July 21, 2022
The brief from today:
Santos under investigation
Brazilian Serie A side, Santos, are the subject of an investigation by the São Paulo State prosecutors’ office. The club have been ordered to halt all academy related activities while the investigation into alleged illegal child labor proceeds. Santos has rejected the charges saying that they are “absurd”, and their official arguments will be made in due course. For their part, the prosecutors’ office has given the São Paulo side until July 26 to lay out their case. The Santos academy has always been well regarded, and has produced its fair share of football stars over the years such as: Pele, Robinho, and Neymar to name a few. Their current stance is that the academy always follows the laws of the country regarding child work. Due to the case being about minors, details have been sealed, but leaked information from anonymous sources state that around 75 kids—all younger than 13—played for Santos without any compensation.
Santos and the São Paulo State prosecutors’ office have a serious case to sort out
Rooney makes his first signing
New DC United coach, Wayne Rooney, has started making moves in the transfer market. His first signing is Jamaica international, Ravel Morrison. Rooney and Morrison crossed paths as players at Manchester United from 2010-2012, although the latter didn’t make any appearances for the club. They reunited last season at Derby County, this time with Rooney as the manager who recruited his former teammate to be part of his midfield. In 38 appearances for Derby last season, Morrison scored five and assisted four, and Rooney has decided he wants more of that recruiting him once again, this time to play in MLS. Morrison was always highly thought of, but he never managed to find the consistency to prove his supporters right throughout his career. After multiple clubs in various countries/leagues including: England, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, and Holland, he can now add the US to the list.
Lacazette deals with wasps
Lyon are currently in The Netherlands for their preseason with two matches scheduled for this weekend: the first against Willem II, and the second against Feyenoord. The latter match is the one meant to include the preferred starting lineup for coach, Peter Bosz, but he will have to do without forward, Alexandre Lacazette. Apparently while in the Dutch forest, presumably on a bike conditioning ride, both Lacazette and fellow striker, Moussa Dembele, were stung by wasps. Dembele has managed to recover, but Lacazette is still feeling the effects of his stings, and is now a doubt for training and the match. The club, manager, and certainly the player, will be disappointed considering the much needed preparation this match provides with the Ligue 1 season just around the corner.
Lacazette, and Lyon, will be hoping for a quick recovery