Latest football news: Sin-bin debate and Premier League news conferences – BBC.com
Premier League news conferences before weekend's matches, including Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool
Blue cards and sin-binning to be trialled
Blue cards "don't sound fantastic" – Klopp
Bournemouth sign Sinisterra
England face Republic of Ireland in Nations League
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Lorraine McKenna, Tasnim Chowdhury & Emma Smith
Thanks for joining us for that ridiculous press conference rush, and for all your input in the blue card debate. One which will rumble on for a while, we are sure.
We'll be back tomorrow with coverage of all the Premier League action, hopefully you can join us.
Simon Stone
BBC Sport in Paris
Plans to announce a trial of sin-bins and blue cards by football’s law-makers have been delayed.
IFAB intended to release information around four proposed trials on Friday.
However, world governing body FIFA responded to multiple stories on Thursday, some of which raised the potential for the trials to involve elite football, with a public statement urging caution.
While it is understood the four trials will remain, following further consideration initiated by FIFA, it has now been decided there will be no confirmation of the precise details until a media conference immediately after IFAB’s annual meeting at Loch Lomond on 2 March to allow for "further exchange".
Having spent the day discussing the pros and cons of blue cards, we have some breaking news…
Luton Town v Sheffield United (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Luton Town
Luton boss Rob Edwards on their attacking style: "We’ve been moving in the right direction for a long time and everyone’s always trying to improve and get better. We’ve been on a good journey so far and been getting more of a threat. That’s a combination of performances and hard work of those players. We’ve linked up and bene more aggressive in our pressing and in possession we’ve bene trying to hurt teams and get behind them."
Luton Town v Sheffield United (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Luton Town
Luton boss Rob Edwards on Sheffield United: "We’ve got to be able to deal with that, I wouldn’t say we’re big favourites but we’re going in in good form and confident. There’s no game that’s easy, if we step off it then we can get punished. We want to win, we know it’s a really big game but they all are."
Luton Town v Sheffield United (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Luton Town
Luton boss Rob Edwards on the match against Sheffield United: "The aim is to try and win the game and we will try and do that any way we can. We go into this game expecting a really difficult game and battle. Both teams fighting for their lives so it will be tight.
"I would like to think we’ve been good to watch and we are in an entertainment business. We want to win and compete and we’ve been doing that well. I hope it’s a good game for the fans tomorrow and we look forward to it. We want to keep our performance levels high.
BBC Sport has a dedicated Luton page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Luton Town v Sheffield United (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Luton Town
Luton boss Rob Edwards on VAR: "For the black and white calls, it works but when it’s a decision that’s going to be interpreted in different ways then it’s like passing on the book to someone else. One person sees it one way and someone else in a studio sees it another. I’m in favour of it to an extent but human beings have different calls on it."
On Blue cards: "No. We’re a long way off it coming into our game at the moment."
Luton Town v Sheffield United (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Luton Town
Luton boss Rob Edwards on Ross Barkley: "I’m just happy that he’s performing well and that’s all anyone hoping to be picked for the national team can do. We’re delighted with him, we love him and he’s playing really well.
"He’s got a home, he’s got a group of players and mates, staff and club that support him and allow him to be himself. We said when we brought him In he’s hungry, yes he’d had a couple of difficult years but he’s shown how good he is."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Luton page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Fulham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15.00 GMT)
Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraiola oninjuries: "Apart from the full-backs and Tyler Adams, everyone else is fit and available."
On Fulham: "I think they have very good players, especially on the ball. The wingers, the full-backs attack a lot. They cross a lot. Now with the addition of Armando Broja, [they are] even more dangerous in the box [and have] very good quality in the middle. They are a very complete team and they are doing really well."
Iraola has a selection headache in the number 10 position but is happy to have plenty of options: "We've tried with Justin [Kluivert], with Philip [Billing] especially at the beginning, with Ryan [Christie] there and now we have the option with Romain [Faivre]. We could even go with someone like Sini [Luis Sinisterra] in this number 10 position.
"I think we have quite good options there. It's a matter of the match up, the moment, how I see them training – but I think we are in a good spot there."
Fulham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15.00 GMT)Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraiola on Luis Sinisterra, who today has signed permanently from Leeds United: "It's good news for everyone. He's happy here and performing well. It's good to have a new addition. We already had him in for this season but also looking at the future.
"He hasn't had it easy because he plays in a position where we have plenty of different options and I think he has been performing really well, fighting for the minutes – which he knows he has to continue to do. He gives everything that we demand from the position and he is improving also. He knows he has to continue at a good level otherwise someone will come and take his minutes."
On another new signing, Enes Unal, fitting in with the squad: "He has come with a good spirit, trying to adapt as quickly as possible. I think it will be quite easy in his case – he also speaks some languages, his English is better than mine. He will have no issue on that side. Also physically he is good and he will be ready to be part of the squad tomorrow. He's willing to adapt as quickly as possible."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Bournemouth page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Aston Villa v Man Utd (Sun, 16.30 GMT)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on team news: "We have a new goalkeeper [Joe Gauci] available. Lucas Digne and Pau Torres are in contention, Ezri Konsa and Jhon Duran are still out. Other players available on Sunday."
On blue cards: "I don't care about it a lot, I think the referees and those making the decision have to analyse it deeply, but it is not my concern."
On Erik Ten Hag describing this match as a must-win cup final: "Our main objective is being consistent in the Premier League. We are being consistent, we are being successful in what we are doing. Each match is so special, of course the match we played before mattered, and the one on Sunday is very important.
"But against Man Utd, we are playing for six points."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Villa page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle (Sat, 17.30 GMT)
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno on Newcastle, against who he picked up his first win as Tricky Trees manager: "We defended well then took advantage of spaces. Tomorrow will be different, it will be a tough game as Newcastle are a good team. Will need to be switched on to do it again."
On Taiwo Awoniyi: "He's improving, he was out for a long time. He is playing sooner than we expected. His energy can really help, we have to manage the minutes to use him in."
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle (Sat, 17.30 GMT)Nottingham Forest
Striker Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick at former club Newcastle United when Nottingham Forest last faced them, is not available for tomorrow's game.
Forest are also still without three players – Nigeria's Ola Aina, and Ivory Coast duo Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare – who will be contesting the Africa Cup of Nations Final on Sunday.
"For sure we will have an Afcon champion at Nottingham Forest," said Forest manager Nuno, with a smile.
BBC Sport has a dedicated Forest page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Fulham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Fulham
Fulham manager Marco Silva on their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on Boxing Day: "One of the worst performances this season. I've spoken about that match during the week. It was a moment for us to learn."
Fulham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Fulham
Fulham manager Marco Silva on Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi in the Afcon final with Nigeria: "Of course we have been watching. It's mixed feelings for us. It's been a long time without two key players for us. Right now, we are supporting them in the final."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Fulham page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Fulham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Fulham
Fulham manager Marco Silva on team news: "Raul Jimenez and Kenny Tete will be unavailable. Kenny's feeling something in his achilles, nothing really serious. Raul will be longer, more than one month for sure."
On Armando Broja: "He's fine and available for selection, like all players."
Tottenham v Brighton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton assistant manager Andrea Maldera on De Zerbi: "He was close, in the stands [the previous times Maldera took charge], I don’t know if he can be there tomorrow. He will see the doctor, but I don’t think he can fly [after his dental surgery]. "Tomorrow we are alone and I hope we don’t have a big disaster."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Brighton page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Tottenham v Brighton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton assistant manager Andrea Maldera on Roberto De Zerbi, who has a touchline ban for tomorrow's match and has also had dental surgery: "[Roberto De Zerbi] He's not here physically. But he is here with his personality.
"The players have a bigger responsibility and they know it. We hope they play for him as well."
Tottenham v Brighton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton assistant manager Andrea Maldera on his winning record as interim manager: "Why not, I hope, hopefully it is a different game. First game against West Ham we played well, then the FA cup game against Grimsby."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Brighton page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Tottenham v Brighton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton's assistant head coach Andrea Maldera is on news conference duties today.
Where is Robert De Zerbi? Thanks to our friends at The Argus, external for this update.
Head coach De Zerbi is recovering from what has been described as “very invasive dental surgery”.
He has been advised to rest until the weekend.
It was already clear Maldera would be in charge during the match itself.
De Zerbi is banned from the touchline at Spurs after his yellow card in the win over Crystal Palace.
If you're a dentist, please let us know what "very invasive dental surgery" involves…
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