Football notebook: Süle scares Germany with COVID; PSG fired Lo Celso; Eligibility in France by Benzema

With the final international break in 2021 for us, things have calmed down a bit on the domestic front as the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers come to an end. As always, several stories will come under our radar and it’s our duty to catch you on stories like Niklas Süle sparking the COVID-19 outbreak with Germany, Paris Saint-Germain chasing some transfer fees and more.

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Süle sparks Germany’s COVID scramble

The Bayern Munich defender has tested positive for COVID-19 after joining the German national team and despite being vaccinated, it forced the other 4 members of the team into quarantine first World Cup qualifiers.

Oliver Bierhoff of the DFB said: “The news is very bittersweet ahead of the final two matches of the World Cup qualifiers. “For the coaching staff as well as the whole team, health comes first.”

PSG chase Lo Celso charge from CAS

The French giants are seeking a $7 million fee from Real Betis at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in connection with the sale of Giovani Lo Celso, who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur.

The 25-year-old Argentinian was permanently sold by the Spaniard last summer after an initial loan spell but there is an agreement between Betis and PSG for 20% of his sale fee.

Spurs signed Lo Celso on an $18 million loan before paying an additional $37 million to make the deal permanent with Betis claiming that the 20% credit sale only applies to the perpetuity fee – not Loan amount.

PSG opposes that and thinks that the La Liga team is lowering the transfer fee when using the loan contract.

Poch .’s ‘physical’ Ligue 1 praise

Mauricio Pochettino may be under pressure as PSG head coach at the moment, but the Argentine believes it’s not as simple as just bringing in the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe won the Ligue 1 title.

“My impression is it’s a very complicated league,” said the former Spurs manager. “The quality is there. I think it’s the most physical league in the world. I think the talent is amazing and there are great coaches as well. Every game you can see all the teams are there. Quality, have the ability to win the game, never give up.

“I think it’s a very, very good league and we’re happy to be here. I’m not saying it’s a better league than the Premier League, but I think that’s the way the games are here. – I think they have better fitness in the Premier League.”

Le Graet supports Benzema

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has confirmed that Karim Benzema will still be eligible for France even if he is found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail former international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena with a 10-month sentence. suspended prison is required.

“The manager will always be in charge of his calls,” he said. “Benzema will not be ruled out based on any potential legal penalties. Even if he does receive a suspended prison sentence. His choice, or not, will have nothing to do with this sentence in the future. . I would never interfere to say he couldn’t be picked. It Didier (Deschamps) decide that in a sporting sense for Les Bleus.”

Arrivederci Ventura

Former Italy coach, Gian Piero Ventura, called time for his coaching career after bad spells with the now-defunct Chievo Verona and Salernitana was subsequently unable to attend the 2018 FIFA World Cup. with Italy.

Levante is indifferent

Spanish team Levant is at the bottom of La Liga table and is in danger of being split by Getafe when both have only six points all season. However, while Getafe has at least once won this campaign, Levante has yet to get three points.

AS Saint-Etienne was in a similar situation in French Ligue 1 heading into the international break before a dramatic 3-2 win over Clermont Foot 63 with two goals from corners gave Claude Puel’s army a much-needed success.