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Mid-Day Ticker: Nasri breaks hand, PFA considers minority candidate rule & more

Nasri (Getty Images)

The positive momentum surrounding Manchester City's hot start to the Premier League season took a bit of a hit with the word that midfielder Samir Nasri sufferred a broken bone in his hand while on international duty with France.

Nasri came on as a late substitute in France's 0-0 draw with Romania, and it's unclear how severe the injury is and if it will force him to miss an extended period of time.

Since joining City from Arsenal, Nasri has made an immediate impact in the midfield that includes a three-assist performance in a 5-1 victory over Tottenham.

Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:

PFA CONSIDERING MINORITY COACHING CANDIDATE RULE

With the lack of black coaches in the England's top four tiers of soccer, the Professional Footballers' Association is considering implementing a rule that would make teams include a minority candidate in their interviewing process.

Much like the Rooney Rule in the NFL, the rule would encourage the consideration of black coaches for vacant positions. There are only two black coaches among the 92 teams in the top four tiers in England (Birmingham's Chris Hughton, Charlton's Chris Powell).

"All we are asking for is an interview," PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told British media. "But the more times people attend interviews, the greater the likelihood of them eventually getting a job. This has to be a good thing because it broadens the panel of potential managers and coaches clubs are selecting from and opens up the possibility of greater experience. That should be what every club is looking for anyway."

WALCOTT FIT FOR SWANSEA MATCH

With Thomas Vermaelen and Jack Wilshere out for an extended time for Arsenal, the Gunners have to be a bit relieved that Theo Walcott's hamstring injury was only minor and that he is expected to be fit for this weekend's match against Swansea City.

Walcott picked up the injury in England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria and was forced to miss Tuesday's qualifier against Wales.

HLEB OUT FOR WOLFSBURG

Alexander Hleb is on the shelf for Wolfburg until October while he completes his recovery from summer knee surgery.

On loan from Barcelona, Hleb, the former Arsenal product has yet to reach the potential expected of him. Last year he played for Birmingham City after a stint with Stuttgart in Germany.

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Do you think City will be fine without Nasri if he has to miss time? What do you think of England implementing the NFL's Rooney Rule? Expect Walcott to play a bigger role in the new-look Arsenal attack? Do you see Hleb rounding to form with Wolfsburg when he returns?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think the issue is that the percentage of players of color is much higher than the percentage of people of color in the general population. Closer to 50% I believe.

    Reply
  2. So, are 95% of top-flight players white? Aren’t coaches often drawn from retired players? Do you think soccer coaches should be representative of participants in the sport? Or should they be representative of each league’s nation?

    Reply
  3. Yeah, but the coaching population is 98% white. 7% (overall non-white population) is a small percentage but 2% (non-white coaches) is even smaller.

    Reply
  4. I am sick and tired of this race crap.

    I don’t know if anyone noticed, but the overall population of England is anywhere from 90-95% white. It makes sense that 90% of the coaches would be white as well.

    Reply
  5. Stu played 65 minutes and won 6-5 from his twitter:
    “Another 65 minutes 2nite in torrential rain ! Getting there step by step, thx 4 all the USA flags there tonight! Knee felt good again !”

    Reply
  6. Rumor has it, Mancini has broken not only his hand but all of his fingers when attempting to count the number of midfielders he has; on the pitch, on the bench, in street clothes & on loan.

    In related news: City is loaded, next topic.

    Reply
  7. I was really surprised at the effect that the Rooney rule had in the NFL, not just on coaching hires, but the ability for non-white players to become quarterbacks as well.

    I’m intrigued and we’ll see what effect this has on the makeup of European teams, if this rule is introduced.

    Reply
  8. The PFL rule is way overdue in England and actually in Europe. If you look at a photo shot from a recent UEFA Managers gathering there isn’t a single person of color in it (By color I’m referring to non-white). The old boys network is alive & kicking in European Football BIG-TIME. Currently, the only manager of color I know of is at my beloved PSG – Antoine Kombouaré. He’s Kanak (South Pacific – New Caledonia). He’s a former PSG player. I do know that the club had a few former color coaches, one of whom managed the club for a few matches in the 90’s. It just makes no sense to me that with all the great players in Europe that more coaches of color are not managing European clubs. The only other person of color whom managed recently quit as Bordeaux’s manager, Jean Tigana. Prior to Bordeuax, he led a certain team from London to promotion into the Premier League for the 1st time in their history, the name – Fulham.

    Ironically, after seeing the photo from the European Manager’s mtg, it dawned on me that not a single person of color was in it and how that made no sense at all.

    Reply

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