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Wednesday Kickoff: Cantona not running, Newcastle deny Carroll bid and more

Cantona getty

Oh, what could have been.

Despite initial reports claiming that Eric Cantona would be seeking the French presidency, the Manchester United legend has dropped out of the race. The initial announcement was instead a carefully orchestrated ploy to raise awareness about public housing for France's lower class.

Patrick Doutreligne, director of Fondation Abbe Piere, admitted the "campaign" was a publicity stunt aimed at garnering attention for the issue. Cantona, 45, has been a vocal advocate for several political issues in his native France and he has not commented since dropping his candidacy.

NEWCASTLE DENY CARROLL INTEREST

Newcastle have denied reports that the club are interested in reacquiring Liverpool striker Andy Carroll after selling him just 12 months ago. The 23-year-old English International has struggled following his 35 million pound transfer last January and his future at Anfield has been put into question. The reports alleged Liverpool denied a 10 million pound offer from Newcastle.

Newcastle will be without star striker Demba Ba, who is off to the African Cup of Nations, and are looking for another attacking option. However, that option is more likely to come in the form of PSG forward Mevlut Erding.

AJAX/AZ CUP REPLAY TO BE PLAYED IN FRONT OF CHILDREN ONLY

The now infamous cup tie between Ajax and Alkmaar will be replayed in front of a much different audience than the players are undoubtedly used to. The tickets for the replay will be free but only children under the age of 14 will be allowed into the ground with one adult supervisor for every six children. The initial match was abandoned on Dec. 21 after the Alkmaar goalkeeper was attacked by a pitch invader.

FIFA PROMISE TO PROTECT MATCH-FIXING WITNESSES

FIFA have stepped up their efforts to protect witnesses who come forward and report match-fixing by organized crime syndicates. Suspicion of match-fixing has been reported in nearly 60 countries and FIFA says they have "anecdotal evidence" that whistle blowers have been murdered for coming forward.

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What do you think of today's stories? Disapointed Cantona won't be the French president? Should Liverpool sell Carroll? Is FIFA doing enough to protect witnesses?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “A man has the right to change his name to vatever he vants to change it to. And if a man vants to be called Muhammad Ali, godammit this is a free country, you should respect his vishes, and call the man Muhammad Ali!”

    “His mamma call him Clay, imma call him Clay.”

    Reply
  2. “AJAX/AZ CUP REPLAY TO BE PLAYED IN FRONT OF CHILDREN ONLY”???

    OMG! Haven’t these fools read “The Lord of the Flies”? It’ll be a bloodbath.

    Reply
  3. Leaving aside the greater good of the respective countries, a summit between Eric Cantona and Rick Perry would have provided a lot of entertainment.

    Reply

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