Ligue 1 side
Nantes is entering the
esports world with its launch of
FC Nantes eSport. The club recruited Nantes native and ’11 FIFA world champion
Adrien Viaud as its first esports player. For e-Ligue 1, launched by the French Professional Football League (LFP), and other FIFA competitions, the club will recruit two more players and employ a coach. Through FC Nantes eSport, the club will create online and in-person activations for supporters as well as host esports tournaments at the Beaujoire stadium (
Nantes).
Liverpool will play two matches in under 46 hours over the New Year period after its "request for a late kickoff at Sunderland was rejected by the Premier League." The club had asked to delay its scheduled 3pm kickoff at the Stadium of Light on Jan. 2 after Man City’s visit to Anfield on New Year’s Eve was switched to 5:30pm. Liverpool’s request was "more in hope than expectation" and it has been informed the game against Sunderland will take place at 3pm as planned (London GUARDIAN, 11/16).
League Two sides Luton and Portsmouth have both been fined £15,000 ($18,660) for failing to field "full-strength" sides in the English Football League Trophy, "with 12 clubs in total being punished." Bradford, Blackpool, Bristol Rovers, MK Dons, Millwall, Charlton, Peterborough, Sheffield United and Southend have been fined £3,000 ($3,733) and Fleetwood £5,000 ($6,220). The clubs "have the right to appeal" (BBC, 11/16).
