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Saturday’s League Two clash between Notts County and Fleetwood Town could be thrown into chaos by an issue no one saw coming, a fungal disease ravaging the pitch at Meadow Lane. Officials have confirmed that a final inspection will take place on Friday morning, leaving the game’s status hanging in the balance until the last moment.

Fungal disease leaves pitch in jeopardyFriday inspection to decide fate of the clashGrounds team battle to save Meadow LaneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The issue stems from a soil-borne pathogen that thrives in warm and humid weather, precisely the conditions Britain has endured this summer. Once established, it destroys perennial ryegrass at frightening speed, stripping the pitch of healthy turf and leaving behind dead patches unsuitable for competitive football.

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The make-or-break call will be made at 11am on Friday, when a qualified match official joins forces with a representative from the Sports Turf Research Institute to assess the playing surface. If the fungus continues to spread or the recovery work proves insufficient, the fixture may be forced into postponement.

WHAT NOTTS COUNTY SAID

County’s staff admitted that a large amount of damaged grass had to be ripped up earlier this week in an urgent bid to salvage the surface. Replacement work and treatments have been rolled out under a rapid-response plan, with the club hopeful that the intervention will be enough to save the game.

In a public statement, they said: "Since the diagnosis, our grounds team have worked tirelessly to contain the issue and implement a recovery strategy – and we would like to stress that this highly unfortunate development is no fault of any individual or the club. We expect the pitch to make a steady recovery over the coming weeks."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Notts County currently sit 13th in the League Two table, with two wins and two defeats in their opening six outings. A win on Saturday could push them closer to the top half and restore momentum. All attention now shifts to Friday’s decisive inspection. Should the pitch pass muster, the game will go ahead. If not, it will mark one of the rarest postponements in recent memory, a clash stopped not by weather, protests, or policing, but by a fungus.

Family reunions in New Zealand help England captain find his equilibrium after turbulent month

Vithushan Ehantharajah26-Nov-2024Since Ben Stokes became Test captain in 2022, he has made a note of addressing his England squad ahead of each series.His first that summer was an array of individual chats which took place St George’s Park, England’s national football centre, where the team had gathered for medical screenings, outlining his vision. Ever since, they have taken the form of speeches to the whole group – usually a refresher on the values and ethos that have been cultivated (and challenged) over the last two years.This time, however, Stokes took a different tack. With the team congregating in Queenstown ahead of Thursday’s series opener against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, the captain stood up and, in his words, “cleared the air with the lads”.Perhaps for the first time, it was more for him than them. Stokes wanted to relay how unhappy he was with his conduct on the recent Pakistan tour. He had gone into the series still recovering from the hamstring tear that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series at the end of the home summer. And though he was able to return to action for the second and third Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi after nine weeks out, he was not his best self, as England succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.He let his frustrations get the better of him on the field in Multan after an array of dropped catches and misfields, which he apologised for at the time. Then came a lax display of captaincy in the decisive third Test, compounded by two failures with the bat.Those around Stokes at the time noted something was off, and it soon emerged that his house had been burgled during the second Test, understandably taking his thoughts elsewhere. He wanted to return home to support his family, who were in the house at the time of the break-in, but stayed on in Pakistan at the insistence of his wife, Clare.Even with that mitigating factor, the weeks back home allowed Stokes to reflect that the image and negative energy he had projected was at odds with the leader he wants to be. The drive to regain fitness and his visible exasperations were, in his mind, selfish – counter-productive to the calm dressing-room environment he regards as a key pillar for an England side still working itself out.”It was one of my hardest trips,” said Stokes. “But also one that I’ve hugely benefited from.Related

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Ben Stokes apologises for frustration after lapses cost England dear

“I had my hamstring injury, and as soon as I could get going again, I had a focus on a date to get back. I worked incredibly hard for a very, very long period of time. And then when we got out to Pakistan, obviously pushing and pushing and pushing myself to get ready for that first Test, made a late call and then tried to get myself ready for the second Test.”I’ve been pretty honest with myself and pretty honest with Baz and the team as well, that I got so individually focused on myself over a long period of time of trying to get back from injury.”I actually I did physically drain and ruin myself, which definitely had some kind of mental impact on me. I sort of almost worked myself too hard to get back to fitness, and then all of a sudden, I was out in a Test match.”It’s made me realise that me being a captain, me being the leader of this team, I can’t take myself into that sort of area ever again – focusing on myself so much as an individual. And there’s no doubt that my frustration was showing when things weren’t quite going our way.”That definitely has an impact on, not only the players around me, but also the group and the management around you as well. Because everyone’s walking on eggshells around you, because they can sense it. But it wasn’t till I got home that I realised that then, obviously, with the robbery happening, that made more of everything for me out there.”Ben Stokes has a hongi with a Ngāi Tahu member at Hagley Oval•Getty ImagesStokes’ words in Queenstown were understood to be well received, with an encouraging sense that no such apology was necessary, but appreciated nonetheless. So much of Stokes’ captaincy is about looking out for others, whether diverting praise their way or shielding them from criticism.In a year in which England have lost as many Tests as they have won (seven), along with a destabilising injury and home invasion, falling short of those high standards is only human. Nevertheless, the drive for improvement is admirable ahead of what will be a challenging three-match series against the Blackcaps.”It was a realisation for me that, right, okay, if I ever find myself in this situation again, I need to maybe take a step back and think about what’s best for the team,” he added. “Because I feel like when you’re in a position that I’m in, you always need to be focused on that, as opposed to yourself, if that makes sense.”It was nice to get home, relax, chill out … you know, assess Pakistan, individually, which I think should hopefully help the team go forward again. I think it’s another step forward for me as a leader, as well as understanding certain things where I need to be better.”If Stokes is keen to re-ground himself, he could not have picked a better spot. He was, of course, born here in Christchurch before moving to Cumbria at the age of 12.He tends to bristle when his New Zealand roots are brought up, mostly through cynicism that his background is often used to discredit his Englishness. But Stokes remains fiercely proud of his Kiwi roots. That was particularly evident when he and Blackcaps skipper Tom Latham led their sides in the Mihi Whakatau – a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony – on the Hagley Oval outfield.England know not to expect as warm a welcome on the field, having failed to land a series win in four consecutive visits since 2008, but things are a little different for Stokes. Family connections remain strong in the South Island’s largest city, led by his mother, Deborah. And while Stokes’ motivation to drive England forward remains strong, the setting adds a unique emotional layer for England’s captain.”This is a great place to tour for the team, but obviously for myself, it’s more than that,” he said. “It’s a chance to see family, catch up with family who I don’t get to see. You know, pretty much the whole of the Stokes family is in Christchurch. They’re coming down to the Test match this week.”I came out earlier than the team did to surprise my family. Only a couple of them knew. They managed to keep it secret. So this tour, obviously, is more than just cricket for me. I try and enjoy this country as much as I possibly can. It’s a great place to tour, but, yeah, it’s great for me to be able to see people who I don’t get to see that often. And so there’s more to it for me than there is for everyone else here.”

A potential West Brom exit link has emerged, with one of their Championship rivals keen on signing an "unbelievable" Baggies ace who Carlos Corberan loves.

West Brom transfer news

West Brom have been linked with plenty of signings during the January transfer window, with Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden seen as a potential target for Corberan before the end of the month. West Ham youngster Divin Mubama is another player who has been backed to seal a switch to The Hawthorns, with a loan move mooted.

Elsewhere, Leeds United youngster Joe Gelhardt is someone who is considered a potentially strong addition to West Brom's attack as he looks for more regular playing time away from Elland Road.

Hertha Berlin's Derry Scherhant is another rumoured target for Corberan's side, having been described as "too good" for the 2. Bundesliga, which he is currently playing in.

It could also be that West Brom also lose current players in the January window, and a fresh claim suggests that one player could be on the move in the coming weeks.

Leicester want West Brom ace Tom Fellows

According to The Daily Mail [via Football League World], Leicester City want to sign West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows in January, having been linked with a move for him in the past. Southampton have also been mentioned as potential suitors, but it remains to be seen how strong their interest is now.

He has been linked with signing a new deal at The Hawthorns, with Corberan a big fan, having provided an update on his future earlier this month:

"I know that the club is working in this aspect – with some of the players, especially now individually I can tell you with Tom Fellows, because the club is of course focused on this. We are going to make our best to extend our possibilities with the player and to keep working with players like him."

While Fellows may not be a key starter for the Baggies, only starting twice in the Championship this season, losing him would have to be considered a blow, seeing as he has become a reliable squad player. He has appeared 15 times in the league overall, as well as playing once each in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Meanwhile, Darren Byfield, who used to work with the 20-year-old during their time together at Crawley Town, once had this to say about him:

"Let’s talk about his game…unbelievable. He is a get-off-your-seat kind of guy. When he got the ball I was like ‘Go on, Tom’. He dribbles and drives, with a great attitude to develop, a great attitude to work, just a wonderful boy. Off the pitch, his mannerisms, his attitude, I really, really liked Tom Fellows and think he will go on to be a very good footballer."

Appearances

15

Minutes played

440

Starts

2

Goals

1

Assists

0

Key passes per game

0.5

Pass completion rate

77.7%

Given his age, Fellows is also someone with most of his career ahead of him, so for West Brom to lose him before he properly proves his worth as a player would be a missed opportunity.

West Brom could sign a "brilliant" upgrade on Yokuslu before the deadline

Okay Yokuslu’s time in the West Brom first team could be up with this potential incoming.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 18, 2024

The hope is that Fellows ends up deciding that staying put at West Brom is the best choice for him, but the lure of Leicester could be too strong, seeing as they look likely to be playing Premier League football again next season.

Leeds United are in the midst of a transfer window with plenty of outgoing action, and while Daniel Farke has yet to really strengthen his ranks with new faces yet, it seems we could be set for even departures.

Leeds eyeing defensive reinforcments

Reports this week claim Illan Meslier could soon be replaced by Poland international shot-stopper Bartlomiej Dragowski, as the young Frenchman continues to be linked with a move to La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.

Indeed, the transfer merry-go-round is now in full swing at Elland Road. Loads of rumours are doing the rounds over who could come in to strengthen the Whites' available options, and they have been mentioned in connection with Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies by journalist Phil Hay, who has indicated the Whites have an interest in the Wales international.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Nevertheless, it is thought that the 30-year-old is extremely unlikely to swap Ange Postecoglou's Lilywhites for Yorkshire at this stage in the season due to his importance in N17. Leeds are also believed to be plotting a move for Rangers full-back Borna Barisic in light of his contractual situation at Ibrox, which something that could lead to the Croatian being available on a cut-price fee this month due to his deal expiring at the end of the season.

Ensuring there is sufficient cover in the full-back areas will be of particular importance to Farke in the race for promotion from the Championship following the emotional departure of Luke Ayling to Middlesbrough. Djed Spence has also vacated the premises, leaving room for manouvre concerning possible replacements.

Despite this, the Whites could now be set to weaken their defence further if recent reports are anything to go by, though they will play hardball in light of suitors keen on one of their first-team men.

Leeds United receive Charlie Cresswell offers

According to Leeds Live, several offers have been submitted for Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell this window as a permanent Elland Road exit looms for the 21-year-old.

Five similar players to Charlie Cresswell (FBRef)

Player

Club

Fernando Alarcon

Central Cordoba

Joaquim

Santos

Cristian Lema

Lanus

Ryan Flamingo

Utrecht

Juan Escobar

Cruz Azul

Millwall, his former loan club, are believed to be among the chasing pack for the England Under-21 international; however, nobody has got close to the Whites' valuation of the player and 49ers Enterprises look likely to stand firm in their attempts to recoup a respectable fee for the Thorp Arch youth product.

Labelled "excellent" by Gary Rowett, Cresswell has barely featured for the Whites this campaign, making just six appearances in total across all competitions (Cresswell statistics – Transfermarkt).

Despite his evident promise, the Preston-born defender is behind in the pecking order at Elland Road, meaning a clean break between both parties may be the best solution in this instance. Cresswell is unlikely to get the necessary game-time needed under Farke to progress as a player, but the manager will need some fresh faces if he is to let another defender go.

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an initial €60 million (£51.8m/$70m) bid with RB Leipzig to sign Xavi Simons before the September 1 transfer deadline. The transfer fee could potentially increase to €70m (£60.5m/$81.7m) if all the bonuses are achieved. Spurs are moving aggressively in the transfer market as they look to beat Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race.

Spurs submit bid for SimonsDetermined to beat Chelsea to sign the DutchmanSimons travelled to London to secure a transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Spurs have tabled an initial €60m bid to sign Simons from RB Leipzig before the summer transfer window closes next Monday. The initial transfer fee could rise to €70m with all the bonuses that have been included in the deal. No agreement has been reached yet, although claim the English and German sides are close to sealing the transfer. 

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Spurs are determined to secure a transfer for Simons after missing out on key targets like Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, while star attacking midfielder James Maddison suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during pre-season. The north London club are also acting quickly to beat Premier League rivals Chelsea to the Dutchman's signing.

DID YOU KNOW?

further claim Leipzig granted Simons permission to travel to London and finalise his move, although they won't give a green signal to any transfer unless their asking price is met.

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Chelsea are on the verge of sealing a transfer for Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho, while they are also close to selling Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan. It now remains to be seen if the Blues make a late push for Simons in an attempt to hijack Spurs' move.

Pakistan fast bowler available for first nine game of Championship campaign

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2019Nottinghamshire have signed Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas as one of their overseas players for 2020. Abbas will be available to play in nine Championship games for Notts before joining up with Pakistan’s Test squad to play England in July.Having suffered relegation to Division Two last summer, Notts will be hoping Abbas can spearhead an immediate return to the top tier. As well as an outstanding Test record, with 66 wickets at 20.37 in his 15 appearances, Abbas has enjoyed two spells in county cricket with Leicestershire, claiming 79 victims at 20.67.”He’s a high-calibre player,” Nottinghamshire head coach, Peter Moores, said. “He came into Test cricket late, but his impact at that level has been fantastic; almost unprecedented actually.”We also know from what he’s done with Leicestershire that he can perform in English conditions and can excel within a county schedule that can be quite demanding on quick bowlers. He’ll strengthen our bowling considerably, as well as being a mentor for our younger bowlers who can learn a lot from the way he plays the game.”Abbas, 29, was Man of the Series on Pakistan’s last visit to England, in 2017, with match figures of 8 for 64 helping his team to win at Lord’s. He has, however, recently had some trouble coming back from a shoulder injury and was left out of Pakistan’s side for the first Test against Australia before taking 0 for 100 at Adelaide.Abbas said: “Trent Bridge is a brilliant venue to call home and I can’t wait to join Nottinghamshire next summer. The club is steeped in history and I’m looking forward to giving my all to get them back up into the top division of Championship cricket.”I’ve really enjoyed my past couple of summers playing in England and I’m excited for the domestic season to start again in April.”

Shami impressed upon return, as did the other seamers and Kuldeep

The Report by Sidharth Monga11-Dec-2019Three years ago, India were asked to bat first in a World T20 semi-final by the same team at the same ground in similar conditions. They lost just two wickets in their 20 overs, but were possibly not aware that their 192 was “only” 192 in those conditions in T20 cricket. Three years later, in the series decider at Wankhede Stadium, India came with doubts still persisting if they had shed their conservatism.The answer was an emphatic yes with their three main batsmen taking two, two and five balls to hit their first boundary. And the big hits just kept coming as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli hit 35 boundaries between them in just 119 balls. India’s attitude was clear: if it is tough to defend totals in this format, they were going to give their bowlers a well above-par total, or get dismissed trying. Under the mountain of runs, West Indies, hit by an injury to Evin Lewis, crumbled spectacularly.What will especially please India is that this is the second successive series decider they have won batting first.Start as you mean to go onIt is arguable India lost that 2016 semi-final in the first powerplay when Ajinkya Rahane went at a strike rate of around 100. Here both Sharma and Rahul went for it. Sharma even made a technical change, opening his front leg to face Sheldon Cottrell. He threw his bat at the second ball he faced, crashing it over cover. Rahul did the same the second ball he faced, getting a thick outside edge past slip. It was remarkable because Sharma is known to take his time before he starts hitting, but here he had taken the lead over Rahul, who caught up soon enough. Both struck at 200 in the powerplay, giving India their second-best powerplay batting first, a good 17 more than what they had scored in 2016.Post powerplay, Sharma took over the mantle of chief aggressor, launching Khary Pierre for six, six and four in the eighth over. India 102 for 0 in eight overs.Walsh, Williams slow India downAmid the carnage, Hayden Walsh bowled the ninth over without a boundary. India made up for it with a six and two fours in the 11th over, but in the 12th Kesrick Williams managed to get the better of Sharma with a slower legcutter. That brought about a promotion for Rishabh Pant, who tried to hit boundaries off the two balls he faced. He missed one, and drilled the second straight to long-off. The idea was right, but his dismissal had buoyed West Indies with a spell of play that read 17 balls, 13 runs, two wickets. India 145 for 3 in 13.5 overs.Kohli goesThe last ball of the 14th over, with his score reading two off four, Kohli went for his second slog and sent it over midwicket for a six. This was the start of an onslaught that was the need of the moment with Rahul having slowed down out of a combination of fatigue and the need for stability at one end. Once again, as in the first T20I of this series, it was a Jason Holder over in which Kohli cut loose. That 22-run 15th over seemed like it had put India back on track at 173 for 2.Williams comes backWilliams then came back to bowl a superb 16th over where Kohli and Rahul struggled to pick his pace, managing only three runs. Cottrell followed it up with a decent one for 11. India 187 for 2 after 17.Decision timePollard now had an over each from his gun bowlers, Williams and Cottrell, but three overs to bowl. He had to decide when to bowl the best bowler of the night, Williams, and whom to use for the third over. Both calls went awfully wrong for West Indies. Williams was asked to bowl two in a row, and it turned out both Rahul and Kohli had the measure of him. They both waited for the slower ball, hitting a six each, giving Kohli the final word in what has been an entertaining contest between the two.Well, it turned out Kohli was not done with Williams yet. Pollard took it upon himself to bowl the 19th, and Kohli got stuck into it, hitting three sixes, India taking 27 runs off the over. The second off those sixes brought up India’s fifth-fastest T20I fifty, and Kohli pointed the bat to Williams at short fine leg. , ladies and gentlemen, was the final word.India seal it off quicklyApart from Walsh and Williams, Lewis was the only man having a good day in the field. In the first few exchanges, he pulled off a ridiculous save overhead at the boundary, threw the ball back in play, jumped over the boundary hoardings, came back, and nearly ran Sharma out when taking the second run. In the 12th over, as he made a regulation save at the fence, he jammed his knee into the ground, causing himself soft tissue damage that ruled him out of the rest of the match.In Lewis’ absence, and facing a tall task, West Indies felt the pressure pretty early and started to play lower-percentage shots. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar got a wicket each, but the biggest positive was Mohammed Shami’s return. A specialist bowler playing ahead of an allrounder, Shami looked the most difficult bowler to hit, and also took out the dangerous Lendl Simmons. West Indies 19 for 3 after four overs.Full toss extinguishes flickering lightPollard and Shimron Hetmyer gave India a brief scare with effortless hitting for 60 runs in the next five overs. In the sixth, Hetmyer had it in for Kuldeep Yadav, who had replaced Yuzvendra Chahal, who had been taken apart by left-hand batsmen. The first two balls were effortless sixes again, and the third from around the wicket was a full toss. Six sixes seemed squarely on, but Hetmyer shanked this one to be caught at long-on.This wicket-induced slowdown put the matter beyond West Indies, but Pollard’s flame kept flickering at his IPL home ground. It was in the 15th over that Kumar got rid of Pollard for a career-high 68, but 100 off 31 required at that point was anyway improbable.

Ruben Amorim’s “unusual” superstitions have been branded “really bizarre”, with the Manchester United manager refusing to watch penalties.

Portuguese coach doesn't watch spot-kicksRed Devils have been fluffing lines from 12 yardsPremier League giants struggling for positivityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese has had every right to look away through the opening weeks of the 2025-26 campaign. He saw fellow countryman Bruno Fernandes sky a spot-kick during a 1-1 Premier League draw at Fulham.

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The Red Devils then fluffed their lines in an epic Carabao Cup shootout with Grimsby, which saw Bryan Mbeumo crash the decisive effort against the crossbar as League Two giant-killers prevailed 12-11 at Blundell Park.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim is merely sticking with a process that he has adopted throughout his coaching career, but questions are being asked of why the 40-year-old – who is struggling to generate positive results at Old Trafford – feels the need to hide in high pressure situations.

GettyWHAT YORKE SAID

Former United striker Dwight Yorke has told : “Ruben Amorim staring at the ground? It's really bizarre. He doesn't look when there's a corner kick or a penalty. Managers have got different superstitions in some way and maybe that is his.

“Maybe we are reading too much into it. He has a lot on his plate. He's got to figure things out during the game, what the changes he may have to make. So he might take a moment that he needs to really focus in on and by staring in the way he does, maybe might get him to concentrate.

“There's a lot of things happening on the football pitch. There's so much the crowd obviously playing the part as well, but it's a bit unusual when you see a manager really bow down to the ground and then sort of having to figure things out. But, every manager has got their superstitions, so to speak.”

Liverpool kept their Premier League title dreams alive against Aston Villa last night, however, the victory was bittersweet after an in-game injury worry occurred in the first half of the clash.

What’s the latest?

Fabinho hobbled off the pitch in the first half an hour of the game at Villa Park on Tuesday night and now Jurgen Klopp has given an update on the midfielder’s condition following the full-time whistle.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

Jurgen Klopp updated in his post-match interview on Sky Sports casting doubt on his player’s condition (via Metro):

‘That’s a massive problem. That’s a big blow for us. I don’t know (how bad), hopefully not that bad, but I don’t know.’

Klopp will be frustrated

There is no doubt that the Liverpool manager will be massively frustrated to potentially lose such a key player in his team ahead of the FA Cup final and Champions League final coming up over the next few weeks.

The Brazilian midfielder has been one of the most influential players in the centre of the pitch and has been integral in Liverpool’s chase for multiple trophies this season so to lose him when the side has one hand on two huge trophies is a massive blow.

Fabinho has been involved in Liverpool’s incredible 17-game unbeaten run, scoring four goals during this time as well as providing consistent solid defensive performances in his role in the centre of the pitch.

According to SofaScore, the Liverpool star has been successful in an impressive 73% of his dribbles, wins 63% of his aerial duels and makes 1.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions on average per game in the Premier League this season.

Anfield and Brazil teammate Alisson Becker even called Fabinho “the most important” player for Liverpool and his national team in an interview:

“I believe that Fabinho is the most important player for both the club and the national team, this is my opinion about that, he’s a very important player wherever he is, he always proves his worth on the pitch.”

With that being said, there will surely be a further update on the star player’s condition ahead of the Chelsea clash on Saturday afternoon at Wembley and supporters will be anxiously hoping for positive news on Fabinho’s availability.

AND in other news: Klopp must now finally axe Liverpool gem who lost the ball every 3 touches yesterday

Players leave the meeting confused, unsure whether the board will actually come good on their promises

Mohammad Isam24-Oct-2019Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan’s aggressive attitude during the Wednesday meeting between the board officials and the striking cricketers, especially his takedown of allrounder Mehidy Hasan, apparently threw the players off to start with, one of them even saying that the incident “rattled” them.Why was the Dhaka Dynamites CEO in the meeting?

One of the puzzling sidelights of the meeting came in the form of Obeid Nizam, CEO of Bangladesh Premier League side Dhaka Dynamites, attending the meeting.
Nizam is neither a BCB director or a BCB employee, and raised questions of conflict of interest, as the franchise is owned by Beximco, the company where Hassan and board directors Ismail Haider Mallick and Khaled Mahmud are employed.
It also left many of the board directors irate, one of them saying it was “a slap to our face”.
Nizam was the board president’s advisor between 2013 and 2017, but it isn’t clear if he continues to hold a similar role.

“Miraz [Mehidy], what have I not done for you, and you didn’t pick up my phone call? From today onwards, I will delete your number from my phone,” Hassan raged at the start of the meeting, and the young allrounder cowered, sinking in his seat.In many ways, the start of the meeting was a continuation of the previous day’s press conference – Hassan targeting a player for taking personal favours from him and then joining the strike; that soured the mood of the group that had arrived in the evening hoping for an amicable solution.It was an extraordinary way to begin a discussion that had so much riding on it for everyone concerned. On the one side were the players, who had just agreed among themselves that they would face their paymasters and thrash the issues out. On the other were the BCB officials, who knew that if they couldn’t provide a solution, it would have deep repercussions.But after Hassan’s counter-attacking stance, the players said they were thrown off kilter. Many of the players, who were active in discussions in the previous 48 hours, kept mum, saying nothing after Hassan slammed Mehidy.

We were told that all of our demands were met, but there was no actual detail. This was quite confusing, as we wanted to know exactly by how much, for example, the NCL [National Cricket League] match fees will be increased. There was no clear direction

“The Miraz thing rattled us,” one player told ESPNcricinfo on condition of anonymity. “The way the meeting began, it didn’t leave us with much to say. Shakib [Al Hasan] managed to put forth our points but the rest of us simply didn’t have the mentality to bargain.”We were told that all of our demands were met, but there was no actual detail. This was quite confusing, as we wanted to know exactly by how much, for example, the NCL [National Cricket League] match fees will be increased. There was no clear direction.” But Hassan, who later admitted in a press conference that he had lost his temper, then clarified the BCB’s stance on each demand.The BCB stayed out of discussions about the fresh elections of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh [CWAB], but association president Naimur Rahman agreed to hold elections soon. The players said that they wanted a representative from the current players so that they could regularly speak to the board about their issues. This representative is going to be a pivotal point for the rest of their demands, as the BCB committed that once this person is elected, they will respect the position.About the Dhaka Premier League’s return to a free-market system for player transfers, Hassan asked what would happen if the clubs don’t pay the players in time. The players said they would handle it.Mushfiqur Rahim speaks during the meeting between players and BCB officials•Raton GomesThen came the longest discussion, on the demand for first-class cricketers getting higher match fees, daily and travel allowances. Some domestic stalwarts like Mohammad Sharif, Shahriar Nafees, Nabil Samad and Enamul Haque jnr put up the players’ point of view, but after the back and forth, they weren’t fully certain of the outcome. The new fee structure wasn’t communicated to the players, but Hassan did later say that it would be firmed up within “two or three days”.Hassan also agreed to the demand of infrastructural development in cricket centres across the country in one consolidated go, and not one by one as was previously planned by the board.There was also discussion about an extra one-day and T20 tournament in the domestic season, which the BCB said they would try to fit in later this season.While many of the players left the meeting unconvinced, aggrieved and confused, there was also a sense of hope.”The fact that we could all come together under one cause was what shook the BCB,” one cricketer said. “I think they couldn’t believe that more cricketers joined us on the third day of our strike. They must have expected fewer cricketers to be with the movement.”So we have to remain strong together, and ensure that we get our demands implemented.”The players now feel proper follow-ups are required on their part, to ensure that the BCB keeps its side of the bargain. They believe that if the CWAB elections are held soon, it would be a major breakthrough, as it would give them a stronger say in every matter.They remain hopeful that despite all the personal attacks, Bangladesh cricket will see a new direction. At least a start has been made, but the players might have to monitor the progress (or lack of it) themselves.