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The BCCI has called the ten IPL franchises for a meeting on June 24 in Mumbai, ending a brief communication lull

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Jun-2010The BCCI has called the ten IPL franchises for a meeting on June 24 in Mumbai, ending a brief communication lull. The significance is that the franchises will finally get the opportunity to get acquainted with Chirayu Amin, the league’s interim chairman, after the BCCI suspended Lalit Modi on April 26.The letter, a copy of which is with Cricinfo, was sent on June 8 and addressed to “the owners of the franchises” by N Srinivasan, the board secretary. Without elaborating the agenda, the brief communiqué read:”BCCI President, Shri. Shashank Manohar and Interim Chairman IPL, Shri. Chirayu Amin desire to meet the owners of the IPL franchise to discuss matters pertaining to the IPL.” Also attending the meeting are Ratnakar Shetty, the board’s administrative officer and Sundar Raman, the IPL’s chief operating officer.Even as the BCCI top brass got immersed trying to sort the IPL mess after Modi’s suspension, the franchises, especially the original eight, were anxiously waiting to hear from the board about the way forward.At the moment, most franchises Cricinfo spoke to are keen to understand what Amin and co. have in mind regarding the player auction, how many players each team can retain and the total number of matches from IPL 4 after the addition of two more teams.”Most would expect a road map, what is going to happen here on,” a top official from one of the franchises, who did not want to be named, told Cricinfo. “We don’t even know what will happen.” But, according to him, invariably most franchises would read their demands from the same sheet.”Player auction, central revenues, the retention of players, the sponsorship avenues – these would top my list and I reckon most others would want to know the same,” the official said. Central revenues comprise the monies that come from the broadcasting revenues, the title sponsorship, and other avenues like the the MRF blimp. Till last year, each team received 10% of the central sponsorship, with 20% going to the IPL. “We are worried if that will change for the third season,” another franchise official said.Another important issue likely to be discussed is if the number of matches scheduled to be played from IPL 4 needs to be reviewed. A total of 94 matches were slotted originally, an excessive workload – critics have pointed out – which could endanger the players’ fitness and add to the stress. In fact, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a member of the IPL governing council, voiced concerns about the relentless schedule and the IPL workload, after India were knocked out of the ICC World Twenty20 in the Super Eights for the second year in a row.Interestingly the matter is already being discussed by the board officials internally. According to a top BCCI official, the IPL governing council will study a proposal which recommends the teams being split in two groups, with a total of 68 matches. It is understood that the IPL governing council will meet in Mumbai on June 25, the day after meeting the franchises.

Retired goalkeeper Ben Foster says Rob McElhenney is the 'brains' behind Wrexham, with co-owner Ryan Reynolds taking a more "relaxed" approach.

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• Foster talks up McElhenney's role at Wrexham
• Also reveals how Reynolds got involved
• Ex-keeper reveals truth of Hollywood pair's relationship

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Appearing on Foster discussed a bit of the detail behind Wrexham's ownership, explaining that McElhenney is the true driver, even though Reynolds is the more well known of the duo. The former Manchester United and England goalkeeper, who hung up his gloves last summer after a second spell at Wrexham, also reiterated that the Hollywood duo weren't actually friends before their investment in the Welsh club.

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• WHAT FOSTER SAID

  Foster said: "Rob is the brains behind it, Rob is fully in. Don't get me wrong they're both fully in but Rob, you can tell this is his baby, genuinely it's his baby, Wrexham is. Ryan, I think at first he joined along for the ride and was like, 'Yeah I'll help you out.' And then he's fallen head over heels in for it as well. He's a bit more relaxed, whereas Rob is, 'No, we want to do something here.'"

  When asked if McElhenney and Reynolds are "best friends" away from the club, Foster added: "No, they're not. They didn't even know each other. Before they started the Wrexham thing, [Rob] had never even spoken to [Ryan]. He just sort of reached out and said, 'I'm going to do this crazy thing, do you want to be part of it?'"

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although, as Foster says, it would be unfair to suggest that Reynolds isn't as emotionally invested, fans have seen just how passionate McElhenney is about Wrexham thanks to insight given in each series so far of . On the occasions when he hasn't made the trip over, McElhenney gets up at the crack of dawn at home in Los Angeles to watch games via a live stream.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  McElhenney was inspired to invest in Wrexham, based in a working class town, thanks to his own upbringing in Philadelphia, one of America's traditionally working class cities. The project is more to him than just the club itself, as he hopes to help regenerate and bring new life to an area that had fallen into decline.

Queens Park Rangers slumped to a resounding defeat against Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday, largely thanks to major defensive mistakes, and at the forefront of it all was the Hoops’ usually reliable two-time skipper Yoann Barbet.

Mark Warburton’s side were heavily punished for their errors as the Reds romped home to a 3-1 victory, and it was Barbet’s calamitous blunder before the break which very much set the tone for the struggling visitors.

The Frenchman attempted to shield the ball out of play for a routine goal kick but was too lightweight as Sammy Ameobi robbed him of the ball before teeing up Alex Mighten for an easy finish from close range.

As per SofaScore ratings, Barbet was graded as QPR’s worst-performing player at a paltry 6.0, whilst West London Sport claimed it was ‘not a day to remember’ for the 27-year-old.

Warburton has every right to be left reeling by Barbet’s display, especially as he’s usually among their highest-rated players for the campaign, averaging 6.93 from WhoScored for the season (third-best).

As a leader from the back, the centre-back recorded the most touches (98) of any other player on the pitch, only highlighting his sheer influence on this Rs side as well as on the game. Everything starts through him – but in return, the Frenchman was a liability.

He won just one of four duels (25%), both on the ground and in the air, which means he struggled to cope with the threat of Forest duo Lewis Grabban and Ameobi on his side.

Barbet was also dribbled past once and committed one foul, via SofaScore, only adding to his evident struggles.

The long-serving QPR ace was also poor with the ball, losing possession 15 times, the most of any centre-back on the pitch, and that has to be a cause for concern as it meant he was giving the ball straight back to Forest, which would’ve undoubtedly aided their dominance. On average once every six minutes, Barbet gifted the play back to the home side.

The £1.44m-rated defender, who is thought to be on around £11,500 per week, really ought to be doing better; and as a stand-in captain at times, he very much let Warburton down at the City Ground.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 150 appearances for Newcastle United, believes even Steve Bruce would have thought he was about to be sacked after the Brighton defeat.

Newcastle suffered a 3-0 defeat against their relegation rivals last week and many players thought Bruce was about to be sacked that night or in the coming day, however, the next day Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley gave Bruce their full backing.

The Magpies registered just three shots as well as completing just 393 passes, compared to Brighton’s 751, and they were just one place and point better off than Newcastle.

Speaking on what Bruce must have been thinking after the game and what was more concerning than the result itself, Howey told FFC:

“Football is all about results. So even he would have thought he could be in trouble here unless he’s had prior conversations with the owner.

“I think every fan thought Bruce would be in trouble and as I’ve said, it wasn’t just necessarily the defeat that was the issue.

“I think it was the all-around performance and the lack anything really to try and turn it around.”

Newcastle find themselves still sitting outside of the bottom three which has been down to Fulham’s ability to capitalise since reducing the gap to three or less.

The Magpies have nine games left, with their final two games against Sheffield United and Fulham, two teams they failed to beat earlier this season.

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Tottenham Hotspur host Leicester at Wembley Stadium this weekend and will be hoping that they don’t have to grind a win out in the fashion that they have had to in recent weeks, although the Foxes represent another test for a Lilywhites side missing Harry Kane and Dele Alli, most notably.

Despite the duo’s absence, a pressing concern seems to be that Christian Eriksen could be leaving in the summer, with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly adding James Maddison to his list of potential players to replace the Dane. The Spurs boss can test just how good the number 10 is on Saturday, by giving one player a specific instruction.

On the chalkboard

According to The Times, the north London club are lining up a move for Maddison, who they see as a replacement for Eriksen should he seek pastures new in the summer.

Tottenham are keen to secure more homegrown talent and the signing of Maddison would see the Englishman join up with the likes of Alli, Kane, Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks.

The former Norwich man has impressed in his first season in the Premier League, scoring five and assisting four, so it is no wonder that the bigger clubs are sniffing around.

Sunday’s clash with Leicester presents Pochettino with the opportunity to see the player in action against his own side – the Argentine will surely want to put the Foxes’ danger-man through his paces in order to see how good he really is.

Sit Sissoko on Maddison

Eric Dier is unavailable due to a virus and so it looks likely that Moussa Sissoko will continue alongside Winks at the base of midfield – the Frenchman has enjoyed his new role this season and will be key if his side are to nullify the visitors’ attack.

Maddison is the lynchpin for his side, carrying the ball; connecting the dots; playing his teammates in and working chances for himself. If Spurs want to stop Leicester from having anything in their half, Pochettino should task the powerful Sissoko with following the 22-year-old wherever he goes.

Either this will help the Lilywhites to the three points or, if Maddison deals well with the constant pressure from the Spurs number 17, it will be confirmed in Pochettino’s mind that he is a top class player.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

With the European Super League being the talk of the town at the moment, you’d be forgiven for potentially forgetting that there is still the little old matter of a Premier League clash between Leeds United and Liverpool taking place this evening.

The game between two of the giants of English football has been largely overshadowed by the fury and shock of the top-flight’s big six wanting to break away and form their own elite competition.

Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt have his opinion on the ESL, and it will be intriguing to see what the Argentine has to say either before or after the game tonight.

The Leeds boss also has a couple of crucial conundrums to solve in terms of his team selection, with suspensions and injuries taking its toll.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds might line up for the Premier League tie against Liverpool tonight.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be looking to keep his tenth clean sheet of the season in the top-flight, and become the seventh goalkeeper to get into double digits for the campaign.

The back four will, of course, see one enforced change after Liam Cooper’s sending off against Manchester City last weekend, and in the club captain’s absence, Robin Koch will be the man Bielsa turns to.

Dubbed by former Leeds man Tony Dorigo as a “rock”, the 24-year-old is in line to make his first start for the club since recovering from his knee injury last month.

The midfield could see a couple of alterations, with Tyler Roberts dropping out for Mateusz Klich, and Jack Harrison coming in for the injured Raphinha – the City loanee missed the clash against his parent club due to the terms of his loan deal.

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That should be the only changes Bielsa makes to his starting line-up, with Patrick Bamford set to lead the line once again.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Koch, Alioski; Phillips, Harrison, Dallas, Klich, Costa; Bamford.

Meanwhile, Leeds must start this “under-rated” gem today vs Liverpool…

Southampton face Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday evening and Ralph Hasenhuttl should consider handing a start to Che Adams, as he could prove to be the game-changer against the Foxes.

The former Sheffield United man has been left on the bench for recent games against Burnley and West Brom, despite showing some impressive form before the international break, with goals against Sheffield United, Manchester City and Brighton.

The Austrian manager assured fans that leaving the striker out against Burnley was a purely tactical decision to try and exploit Sean Dyche’s side, but then he left him on the bench again West Brom last time out, when the Saints produced one of their worst displays of the season in a 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns.

Other than James Ward-Prowse’s missed penalty, the Scotland international arguably produced Southampton’s best opportunity of that game, as he dragged a shot narrowly wide after coming on as a substitute, and looked far more dangerous than Theo Walcott, who had started ahead of him.

When Southampton were at their best early in the season, Adams and Danny Ings had formed an excellent partnership up front and if reunited, they could cause Leicester’s defence a lot of problems with their pace and pressing on Sunday evening.

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Adams also offers more physicality than the likes of Walcott and Nathan Redmond, who has been featuring as a striker in recent weeks, with the 24-year-old striker averaging 1.4 aerials won per game in the Premier League this season, compared to Walcott’s 0.6 and Redmond’s 0.4.

Therefore, the £16.2m-rated forward can offer the Saints an out ball against Brendan Rodgers’ side as he is more likely to be able to hold the ball up and bring others into play, which is something Southampton really lacked against West Brom.

Earlier in the season, after his excellent start to the new campaign, Hasenhuttl suggested that Adams had gone from “zero to hero” at Southampton, with reference to his lack of goals for the club in his debut season.

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If Southampton need a hero on Sunday then they should turn to Adams, as he could prove to be the game-changer against Leicester with his pace, physicality and goal threat. Should he and Ings both produce excellent displays, then Hasenhuttl’s side have a great chance of reaching the final.

And, in other news… Saints were robbed over “world-class” star, his value has risen 265% since leaving

Plenty of Leicester City fans have been reacting to a transfer update regarding Cengiz Under on social media.

According to the reliable John Percy of The Telegraph, the Foxes won’t exercise their option of making the 23-year-old’s deal at the King Power sTADIUM permanent in the summer.

Under, who arrived on loan from Roma last year, could have joined on a full-time basis for a fee in excess of £20m. However, his performances haven’t justified that price tag, and it seems as if the Turkish forward will return to Italy in the summer.

He has made 19 appearances under Brendan Rodgers this season, scoring twice and registering three assists. Under has been out through injury since March and has started just one Premier League game all season.

Leicester fans react to news about Under

Percy shared the news on Wednesday evening on Twitter, with the post receiving plenty of interaction. Here is what some Foxes fans had to say in reply to the update.

“Can’t believe it”

Credit: @_JoBeanCash_

“Devastated”

Credit: @liamlcfc88

“We used all our right winger luck on Mahrez. 20 years of pain from now on”

Credit: @DT1884

“The Replacing Mahrez show lives on”

Credit: @hm_Ixfc

“A cursed position for us.”

Credit: @lcfcsanny

“Bye Chunder, another right winger that couldn’t get anywhere near the level of replacing Mahrez. Hopefully the next one will.”

Credit: @SamLCFC98

In other news, Leicester are keeping tabs on this Premier League-winning midfielder.

Liverpool have approached the agent of Xabi Alonso to discuss the prospect of the Bayer Leverkusen boss replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer.

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• Liverpool looking for Klopp replacement
• Reds have made approach for Alonso
• Leverkusen expect coach to snub offer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Reds have made a request to Inaki Ibanez, Alonso's representative, according to The Spanish coach's current side have already been informed of the approach and the top figures at the BayArena are confident the former midfielder will turn down his ex-club in favour of staying at Leverkusen.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Alonso was appointed Leverkusen head coach in October 2022, when they were second-bottom of the table after eight matches, and guided them to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga. This season, they are the shock, unbeaten leaders in the Bundesliga, holding a eight-point advantage over reigning champions Bayern.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool are not the only contenders to lure Alonso away from Leverkusen this summer, as German rivals Bayern have also been linked with a move for their former player as Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the season. Leverkusen, however, will hope to hold onto Alonso until the end of his contract, which expires in 2026.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ALONSO?

  Before he considers a possible summer departure from Leverkusen, Alonso will hope his team can boost their hopes of winning their first ever Bundesliga title by beating Koln on Sunday. They will then turn their attention to their Europa League tie against Qarabag.

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed James Tavernier has an outside chance of being fit for the Gers’ Scottish Cup fourth round clash next weekend.

Gerrard provides Tavernier update

Club captain Tavernier has not played since February 18th after picking up an injury during the Gers’ Europa League tie with Royal Antwerp (Transfermarkt).

However, speaking prior to Rangers’ clash with Hibernian this weekend, Gerrard revealed the right-back may well be available to face Celtic in the cup. He said (via The Glasgow Times):

“I’d say he’s got an outside chance, James, of being involved against Celtic. He is still outside in a one-v-one capacity with the physio but he is progressing pretty well.”

Big boost

This is no doubt a big boost for all involved at Ibrox. While a number of players have stood out this campaign, £7.2m-valued Tavernier (Transfermarkt) has arguably been Gerrard’s best performer. Going forward, he has been their most dangerous threat, scoring 17 goals and providing 15 assists, while he has been part of a defence that has conceded just 10 times in the Premiership this campaign (BBC).

In Tavernier’s absence, the Gers would have an able deputy in Nathan Patterson. The 19-year-old already has two goals for the 55-time Scottish champions and has repaid his manager’s faith in him. Tavernier, though, is a step above – if he were to be available, the Gers’ chances of progression to the quarter-finals would be far greater.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this journalist’s comments.