The FA has set up a pilot program "to help former England players get into coaching to prevent them heading out of the game." Individuals are assessed and then the FA puts together a "learning" program. Former ManU midfielder Paul Scholes is "already on a pilot course," while the FA has spoken to ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and former Chelsea skipper Frank Lampard. FA Technical Dir Dan Ashworth said, "St. George's Park is very much open to ex-England players" (BBC, 12/20).
Socceroo and Melbourne City striker Tim Cahill has "added his voice to the cacophony calling for A-League expansion." Cahill said his experience from playing professionally in England, China and the U.S. showed him that "the 10-team league was too lean." Citing the need to develop more young talent, Cahill added, "There's not enough teams. The more teams, the more competition, the more players we have coming through and the more of a meat market we have for our young Australians" (AAP, 12/19).
Nigeria's women's team has ended its "sit-in protest at a hotel in Abuja after being paid money owed." The team was demanding $23,650 per player from the Nigeria Football Federation for winning the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Team members had been at the hotel since Dec. 6. Team media officer Remi Sulola said, "The players have all left the hotel in Abuja after they started receiving payments alerts" (BBC, 12/20).
