Lampard Issue and 39th Game

The Lampard Issue

A lot is being talked and speculated over the future of Frank Lampard after this season. Lampard, whose current deal expires at the end of next season, had been widely expected to agree a new contract that would effectively mean he finishes his career in west London. But Frank has alleged the Club of foot-dragging. Lampard is frustrated at not being offered a new contract even though the club has promised one.

Avram Grant has voiced confidence that Lampard will stay while simultaneously insisting that contract negotiations are not his responsibility. This stand wouldn't please Lampard and is not the right tactic by Grant towards his best player. If Grant wanted Lampard to stay, maybe he should say it loud and clear. And if he doesn't want Lampard and himself in the same club, maybe its time for the sad-faced man to go and be assistant to the Barnsley manager.

Meanwhile Chief Executive Kenyon insists that Lampard's contract issue will be resolved before summer. I hope this confusion ends soon. With Lampard in such a great form on the pitch and the season heading for a tough finish, the star player should be allowed to concentrate on his football.

EPL, The 39th Match

FIFA has rejected EPL's overseas plans. It was a unanimous decision by the FIFA executive committee. Even former FA Chairman Geoff Thompson is said to have opposed the move. At least there are some people who doesn't look at the financial benefits alone. The soul of EPL would have been lost. And who knows, this 39th step would have been the first step of such 'brilliant' moves by the FA.

President Sepp Blatter announced that the decision to scrap trials of goal-line technology had been given full backing by the world governing body's football and technical committees. Blatter also said he would issue a personal request to clubs to release over-age players for the Olympic football tournament in Beijing this summer even though they were not forced to.