By RYAN TOLMICH
Miguel Layun’s role in leading Club America to Mexican soccer history may net the fullback a move back to Europe.
Club America sporting president Ricardo Pelaez admitted that the club has received offers from European sides attempting to acquire Layun, who captained America to the club’s record 12th title earlier this week.
“Offers have come in, but the right one hasn’t arrived,” Romano said. “We’re close, but not there.”
Layun previously spent time with Serie A’s Atalanta, where he made just two appearances before making his move to America.
Here are some more news and notes to kickoff your Friday morning:
BALOTELLI APOLOGIZES, WILL NOT APPEAL SUSPENSION
What was thought to be a little bit of fun has once again landed Mario Balotelli in hot water.
The Liverpool forward has earned a one game suspension and a $40,000 from the FA for a social media post of a racist nature. Balotelli will not appeal the suspension and will miss out on this weekend’s clash with Arsenal.
“I am sorry that my teammates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalized for something I did and now come to regret,” Balotelli said.”It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again.”
ABIDAL ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT; COULD MOVE INTO COACHING
Two-and-a-half years after making his return to the game, Eric Abidal has decided to call it quits.
The French defender announced his retirement Friday, putting a close to a career that saw Abidal play for Barcelona, Lyon, Monaco, and, most recently, Olympiakos.
“Today I announce my decision to end my career here at Olympiakos,” Abidal said. “The reasons are personal. Every top-level player understands that there comes a time and my time has come.
“Now what I want to do is rest and enjoy spending time with my family and then I will take some decisions as far as my future is concerned.”
Abidal, who underwent successful liver surgery after being diagnosed with a tumor in 2011, has not ruled out a move to coaching with either Olympiakos or Barcelona.
QUICK KICKS
Pep Guardiola insists that Bayern Munich will not make any January additions in an effort to maintain team chemistry. (REPORT)
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez is expected to miss another six weeks with a knee injury. (REPORT)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez is in for a “shock” with the upcoming slate of holiday-season games. (REPORT)
Rangers have appointed Derek Llambias as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer. (REPORT)
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What do you expect from Layun’s future? What do you make of Balotelli’s latest controversy? How do you feel about Abidal’s retirement?
Share your thoughts below.
Paul6: There is nothing wrong with “grabs money like a jew”?
I doubt he meant it and just did something stupid. But I strongly disagree that there was nothing wrong with it. In terms of racism related suspensions from their FA, this was light, so I’d argue they thought it was more stupid than evil
The Balo suspension is terrible. There was nothing wrong with his post.
Yes from an American point of view I agree with you.
But other cultures have their own histories with this kind of thing and they also have the right to address it in accordance to their laws and views. So from that point of view I disagree with you.
It’s not okay from an American point of view, either. If you went up to your Jewish neighbor (hypothetically) and made that comment, he would probably never talk to you again and might fight you on the spot. That type of slur has a long, long history and has been used to denigrate a culture for centuries. The suspension was warranted and I hope his contrition is genuine.
Balotelli is Jewish. No joke.
Isn’t this the guy that scored 4 goals in one game as a defender?
Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaqIGvSmwfE