Latest news with #GersonRodrigues
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Premier League journeyman Andros Townsend joins his 16th different club as he signs for little-known Thai minnows
Former England winger Andros Townsend has completed a surprise move to Thai minnows Kanchanaburi Power - the 16th different club of his career. Townsend, who earned 13 caps for the Three Lions between 2013 and 2016, put pen to paper after his new side were promoted to the Thai top-flight last season. He will wear the No 25 for Kanchanaburi and is clearly not ready to hang up his boots despite spending much of his summer commentating at the Club World Cup. The shock signing was officially announced on the personal Facebook page of Kanchanaburi's club chairman, Prawat Kithammakunnit. Townsend posed for a photo holding his new shirt on the Bridge over the River Kwai, one of Thailand's most important historical landmarks. The club are located in Mueang, around 93 miles west of Bangkok and near the border of Myanmar. Kanchanaburi Power were founded just eight years ago and have already gone through three rebrands, which have seen its name change from Singha Golden Bells to Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi and finally, its current iteration. He played for several clubs in the Premier League and has now represented 16 different sides Townsend has been joined by fellow new signings Aboubakar Kamara, the former Fulham striker, and Luxembourg international Gerson Rodrigues. Fifteen-time Algeria international Mehdi Tahrat is also on the club's books. Townsend will wear 'Townsend Sr' on the back of his shirt instead of his last name. This is because he has a young son named Andros Townsend Jr. He made 23 appearances last season for Turkish side Antalyaspor, including 18 in the Super Lig, but quickly departed the club despite signing an initial two-year deal. The veteran forward previously represented the likes of Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace in the Premier League. His most recent stint in the top-flight came at Luton during the 2023-24 campaign. Townsend earned his first senior call-up for England in September 2013 and made his debut against Montenegro in a World Cup qualifier, in which he scored. He also found the target for the Three Lions against San Marino during Euro 2016 qualification and after scoring an equaliser against Italy in March 2015.
Morocco World
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Luxembourg vs Republic of Ireland: When, How to Watch & Score Prediction
The Republic of Ireland are set to face off against Luxembourg in their second international friendly. Ireland head to Stade de Luxembourg tonight with cautious optimism. Their recent form is on the up, unbeaten in three and scoring five in that stretch. A draw against Senegal last time out felt harsh, having led for over an hour and limited the opposition to just one big chance. They'll be aiming for a repeat of their last meeting with Luxembourg – a 3-0 win back in 2021. That result feels within reach again, given the hosts' current form. Luc Holtz's side have lost their last two matches and managed just five goals in their last 11 outings. Defensively, they've not fared much better, winning only once in their last five home games and conceding regularly. Up front, the Red Lions are expected to start Gerson Rodrigues, Brian Madjo and Florian Bohnert. Midfielders Danel Sinani and Leandro Barreiro will look to dictate the tempo, with Tomas de Sousa Moreira providing support behind the front three. Ireland's XI is likely to remain familiar. Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal, with Nathan Collins leading the backline. Will Smallbone and Jason Knight should resume their midfield partnership, while Adam Idah will spearhead the attack flanked by Jack Taylor and Ryan Manning. The visitors have their defensive frailties – 18 goals conceded in their last 10 – and Luxembourg might fancy their chances of nicking one. But on the balance of form and quality, Ireland are the more polished outfit. Their recent run and a bit of added grit should see them through. Kick-off is at 7:45 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on Fibo and Vix. MWN says: Luxembourg 1-3 Republic of Ireland Tags: friendlyIrelandLuxembourg
Irish Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ireland get together in Luxembourg for one last job
You'd imagine that, at this stage of the year, Heimir Hallgrímsson's men are dreaming of lying on a beach somewhere and resting their weary bones after an interminable club and international season. Before they get to do that, though, they have a friendly away to Luxembourg to contend with, Gavin Cummiskey previewing this evening's game. And he hears from Irish captain Nathan Collins who is likely to have a new gaffer when he returns to Brentford , Thomas Frank on the verge of taking over from Ange Postecoglou at Spurs. James McDermott traces the development of football in Luxembourg , optimism rising there over their chances of qualifying for their first ever major tournament. In Luc Holtz, they have the second-longest-serving national coach in Europe, but he's been embroiled in no end of controversy after naming Gerson Rodrigues in his squad - Rodrigues is currently serving an 18-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend. In Gaelic games, that penalty shoot-out in the Munster hurling final brought back some memories for Conor McManus , not least of the one that decided Monaghan's All Ireland quarter-final against Armagh two years ago. Happy memories, too - McManus scored twice. Our GAA crew pick out five things they learned from the weekend , Denis Walsh writing about how the character of the Munster final 'changed noticeably' when referee James Owens took over from Thomas Walsh after the latter suffered from cramp. Gordon Manning addresses the same matter, and asks what exactly we want from our officials ? Let the game flow, or clamp down on every infringement? READ MORE In rugby, Gerry Thornley looks ahead to the URC final between Leinster and the Bulls , Leinster badly in need of a win to wrap up a frustrating season. While Sam Prendergast 'might have left his kicking boots at home last weekend against Glasgow', Johnny Watterson hears Tyler Bleyendaal salute the young outhalf who, he says, has become 'one of the game drivers' in the Leinster squad. Owen Doyle, meanwhile, was left 'perplexed' by URC chief executive Martin Anayi's response to Jaden Hendrikse's 'cramp and wink' carry-on against Munster. ' Incredibly, he did not condemn the gamesmanship ,' instead insisting that the game needs 'characters'. If this behaviour catches on, says Owen, we will see it 'spread like slurry' in the game. In golf, Philip Reid is over at Oakmont Country Club for the build-up to the US Open, Dustin Johnson the last winner of the tournament when it was staged at the Pennsylvania course. Much has changed in the world of golf since then , Johnson among those who 'jumped ship for a bottomless pit of greenbacks' on the LIV tour. And in racing, Brian O'Connor brings news that Ireland's champion jockey Colin Keane has secured one of racing's most prized jobs after he was appointed as the number one in Europe to Juddmonte. 'It opens the way for the Meath jockey to take his career to the next level on the world stage.' TV Watch: RTÉ 2 has live coverage this evening of the Republic of Ireland's friendly away to Luxembourg (7.45), and at the same time on ITV, England play Senegal, who drew in Dublin last Friday.
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Luxembourg federation embroiled in protest controversy ahead of Republic of Ireland friendly
Luxembourg's football association – the Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football (FLF) – has issued an apology to supporters following the approach taken by stadium stewards towards protesters demonstrating against the continued selection of Gerson Rodrigues during the country's 1-0 defeat to Slovenia on Friday. The demonstrations come ahead of the Republic of Ireland's visit to Luxembourg on Tuesday (kick-of 7.45pm Irish time). Rodrigues is serving an 18-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, the former Miss Luxembourg, Emilie Boland. In April, Rodrigues lost his appeal against the charges and subsequent fines. READ MORE Luxembourg's head coach Luc Holtz stated last week that the Portuguese-born forward was called up as he does not 'feel called to judge [the player] a second time.' Rodrigues played the full 90 minutes against Slovenia. On Sunday evening, the FLF responded to criticism from the county's sports minister Georges Mischo and the women's rights group which organised the protest at Stade de Luxembourg. 'We would like to address the selection of a player for the national team whose criminal record has sparked significant public debate,' the FLF statement said. 'Being fully aware of the controversy that such a decision could generate, it was made seriously and in accordance with the current legal and sporting framework. Nonetheless, we fully understand the sensitivities that this choice may have provoked. 'Furthermore, during the same match, banners were displayed in the stands as a form of protest. While some of them were considered to violate FIFA/UEFA regulations – which prohibit political, offensive, sexual, discriminatory, or commercial messages – an unfortunate miscommunication occurred between the General Secretariat of the FLF and the security personnel. 'This lack of co-ordination led to several banners being removed, beyond what was necessary to comply with the regulations. This regrettable situation was also publicly acknowledged by the Secretary General during the post-match press conference, where he admitted that the handling of the incident did not meet expectations,' the statement added. 'We want to be absolutely clear on this point: no instruction was given by the FLF Board of Directors to remove all messages. That was not, and never will be, our philosophy – out of respect for our loyal supporters. Dialogue, listening, and transparency remain fundamental values for our Federation. 'We sincerely apologise to all those affected. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring full freedom of expression for all football fans and supporters of our national team, whether outside or inside a football stadium. 'We, as the Board of Directors, will draw the necessary lessons to ensure such incidents do not happen again in the future. We dare to hope that our supporters will come out in large numbers for the Luxembourg – Republic of Ireland match next Tuesday,' the FLF statement concluded. In response to the continued selection of Rodrigues, Ms Boland posted a picture of her facial injuries on Instagram over the weekend with a direct message FLF and the team's head coach: 'Dear Mr Holtz, would the decision be different if this would be your daughter? 'Gerson Rodrigues has never presented his excuses so, no, I do not believe he regrets anything that he has done.' Holtz is due to hold a prematch press conference at 3pm on Monday ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Heimir Hallgrímsson's side.
