Wednesday Fulham Stuff (18/05/16)...

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Pesch: Fun Times

Ahead of his appearance in the Fulham versus Sheffield United All Stars charity match at Bramall Lane, former Whites favourite Paul Peschisolido popped into Motspur Park to discuss his fond memories of playing for the Club.

The All Stars game will take place on Sunday 22nd May at Bramall Lane (1pm), with tickets now on sale from the Bramall Lane box office or over the telephone on 0114 253 7200 (option 1), priced at £7 for adults and £3 for concessions.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/may/17/paul-peschisolido-fun-times?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss explains why Middlesbrough are in his thoughts - and even though they lost in the play-offs, Brighton

Whites chief wants a bit of what Aitor Karanka and Chris Hughton enjoyed this season as he targets a new dawn at Craven Cottage


Dugout men: Slavisa Jokanovic (L) and Aitor Karanka

Slavisa Jokanovic says he's tired of being under the wrong sort of pressure - and the Fulham head coach wants another variety next season.

That's the type endured or enjoyed by Aitor Karanka at Middlesbrough and Chris Hughton at Brighton, more worried about hanging on to their places at the top than trying to stay out of relegation trouble.

Fulham escaped by two places after a half-decent run in April, while Middlesbrough under Karanka returned to the top flight, and Hughton's Brighton were beaten in their play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Jokanovic has been given the green light to recruit again after a transfer embargo was lifted , and is set for a summer of selling and buying while he promises to build a team around top hitman Ross McCormack.

Jokanovic added: "There always has to be pressure. But I want us to be under the same pressure as Middlesbrough and Brighton - that sort of team.

"Our target is what it was last summer before I came, and that is to return to the Premier League."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-explains-middlesbrough-thoughts-11343016?

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Fulham transfer embargo lifted by Football League

Fulham finished 20th in the Championship this season, 11 points above the relegation zone

Championship side Fulham have had their transfer embargo lifted by the Football League and are now free to trade in the transfer window.

The ban was imposed in December after the club breached the League's Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Whites exceeded the permitted loss of £6m in 2014-15 following their relegation from the Premier League.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was able to make three loan signings in January despite the embargo.

"With the embargo now lifted, the club will continue to pursue its targets in an effort to ensure it has a squad capable of competing successfully in the 2016-17 Championship," said a statement on the club website.

Midfielder Scott Parker and goalkeeper Jesse Joronen have signed new one-year deals at Craven Cottage since the end of the season.

Fulham finished the campaign 20th in the Championship table, 11 points above the relegation zone.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36312192

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Transfer gossip: Speculation over the futures of Canos and Hyndman

Brentford and Fulham are among a number of clubs interested in signing Sergi Canos amid apparent uncertainty over his future at Liverpool, according to The Independent.

Canos, who impressed while on loan at Brentford last season, made his Liverpool debut at the weekend but contract talks are reported to have stalled.

Reading and Glasgow Rangers are also said to be interested in the 19-year-old, as are Spanish clubs Eibar and Sporting Dijon.

Meanwhile, there continues to be speculation over the future of Emerson Hyndman.

The American has indicated that he will leave Fulham when his contract expires this summer, and several European clubs – including Manchester United – have since been linked with him.

The Daily Record say Celtic are showing an interest but face competition from AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/football-wls-bees-and-fulham-said-to-be-eyeing-liverpool-youngster-along-with-reading-and-glasgow-rangers

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Former QPR and Fulham star appointed Villa manager

Brevett takes up the reins at Rectory Meadow


Adopted west Londoner: Brevett played for both Fulham and QPR

Former QPR and Fulham defender Rufus Brevett has been appointed as the new manager at Combined Counties Premier side Hanworth Villa.

The 46 year old, who also turned out for Doncaster Rovers, West Ham United, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Oxford United, takes over from joint-managers Matt Grave and Adam Willis.

Grave and Willis themselves took over from Wayne Noad midway through the season, guiding the Villains to a seventh place finish and a Middlesex Senior Charity Cup final win.


Bedfont boy: Brevett cut his managerial teeth at The Orchard eight years ago

Derby-born Brevett is no stranger to west London, having made more than 300 appearances for the Rs and the Whites over 12 years in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He also started his management career in the area, when he was named in 2008 assistant manager at Bedfont, which is now one half of Bedfont & Feltham FC.

He has since been both manager and director of football at Arlesey Town and coach at Banbury United, both clubs in the Southern League.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-qpr-fulham-star-appointed-11344423?

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What's next for Richard Stearman after Fulham and ex-Wolves defender Tweets he and team-mates 'will be better next time'?

Bought for a big fee the former Wolverhampton defender has it all to do if he is to be revered at Craven Cottage over the second two years of his contract


Head down: Richard Stearman (L)

Richard Stearman arrived at Fulham on the final day of the August transfer window boasting all the right credentials - as you might expect from a £2million player.

Wolves fans were up in arms over the sale of their prized asset.

However, Wanderers chief executive Jed Moxey quickly poured oil on troubled waters when he suggested there were younger players waiting to take the 28-year-old's place at Molineux.

Since when, it's been hit and miss for the former England U21 central defender, once in the reckoning for Republic of Ireland caps.

Whites head coach Slavisa Jokanovic publicly stood by a player sent off just 24 hours ahead of a 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in February.

"It wasn't an easy experience for him because he arrived to a new coach and was working with different players. But he's a professional and understands the situation," Joka explained.

But practically all his team-mates alluded to the awful 79 goals conceded and bettered, sorry, worsened by only hapless Bolton and Charlton - and even then by just one and two goals respectively.

However, Stearman, 30 appearances for Whites, no goals, five yellow cards, one red and on the Fulham winning side just seven times, insists there are better things to come on his Twitter account.

"Nice way to finish off what's been a disappointing season," after the 1-0 win over Bristol City. "Thanks 4 the support guys, together we will be better next time around."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/whats-next-richard-stearman-after-11345302?

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Leeds United and Massimo Cellino Charged By FA Over Ross McCormack Transfer

Leeds United have been slapped with a charge by the Football Association for breaching agent regulations in the transfer of Ross McCormack to Fulham.

The prolific striker was sold to the Cottagers by the Whites in the summer of 2014, with Leeds pocketing around £11m from selling him to their Championship rivals.

The FA has now slapped Leeds with a charge for alleged misconduct and have given the Whites until 20th May to respond to the charge.

In addition, the FA has also charged Leeds chairman Massimo Cellino and agent Derek Day, who are alleged to have broken the governing body's regulations on football agents.

The pair have also been given until 20th May to respond to the FA charge.

The FA said in a statement: "Leeds United have been charged for breaching The FA's Football Agent Regulations.

"The alleged misconduct relates to the transaction involving the transfer of Ross McCormack from Leeds to Fulham on 8 July 2014.

"Leeds chairman Massimo Cellino and authorised agent Derek Day have also been charged for breaching FA Rules and The FA's Football Agent Regulations respectively, in relation to the same matter.

"All parties have until 20 May 2016 to reply to the charges."

McCormack signed a four-year deal with Fulham and the agreement also contained a number of potential add-ons which could take the final fee above the £11m mark.

Leeds signed McCormack from Cardiff City in 2010.


http://www.insidefutbol.com/2016/05/17/leeds-united-and-massimo-cellino-charged-by-fa-over-ross-mccormack-transfer/286186/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Here's another fine mess you've got us into

Massimo Cellino has dragged us into yet another legal battle, as the FA has charged us with breaking their rules on agents during the transfer of Ross McCormack to Fulham in 2014.

The FA has been investigating the affair for many months and three different parties have been charged by the governing body this afternoon. They are the club, Cellino himself, and McCormack's agent Derek Day, and they all have until Friday to submit a response.

The alleged breach of rules concern a payment of £185,000 which Leeds made to Day, which he is said to have taken on behalf of McCormack's advisor, Barry Hughes. The problem being that although Derek Day is licensed by the FA, Hughes is not.


The most likely outcome is that the club will be fined, following the precedent set by Arsenal's fine of £60,000 for a similar breach, after signing Calum Chambers from Southampton in 2014. In the topsy-turvy world of the FA, McCormack has not accused of any wrongdoing, even though he seems to have been the one who caused the problem in the first place by using an unlicensed agent.

Leeds United have declined to make an official comment so far.

Maybe Cellino was unlucky on this occasion, as the unlicensed agent in question was representing McCormack's interests during the transfer negotiations, rather than those of Leeds United. It also happened at a time when Cellino was new to English football and wouldn't have been familiar with the regulations.

But it does also show the pitfalls of Il Presidente getting rid of most of the experienced staff at the club, and trying to run everything himself with minimal admin backup. It's galling to see even more of the club's money being wasted in this way, after all the damages and legal fees we've had to pay out in the various court cases we've had in the last few months.

We'll have to hope that this was our last breach of the rules and that nothing similar happened in any of the many transfers that have taken place since we sold McCormack. But given the chaotic way that Cellino has run the club ever since he arrived, we never know when the next problem will crawl out of the woodwork.


http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/leedsunited/news/42881/?

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Mitroglou makes Benfica move permanent

Lisbon (AFP) – Greek international striker Kostas Mitroglou has completed a permanent transfer to Benfica from English second-tier side Fulham, the Portuguese champions announced on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Mitroglou, who has spent this season on loan at Benfica, has signed a four-year deal through to 2020 with Portuguese press reports putting the transfer fee at seven million euros ($7.9m, £5.5m).

Mitroglou, who has scored 22 goals in 43 games in all competitions this season, is set to feature for Benfica in Friday's League Cup final against Maritimo.

The former Olympiakos player helped Benfica secure a third consecutive Portuguese title, and 35th in all, with a 4-1 home win against Nacional on the final day of the league season on Sunday.


http://worldsoccertalk.com/2016/05/17/mitroglou-makes-benfica-move-permanent/?

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Done Deal: Fulham outcast completes permanent move to Champions League side

Fulham striker, Kostas Mitroglu, has made his loan spell with Portuguese giants Benfica permanent, the club have confirmed on their official website.

The Greek striker has spent the season on loan at Portuguese giants Benfica and subsequently helped the Portuguese side to win their 35th Liga NOS title.

The 28-year-old scored 20 goals for Benfica and featured in the Champions League side that was narrowly knocked out by Bayern Munich.

The move has been expected with Mitroglu unwilling to play in the Championship. Mitroglu has spent loan spells at Olympiacos but he has felt most at home at Benfica and will sign a 4-year contract.

Mitroglu was signed from Olympiacos by Fulham for £12 million, however, he failed to make a lasting impression, failing to score in the three matches that he featured in Fulham's relegation season.

Benfica will pay Fulham €7 million with the additional bonuses dependent on Mitroglu's performances and Benfica's success.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/done-deal-fulham-outcast-completes-permanent-move-to-champions-league-side/?

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Mitroglou Departs

The Club can confirm that Benfica have exercised their option to sign Kostas Mitroglou from Fulham on a permanent deal.

We'd like to wish Kostas the best of luck in Portugal and throughout his career.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/may/18/mitroglou-departs?