Shaqiri cleared for Switzerland's Nations League clash with Spain
Xherdan Shaqiri has been given the green light to feature for Switzerland in Saturday's Nations League clash against Spain in Madrid after another negative test for coronavirus.
The Liverpool winger was originally set to miss the double header against Spain and Germany after testing positive for COVID-19, which meant he sat out the 2-1 friendly defeat to Croatia on Wednesday.
However, when a later test came back negative Shaqiri was granted permission to travel to Spain, although his availability for the clash remained unclear.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed on Friday that Shaqiri has now been cleared to play.
A statement read: "The Spanish health authority gave the green light late on Friday evening for Xherdan Shaqiri to play in the UEFA Nations League game on Saturday 10 October 2020 between Spain and Switzerland in Madrid.
"The decisive factor was the national player's additional negative COVID-19 test, which has been available since tonight [Friday].
"In addition to Shaqiri, all players and staff members of the Swiss national team were also tested negative in Madrid."
Koeman admits Barca's financial position restricted further signings
Ronald Koeman concedes Barcelona's financial situation restricted his movement in the transfer market as deadline day passed without any further incomings at Los Cules.
The likes of Arthur, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez departed Camp Nou during the window, while Barca brought in Miralem Pjanic and Sergino Dest, and youngsters Trincao, Pedri and Matheus Fernandes also signed on.
Lyon forward Memphis Depay was among those linked with a late switch to Barca, the Netherlands international thought to have been keen on a reunion with Koeman.
However, with Barca having announced €97million in losses and a decrease of €203m in revenue – factors blamed on the coronavirus pandemic – no further reinforcements were brought in.
"The squad is okay, I'm happy with the squad I have," Koeman told Barca TV.
"We have tried to improve the squad and in some positions we could, in some others we couldn't. That was because of the financial situation of the club, so we have to accept it and keep working."
Ansu Fati's early-season performances have been a major plus, with the 17-year-old scoring three goals in as many LaLiga games.
The exciting forward has also made the breakthrough into Spain's full national team and Koeman knows he has a special talent on his hands.
"So far, his performance has been the best possible. We are talking about a 17-year-old player," he added.
"At that age to play three games in a row at such a high level means he is very good, a great talent.
"Of course he still has a lot to learn, but he is a boy eager to keep learning, he trains every day to improve, so we are here to help him out.
"Now he is with the national team. Right now, there is nobody in the world who is 17 years old to play in such a high-level national team as Spain are."
Marcus Rashford vowed to continue the fight against child hunger in the United Kingdom after the Manchester United forward was awarded an MBE.
The England international has been named on the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rashford successfully lobbied the government to continue its policy of providing free school meals for underprivileged children into the summer months, ensuring vouchers would stay available.
The 22-year-old also partnered with FareShare and helped to raise £20million to help provide free meals to those in need amid the pandemic, while he has since worked with supermarkets and food brands to create a taskforce with the aim of tackling child food poverty.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Rashford spoke of his pride but called on prime minister Boris Johnson to extend the free meals scheme.
"I'm incredibly honoured and humbled. As a young, black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22," Rashford wrote.
"This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.
"The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over. I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn't use this opportunity to respectfully urge the prime minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.
"Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about.
"Let's stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry. As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is NEVER the child's fault."
Lyon forward Memphis Depay was among those linked with a late switch to Barca, the Netherlands international thought to have been keen on a reunion with Koeman.
However, with Barca having announced €97million in losses and a decrease of €203m in revenue – factors blamed on the coronavirus pandemic – no further reinforcements were brought in.
"The squad is okay, I'm happy with the squad I have," Koeman told Barca TV.
"We have tried to improve the squad and in some positions we could, in some others we couldn't. That was because of the financial situation of the club, so we have to accept it and keep working."
Ansu Fati's early-season performances have been a major plus, with the 17-year-old scoring three goals in as many LaLiga games.
The exciting forward has also made the breakthrough into Spain's full national team and Koeman knows he has a special talent on his hands.
"So far, his performance has been the best possible. We are talking about a 17-year-old player," he added.
"At that age to play three games in a row at such a high level means he is very good, a great talent.
"Of course he still has a lot to learn, but he is a boy eager to keep learning, he trains every day to improve, so we are here to help him out.
"Now he is with the national team. Right now, there is nobody in the world who is 17 years old to play in such a high-level national team as Spain are."
Rashford vows to continue fight against child hunger after being awarded MBE
Marcus Rashford vowed to continue the fight against child hunger in the United Kingdom after the Manchester United forward was awarded an MBE.
The England international has been named on the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rashford successfully lobbied the government to continue its policy of providing free school meals for underprivileged children into the summer months, ensuring vouchers would stay available.
The 22-year-old also partnered with FareShare and helped to raise £20million to help provide free meals to those in need amid the pandemic, while he has since worked with supermarkets and food brands to create a taskforce with the aim of tackling child food poverty.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Rashford spoke of his pride but called on prime minister Boris Johnson to extend the free meals scheme.
"I'm incredibly honoured and humbled. As a young, black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22," Rashford wrote.
"This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.
"The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over. I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn't use this opportunity to respectfully urge the prime minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.
"Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about.
"Let's stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry. As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is NEVER the child's fault."
0 Comments
Please leave a comment to encourage our publishers.