LA LIGA LEFT PINK-FACED AFTER BALL FIASCO
As we head into the autumn and winter, it is the time of the season when league organisers introduce new match balls of a different colour. That colour is usually yellow due to the contrast with green, but in Spain the LFP decided pink was more their colour. The Pink Alert ball was used for the first time this weekend, but there was a problem - nobody could see it. From the fans in the stadiums, to those watching at home, to the players themselves, most complained of the ball's poor visibility. After just one fixture, it has now been shelved, and will only be used again 'in conditions where extreme weather justifies its use.'
A SPECIAL(S) KIT
Coventry City have unveiled their third kit for the 2019-20 season, which pays tribute to the 40-year anniversary of Two-Tone, a musical movement born in the area during the 1970s. At a time when racial tension was high in the UK, Jerry Dammers of The Specials founded the 2 Tone record label; the name comes from the fusing of traditional Jamaican ska music with conventional rock and roll. The shirt will be emblazoned with the 'Kick It Out' anti-racism slogan, with that organisation receiving a percentage of the proceeds from every sale.
This is exceptional: @Coventry_City’s new third kit is inspired by @thespecials and two-tone pic.twitter.com/0WBE6kModN
— Laurie Hanna (@LaurieHanna) October 11, 2019
CANNAVARO SENT BACK TO SCHOOL
Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro is facing the sack with Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande after club dignitaries ordered him to attend an 'enterprise culture studies class' after a dip in form for the side - even though they currently sit top of the Chinese Super League. The decision comes after three games without a win for Guangzhou which has left them just one point ahead of Shanghai SIPG, whom they play in their next match on the 22nd of November. It remains to be seen whether Cannavaro will accept the order to attend the classes, or whether he'll be getting a first-class ticket back to Italy.
Cannavaro has been called to 'attend corporate culture study sessions' after being kicked out of Champions League and league lead cut to a point. Zheng Zhi will act as player-coach during his studies. pic.twitter.com/e4yjd5xml6
— Wild East Football (@wildeastfootbal) October 27, 2019
STILL GOT THE NAK AT 41
During his time with Celtic, Japanese winger Shunsuke Nakamura was known to be one of the best dead-ball specialists in Europe (just ask Manchester United) and a scorer of long-range strikes too (just ask Rangers). He still playing professionally at the age of 41 for Yokohama FC and as you can see from the clip below, he continues to mature like a fine wine, smashing a strike into the corner from 25 yards in a match versus Tokyo Verdy on Sunday.
Shunsuke Nakamura just scored his first goal of the new season. He’s 41... pic.twitter.com/IwdWrjkU7p
— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) October 27, 2019
WHAT IS GOING ON IN 2. BUNDESLIGA?!
This weekend we were treated to two hugely bizarre moments in the second tier of German football. In a fixture between Bochum and Holstein Kiel, one of the Kiel substitutes, Michael Eberwein, managed to concede a penalty whilst not even being on the pitch, or even playing! After an errant shot the sub touched the ball before it went over the line, with referee Timo Gerach stunning everyone by pointing to the spot.
Well... NOW we've seen it all.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 28, 2019
A penalty kick was given in the 2. Bundesliga this weekend because a substitute touched the ball before going out of play.
Bochum scored the penalty. pic.twitter.com/lEKue6MAGl
Then, in a match between Karlsruher SC and Hannover 96 goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler accidentally punched Daniel Godon in the groin after conceding a last-minute penalty to make it 3-3.
Sensational stuff in the Bundesliga II today pic.twitter.com/xjFTzq2oP1
— Planet Football (@planetfutebol) October 26, 2019
HAJDUK BENEFIT FROM 'GHOST GOAL'
The first rule of scoring goals for all footballers is to make sure the ball has actually crossed the line. Slaven Belupo didn't get the memo, as in their match against Hajduk Split the players started celebrating even though the ball had bounced back into play after hitting the post. Hajduk took advantage, and scored with the Slaven goalkeeper running around on the halfway line.
How did it not go in? What is the keeper doing? This might be the craziest passage of play we've ever seen pic.twitter.com/jAtWHdNJij
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 28, 2019
