By DAN KARELL
In a few months time, Yaya Toure could be pulling on the uniform of something other than the sky blue of Manchester City.
According to reports out of England, Toure is unhappy with his contract situation, and his agent has stated publicly that if the Ivorian international isn’t presented with a new and improved contract by Sunday, he could leave. Toure currently has two years remaining on his present contract.
Since moving to the blue side of Manchester in 2010, the 29-year-old has won the Premier League, FA Cup, and FA Community Shield. This season, Toure has scored five goals and tallied three assists in 24 Premier League matches.
Here are some more stories to get your Wednesday started:
ABIDAL MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE FOR BARCA SINCE SURGERY
French left back Eric Abidal has continued his remarkable recovery from liver transplant surgery, playing for the Barcelona reserves side in a friendly match against Ligue 2 side Istres on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old defender, who also overcame surgery to remove a tumor in 2011, played 65 minutes in the match, and is aiming for a comeback before the end of the season. Abidal has played over 60 matches for the French National Team, playing in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, as well as the 2008 European Championships.
Abidal last played for Barcelona on February 26, 2012, starting in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
CASILLAS BACK TO FULL TRAINING
Speaking of goalkeepers, Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas has resumed full training with the club this week, having the opportunity to train with the full complement of other goalkeepers in the squad.
Casillas has been out of the first team squad since breaking his left hand on January 24, in a match against Valencia in the Copa Del Rey. Needing a veteran goalkeeper, the Madrid club decided to buy Diego Lopez before the end of the window to take over the starters role, presumably until Casillas recovered.
Casillas could now return to action on March 30, when Real Madrid take on Zaragoza in La Liga, or on April 3, when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League.
FERGUSON’S ACTIONS COULD EARN A UEFA BAN
Following the controversial red card to Manchester United winger Nani in the side’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s sideline antics against the referee, and refusal to speak to the media after the match, could lead to a touchline ban.
Both the red card, and Ferguson’s actions, will be heard on Thursday by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body. The action taken by the esteemed body can range from a warning, to a fine, to a ban.
The Manchester club is hoping that due to Ferguson’s good record of attendance at post-match press conferences, his punishment will not be severe.
NEWCASTLE BLAST FA FOR DECISION ON MCMANAMAN
Newcastle have sent a strongly worded response back to the FA, after the governing body’s decision to not punish Wigan forward Callum McManaman retrospectively, following a studs-up challenge that has effectively ended Newcastle defender Massadio Haidara’s season.
The collision, which did not result in any kind of card for the offender, was seen by at least one of the four officials on the pitch, forcing the FA to cede that they had no authority to punish McManaman. Further angering the Newcastle club was when Wigan chairman Derek Llambias called it a “fair” challenge.
Haidara signed for Newcastle during the January transfer window, and had gone on to play five times for the club in all competitions.
QUICK KICKS
David Beckham tops the list of best paid soccer players in the world, with French magazine France Football calculating that he will make nearly €36 million this year. (REPORT)
Facing the pressure of finishing by next summer, FIFA has backed Brazil to complete construction on all of their stadiums by the start of the tournament. (REPORT)
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is supporting the idea of Raheem Sterling playing at the U-21 Championships in Israel this summer, as long as the 18-year-old gets picked for the squad. (REPORT)
Fulham triggered an option in Martin Jol’s contract that will keep the Dutchman at Craven Cottage for one more season. (REPORT)
Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is out for the rest of the season, after breaking his hand while shooting an advertisement with the Germany U-21’s. (REPORT)
—————
What do you think of these reports? Do you see Toure staying in Manchester? Do you see Ferguson getting a ban? Think that the FA needs to change their rules about retrospective punishments?
Share your thoughts below.