The Professional Footballers' Association will "help fund" the initiative that will lead to the FA appointing up to 28 black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches to work with all England teams next season. The joint FA and PFA scheme could be finalized as soon as next week. FA CEO Martin Glenn will meet PFA CEO Gordon Taylor at Wembley before England's friendly int'l against Italy next Tuesday (LONDON TIMES, 3/21).
FA Head of Referees Neale Barry said that sin-bins will "almost certainly" be introduced in English football in the future. Local park leagues in Nottinghamshire are "already experimenting with sin-bins, whereby players take 10 minutes out of the game if they receive a yellow card." Barry is "positive about its use so far," though it may be "more suited to grassroots football" rather than the professional game (SKY SPORTS, 3/21).
England national football team Manager Gareth Southgate's attempts to hone his team into a World Cup-winning squad have "extended to a ban on food" being served at the Starbucks cafe inside the team hotel at the National Football Centre at St. George's Park. Sandwiches and muffins have been taken off the menu, with "only coffee, tea and bottled water available to customers -- playing staff or otherwise" (ESPN.com, 3/21).
Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and LigaMX side Chivas reportedly entered a "knowledge-sharing partnership." It is understood the clubs will collaborate on "financial, sports and administration strategies, as well as player signings and marketing" (SOCCEREX, 3/21).
