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Celtic fans allowed to attend Munich game
Per PA Media: “Celtic fans will be able to attend the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich in Germany after being handed a UEFA reprieve.
The Scottish champions were on a suspended ban on away supporters when they were hit with a disciplinary notice after a green smoke canister was thrown from among the visiting fans during Celtic’s 4-2 defeat at Villa Park last month. However, they have escaped with a fine following a decision from UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.
The club have received a fine of 10,000 euros (£8,340) for the lighting of fireworks and throwing of objects. Celtic had received double the fine and a one-match ban on selling tickets for travelling fans - which was suspended for two years - after a major pyrotechnic display in their Champions League encounter with Borussia Dortmund in September.
Police investigate abuse aimed at Shaw
Tom Garry
A police investigation is ongoing after Manchester City’s report of what the club described as “disgusting, racist and misogynistic” abuse aimed online at their Jamaica striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
The club informed the authorities about the matter, which took place after Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal in the Women’s Super League, and Greater Manchester police have confirmed to the Guardian that inquiries are ongoing. No arrests had been made as of Friday morning UK time.
Shaw withdrew from Thursday’s League Cup semi-final, which City won 2-1 at Arsenal, to look after her mental wellbeing in the wake of the abuse. On Tuesday City said: “Discrimination of any kind, either in stadiums or online, will not be tolerated and has absolutely no place inside or outside the game. The club offers our full support to Bunny following the disgusting treatment she’s received.”
Time to get out the rattle, the Bovril and the whippet. It’s the FA Cup.
Who is Nico Gonzalez? Good thing we have Will Unwin to tell us what’s what.
Why did Ruud not stay on as interim and wait for Ruben Amorim to come in for the summer?
Who can stop Liverpool?
Let’s start with last night. Well done, Liverpool. Though perhaps the key quotes comes from Ange Postecoglou.
Ange Postecoglou continues to live under immense pressure; a route to silverware now closed off, his team struggling in 14th place in the Premier League. “We didn’t give ourselves a chance to take the opportunity which is probably more disappointing,” the Spurs manager said. “I would have liked us to play more like who we are. There is a lesson in there for us that if we veer away from that it almost becomes impossible for us.
“I think they understood the opportunity. When the reality of it out there hits you, it’s a bit different to maybe what you envisioned in your head. Our intent was to play the same way we play every week. We were trying to put pressure on them and unsettle them but it never really materialised. We didn’t have conviction when we had the ball either, which allowed them to get control of the game.”
Further bad news: Ange has to given another press conference today.
Preamble
Good morning, football. Sore heads all round after a week of Carabao. How sore is Daniel Levy’s head. We await news of Ange Postecoglou, though surely he will be given Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Aston Villa. Lose that, and, well, let’s see.
It’s the FA Cup fourth round, and that means there’s football spread around the weekend, starting with Manchester United hosting Ruud van Nistelrooy and Leicester. Those who like their romance will be looking to Leyton Orient v Manchester City as Saturday’s early kick-off. Saturday-night special: Brighton v Chelsea. Plymouth v Liverpool on Sunday is followed by Frank Lampard’s Coventry taking on Ipswich. We go as far as Monday night: Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace.
Plus, the Women’s Champions League draw. That’s at midday UK time.
All that and plenty of news flying around. Join me for the morning load.
