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Sources close to a £30 million player claim he's already now close to joining Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Edu planning to reinforce Arsenal backline this summer

Sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta, who work in tandem on the club's transfer plans each window, are apparently planning to reinforce the Gunners backline this summer.

Arsenal table formal bid to sign £52 million man who's "perfect" for Arteta

The Gunners are moving quickly pre-summer.

ByEmilio Galantini May 15, 2024

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is set to leave Arsenal this summer, according to widespread reports, so it is believed that the north Londoners will look to bring in a new backup to current number one David Raya (Fabrizio Romano) – who will make his loan from Brentford permanent.

Ramsdale has an agreement he can depart when the transfer window reopens, as per Football Insider, with former Arsenal shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny targeted by club chiefs as a possible option to succeed the Englishman.

It looks near-certain that there will be a shake-up between the sticks, as reliable Evening Standard journalist Simon Collings also backs that Arsenal are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper.

Elsewhere in the team, it is believed that Arsenal are eyeing up central defensive reinforcements. Both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes remain ever-presents and crucial mainstays at the heart of Arteta's backline, but the Spaniard could benefit from a capable alternative if either of the duo become unavailable.

Saliba's injury at the end of last season is seen by many as a key reason why Arsenal eventually lost out on the Premier League title to treble-winning Man City, with Arsenal targeting Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato as one name to provide more alternative options.

Arteta is unlikely to slot Ben White back into his natural central defensive role right now, mainly because Arsenal have precious few natural right-backs at his disposal, and the former Brighton star has performed exceptionally further wide since the emergence of Saliba in 2022/2023.

However, White has also admitted to his own limitations.

"I know I'm not going to stop everyone and I know I'm not the best one-v-one defender," said White on his Arsenal right-back role this season.

Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea

9.43

Bournemouth 0-4 Arsenal

8.48

Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal

8.13

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

7.77

Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace

7.56

"But I know I can do things to help the team in game situations against their winger. Every game, normally the winger is the best player so it's always a challenge and I have to do my homework and try and stop him. There's all sorts [happening at set-pieces], standing on your feet, elbows. It's OK. I just have to stand in the way and see what happens."

Arsenal are targeting natural full-back options who could serve as alternatives to White, and a versatile ace who could slot in perfectly is £30 million Fenerbache ace Ferdi Kadioglu.

Ferdi Kadioglou now "close" to joining Arsenal

The 24-year-old Turkey international, who's been one of Fenerbache's star players this season, is capable of playing at both right-back and left-back – as well as further up field on the wings.

This could be pretty enticing from Arteta's perspective, as his signing would plug many holes in the Arsenal squad. Now, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has emphatically claimed that "sources close" to Kadioglu say he's "close" to joining Arsenal.

While formal talks with Fenerbache are yet to begin, this comes as potentially good news for supporters, with there still being a whole month to go until the transfer window officially opens.

With a two-week quarantine period representing a substantial cost for organisers,SLC rethinks timing

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Aug-2020The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has been postponed until at least mid-November, after Sri Lanka’s government insisted that anyone arriving on the island for the tournament would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. With only 17 days to go until the scheduled start of the LPL, and with a two-week quarantine period representing a substantial cost for organisers, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was forced to rethink the tournament’s timing.SLC had hoped Sri Lanka’s health ministry would allow a shorter and more flexible quarantine period for those directly involved in the tournament – players, broadcast crew, organisers and commentators – but with many of the potential new arrivals coming from nations dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks, government health officers had not consented.”We’re not the experts, so we had to go with what the health ministry is telling us,” SLC vice-president Ravin Wickramaratne told ESPNcricinfo. “There’s a window from November 20th to December 12th, so that is what we are planning.” It was not feasible to simply push the tournament back several weeks, as it would then clash with the proposed dates for the IPL, which the LPL is unlikely to be able to compete with in terms of viewer interest.ALSO READ: Bangladesh tour of SL could be rescheduled to OctoberSri Lanka has largely been successful in containing the virus, recording even fewer official deaths than New Zealand. But that has been the result of stringent quarantine measures, which may even hurt the chances of international cricket resuming in Sri Lanka in October. Bangladesh are due to tour for a Test series during that month, with the BCB even asking to send a development squad, meaning there may be as many as 60 arrivals from Bangladesh. But if all of those flying in are required to undergo 14 days in quarantine, even that tour becomes less feasible, according to Wickramaratne.”We have asked the health ministry to try and be more flexible going forward,” he said. “If they have to do a 14-day quarantine for the Bangladesh tour, then the costs of that will have to be borne by their board, and it becomes difficult.”Playing the LPL at such short notice was always going to be a stretch given franchises are yet to be finalised for the five teams, while sponsors were yet to be found as well. The scarcity of flights into Colombo presented yet another serious logistical hurdle, with players and broadcast personnel needing to be flown in from various parts of the world.SLC had confirmed an event-holder for the tournament in the Dubai-based Innovative Production Group (IPG), however, and IPG is expected to now work towards holding this tournament in November.SLC has frequently failed to host a franchise T20 tournament. On at least four previous occasions, the board has announced a tournament that never materialised.

With the current financial situation looming overhead at Goodison Park, manager Sean Dyche may find it difficult to improve his Everton squad during the transfer window.

The Toffees have been plagued with numerous financial setbacks over the past couple of years, including two separate breaches of the Premier League’s PSR rules for the 2022/23 season.

Unsurprisingly, the situation has seen drastic changes on Merseyside, with Dyche’s side still needing to raise funds before June 30th if they are to avoid another potential points deduction during the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Whilst it’s unclear how much will need to be raised within the next month, the club will likely have to part ways with a big-money talent, with Amadou Onana constantly touted with a move to Premier League rivals West Ham United.

Regardless of whether the Belgian departs Merseyside this summer, the Toffees need to work tirelessly to pursue a move for one player who will cost the club absolutely nothing during the off-season.

Everton remain interested in 44-cap international

According to Foot Mercato, Everton remain interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this summer, but face tough competition from French side Lyon for his signature.

The report states that Lyon, who have qualified for the Europa League for next season are attempting to hijack any move for the 27-year-old, with the Toffees and Real Betis both interested in a move for the box-to-box midfielder.

The former Genk talent has played a key role in securing an immediate return to the Premier League for the Foxes in 2023/24, featuring in 32 matches, bagging himself four goals and five assists in the process.

Given Leicester’s current financial situation, it’s unlikely they will be able to afford his £75k-per-week wages, with the Nigerian – who will be out of contract later this month – undoubtedly wanting an increase given their return to England’s top flight.

As a result of his form and interest, Dyche’s side must act quickly if they are to finalise a deal for his services, with Ndidi being the perfect partner for one player within the Everton side.

Why Ndidi would be the perfect Garner partner for Everton

The club have desperately needed more goals into the side, following a campaign that saw them score the second-lowest tally in the league, only ahead of bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both managed seven goals each in the Premier League this season, finishing as the club’s top scorers.

However, the arrival of Ndidi could bolster their tally with his playstyle from midfield being the perfect match alongside James Garner in the heart of the club’s midfield.

The former Manchester United man averaged 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League this season, with his ball-winning abilities falling perfectly into Ndidi’s attacking capabilities.

The Nigerian has averaged 1.8 shots per 90 and 0.6 carries per match into the penalty area – an example of his desire to get into the opposition box and cause chaos.

Shots

1.8

Assists

0.2

Progressive passes

6.9

Touches in attacking penalty area

4.6

Goals

0.2

Carries into penalty areas

0.6

The “colossus” of a midfielder, as described by journalist Andy Withers, also averaged 0.2 goals per game in the Championship, a figure that ranked him within the top 15% of all fellow midfielders during the 2023/24 season.

His previous Premier League experience could be very handy to Dyche’s side next season in what could be a tricky year with the financial problems that could plague the club for a second successive campaign.

With no fee involved, the club should go all out to sign the 27-year-old, with Ndidi having the ability to provide needed goals to the Toffees squad to further bolster their chances of Premier League survival.

Everton eye swoop for "absolute beast" who could be Gareth Barry 2.0

He could be available after an unsuccessful move in 2023/24.

ByEthan Lamb May 29, 2024

Harry Kane was on target once again as Bayern Munich thrashed Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga clash.

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Kane was on target for BayernThrashed Werder Bremen 5-0Bayern scored 20 goals in seven daysFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England captain scored once and provided two assists while former Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise netted a brace and came up with a couple of assists as Bayern thrashed Werder Bremen 5-0. With Saturday's victory, the Bavarian club have now scored 20 goals in the last seven days across all competitions and 29 overall after just six matches into the 2024-25 season.

AdvertisementWHAT HARRY KANE SAID

The 31-year-old striker was understandably exhilarated after a great week of football. He took to Instagram, writing: "Brilliant away win! Been a great week full of wins and goals. Let’s keep it going."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With his goal against Werder Bremen, the former Spurs star achieved yet another milestone in Germany as he became the highest-ever English goalscorer in Bundesliga's history surpassing Jadon Sancho's tally of 40 league goals.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR HARRY KANE?

The star forward will be back in action next Saturday as Vincent Kompany's side take on reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen in a mega Bundesliga clash.

The Australia captain hopes that a return to the cricket field will help focus minds ahead of the home summer

Daniel Brettig03-Sep-2020Australia’s T20 captain Aaron Finch has stated his frank belief that the Big Bash grew too quickly in size when it leapt from a 10 to 14 match regular season either side of the most recent broadcast rights deal currently being disputed by the free-to-air rights holder Seven in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.Desperate for a discount in their share of the A$1.2 billion rights deal struck in 2018 due to a worsening financial outlook for the network, Seven and its outspoken chief executive James Warburton have repeatedly asked Cricket Australia for fee reductions. First they did so on the basis of content being reduced due to Covid-19 and more recently on the flimsier premise that quality will be affected by Australian players going into quarantine hubs for international fixtures against India.In truth, the BBL has always been part of delicate scheduling dance between formats and competitions for CA, and the major jump in the length of the tournament in 2018 has made it still less likely that the likes of David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, plus any number of high-profile overseas names, would be involved.ALSO READ: Tim Paine urges Cricket Australia and broadcasters to ‘work together’ for benefit of the gameFinch, who led the Melbourne Renegades to their first title in 2019, said that while players would have varying views depending on how well or otherwise they were playing, he felt the jump to 14 games, to help bump up the broadcast asking price two years ago, was too much, too soon.”All in all, I think going from 10 to 14 was probably a little bit too drastic a jump straight away, maybe if there was a middle ground there for 12 and trial that for a little period, but it’s still a great product and something that we’re proud of. I think that’s all a bit subjective to how you’re playing as a person at the time – I think if you’re flying as a batter you want to keep playing as much as you can, but I know there’s been some stats around potentially cutting it back and what that looks like for fans.”We want to play as much cricket as we can and I’m not sure exactly what that right number is. I think as long as the quality stays there, I know it’s going to be a little bit different this year with Covid-19 and the potential for some hubs that will change the outlook.”Finch’s words were not dissimilar to the earlier suggestion of the former Seven and Ten executive David Barham, instrumental in building the BBL’s rights value between 2013 and 2018, that bigger was not always better as far as audiences were concerned.”It’s so easy for sporting administrators to think we need more money, let’s play more, let’s do more,” he told SEN Radio earlier this year. “It’s not necessarily the best answer; the NFL rights have been going through the roof and they haven’t changed the number of rounds ever as far as I can tell.Aaron Finch would be needed to captain Australia in white-ball cricket•Getty Images”It depends on your ratings…35 games to 61 is a massive increase that is way out of proportion. That’s really tested everybody, and it was a school holidays sport that was doing a million people a night on Channel Ten averaging more than what AFL and NRL did on a per-game basis. So you go from a million people a night, and I think they’ve dropped 40% in ratings by expanding. You’ve got to look and think carefully before you think that the answer is just putting on more games.”Having been a part of the BBL since its conception, Finch admitted he had become concerned by the amount of speculation surrounding the competition as CA, Seven and Fox Sports wrestled with how to stage it this summer. For his part, Finch was hopeful that the return of the national team to play after a lengthier break than planned due to coronavirus would help shift focus from the game’s finances and politics to cricket itself.”I think it’s a great product, and yes it’d be nice if Australian players were available more, but I think just in the current climate with the scheduling there has to be a little bit of give and take from everywhere,” he said. “I know CA are working really hard to try and work around it as best they can and come up with some really positive solutions.”Whenever there’s no content being played it gives people a lot of time to sit around and come up with a lot of theories. The fact we’re back tomorrow is really exciting and hopefully we can let the cricket do the talking from a lot of different aspects. I think that one thing that’s been really pleasing is coming over here and letting go of everything else and really digging into training and focusing on the game coming up.”It’s going to be a quick series and then on the back of that, there’s domestic cricket around the world and at home. Guys are excited but really looking forward to trying to put some positive headlines out there.”CA’s chief executive Nick Hockley had scheduled meetings with the chief executives of Foxtel and Seven on Thursday and Friday this week.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has insisted his team will head to Manchester City looking for the win in Sunday's crunch Premier League clash.

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Man City host Arsenal on SundayGunners criticised for defensive approach last timeSaka says team are going for the winWHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal and Manchester City face off in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday. The Gunners drew 0-0 on their last visit to the Etihad and received criticism from some quarters for their defensive approach against Pep Guardiola's side. Saka has insisted he's not worried about his team's critics and has vowed his team will go to the home of the champions aiming to bring back all three points.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SAKA SAID

He told reporters: "To be honest, I don’t really care. We know what we believed, we know what we went there to achieve. Only we know the real truth. We went there to win and we are going to do that again this Sunday.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Both teams head into the match after enduring goalless draws in the Champions League in midweek. Manchester City were held by Inter, while Arsenal saw goalkeeper David Raya star in their stalemate with Atalanta. The Gunners will also be without injured captain Martin Odegaard once again, as he is out with an ankle injury, and Saka has admitted his absence is a big blow. He added: "Yeah, you know how much I love Martin. He is a world-class player and we are going to miss him. We have to adapt. We have strength and players who can also play in his position. We will find a solution until he is back.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal have won only three of their 29 Premier League away matches against Manchester City.

Manchester City have made a first move for one of their long-term targets this summer, according to reports.

Guardiola preparing for swansong season?

Following the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, it was a somewhat muted trophy parade through the streets of Manchester for the Cityzens. Off the back of a treble winning season, they had *just* the Premier League to celebrate this time around, something that they have grown accustomed to in recent seasons with this year being their fourth consecutive title win.

Man City linked with "genius" manager to replace Pep Guardiola in 2025

Pep Guardiola loves him.

ByHenry Jackson May 28, 2024

But that could all be set to change soon, after it was reported that this season could be Pep Guardiola's last in charge of the Etihad outfit. His current contract is due to expire in 2025, and there is widespread speculation that he will opt to step down at that point, while it is around that time that the verdict for the 115 Premier League charges could be made in what threatens to be a massive summer for the club.

As per The Daily Mail, though City would like to keep Guardiola at the club, "multiple sources within the industry and City have openly discussed the prospect of an impending departure over recent months" as the club look to life without the Spaniard.

It means that the 2024/25 campaign could prove to be his last, and there remains plenty of speculation over how his squad could shape up for it with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ederson and Bernardo Silva all linked with moves away from the club, while Kalvin Phillips and Sergio Gomez may leave in search of added game time.

As a result, there will likely be plenty of fresh faces this summer, and Guardiola may have been handed the opportunity to strengthen his ranks with a player he is a massive fan of.

Midfielder on the move?

That comes in the form of midfield maestro Dani Olmo, who has been a long-term target for both Manchester City and Barcelona, and who could finally leave RB Leipzig this summer after several transfer windows of speculation.

Despite still having three years to run on his £170,000 per week deal in Germany, Olmo has a £51m release clause in his contract this summer, and he has reportedly been speaking with current Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol, who swapped Leipzig for Manchester last summer.

While Barcelona are also tracking the midfielder, it is added that Olmo prefers a move to the Premier League, and to that end reports in Spain (via Sport Witness) add that Manchester City have "started to move" to sign the Spaniard, with the Cityzens holding the financial advantage over Barcelona and also able to satisfy Olmo's desire to play in England.

Dani Olmo's Bundesliga season

Appearances

21

Goals

4

Assists

5

Progressive carries per 90

3.73

Key passes per 90

1.99

Shot creating actions per 90

3.79

Guardiola has been a long-term fan, admitting that he thought Olmo was a "top player" when his side faced the Spaniard during his time at Dinamo Zagreb.

"He's a top player—he has a bright future, of course", he explained. "His performance today shows it. About the transfer and the money he deserves, that is not the point. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe. Hopefully if Dinamo wants and he wants, it can happen."

Now, he may finally get the chance to work with him for a season at least.

She reiterated her stance that success of women’s competitions is contingent upon the participation of the “best players from around the world”

Annesha Ghosh22-Aug-20201:53

Alyssa Healy: South Africa’s T20 World Cup semi-final run part of WBBL’s success

Alyssa Healy has reiterated her stance that the success of women’s domestic competitions such as the WBBL and the Women’s T20 Challenge is contingent upon the participation of the “best players from around the world.” Stressing on South Africa women’s run to the T20 World Cup semi-finals earlier this year as a testament to the WBBL as a springboard to international success, Healy said she hoped that decision-making around scheduling of domestic tournaments is determined only by what’s “actually best” for women’s cricket.”The women’s game is naturally different to the men’s game. Sometimes, decisions that are made at the top level for the men’s game doesn’t necessarily reflect what we need within women’s cricket,” Healy, the premier Australia and Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper-batter, told ESPNcricinfo during a chat on Beyond the Boundary, the ICC’s recently released documentary on the 2020 T20 World Cup. “Hopefully, the boards are deciding what’s best for the women’s game because it is best for the women’s game.”Healy, who had earlier expressed her discontent on Twitter about the clash in scheduling of the T20 Challenge, the Indian T20 tournament considered a prelude to an IPL-style women’s league, weeks after the schedule for the upcoming edition of the WBBL had been announced, explained the reasoning behind her displeasure.

“Think those seven or eight South African players in the Big Bash last year – it’s no coincidence that they were in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.”Alyssa Healy

“Personally, why I was so vocal about that clash was that there’s no need for domestic competitions around the world to clash in the women’s game at the moment,” Healy said. “There’s plenty of time throughout the year to schedule these events.”For me, personally, it’s something I will absolutely love to be involved in, but I have got a WBBL to be part of and, for me, that’s the premier domestic competition in the world right now for T20 cricket. And, for me, I can’t turn down a contract like that to be able to go elsewhere to play in another domestic competition.”ALSO READ: ‘Opportunity to play four big events in 2022 daunting but exciting’To underscore the role of the WBBL in the growth of international cricket, Healy called to mind the T20 World Cup campaign of South Africa, whose appearance in this year’s semi-finals was just the second such instance in seven editions of the 20-over world tournament. Although they were knocked out by hosts and eventual champions Australia, South Africa’s three straight wins, including against last edition’s runners-up England, en route to topping Group B, remained a highlight.For the sixth edition of the WBBL, to be held from October 17 to November 29, six South Africa players, including captain Dane van Niekerk, have already signed contracts across five franchises. Their availability for the three-team T20 Challenge, scheduled to run from November 1-10 on the sidelines of the IPL in the UAE, therefore, remains unlikely, and most top Australia and New Zealand players are also set to miss out.”In my mind, there’s no need that they need to clash,” Healy said. “And, ultimately, for these competitions to thrive, we want the best players from around the world to take part in it and we’ve seen the success of the WBBL over the last five years and the success that it’s led to in international cricket.”Think those seven or eight South African players in the Big Bash last year – it’s no coincidence that they were in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. So I just think it’s great for the women’s game as a whole.”Alyssa Healy was a part of the Women’s T20 Challenge match in 2018•BCCIThe overlap also thrust the participation of the Indian contingent in the WBBL that ESPNcricinfo understands was to feature at least four players, including two debutants, into uncertainty. The Australian players had missed the T20 Challenge last year too.While Healy hoped that the T20 Challenge this year is a success and pledged her support for it as well as a potential “fully fledged” variant of it, she suggested that slotting in the WBBL and the T20 Challenge “at opposite ends of the year potentially” might go some way towards helping Australians and other internationals play in both tournaments.”It’s fantastic there’s talk of a women’s IPL [T20 Challenge]; I’d love to see a fully fledged one [an IPL-style women’s league],” Healy said. “I’d be standing right behind it and supporting it wherever I can. It’s great that the BCCI are talking about making that happen for the domestic players in India. I think it’s the next step for them to have a fully-fledged competition of their own, just like the WBBL as we have seen – what’s it’s done for women’s cricket in this country.”I just hope it didn’t clash and I would like to see them play at opposite ends of the year potentially – whatever it might look like, so that us international cricketers can stick our hand up, and come over and support and play a role, if we are wanted. That was probably why I was so vocal about it. But, in saying that, it is such a fantastic thing for Indian cricket to have their own competition and I hope it’s really successful for them.”

England interim manager Lee Carsley has jumped to Harry Kane's defence following his disappointing display for Bayern Munich against Aston Villa.

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Kane disappointed in last two gamesStriker facing criticism in GermanyEngland boss stuck up for starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kane struggled to get on the ball as Aston Villa withstood the pressure from the German giants and went on to seal an incredible 1-0 win in the Champions League tie thanks to a long-range goal from substitute Jhon Duran.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane managed just two shots in the entire game, both deep in injury time as Villa held out for a shock win. That display came just days after he was heavily criticised for going missing as Bayern drew 1-1 with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

WHAT CARSLEY SAID

Having named the striker in his 25-man squad for the upcoming clashes with Greece and Finland, Carsley was asked about the criticism aimed at Kane.

"Harry Kane is a player that will always score goals. With people sometimes, centre-forwards are an easy target because they are the ones you expect to deliver," he said. "You have to be aware there are another 10 players who go with that. You need support, you need to have chances created for him. I think he’s doing well. His goal record flashed up before the game [against Villa] and it’s outstanding. It can’t be questioned. I can only go on what I see on camp. He was outstanding [last month for England], the goals that he scored [against Finland], the way he conducted himself, the way he trained. He’s in a good place."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

Having gone two games in a row without a win, Kane and his Bavarian co-stars will be determined to pick up three points when they visit Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this weekend, before the England star goes off to join the national team.

All the buzz from the game between KL Rahul’s Kings XI Punjab and Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2020