Lion Links: 4/6/20

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. Well, I just had five days off and am now heading in for six days at work before another eight days off. Selling cars can be so weird. I’ve done a good job of social distancing while at home. I’ve gotten reacquainted with my PS4, though I haven’t delved into FIFA 20 yet because it still feels too raw. I’m also watching Tiger King on Netflix, but honestly that’s for the listeners of The Mane Land PawedCast. Oh, and I’m also getting stuff done around the house. Now, let’s get to the links.

Footballers Breaking the Rules

Nearly the whole world is under some sort of lockdown right now. That didn’t stop these players from breaking out though. Serbian striker Aleksandar Prijovic and 19 other players were arrested for being out past the 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Prijovic wasn’t the first Serbian to break curfew though, as Luka Jovic was investigated for the same thing earlier this month.

Meanwhile, RC Celta de Vigo’s Fedor Smolov broke quarantine and flew home to Russia to attend his girlfriend’s 18th birthday. The 30-year-old player got engaged to Maria Yumasheva earlier this year. Finally, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and a friend invited sex workers to his place during the lockdown.

Former OCB Player Recognized

Former Orlando City B defensive midfielder Jordan Schweitzer was voted into the Colorado Springs Switchback FC’s Best XI. All players who were in the club during their first five years (2015-2019) were eligible to be selected. Congrats to Jordan!

In 2018 and 2019, Schweitzer made at least 34 appearances and played nearly 3,000 minutes in each season. He scored his only Colorado Springs goal in 2019 and finished with five assists across the two seasons. The University of Denver product and former Seattle Sounders homegrown player spent some of the 2019 preseason with the Colorado Rapids.

FIFA’s New Guidelines

With the coronavirus affecting various clubs’ ability to pay players during the stoppages, FIFA released new guidelines to deal with complaints and appeals. With all the different leagues, clubs, and players involved, things could get very complicated. At the very least, FIFA recommended that any agreements “guarantee some form of salary payment to players and coaches, avoid litigation, protect contractual stability, and ensure clubs do not go bankrupt, while considering the financial impact of COVID-19 on clubs.” Clubs in Germany, Italy, and Spain have already come to various agreements. However, the English Premier League is still working on terms. Indeed, Jamie Carragher called out his former club, Liverpool, for not doing enough for non-player employees.

Soccer Movies for Quarantine

If you’re anything like me, you’re looking for anything soccer related to get you through each day. There are match replays, but there might not be much drama involved depending on the match. That isn’t a problem when it comes to soccer movies though. As such, lists of must-see soccer movies are starting to pop up. Of course, that list isn’t nearly complete. As a Liverpool supporter, I’ll add Make Us Dream and the funny One Night in Istanbul. For those who want to read, check out Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. While it was adapted into a baseball movie starring Jimmy Fallon, the original is all about soccer.

What are you watching or reading during the sports stoppage? Let me know in the comments below to help beat the boredom.

Free Kicks

• There are many clubs in Sweden’s top league that are fearful they may no longer exist thanks to the pandemic.
• These kids know how to social distance. They took the time to not only entertain themselves, but also the rest of the soccer world. I contemplated doing something similar, but remembered I’d probably hurt myself if I did.

• Many of you know that I live in Tallahassee and our local club joined the National Premier Soccer League this year. Unfortunately, the season is not going to happen for the Tallahasee Soccer Club. Fortunately, the supporter group shared this today. You might not follow the club, but this is a pretty good first goal ever.

• Finally, let’s give a big congratulations to Luke Boden as he and his wife are expecting a baby girl! He and his son had fun with the gender reveal, but I think Bodz nearly broken his foot during the announcement.

That will do it for today. Stay safe, Mane Landers!