Newcastle must consider selling Howe favourite who’s worth more than Minteh

Despite the Saudi PIF’s takeover of Newcastle United back in 2021, the club can’t spend as much money as they would’ve hoped due to the Premier League’s PSR rules.

The current owners are one of the richest in world football, but despite the Magpies qualifying for the Champions League a couple of years ago, they are limited as to what they can spend on incomings.

It’s been the opposite with Eddie Howe’s side having to offload numerous talents just to avoid a points deduction during the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson are just two players who have had to be sacrificed to comply with the rules, but the club are still looking to part ways with multiple other first-team members to allow for more new additions at St James’ Park.

One player in particular could be sold during the transfer window, despite his impressive campaign last season in a year filled with various injury problems to various key squad members.

Newcastle trying to offload four first-team members

According to The Athletic, Newcastle tried to offload Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff before the PSR deadline on June 30th.

#1

Sean Longstaff

£21m

#2

Miguel Almiron

£17m

#3

Callum Wilson

£11m

#4

Kieran Trippier

£8m

The club will undoubtedly still want to part ways with the quartet, in an attempt to improve the playing squad and try to mount a push for a return to the Champions League places.

Longstaff must be the first to be sacrificed out of the four, with Howe already having more effective options in the middle of the park.

He was a key member of the Magpies squad last season, maintaining his fitness whilst others struggled, featuring in 35 matches, scoring six goals and assisting on two occasions.

However, if the club are to achieve their ambitions of fighting with Europe’s elite, they must be brutal with their departures and invest in players who are able to take them to the next level.

The club could demand a decent fee for Longstaff’s services, especially when considering his current market value as a result of his consistent run in Newcastle’s first-team.

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ByStephan Georgiou Apr 16, 2024 Sean Longstaff’s market value in 2024

The midfielder is a product of the Newcastle academy, with the club potentially able to make a decent profit on the 26-year-old in their battle to prevent a breach of FFP or PSR.

Sean Longstaff

His market value has soared as a result of his run under boss Howe, with Longstaff now valued at £21m as per Transfermarkt.

His subsequent value is higher than the recently departed duo of Minteh and Anderson, with the pair currently valued at £13.5m and £13m respectively by Transfermarkt despite both leaving the club for a combined £68m, fees that are evidently considerably above their actual realistic value.

The fact the Toon were able to secure a £30m fee for a player who didn't play a single competitive minute for them is remarkable. Perhaps Longstaff, therefore, could fetch an even prettier penny? After all, it's very rare that players represent their true value in 2024.

Whilst he’s been an excellent servant for the Magpies since breaking into the first-team, unfortunately, the club have overtaken his level, with Longstaff potentially becoming a victim of success.

Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff.

With Sandro Tonali set to return from his suspension and Joelinton back to full fitness, his game time on Tyneside will undoubtedly be limited next season, so the club need to brutally part ways to raise funds and allow him to gain valuable minutes elsewhere.

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Rodgers could land his next Tom Rogic in Celtic swoop for 10-goal star

Celtic brought manager Brendan Rodgers back to Parkhead for a second spell in the dugout last summer after Ange Postecoglou moved down south.

The Northern Irish head coach enjoyed a respectable return to life in Glasgow with a domestic double to show for his efforts in the 2023/24 campaign.

His team secured the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup, with a 1-0 win over Rangers in the final last month, but could now look for the treble, or even more, next season.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers watches on.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Rodgers could find his next Tom Rogic by signing a reported target from Scotland.

Celtic's interest in Premiership talent

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph recently claimed that the Hoops are one of a number of teams interested in snapping up Dundee ace Luke McCowan.

The reporter added that clubs from the MLS and the English Championship are also keeping tabs on him, which suggests that the Scottish giants would face competition for his signature.

He is in the last year of his contract with Dundee and they may have to cash in on him before the window slams shut to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

However, it remains to be seen how much the Premiership side would demand for the midfielder, or how much Celtic are prepared to offer for him.

If they do secure a deal for his services, though, then Rodgers could find his new version of Rogic for the Hoops during the 2024/25 campaign.

How Luke McCowan could be Tom Rogic 2.0

Like the Australian star, McCowan is a left-footed central midfielder who could come in and provide quality as a squad player with his ability to score and provide goals from the middle of the park.

Rogic did not play more than 22 league matches in a single season across his three-year tenure with Rodgers but did rack up 105 appearances in all competitions.

In those 105 matches, the left-footed magician chipped in with 24 goals and 20 assists and his best season in the Premiership under the Northern Irish boss was a return of seven goals and five assists in the 2016/17 campaign.

23/24 Premiership

Luke McCowan

Appearances

37

Goals

10

Assists

5

Big chances created

9

Key passes per game

1.6

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old maestro provided a fantastic attacking outlet for his team from a midfield position with 15 direct goal contributions, which could have been more if his teammates had made the most of the 'big chances' that he created, in 37 outings.

McCowan, who writer Kai Watson described as "tenacious", scored ten goals in all competitions for Dundee and seemingly has the quality to come in and provide a goal threat for the Hoops.

He could also be solid out of possession as the Scottish whiz made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premiership, to go along with his goals and assists.

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Therefore, Rodgers could land his next Rogic, as a rotation midfielder who can come in and offer quality in attack when needed, by signing McCowan.

Ceará tenta aumentar invencibilidade e entrar no G-6 da Liberta

MatériaMais Notícias

O Ceará vive um grande momento na temporada 2021. Após as turbulências com os vices no estadual e regional e a eliminação na Copa Sul-Americana, Guto Ferreira recolocou o time nos trilhos.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

A prova da fase positiva é a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro, onde a equipe aparece na 7ª colocação e com 10 jogos de invencibilidade.

Agora, a ordem no Vozão é pisar no acelerador e aproveitar o momento positivo para aumentar os números e entrar no G-6 da Libertadores.

Com 22 pontos, o Vozão retorna a campo no fim de semana e o adversário é o Atlético-GO, na Arena Castelão. Para entrar na zona da Liberta, o time de Guto precisa vencer e torcer por tropeço do Athletico.

Vale lembrar, que o Furacão entra em campo no sábado, quando mede forças contra o São Paulo, na Arena da Baixada.

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Leeds eyeing bargain 21 y/o defender as well as Joe Rodon this summer

Leeds United are ready to push to sign another exciting young talent this summer, it has emerged, but will face competition to land him.

Leeds lining up move for Rodon

No matter what happens in the final days of the Championship season, it seems likely that Leeds United will try and keep Joe Rodon on a permanent basis. The Welshman is currently on loan from Tottenham, but has enjoyed an excellent season at Elland Road under the stewardship of Daniel Farke.

Rodon has started 41 games in the Championship this season, helping his side have the second meanest defence in the division behind only champions Leicester City.

Rodon's impressive season

Starts

41

Goals and assists

0

Pass Accuracy

90.8%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

2.4

Blocks per 90

1.16

Fouls per 90

0.45

He is out of contract at parent club Tottenham in 2025, meaning that this summer is the last chance for the Lilywhites to recoup any of the £6m that they shelled out to bring him to north London from Swansea.

And they could be set to profit, with reports revealing that they will ask for a fee of around £10m to part ways with the 26-year-old. A move will be easier should Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League, as it is unlikely that Rodon's performances have gone unnoticed by clubs in the bottom half of the top flight.

However, the Elland Road outfit will be hoping that even if they are to miss out Rodon will still pick them over other interested parties as a result of his success under Farke this season. He isn't going to be the only addition in defence this summer though.

Leeds eye young talent

That comes as Liam Cooper is set to leave the club this summer, with his contract in Yorkshire coming to an end and no move to tie him down to a new one as things stand.

liam-cooper-leeds-united-academy-loan-joe-rodon-jeremiah-chilokoa-mullen-farke

It means that Leeds will need fresh blood in defence, and as per Sport Witness, they have identified PEC Zwolle’s Anselmo García MacNulty as the man to step into the void.

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The 21-year-old has strung together a series of strong performances for his current side, and despite only moving last year he could be on his way again this summer.

Leeds aren't alone in their admiration though, with now Premier League Leicester City also reported to be keeping tabs on him and Enzo Maresca's side potentially having the advantage given that they are in the top flight for certain next season, while Leeds still sweat on their fate.

MacNulty is under contract until 2026 with Zwolle, but could be a cheap addition, with the report claiming he'll fetch a fee of more than the 1 million euros Transfermarkt value him at. However, with just two years left on his deal, he is unlikely to break the bank, and could well be a player to keep an eye on this summer.

Crystal Palace could already have the perfect Olise replacement in teen gem

After a season of ups and downs, Crystal Palace fans finally have a team playing some genuinely exciting football to enjoy.

New boss Oliver Glasner has overseen three wins in the last four games, and in the 11 matches since his arrival, the Eagles have lost just three times.

The Austrian has rejuvenated several of his players, and the return of the exceptionally talented Michael Olise has only further improved the South Londoner's attack.

However, the one downside to having such a gifted player perform for your team is that they might eventually leave, and based on reports, the Frenchman is still attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in the country.

That said, if Palace eventually sell the winger for a considerable sum of money, they might already have the perfect replacement in their academy.

Michael Olise's Crystal Palace career

Palace completed the £8m signing of 19-year-old Olise from Reading on 8 July 2021, after a season in which the gifted forward scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 46 appearances for the then Championship side.

Michael Olise's Crystal Palace Career

Season

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

Appearances

31

40

16

Goals

4

2

7

Assists

8

11

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.38

0.32

0.68

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In his first season at Selhurst Park, the France U21 international looked right at home, scoring four goals and providing eight assists in just 31 appearances, meaning that he ended his first campaign averaging a goal involvement every 2.5 games.

The Hammersmith-born dynamo made 40 appearances the following season, scoring two goals and providing 11 assists. This year, he's had to deal with several injury setbacks but has still produced a remarkable return of seven goals and four assists in just 16 games for Palace, which works out to a goal involvement every 1.4 games.

Described as a "simply superb" footballer and someone who is a "joy to watch" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, it's impossible to deny that Olise has all the skill and ability necessary to reach the very top of the game and so, when he inevitably moves on from Selhurst Park, he could be very expensive to replace, unless Glasner and Co give unleash of the academy's most exciting prospects, that is.

Why Franco Umeh could be the perfect Olise replacement

The academy gem in question is Ireland U19 international Franco Umeh-Chibueze, who joined the Eagle's youth setup in February 2023 from Cork City.

Franco Umeh-Chibueze's Crystal Palace Record

Appearances

29

Goals

15

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.65

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Since then, the "exciting talent", as described by journalist Emmanuel Francis, has scored 15 goals and provided four assists in just 29 appearances across the club's various youth sides, meaning he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.5 games despite being just 19 years old.

The promising prospect quickly made his way from the U18s to the U21s and now occasionally trains with the first team. He has made the first team squad on multiple occasions, even getting a run out in the club's friendly with Bodø/Glimt in March.

Described as possessing "blistering pace" by academy manager Gary Issott, the left-footed gem has the most experience playing on the right wing but has proven himself to be adept at playing anywhere across the front three.

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It's certainly too early to think about Umeh being ready to replace the Frenchman this season. Still, if the 22-year-old were to leave Palace in two years or so, then based on the Irishman's trajectory, record at youth level and the way he is spoken about, he could well be the man to step into the fold, thus saving the club an awful lot of money.

Cricket South Africa to advertise for selection convener, national coaches

Graeme Smith says six weeks preparation needed if men’s tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies are to go ahead

Firdose Moonda31-Mar-2020Cricket South Africa will advertise the positions of convener of selectors, national women’s coach and support staff, men’s under-19 coach and support staff, South Africa A coach and chief medical officer imminently – with current contracts coming to an end on April 30. All the incumbents will be able to apply to continue in their positions.That means Linda Zondi, currently the independent selector but previously the selection convener, Hilton Moreeng and Salieg Nackerdien, women’s head and assistant coach respectively, Lawrence Mahatlane, the under-19 coach, and Shuaib Manjra, the current chief medical officer, could all be replaced. The South Africa A job has been vacant since Russell Domingo left to take up the role with Bangladesh and had been filled by Ashwell Prince, the Cobras coach, and Malibongwe Maketa, the former national assistant coach, in interim capacities this summer with permanent appointment to be made in the next few months.Similarly, acting director of cricket, Graeme Smith, is set to be confirmed in the role, whether or not he needs to take time off to commentate on the IPL. Smith was appointed in December on a short-term deal because of his prior commitment to the IPL and had indicated his desire to sign with CSA on his return. With the IPL start-date uncertain and no international cricket for South Africa until at least June, Smith is ready to continue in his current role and an announcement on his position is expected next week.Zondi and Mahatlane confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that they intend to apply for the convener and under-19 roles respectively while, at the time of writing, Moreeng had not responded to requests for comment. Zondi was South Africa’s convener of selectors from June 2015 until June 2019, when CSA sought to restructure under Thabang Moroe. When Moroe was suspended in December last year, Zondi was reappointed as an independent selector. His role in bringing through the bulk of the current squad and identifying talent such as Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram stand him in good stead for the position in future. Mahatlane, on the other hand, has had a tough time with the under-19 side, who exited at the group stage of the World Cup, hosted in South Africa this year.”It was always going to be the case that positions would be advertised in April when contracts came to an end,” Smith told the media during an online press engagement on Tuesday. “We’re busy drawing up the under-19 and women’s management and coach positions. It’s not stopping any of the people currently in those positions from putting their names into the hat, but those positions will all be advertised.”Smith confirmed that South Africa’s Test captain will be discussed following the appointment of the selection convener and that the women’s game will require increased emphasis with preparations for the 2021 World Cup front and centre of CSA’s agenda. “That is going to be a huge focus going forward especially with the World Cup coming up.”Mignon Du Preez and Dane van Niekerk lead their team in celebration after defeating England•AFP via Getty ImagesThe women’s team reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last month and narrowly missed out on a place in the final in a rain-reduced affair in the knockouts. They also got to the semi-finals of the 2017 ODI World Cup and have been mapping out a seven-year plan since professionalisation in 2014, which is aimed to culminate with success at the 2021 World Cup. Moreeng is a key part of that plan and given the timing of the tournament early next year, and the dearth of cricket expected between now and then, it is not unrealistic to imagine he will be retained, especially as the team qualified for the World Cup with a series to spare.The women’s team were due to host Australia this month but the matches were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. They are also scheduled to travel to West Indies and England over the South African winter, but whether those tours go ahead will depend on how soon international travel resumes. Similarly, the men’s team’s tours to Sri Lanka (a white-ball visit scheduled for June) and West Indies (July-August for two Tests and five T20Is) are also hanging in the balance with final calls to be taken in the next two to three months.Smith explained that CSA and the players would like at least six weeks to prepare for tours which means a decision on Sri Lanka will need to be made around the third week of April, and on West Indies by early June. “We need plus-minus six weeks to have our players fully ready for tours. Financially, with stuff like holding flights, around that six-week mark is the time away from the tour when decisions need to be made,” Smith said.Apart from logistics, the six-week period is also necessary to have players match fit, something which is impossible at the moment. South Africa is five days into a 21-day nationwide lockdown which prohibits, amongst other things, outdoor exercise. Players have been given individual training programs to follow at home and Smith emphasised that they need to take charge of their own conditioning. “A lot of it is going to be their own responsibility to maintain those levels through the lockdown,” he said.Meanwhile, South African cricket continues to prepare for a domestic season that will not start for at least another six months. As CSA table the fixtures for franchise and provincial matches, they also provided an assurance that the Mzansi Super League, the T20 tournament which has been played for the past two seasons, will go ahead, although it is not known whether it will be broadcast on the free-to-air provider SABC, as was the case previously, or if CSA have been able to secure a television deal.”We’re still in the final negotiations, but I can confirm that there will be MSL 2020. We’re working through the details and the final contracts. We cannot give too many details other than stating that a third edition of the MSL will take place,” Jacques Faul said.

Liverpool eye new manager known for unleashing youngsters – it’s not Slot

Another new name has entered the fray for Liverpool's managerial hunt following the news that Ruben Amorim will not be taking charge at Anfield.

Liverpool running through all the options

After Xabi Alonso committed himself to Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season, Premier League giants Liverpool were dealt another blow in recent days when it emerged that Ruben Amorim may not be the man set to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

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The German coach is leaving this summer, and has sparked plenty of speculation about who may replace him on Merseyside, with the likes of Gary O'Neil, Roberto De Zerbi and Amorim all having been linked, although rumours surrounding O'Neil were shut down rather quickly.

David Ornstein has now branded Amorim's arrival as "unlikely", leading to fresh links with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot on Tuesday afternoon, and it appears the Dutchman isn't the only left-field name interesting the Reds' hierarchy.

Another option emerges alongside Slot

As per Ligue 1 writer Robin Bairner, Liverpool have had contact with Lille boss Paulo Fonseca. He reports that the Portuguese coach "is admired" by several figures at Liverpool and "informal talks took place earlier in the season" about potentially succeeding Klopp in the Anfield technical area.

Fonseca's time at Lille

Games

85

Wins

43

Win %

50.6%

Points per game

1.81

Highest finish

4th (current)

He is also thought to be on West Ham's radar, while Tottenham were strongly linked with him before appointing Nuno Espirito Santo back in 2021, when he was at Roma. In fact, it was only the intervention of Fabio Paratici that stopped him becoming Tottenham's new head coach, and Fonseca has repeatedly spoken about his intention to coach in England in the future.

Certainly, the Lille boss shares Klopp's desire for all-action "heavy metal" football. Quizzed on his philosophy ahead of Conference League defeat to Aston Villa, Fonseca outlined his ideology.

Paulo-Fonseca-at-Roma

He has previously rejected "weak" players for his side due to his requirement for a specific style of play: “Our game is attraction. We want teams to press us so that we can find space. And so we take many risks. Especially when we build up because our first phase – with our different structures and how we accelerate and decelerate the game – is what allows us to dominate.

“This type of game is not for weak players. The players have to know they will make mistakes, but I always insist they try. They know they can fail, but only within the intentions of the team. If it goes wrong, then it’s my fault.”

He has also garnered a reputation for developing young talent, with the likes of Leny Yoro, Diogo Jota and Mykhailo Mudryk among the gems he has unearthed during his stints with various clubs.

That would certainly work in Liverpool's favour, with the Reds having showcased their talent pool already this season with Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and Conor Bradley all racking up senior minutes for the club. Could he be the perfect Jurgen Klopp replacement?

Scott McTominay: Fulham increase bid for Man Utd midfielder as Red Devils face having to sell Erik ten Hag favourite for below asking price

Fulham are keen on signing Manchester United's Scott McTominay and have submitted their second bid for the Scottish midfielder.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Fulham submit second bid for McTominay
  • Offer remains short of asking price
  • Galatasaray & Fenerbahce also interested
  • Getty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Last month, Fulham saw their preliminary bid for McTominay pushed back by Manchester United as they felt the offered transfer fee fell way below their expectations. As per The Guardian, Fulham have now submitted a new bid worth £20 million ($25.5m) as they look to add another signing, with Emile Smith-Rowe closing in on a move from Arsenal.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    As per the report, the value of the second bid is still some way off Manchester United's valuation of the 27-year-old. The Red Devils expect a bid between £25-£30 million ($32m-38.3) to be suitable for the midfielder who is also being targeted by Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce over a summer move.

  • Getty

    DID YOU KNOW?

    Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has voiced his willingness to keep McTominay with the club for another season, however, he understands that following the big money spent on transfers this summer the club will have to make sales to continue their overhaul of the squad. As a result, they might accept a bid beneath their asking price.

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  • WHAT NEXT FOR MCTOMINAY?

    The Scottish midfielder is currently participating in the Red Devils' United States tour and will likely take part in their last Stateside friendly against Liverpool on August 4 before the squad heads back to the UK.

طارق سليمان: لاعب الأهلي صحح مسار الفريق في السوبر.. وسيتألق أمام العين

أكد طارق سليمان، مدرب حراس مرمى الأهلي السابق، والمقاولون العرب الحالي، أن مواجهة المارد الأحمر لفريق العين الإماراتي اليوم بكأس الإنتركونتينينتال ستكون صعبة على كليهما.

وتقام المباراة على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، بين بطل إفريقيا، النادي الأهلي، وبطل آسيا، نادي العين، في تمام الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.

وقال طارق سليمان عبر برنامج “وان تو”، على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “شاهدت مباريات فريق العين في دوري أبطال آسيا، وهو فريق كبير ومنظم ويلعب كرة مفتوحة برتم سريع، وستكون مواجهة صعبة في بطولة كبيرة وهامة ستلعب وسط جماهير الأهلي”.

طالع أيضًا | محمد الشناوي: هدفنا الوصول إلى نهائي كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.. ويرد على سياسة التدوير في الأهلي

وتابع: “لكن فرص الأهلي أكبر لأنه يلعب وسط جماهيره وعلى ملعبه، الأهلي يمتلك لاعبين جيدين، وكانوا في حالة تركيز غير عادية أمام الزمالك في السوبر المصري، لأن في مباراة السوبر الإفريقي كانوا سيئين، ولم أر الأهلي بهذا السوء والاستهتار من قبل، ولكن ظهر عكس ذلك في المباراة الأخيرة”.

وأضاف: “مشاركة محمد الشناوي في مباراة السوبر المصري كانت مهمة بعد تعرضه للانتقاد عقب السوبر الإفريقي، وتصدى لركلة جزاء شيكابالا وتألق وأعاد الأهلي للمسار الصحيح ليفوز باللقب”.

واختتم: “أنا متأكد إن الشناوي سيتألق أمام العين اليوم وأمام الجماهير، وإن شاء الله الأهلي يتأهل للمواجهة القادمة”.

CSA will not hold independent investigation into 2018 MSL dispute

Cricket South Africa will not hold an independent investigation into the 2018 Mzansi Super League dispute, which resulted in players’ commercial rights fees not being paid for almost a year; neither will it have any independent investigation into its finances despite calls from the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) for an external inquiry*. In a statement issued on Thursday night, in response to SACA’s claims earlier in the day that CSA should seek outside intervention into the reasons why the payment was delayed, CSA said it considers the matter closed.The payment dispute had led to the suspension of three senior CSA staff members, including interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl. The three remain suspended for alleged dereliction of duty over the late payment. While SACA, through its outgoing CEO Tony Irish, expressed surprise over the suspensions and sought to clear the trio – the others being chief operating officer Naasei Appiah and commercial manager Clive Eksteen – CSA refused to even identify the names of the members of staff it suspended and rejected SACA’s suggestions.”Mr Irish has confirmed that the dispute over players’ rights for the 2018 Mzansi Super League (MSL) has been settled and that also an agreement is in place for the 2019 edition of the tournament as well. As the MSL issue has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties there is no need for the independent investigation that Mr Irish has suggested,” CSA’s statement read.In a statement issued on Thursday morning, SACA had said it was “very surprised” that the three had been suspended, as their own dealings with them had been “co-operative”. The player body called it “highly unlikely” that CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe would have been unaware of the payment obligations, and said that Moroe had signed the players’ commercial rights agreement in November last year. SACA had launched a formal dispute over unpaid commercial rights fees, alleging that CSA had breached an agreement to pay money for use of the players’ commercial rights, which includes their images, for the inaugural edition of the MSL.”We are very surprised that Naasei Appiah, Corrie van Zyl and Clive Eksteen have been suspended in relation to allegations surrounding CSA’s non-compliance with the 2018 MSL commercial agreement,” Irish, whose tenure with the organisation ends at the end of 2019, said. “SACA didn’t deal with Appiah on this issue and in its dealings with Van Zyl and Eksteen over many months they both expressed a strong desire to resolve the payment issue, but it eventually became clear that higher approval to do so was necessary.”We think it’s highly unlikely that CSA’s chief executive, Thabang Moroe, would not have been aware of this ongoing issue. He was undoubtedly aware of payment obligations as he had signed the agreement.”SACA confirmed that the money, understood to be an amount of Rand 2.4 million (US$ 159,200 approx.) had now been paid but said the protracted non-payment was part of a wider attempt by CSA to marginalise the player body.Corrie van Zyl addresses a press conference•Getty Images

SACA cited disputes dating back to 2018, when negotiations between CSA and SACA over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which governs the players’ employment contract, dragged on for so long that a new MoU was signed three months after the previous one expired. It also mentioned CSA’s failure to engage with SACA on matters relating to the proposed domestic restructure, over which SACA took CSA to court.In the statement, SACA released a detailed timeline explaining its side as far as the process to have the players’ commercial rights fees paid is concerned, including the correspondence it had with CSA staff. According to SACA, on October 14, 2019, it sent communication to CSA, including to Moroe, referencing the breach of the 2018 MSL commercial agreement, in which players’ fees was not paid. Two days later, SACA sent a follow-up email to Eksteen copied to Moroe, in which SACA issued a final warning to CSA to resolve the matter or face a formal notice of dispute. On October 17, SACA received a reply from Eksteen, indicating CSA’s intention to resolve the matter and SACA gave CSA a deadline of October 21. When that was not met, SACA launched a formal dispute on October 23. Six days after that, on October 29, the matter was settled.Since April this year, SACA has been barred from attending CSA sub-committee meetings, including of the finance and commercial committees, the chief executive’s committee, and the cricket committee, which SACA claims is in breach of CSA’s own terms of reference.SACA says it has sought to resolve its issues with CSA on numerous occasions, most recently on August 24 this year, when the parties met to discuss the domestic restructure and SACA’s concerns over CSA’s finances.”At the meeting, it was agreed firstly that CSA would conduct an external review of its longer-term financial position and secondly that SACA and CSA would put in place a roadmap and facilitation process to attempt to resolve the relationship issue and the domestic restructure issue by the end of October 2019,” the SACA statement read. “As was also agreed, and to ensure the process was committed to in writing, SACA sent a draft roadmap agreement to CSA on 26 August 2019.”Despite requests made by SACA to CSA for it to respond CSA failed to do so for seven weeks thus rendering the attempted roadmap and facilitation process unworkable and ineffectual. CSA has also failed to act on the agreement to conduct an external review of its finances.”*1830GMT The story was updated after CSA issued a statement

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