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      EFL ‘give green light’ to Abu Dhabi royal family’s Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s £60m Derby takeover

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      FOOTBALL LEAGUE bosses have reportedly given the thumbs-up for Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s takeover of Derby.
      The struggling Rams are lodged in 23rd in the Championship table and have been in flux since Mel Morris put the club up for sale.

      Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan is part of the Abu Dhabi royal family, which is thought to be worth £115bn

      Derby are struggling near the foot of the Championship tableCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Manager Phillip Cocu is widely expected to lose his job when a new owner comes in.
      And that could be a step closer after the EFL green lit Sheikh Khaled’s £60million purchase of the club, according to the Mail.
      It is said the matter was discussed during a board meeting on Thursday, with no objections raised.
      The finer details of the Abu Dhabi royal family member’s takeover are still to be agreed.

      But they will buoyed by the EFL’s happiness with the proposal despite claims of a conflict of interest.
      Sheikh Khaled, 61, is the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

      I don’t try to think too much because we have to focus on the team and the players who are available.
      Phillip Cocu

      The investor, who established the Bin Zayed Group in 1988, attended university in the United States and is not a first-time bidder for a major English football club.
      In 2018, he failed with a £2billion bid for Liverpool.

      And a £350million offer for Newcastle failed to come to anything in the summer of last year.
      Sheikh Zayed’s enterprises include construction, real estate and technology and the Abu Dhabi royal family is thought to be worth over £115billion.

      A late 1-0 defeat at home to QPR on Wednesday was Derby’s seventh defeat of the campaign and the new owner is expected to dispense with Cocu.
      The Dutchman has reportedly kept his job to avoid disrupting the takeover process.
      Cocu said last night: “I don’t try to think too much because we have to focus on the team and the players who are available, and that part of the club I leave to Mel Morris and [CEO] Stephen Pearce.”

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      AFC Wimbledon make emotional return to Plough Lane after 29 years away but Doncaster deny Dons fairytale win

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      WIMBLEDON were denied a dream return to Plough Lane after Doncaster proved to be party poopers.
      Joe Pigott looked to have won it for the Dons with just seven minutes remaining, but James Coppinger’s deflected shot in stoppage time spoiled their night.

      Wimbledon made an emotional return to Plough Lane after 29 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A late goal from Doncaster saw the game end 2-2Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But in fairness, nothing was really going to take the gloss of this evening for AFC Wimbledon as they played their first home game in 29 and a half years.
      It has been a long wait, as I can testify.
      On May 4th, 1991 I was on the terraces for their last game at Plough Lane and, after 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace thanks to an Ian Wright hat-trick, I was part of the crowd who ran on the pitch singing “we’ll never go to Selhurst!”
      In fact, fans did and the ground-share agreement was tolerated in the hope that Plough Lane would be redeveloped to meet the standards set out by the Taylor Report.

      Instead, former Wimbledon chairman, Sam Hammam, sold the club to two Norweigans and the ground was flogged to supermarket chain Safeway.
      It started the club’s demise and the subsequent franchise to Milton Keynes was rubber stamped by the FA in 2002. Their commission’s famous line that it would “not in the wider interests of football” to form a new club. How wrong they were.
      Those fans who followed the club formed their own team and the rise of AFC Wimbledon since their formation in 2002 is one of football’s greatest phoenix stories.
      A rapid rise through the non-League pyramid to reach League One was one thing, but for Dons’ fans there was always something missing.

      Wimbledon moved out of their beloved home in 1991Credit: Rex Features

      The Dons were forced to groundshare with Crystal Palace as part of their long waitCredit: Rex Features

      A return to the club’s spiritual home in Plough Lane that had always seemed so unlikely.
      But after negotiating plenty of red tape, and with those fans again stumping up £11million of the final bill, they are back in Plough Lane, just a stone’s throw from the site of the old pitch.
      Hemmed in by the blocks of flats that are being built around this 9,300 capacity stadium, much of the site is still a hardhat zone.
      It’s not yet ready for those fans, not that they would be allowed in at the moment due to the coronavirus rules.
      Perhaps never has a new ground deserved to be christened by its supporters more, given their dedication and that AFC Wimbledon remains a fans-owned club.
      But what is just another few months when you have been waiting nearly three decades?

      Joe Pigott thought he’d won the game for Wimbledon with an 83rd minute strikeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Cut-outs of fans adorned the seats with supporters not allowed inCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      For some Dons’ fans, though, they could not let this opportunity pass as they sat in the Corner Pin pub nearby.
      Others braved the cold by drinking outside while wearing their blue and yellow scarves at the By The Horns brewery next to the stadium.
      It was poignant that they were led out by captain Will Nightingale, who was not even born when the Dons last played at Plough Lane, but has been at AFC Wimbledon since he was nine years old, as they ushered in a new era.
      And they made a dream start as Pigott put them ahead on 18 minutes.
      After good work from Steve Seddon and Terrel Thomas, Josef Bursik could only parry Thomas’ cross and Pigott pounced for his fifth goal of the season.
      But their lead was short-lived as Wimbledon once again switched off after taking the lead.

      The Dons will be hoping for better fortune from here on outCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Boss Glyn Hodges was not happy with Wimbledon’s performanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      This time it lasted six minutes as Doncaster broke forward and Matthew Smith was able to fire past Connal Trueman.
      Jon Taylor was then denied by Seddon with an excellent last-ditch tackle as the visitors carved out the better chances.
      Dons keeper Trueman was kept the busier of the two stoppers and needed to be alert to save smartly from Ben Whiteman’s header.
      Trueman then was all full stretch to turn away Reece James’s effort while he was then relieved to catch Tom Anderson’s tame header.
      But Pigott restored the Dons’s lead on 83 minutes when he converted from Seddon’s cross that looked to have won it.
      But once again in stoppage time the Dons let the lead slip as Coppinger’s effort took a wicked deflection and looped into the net.
      Glyn Hodges, Dons boss, said: “It was our worst performance of the season. I tried to take the emotion out of it but it wasn’t to be but we will take a point and move on. 
      “It was not quite the level of play we have been having recently. Came out of the blocks bit ot worse as the game went on and nice to get a point when we probably didn’t deserve it.
      “Glad to get this game out of the way but I know we will have a homecoming once the fans are allowed to come here. There will be a bit of a party then.”
      Darren Moore, Doncaster boss, added: “We dominated the game in long spells and when you conceded a late like that you fear the worst, so credit to the players to keep going.”

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      Government and Premier League left EFL for dead but now Rick Parry has chance to show real leadership

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      THE darkest hour is just before the dawn.
      With winter nights, a national lockdown and the future of the oldest league in the world in doubt, the EFL are at crisis point.

      Rick Parry is leading the EFL through a vital period in its historyCredit: Reuters

      This has been created by the Government’s refusal to allow crowds back into stadiums and the unwillingness to provide any state aid to replace the loss of club’s biggest revenue stream — the fans.
      It was then compounded by the Premier League’s reluctance to bail out clubs down the pyramid without big conditions attached.
      We’ve had players refusing pay cuts and the PFA calling salary caps in League One and Two unenforceable and unlawful.
      Meanwhile, broadcasters are ridiculously getting rebates of TV monies, when TV is the only place live football can be seen.

      Despite these incredibly bleak times, the opportunity remains for real leadership.
      Rick Parry the Football League chairman, has the potential to pull the proverbial phoenix from the flame.
      Project Big Picture has actually started a long overdue conversation. When he was in the Premier League, Parry proposed a 20 per cent distribution of money.
      Now, through skill and chance, he’s managed to be offered 25 per cent of revenues being distributed into the EFL, alongside governance on sustainability and salvation.

      Irony pervades that poacher-turned-gamekeeper Parry, who brought in parachute payments for relegated Prem teams, now describes them as “an evil” needing to be eradicated.
      The EFL bailout has taken too long, been badly handled and mismanaged.
      Not securing decent levels of short-term funding is unforgivable.
      The EFL have never valued themselves properly.
      They have allowed the Prem to disappear over the horizon, while dripping down the toxic mix of inflated salaries and over-zealous ambitions to join their ranks.
      Granted it is difficult but the framework of the league is ridiculous and their outlook often warped.

      In 2002 when ITV Digital collapsed and nearly destroyed the EFL, what was the solution suggested for the league’s own incompetence of not getting parent company guarantees for money? March on Parliament!
      In 2008 when the banking system collapsed, rules stated the only banking facilities available to EFL clubs were the High Street ‘big four’ banks. Due to the “banking crisis” they were closed for business.
      I had to convince the then chairman that 72 clubs should focus on changing the rules to allow third-party funders to help.
      The EFL were recently offered £290million for 20 per cent of their media rights by private equity firm TPG.
      That meant the whole thing was valued at £1.5BILLION. The 20 per cent revenue, if put into a floated business, would be worth at least a billion on its own.
      Now Parry has the chance to fix the problem of these leagues being undervalued. On paper, he has the credentials.

      Raising £400m and creating a framework for a better-funded and managed EFL is well within grasp.

      He must be saying we can do that on our own and achieve maximum value for the EFL, without handing that all away to private equity firms.
      Valuations were before new distributions of football money was mooted.
      Now they are three times greater, so raising £400m to bail out short-term problems and creating a framework for a better-funded and managed EFL is well within his grasp.
      So, cometh the hour cometh the man. In Rick we trust?
      Listen to Simon Jordan and Jim White on talkSPORT at 10am Monday to Thursday.

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      Oldham fans stunned as club announce David Wheater has not been playing after injuring himself ‘lifting his DOG’

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      OLDHAM have announced David Wheater has been out of the side after injuring his back while lifting his DOG.
      The 33-year-old – who will become a free agent at the end of the season – is yet to feature for the League Two side this campaign.

      Oldham centre-back David Wheater is yet to make an appearance for the club this seasonCredit: Rex Features

      There has been some uncertainty over why he’s been omitted, with the club previously suggesting the ex-Bolton man was no longer part of the first team plans.
      It was rumoured there was a fall-out over a proposed pay-cut in the summer.
      But the club have now provided an extraordinary update on his fitness, issuing a lengthy statement explaining why Wheater has been out of the side.
      They said: “The club is aware that the player has publicly announced that he wishes to play for Oldham Athletic and in that respect the club needs to make it known the reasons why this has not been possible.

      “1. David was unable to train due to testing positive with Covid-19 in early September prior to the EFL season commencing and was therefore in isolation for a period of 10 days.
      “2. On returning after the illness, he was selected to play in a game during which he came into collision with a team-mate and sustained a concussive head injury requiring him to rest from training or playing for a minimum of two weeks followed by a graded return to training.
      “3. After the initial period of recovery the player reported a back injury which he stated he had sustained when ‘lifting his dog’.
      “He is still currently under treatment by the medical team for this injury.”

      Wheater was quick to message the club on Twitter that he will be available soon, as he said: “Sounds like I’m free to play then cos (sic) I’ll be fit in a few days.”
      Fans were left stunned that Wheater has been out of action after lifting his dog, as they flooded social media with a number of memes.

      sounds like im free to play then cos ill be fit in a few days
      — David Wheater (@BigWheatz31) November 3, 2020

      One fan commented: “David Wheater’s dog has blood on its paws.”
      Another tweeted: “Am I the only person who is curious as to what breed of dog he has? Need to know what to avoid when dog-hunting!”
      A third added: “This might be one of the greatest statements we’ve ever released. Brilliant stuff.
      “I mean it’s full of lies and utter bull****, not to mention you forgot about your own statement saying he was banished but fair play, I enjoyed this.”
      Meanwhile one stated: “How big is this dog lads?”
      One then messaged: “The dog must be massive #lies.”

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      FA halts all football below Women’s Super League and Championship divisions

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      MATCHES in the top two tiers of women’s football are set to continue from Thursday – the day in which a second nationwide lockdown commences. 
      However, the FA revealed all fixtures and training at non-elite levels of the women’s game will be halted for four weeks following the government’s new restrictions. 

      Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship games will continue during lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      This includes matches played from Tiers Three to Seven which cover national and regional women’s football leagues and their feeder divisions. 
      And games and training in WSL Academies, the FA’s regional talent centres and girls grassroots football will also be paused until at least December 2. 
      This is despite pleas for youth and kids training in the sport to be given the chance to continue during the second lockdown. 

      The FA says all ‘non elite’ games training in women’s football will be paused during the second nationwide lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Officials from football’s top body say they will be collaborating with the government to protect the wellbeing of Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship players and staff. 

      Today a Wembley spokesman said: “The Football Association is working with the UK government, clubs and key stakeholders to continue the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship seasons under the elite sport guidance and protocols. 
      “Our number one priority remains the safety and welfare of everyone involved in our game.
      “Whilst the Barclays FA WSL and FA Women’s Championship will continue, ‘non-elite’ football, which includes Tiers 3-7 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, the Regional NLS Feeder Leagues, the Barclays FA WSL Academy League, FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs, indoor and outdoor grassroots fixtures and all training, is to be paused during this period.

      “A special thanks to all women’s football fans for their ongoing support during these challenging times.” 

      At the weekend it was confirmed the men’s Premier League and EFL will carry on as normal during the lockdown. 
      The game shut down for three months when the initial lockdown period commenced in March.  when the initial lockdown period commenced in March.

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      FA suspends ALL football below National League level for four weeks amid second lockdown

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      THE FA has confirmed ALL football below National League level will be suspended for four weeks from Thursday.
      Despite pleas for youth and kids’ football to be allowed during the second lockdown, the Government has insisted the measures will apply to all levels of the game.

      Clubs below the National League will not be allowed to train or play matchesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Wembley chiefs have now formally told clubs throughout football that they have no option other than to shut down until at least December 2.
      The new restriction bans “all fixtures and training” for clubs below the National League.
      That means the 10 clubs from below the National League that are due to take part in the FA Cup First Round Proper this weekend cannot train after Wednesday.
      The rules apply to women’s football below Tier Two of the pyramid and also rule out “all fixtures and training for indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football”.

      A Wembley spokesman said: “The FA’s aim is to ensure that the 2020/21 season is completed at these levels.
      “We will liaise with the relevant leagues to provide support and establish appropriate options to do so if required.
      “Re-starting football at these levels has taken substantial determination and commitment from stakeholders across the game.
      “The FA would like to thank everyone for their vital contributions.

      “However, health and wellbeing remain the priority.
      “It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK Government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions during this period.
      “The FA remains in dialogue with the DCMS, leagues, competitions and county FAs and will provide further clarification for ‘non-elite’ football in England following the debate in the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday).”
      But the Premier League and EFL are set to carry on as normal during the lockdown.

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      Premier League chiefs tell cash-strapped lower league clubs ‘we’ll help you survive with or without EFL blessing’

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have told cash-strapped lower-league clubs: ‘We will help you survive – whether the EFL gives its blessing or not.’
      The top-flight insists the initial £50million bailout offer for League One and Two, which was rejected last month, remains on the table.

      Premier League chiefs have told lower league clubs they are ready to help with or without EFL supportCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lower-tier clubs have been told they can come to the PL for survival cash, even if the EFL does not give its approval.
      One Premier League source explained: “We would prefer to do this with the EFL’s blessing.
      “But we have made it clear that any club in League One or Two can come to us and ask for funding, as long as they can show they need it because of Covid.”
      And  in a new letter to the EFL, the top flight  promised Championship clubs who face Covid- enforced oblivion they can come to them for  help.

      Premier League bosses confirmed their initial offer to the lower tiers remains in place despite its rejection.
      It added: “We will also support any Championship club suffering from  Covid-19 distress, on a case-by-case basis.”
      The letter comes ahead of the next  EFL board meeting on Thursday — in which chairman Rick Parry will urge his 72 teams to hold the line over the cash issue.
      Parry, who says the EFL needs £250m by the end of the season, last week warned Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden he would “never be forgiven” if clubs went under as a result of the failure of Government to offer cash while grounds are shut.

      Parry also appeared to be backing away from a  conflict with the Premier League but admitted at the weekend that  EFL sides would be “struggling” to pay wages “around Christmas”.
      One club chief said:  “We have made it clear that any team that needs help because of Covid only has to come to us.
      “That applies to the Championship as well.”

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      Wimbledon return to Plough Lane after 29 years away – having ‘lost their spirit’ following Selhurst Park ground-share

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      IT HAS been 29 long years — but tonight Wimbledon come home.
      The Dons left Plough Lane in 1991 to groundshare with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, before being franchised to Milton Keynes in 2002.

      Wimbledon return to their home at Plough Lane for the first time in 29 years tonightCredit: Twitter @TimMcKenna5

      Since then, there has been the formation of AFC Wimbledon and their remarkable rise through the non-league ranks to reach League One.
      Off the pitch, a series of red-tape struggles have slowed the return to their spiritual home, with supporters raising funds to get the building work finally completed on a stadium with an initial capacity of 9,300.
      The old ground has long since been bulldozed to make way for flats, but Plough Lane stands just 500 yards from the original site, albeit in a different postcode.
      Dons legend Dickie Guy, who made almost 600 appearances for the club, hailed the achievement in getting back to their Plough Lane roots.

      He told SunSport: “It will mean everything to see the club back at Plough Lane.
      “To have our club taken away from us like we did back in 2002 by the outrageous decision from the FA.
      “To do what our supporters have done — by putting their hands in their pockets to get the stadium done — and what the team has done on the pitch throughout the years to get back to League One.
      “It is just an amazing story which I don’t think will ever be repeated.”

      The Dons welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Lane having left in 1991Credit: Rex Features

      Ex-keeper Guy played for Wimbledon between 1967 and 1978. He is widely remembered for saving Peter Lorimer’s penalty in 1975, as the non-league side held Leeds to a draw in the FA Cup at Elland Road.
      Guy is now president of AFC Wimbledon and claims the club lost their identity when they moved out of SW19.
      And he cannot hide his delight at their return for tonight’s clash with Doncaster Rovers.

      Plough Lane timeline

      1912: SEP 7, Wimbledon play their first match at Plough Lane — having secured a freehold on the land.

      1984: Ground  sold to chairman Sam Hammam for £3million. 
      1991: May 4, Wimbledon play their final game at Plough Lane, a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace — who they would ground share with the following season.
      1998: Hammam sells Plough Lane to supermarket  Safeway.
      2002: The same season as AFC Wimbledon’s formation, Safeway fail to get planning permission but  Lane stands are demolished.
      2005: Site is sold to developers to build 570 flats — which are completed in 2008.
      2013: Dons submit plans to  Merton Council to redevelop the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2015: Merton Council  agree to the proposal for a 20,000-seater ground on the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2016: March 22, major blow as London Mayor Boris Johnson calls in  scheme for a review.
      2016: July 27, Johnson’s replacement Sadiq Khan moves plans back to council to press ahead.
      2016: Sep 27, final approval is granted for the Dons to build their dream home.
      2017: Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is closed.
      2018: Work begins on building the new ground.

      He added: “Plough Lane was always a decent non-league ground.
      “But as the club moved closer to the Football League, it was small to the other clubs in the league.
      “It was our home and the club lost all its spirit once they moved to Selhurst Park.
      “I am absolutely over the moon we are back there.”

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