouldering the responsibility to provide basic necessities for its student-athletes, especially in Liberia where 125 students and staff are currently self-quarantining at its residential campus.

Former US women’s national team coach Jill Ellis on Saturday kick-started a US$30,000 fundraising campaign for LEAD-Africa academies. Jill opened the campaign on Saturday with a $2,500 donation to the process.

Jill, who served as Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 2014-2019, is one of two coaches in history to win two FIFA World Cup championships. She was named FIFA Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019. Since 2016, she has served on LEAD’s Advisory Committee.

”As we think about family, friends, and community, I want to make sure we don’t lose sight of what is happening at LEAD’s academies in both Liberia and Morocco. COVID-19 has now reached both countries, forcing the academies to close schools and cancel all activities. This means 151 boys and girls now lack access to food, drinking water, medical supplies, and other basic necessities. I ask you to join me in giving whatever you can to support the academies and provide the necessary care to our students. If we raise $30,000, we will ensure our students have all of their basic needs met for the next two months,” Jill wrote.

Up to press time, Jill had raised $23,578 of $30,000 from 33 donors. One of the notable donors among the 33 include former NFL player Ronnie Lott, who matched Jill’s $2,500.

The funds will be used to provide basic necessities, including breakfast, dinner and sanitation supplies among others for the next two months.

LEAD-MFA currently has 109 student-athletes, while LEAD-Morocco has 42 student-athletes.

https://liberiabet.com/jill-ellis-launches-us30000-fund-raising-campaign-for-lead-africa-academies/

…in face of Coronavirus threat
By Roland Mulbah

Former Liberian international striker, Henry Zobon Gobah has called on Liberians to continuously observe the preventive health measures in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus.

Speaking from his base in the United States of America, Mr Gobah noted that Liberians should take seriously the social distance of six feet as pronounced by the Government of Liberia.

The LISCR FC all-time highest goal scorer, who celebrated his birthday on March 23, urged Liberians saying, “Put distance between yourself and other people because COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.”

From the dusty pitches in Monrovia where he turned into a lethal finisher with the likes of Blue Angels, Red Devils in his formative years as a footballer in the Ivory Coast with FC Mahn, then to Devereux, former Barcelona now LISCR which led him to the senior national team of Liberia, the Lone Star, showcasing against the likes of Niger Mena and the Wala Anteplope of Ethiopia, Henry Zobon Gobah was no doubt regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation by evidence of scoring multiple goals culminating into Golden Boots awards in the Third and Second Division and also continuing his trade in Indonesia where he never stopped rattling the net as his long-range artillery shots earned him the nickname, the “Bomber.”

Two particular instances are the screamer against Niger that landed on the crossbar for Prince Daye to pounce on for the lone goal in the Lone Star 1-0 win and the rocket against Lartee Jackson from more than 30 yards as LISCR FC, I.E shared the spoils.

Family members and friends, especially at home, have wished the former deadly striker happy birthday.

One of such is Liberia’s foremost football analyst, Wleh Bedell, who religiously followed Henry Zobon Gobah during his glorious days on the local scene.

“Today marks the birthday of a longtime friend and brother, Henry Zobon Gobah. ZB, this day brings fond memories mostly for your goal-scoring exploits and as you celebrate another Birthday in a relatively cautious mood in the United States, I like to join the many friends and families to wish you a Happy Birthday and pray that God Almighty grant you many more years to come. Happy, Happy Birthday ZB,”Bedell said.

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