The Footy Mumble: Hazardous for ball boys, trouble for Serbia

Romance in the League Cup

This year’s League Cup final will have more than a twinge of romance attached to it, with Premier League side Swansea facing off against League Two side Bradford City.

Bradford City are the first fourth-tier side since Hull City in 1962 to make the Cup final. For Swansea, its their chance to win silverware for the first time in the history of the club. 100 years of history at that.

That’s true for Bradford too, as they last won a trophy – the F.A Cup – in 1911.

Bradford beat Aston Villa 4-3 on aggregate, their 3rd win over Premier League sides in the tournament this season, while Swansea beat Chelsea 2-0 in the semi-finals.

UEFA proposes tougher Serbia sanctions

The UEFA has proposed harsher punishment for Serbia regarding the disgraceful incidents witnessed after the U-21 play-off clash with England.

Serbia were initially fined €80,000 and ordered to play one game behind closed doors after several instances of racism during the match, and also physical clashes with the England officials and players after the match.

After harsh criticism, UEFA has finally decided to impose stricter punishments, with Jean-Samuel Leuba, UEFA disciplinary inspector, asking for stiffer penalty.

The rumored penalties are: 1. The Serbia Under-21 side to be banned from the next cycle of competition.

2. The FSS fine to be increased to €200,000.

3. To ban fitness coach Andreja Milunovic from all football-related activities for a fixed term of five years, with a request for FIFA to extend the ban to cover worldwide competitions.

Daily Transfer Updates

In today’s transfer news, Zaha seems all set to move to Manchester United, with widespread reports claiming a deal had been agreed. BBC have reported that the winger is set for medical at United in the next 48 hours, with £15 million deal already agreed.

He will be loaned back to Crystal Palace until the summer.

Meanwhile, Juventus have successfully signed a pre-contract with Fernando Llorente, whose contract runs out in June.

The Athletic Bilbao forward had refused a new contract, and had been linked to the Italians since last summer. The move has finally materialised it would seem.

Hazard’s moment of madness

In an unbelievable moment of madness, Eden Hazard disgraced himself by kicking out at a ball boy who had fallen over after refusing to hand the ball quickly to the midfielder.

This you know, of course.

Did the ball boy deserve it after refusing to be quick about his job? And after having tweeted beforehand that he would so during the game? Probably.

But Hazard should know better. Its not like he did not have a choice. Any use of his hands to take the ball from the kid would have been excused. But kicking him? It’s one thing to place a precise kick on goal and totally another to aim one at a ball lying under someone.

Video of the Day

Well after the Hazard incident, would anything else come close to being our Video of the Day? Check out the incident here: