August 16, 2022

The brief from today:

Filing error impacts Dutch football

With the summer transfer window drawing to a close in Europe, one country’s market will actually end on a different date than the other big leagues around the continent. This year’s transfer window, concluding on September 1 in many leagues, is slightly later than previous iterations, and that may be the cause for an error made in The Netherlands. The Dutch football association (KNVB) notified FIFA, prior to the transfer window, that their market would conclude on August 31, but they apparently didn’t get the memo that other European countries would continue for one more day. It was only after Dutch media reported on the disparity that the KNVB acknowledged they had made a mistake with their filing. In response, FIFA have told the KNVB that they won’t be granted the extension they appealed for. The main point of contention is the fact that the transfer window had already commenced when the appeal was made, and FIFA regulations prohibit any changes in those circumstances. What this now means for the KNVB is that while other leagues could potentially buy players from Dutch clubs on September 1, the selling teams would be prohibited from bringing in replacements since their window closed the day prior. According to the KNVB, they weren’t the only association to appeal for an extension that was rejected by FIFA, but the other applicants remain unnamed. Who knows whether the KNVB releasing that piece of information is just damage control to excuse their error, or whether it actually is the case. One thing is clear, however, players at Dutch clubs are typically targets of the larger European leagues, so the KNVB will be hoping any transfers that materialize will be concluded prior to August 31 incase replacements are required.

The KNVB will be hoping their filing error doesn’t negatively impact the clubs they oversee

Asamoah Gyan targeting the World Cup

Ghana coach, Otto Addo, may have a selection headache for the upcoming World Cup squad if Asamoah Gyan has anything to say about it. The 36-year-old Gyan, who is Ghana’s record goal scorer with a total of 51 goals, wants to play at the 2022 World Cup despite being without a club since April 2021. He has undertaken a personal physical regimen with a private trainer that is meant to take eight weeks, at which point he believes he will be fit enough to play at a high level. According to Gyan, “Talent wise, everything is there already, so I just have to prepare physically.” Clearly he hasn’t lost his confidence, and it’s no surprise considering he has represented Ghana at three World Cups—2006, 2010, 2014—and is the current African record goalscorer at the World Cup. On his ambition to add to those numbers, Gyan went on to say, “The World Cup is every footballer’s dream. I think I’ve got a bit of energy left in me to prove myself again.” The way he sees it, despite being out of the game for an extended period, he has never actually formally retired. Nevertheless, he is drawing inspiration from a former African football legend, Roger Milla, who actually did retire before returning to play for Cameroon at the 1994 World Cup. Gyan clarified that he actually hasn’t had any dialogue with Addo, or any other members of the Ghana technical staff, but his focus for now is to gain physical fitness first. Of course, there is also added incentive for his efforts after Ghana was drawn against Uruguay in Group H. Following the cruel penalty shootout exit at the hands of the South American nation in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal, revenge is on the minds of many Ghanaians, including Gyan. For now, however, before he can contribute personally to the revenge mission, Gyan has his work cut out for him, and while the chances seem slim, it would be quite a sensational return if he managed to make the final squad.

Asamoah Gyan looking for one more World Cup appearance