Man City is "unhappy" that its Premier League match against Tottenham was moved to Wembley and "put back a day." Many Man City fans "will have to make new travel arrangements for the match." To help, Man City will "lay on free coaches to and from the stadium" for every ticket holder. The club wants to talk with Tottenham and for the north London club to "contribute to this additional cost." Man City is also thought to be "concerned by the playing surface at Wembley" (LONDON TIMES, 9/4).
Premier League officials are facing their "most critical test" to prove to clubs that VAR is fit for purpose as they stage the first "multi-match" top-flight trial later this month. VAR testing will take place simultaneously at all of the 3pm kickoffs on Sept. 15. The games will be treated as normal VAR games, but the assistants in the VAR hub "will not have any communication with the on-field referee" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/4).
A League Championship side Swansea City fan who gave a Nazi salute to Tottenham supporters was branded a "racist oaf" by a judge. Leighton Johnson, 43, made the offensive gesture at Liberty Stadium in April '17 after Tottenham scored two late goals against Swansea. Johnson, who pleaded not guilty, was given a 12-month community order (BBC, 9/3).
The Asian Football Confederation Competitions Committee recommended that the AFC U23 Championship 2020 be hosted by the FA of Thailand. The tournament has added significance in '20 as it will provide qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (AFC).
