MESSI’S FIT FOR RETURN OF LA LIGA
CLOSED SHOP SOL WRONG SPAIN
SOL BAMBA insists more opportunities must to be given to aspiring black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) coaches.
There are only seven BAME managers in the senior British game and former Hibs and Dunfermline stopper Bamba said: “I’m doing my coaching badges and other black people and in the BAME community have said to me ‘I’m not sure I want to pay for the process and not get a chance.’
“Give coaches more opportunities and you will see more BAME people take that chance.”
LIONEL MESSI has recovered from a ‘minor issue’ and is fit to play against Mallorca on Saturday.
La Liga returns tonight with the Seville derby before Barcelona get their campaign back on track at the weekend.
Barca fans have been closely monitoring Messi’s fitness after he missed two training sessions following a knock in training.
But manager Quique Setien has eased their fears by claiming Messi is raring to go.
“We never had any doubts about Messi’s availability for Mallorca,” Setien said.
“He is fine. He had a minor issue but there have been others that have also had problems after such a long break. He stopped training as a precaution.
“If we risk players unnecessarily they could end up being out of action for two weeks.
“And that would mean they would miss four of the 11 games we have left.”
The Catalans are just two points ahead of rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table having won 18 of
BY DAN GIBBS their 27 fixtures. Setien has been without star striker Luis Suarez since early January after he suffered a knee injury.
But the beak in the season due to the coronavirus pandemic has allowed the Uruguayan to recover and Setien will now hope to use him to his advantage in the closing stages.
However, he’s keen not to rush him back too soon and he is unlikely to start the first match back.
“It’s something that needs to be discussed,” Setien added when asked if Suarez will start against Mallorca.
“I am sure he could but it would be hasty for him to play for the whole match.
“He’s doing really well, but we have to avoid putting him at risk.
“But it’s not just Suarez, everyone, except Samuel Umtiti, has come back firing.
“They’re fresher than they were in March. Everyone is excited to get back playing now after three months without any games.”