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Sunderland are sitting inside the Champions League slots and could now be set to put forward a record bid for a European star that would represent a major shift in mentality at the Stadium of Light.

Regis Le Bris has continued to thrive in the North East after leading the Black Cats to the Premier League last season, and his side emerged with major credit over the weekend after securing a last-gasp 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal.

Despite the visitors defence being near-impenetrable in the top-flight before kick-off, Sunderland managed to carve their way through Mikel Arteta’s backline on several occasions.

More importantly, the Black Cats withstood immense pressure from the Gunners, throwing bodies on the line to secure a valuable point that keeps them on course for an excellent campaign as a newly-promoted outfit.

Dan Ballard played a significant role in helping Sunderland claim the result. However, the Northern Ireland international has stressed that his teammates have a long way to go before achieving their initial target of retaining their place in the division.

He told Match of the Day: “It’s a good morale boost to show we can go against a really top team – probably one of the best in Europe at the minute – and delighted with that. But it is just one point and we’ve got a lot of work to do to achieve our goal of staying up this year.”

Of course, Ballard’s comments are fairly routine for a side who are exceeding expectations. Still, Sunderland have definitely shown a healthy sense of ambition this term, and appear on course to achieve an excellent points total if they can maintain their current form.

With that in mind, they could now be set to target a record signing who would change the landscape of what could be to come at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland could submit record offer for Fermin Lopez

According to reports in Spain, Sunderland could be set to submit an offer of over £70 million to sign Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, contingent on whether they secure a dream Champions League slot this season.

Given their financial structure allows Le Bris to compete with elite sides across the continent, there is now internal debate at the Catalan giants over whether to accept a money-spinning sum for one of their rising stars, who would instantly be Sunderland’s most expensive signing ever.

Labelled “sensational” by Hansi Flick, the attacking midfielder has already notched six goals and four assists in 11 matches this season, and he is also capable of playing on the left flank or in central midfield.

Sunderland have bid for the new Chemsdine Talbi

Talks are at an initial stage and Barcelona are yet to give a definitive signal whether they are going to let him depart, though it is clear that Sunderland have given them something to think about ,and a high-profile transfer saga could be set to follow.

Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson is likely to be out of action until early next year

Andrew McGlashan02-Sep-2025Marcus Stoinis has a chance to push his claims for a place in the T20 World Cup after earning a recall for the three-match series against New Zealand, but Spencer Johnson’s prospects of emerging as a replacement for Mitchell Starc appear slim with the quick bowler unlikely to be fit until early next year.Stoinis came to an agreement with the selectors to miss the recent series against West Indies and South Africa in order to feature in the Hundred, but remains in the frame for the World Cup. He comes back into a squad that will be without Cameron Green, who instead will play in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield as he progresses towards a bowling return.Nathan Ellis, who has become a fulcrum of the T20I pace attack, will also miss the New Zealand trip with wife Connie expecting their first child. Although Ellis is a very different type of bowler to Starc, he is now set to be a certain starter at the World Cup following the latter’s T20I retirement.Related

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Stoinis will likely be vying for a middle-order finishing role if he is to make the World Cup squad, although his medium pace also provides a handy option and has been used with the new ball.Starc is a major name who definitely won’t be at the tournament. Johnson, another left-arm quick, had been earmarked as a successor particularly in white-ball cricket – he has taken 14 wickets in eight T20Is – but a back injury sustained at the IPL will keep him sidelined for the rest of the year. Johnson was initially named in the squad for the West Indies in late July before being withdrawn.”The latest update for Spencer is that it’ll be sometime in the new year that he’ll start to come back online again,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “What that looks like and at what point, I don’t think there’s anything definitive on that, still hoping that he can have an impact both domestically and potentially internationally towards the back end of the year.”Matthew Short is back from injury for the New Zealand tour in what shapes as an important series for him to find a spot in a power-packed batting line-up after having missed the West Indies and South Africa series with a side strain.The three matches in New Zealand take place across four days on October 1, 3 and 4. Australia will play a further five T20Is against India at home which will be their last series before selecting the World Cup squad, although the BBL may provide a late opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim. Australia are set to prepare for the tournament with three matches in Pakistan in early February.Australia T20I squad vs New ZealandMitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Manchester City and England defender John Stones revealed he briefly considered retiring amid his injury nightmare last season.

The 31-year-old’s 2024/25 campaign was decimated by foot and hamstring injuries, which saw him make just 24 appearances for club and country and none after February.

Stones considered retirement amid Man City injury struggles

He is back fit again this season and looks set to make his first appearance under England boss Thomas Tuchel in the upcoming games against Wales and Latvia.

Despite his injury woes last season, Stones, on £250,000-a-week at the Etihad, was invited to Tuchel’s summer camp for the games against Andorra and Senegal, which showed the German’s intention for the defender to be part of his plans.

“I love England so much and I love playing for England,” Stones said. “Some of the best moments in my career have been playing for England at tournaments.

“And when he said to (me), would I come out and be with the guys and continue my training, it was a no-brainer. For me to come and show my face to the guys, offer advice, be a good team-mate, I suppose – it was a special moment.

“I had not thought about it since, because everything moves on so fast. But it was a big sign and something that I was really happy to

do.”

Andy Gorvin’s two wickets in the penultimate over of the day leaves leaves Northants 49 for 3 and trailing by 190 runs

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-May-2025Four Glamorgan batters passed 50 to put the hosts in a dominant position for a three-day finish against Northamptonshire at Sophia Gardens.A 141-run partnership between in-form Ben Kellaway and Sam Northeast, scoring 95 and 67 respectively, asserted the lead for the hosts to go with Kiran Carlson’s 54 and Timm van der Gugten’s 61 either side of lunch in a ruthless performance to get the hosts to 424.Andy Gorvin took two wickets in the penultimate over of the day to rue Northants’ chances of a sustaining final 14 overs, leaving the visitors 49 for 3 and trailing by 190 runs.Glamorgan resumed on the morning of day two at 82 for 3, recovering from a wobble of three wickets for two runs the previous evening with Northeast and Carlson carrying on from their day one foundations. Carlson the stroke player of the two reached his 50 in no time, flicking a short ball from Julian Broad for 4, a rare loose delivery for the 3-fer taking bowler, rectifying his mistakes from day one.Carlson frustrated he couldn’t kick on however as he flicked a leg-stump directed delivery directly to square-leg who had been positioned there before the dismissal delivery.The 96-run partnership ending didn’t stop Glamorgan’s momentum however. Kellaway, on the back of three progressively improving career-best scores in three consecutive matches showed deft touch with late cuts off both seam and spin, combined with destructive hitting over long on to come close to catching his skipper up before lunch.A 134-run first session completed with a gritty third 50 of the season for Northeast assured Glamorgan’s dominance in the all-important first couple of hours.Northing would change after lunch unlike on day one. The hosts carrying on their fast-scoring momentum, Kellaway passing 50 with a quick single off loanee, Calvin Harrison, only introduced into the attack in the 58th over.Kellaway’s second consecutive century looked imminent, the only slight of giving his wicket away coming on 89 when Lewis McManus sparingly diving full stretched off a top-edged-hook, that until Harrison found one to rise on the youngster attempting to cut just short of his milestone.With Northeast falling shortly after for a frustrating season best, unable to kick on to three figures, it brought two new batters and seemingly momentum for Northants, still nothing changed.Chris Cooke and van der Gugten next to add a partnership just shy of 100 to the crease proved the pitch to be nullified for when the visitors would eventually get a chance to use it again. Cooke looked aggrieved to give his wicket away on 36 despite a valiant contribution and Northants continued to catch well when the chances did come to wrap up the Glamorgan innings before long, unfortunately the damage done.With a 239-run deficit heading into their second innings after winning the toss, Ricardo Vasconcelos went early. Just 14 overs to survive, James Harris in just his second over removing the opener. The Glamorgan veteran then allowed Luke Procter to settle and score freely until a double-change brought a mini-collapse before close, the Northants top order struggling once more, with the captain the exception.

The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.

While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.

In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.

With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.

Spurs' key performers vs Leeds

In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.

While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.

Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.

Touches

Ampadu (91)

Pass accuracy

Struijk (95%)

Duels won

Kudus (10)

Successful dribbles

Kudus (6)

Key passes

Longstaff (5)

Possession lost

Porro (26)

Shots on target

Kudus (2)

There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.

Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.

The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale

Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.

Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.

With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.

There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.

Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.

Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.

As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.

As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.

Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.

Long may it continue.

Levy made bigger mistake than Kane over selling "world-class" Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart the club under Daniel Levy.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 4, 2025

عبّر مروان حمدي لاعب نادي الإسماعيلي، عن استيائه من القرارات التحكيمية خلال مواجهة فريقه أمام فاركو، مؤكدًا أن هناك لقطات مثيرة للجدل لم يتم فيها الرجوع إلى تقنية الفيديو “الفار”.

وتعرض الإسماعيلي للهزيمة أمام فاركو بهدف وحيد في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وقال مروان حمدي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر برنامج “الماتش” المذاع على قناة “صدى البلد”: “الحمد لله على كل شيء، لكن هناك أمر يشغل الناس جميعًا ويشغلني أنا أيضًا، وأنا أحد كباتن الفريق رغم صِغر سني، لكن حدث أمر في المباراة اليوم”.

وتابع: “الكابتن محمود البنا حكم كبير ومصر كلها تتعلم منه، وهو حكم دولي نحترمه جميعًا، ولكن في لقطة الهدف الأول الكرة قد تكون لمست يد أحد لاعبي فاركو، وبعد ذلك تم احتساب الهدف، وحتى في الاستوديو الكباتن أحمد حسن وحسني عبدربه تحدثا عن اللقطة وقالا إنها تستحق المراجعة بالفار، وبعدها مباشرة كانت هناك لمسة يد أخرى على مدافع فاركو ولم تُحتسب أيضًا، والأسوأ أنه لم يكن هناك رجوع للفار أصلًا”.

وأضاف: “هل الكابتن البنا أبلغ كباتن الفريق بوجود مشكلة في الفار؟ لم يُبلّغ أحدًا، وأنا أتابع حضرتك عندما تحدثت عن طرد أحد لاعبي الأهلي وقلت إن هناك مباريات لا يتوفر فيها الفار، لكن في حالتنا الفار موجود ولم يُستخدم”.

وواصل: “الوضع في الإسماعيلي معروف، وكل مصر تتمنى أن يعود الفريق لمكانه الطبيعي، وسألت بعض اللاعبين هل تحدثتم مع الحكم ليعود للفار؟ قالوا لي نعم، والفار كان يعمل بشكل طبيعي ولا توجد به أي مشكلة”.

وتابع: “الإسماعيلية كلها تقف خلف الفريق، ومعظم اللاعبين صغار في السن بسبب وقف القيد، ويحملون الفريق على أكتافهم، في المباراة السابقة مصر كلها فرحت بفوز الإسماعيلي، ونرغب أن نستمر في الطريق الصحيح”.

وأردف: “هناك أمور كثيرة تتغير في النادي، وروح جديدة نسير بها، لكن قرارات مثل اليوم تغيّر مسار الفريق في الدوري، وفوز مثل هذا كان من الممكن أن يضعنا في مركز مختلف تمامًا، لكن للأسف الوضع تغيّر، وأنا لا أطلب شيئًا سوى العدل، إن كانت الكرة علينا تُحتسب، وإن كانت على الخصم تُحتسب أيضًا، نحن فقط نريد العدالة”.

طالع | فيديو.. فاركو يحقق فوزه الأول في الدوري على حساب الإسماعيلي.. وزد يخطف التعادل أمام طلائع الجيش

وعن تأثير الأحداث الإدارية الأخيرة على الفريق، أجاب: “تغيير الإدارة أو تحويلها للنيابة لا علاقة له بنا، هذا ليس من اختصاصنا، اللاعبون مركزون في التدريبات والمعسكرات والمباريات، وهذا هو الأهم الآن، نحن جميعًا نغلق على أنفسنا لنمر من هذه المرحلة الصعبة”.

وأتم: “الحمد لله أنا في آخر مرحلة من العلاج والتأهيل، وإن شاء الله خلال أقل من شهر أو ثلاثة أسابيع سأكون جاهزًا للعودة إلى الملاعب مع زملائي”.

The matches were supposed to be held in April 2024, but the BCB had asked ZC to play five T20Is at that point instead

Mohammad Isam08-Mar-2025

Bangladesh will be hosting Zimbabwe for two Tests starting on April 20. The matches were initially supposed to be held in April 2024 but, at the time, the BCB asked ZC to instead play a five-match T20I series.Zimbabwe will land in Bangladesh on April 15, with the first Test set to be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The teams then move to Chattogram to play the second Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium from April 28. The series will not be a part of the World Test Championship (WTC); Zimbabwe are not WTC participants.Zimbabwe have had a rough time in Tests recently. They have lost eight out of their last ten Tests, and drawn two. Zimbabwe have played two Tests so far this year – one-off games against Afghanistan and Ireland in Bulawayo – and lost both. Their last win in Tests came four years ago in March 2021, when they beat Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.Bangladesh, meanwhile, have had Test success only overseas of late. They won 2-0 in Pakistan, before sharing the series 1-1 in the West Indies. Bangladesh haven’t won a home Test since November 2023, when they beat New Zealand in Sylhet. They lost 2-0 to both Sri Lanka and South Africa at home in 2024.The last time Bangladesh hosted a Test against Zimbabwe was in February 2020, when they beat the visitors by an innings and 106 runs. The last time the two teams played each other in a Test was in July 2021, with Bangladesh winning by 220 runs in Harare.Overall, Bangladesh hold an 8-7 edge over Zimbabwe in 18 Tests between the sides. Zimbabwe’s last Test win against Bangladesh had come in 2018.

Warner has had an impressive season with the bat but also helped bring the side together after last summer’s problems

AAP21-Jan-2025David Warner has helped the Sydney Thunder to believe again according to coach Trevor Bayliss as the team’s fairytale BBL resurgence stretches into the finals.A year ago, they were preparing for a post-mortem on the equal-worst season from any BBL team in a decade. Not since the Thunder outfit of 2013-14 had a side won only one match in a BBL summer.But led by new captain Warner, they have surged to third place on the ladder this summer with a 5-3 record, easily securing a top-four spot and knockout date with Melbourne Stars on Wednesday.Related

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On the pitch, Warner scored the second-most runs of any player in the tournament, an unbeaten 88 against the ladder-leading Hobart Hurricanes the clear highlight of his first full BBL season to date.He would likely have sat atop the batting rankings if not for rain; wet weather meant the Thunder played one fewer game than the Perth Scorchers, whose star allrounder Cooper Connolly scored only five more runs. But Bayliss has noticed Warner’s impact stretch beyond the playing field.”The job he’s done as captain, it’s not just about his batting for example, it’s his personality,” he said. “He’s always up for it, he’s a positive character. Loud, obnoxious sometimes, but the boys love it.”I think it’s the confidence that he gives his team-mates, and their belief then that they’re good enough to do the job. They’re all good players, they sometimes just need that belief. Certainly I think the results have shown this year.”Public opinion of Warner has wavered dramatically over the years, from his early days as a hyper-confident ballstriker, to his role in the Newlands ball-tampering controversy, and the shift to introspection that followed. The latest iteration of Warner has made an impression on new Thunder team-mate Sam Billings.”People have this perception around him, but he’s incredible in terms of the conversations he has with individuals and the consistent drive,” Billings said. “You see why he’s one of the best players in the world, still at the age of 38. I’m learning off him every day.”As they prepared to host a similarly resurgent Stars at ENGIE Stadium, Warner felt the Thunder still had room for improvement. The team’s largest partnership, 89 between Warner and Matthew Gilkes against Perth Scorchers, was only the 10th-largest of the regular season. The side also does not have a wicket-taker in the top 10 for the tournament.”The batters haven’t all gelled together and gotten big partnerships,” Warner said. “We talk about bowling partnerships as well, one has leaked at one end and then the other has taken wickets. We still haven’t played a complete game yet, which for me is scary.”

Crystal Palace are now looking to sign an “absolutely incredible” attacking midfielder, who could be brought in as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, according to a report.

Tottenham reach agreement in principle to sign Eze

After the 27-year-old scored the winner in the FA Cup final, Palace were always going to find it difficult to keep hold of Eze this summer, and journalist Ben Jacobs has now revealed Tottenham Hotspur have made significant progress towards finalising a deal.

As such, one of the Eagles’ most important tasks before the September 1st deadline will be to bring in at least one new attacker, and there is certainly no shortage of options on the shortlist.

Player

Current club

G/A in 24/25

Bilal El Khannouss

Leicester City

8

Hwang Hee-chan

Wolves

3

Christos Tzolis

Club Brugge

37

Raheem Sterling

Chelsea

6

Tzolis is arguably the most exciting option on the shortlist, given the Greek forward’s attacking exploits in the 2024-25 campaign, albeit in a weaker league than the other targets.

However, according to a report from Caught Offside, Crystal Palace also have their eye on another Premier League attacker, namely West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, who is now set to be available for around £30m – £40m this summer.

West Ham are now willing to cash-in on Paqueta, and they have dramatically dropped their asking price, having fielded offers of £80m at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Crystal Palace eyeing "clinical" £70,000-p/w Asian star as Eze replacement

The Eagles now look set to lose Eberechi Eze, with Tottenham Hotspur submitting a bid…

ByDominic Lund Aug 19, 2025

The Eagles view the Brazilian as a marquee signing, who could offset Eze’s departure, but there could be competition for his signature from some top clubs, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City also named as potential suitors.

Paqueta could be "incredible" Eze replacement

The 27-year-old has certainly caught the eye in the Premier League in the past, with ex-teammate Declan Rice lauding him as “absolutely incredible”, while David Moyes described the Brazil international as “fabulous”.

Since then, the maestro hasn’t exactly kicked on, scoring just four Premier League goals last season, but in fairness, the former Lyon man did have spot-fixing charges hanging over his head, which he has now been cleared of.

Graham Potter believes a weight has now been “lifted” off the West Ham star, which suggests he could have a new lease of life next season, and given that he specialises in attacking midfield, he could be a direct replacement for Eze.

With West Ham making a very poor start to the Premier League campaign, Paqueta could be tempted to leave this summer, and Palace should have the requisite funds to sign him once the deal to sell Eze is completed.

The former coach had already been banned for 20 years for inappropriate behaviour towards a female player

AAP15-Nov-2024

Cricket Australia has handed former Sri Lanka Test player Dulip Samaraweera with another ban after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a second player while coaching.Already suspended from any involvement in Australian cricket for 20 years after being found to have behaved inappropriately towards a female player, Samaraweera has since been accused of further misconduct.The second matter relates to his time when he worked as a private coach, while employed by Cricket Victoria. Samaraweera has denied the claim but chose not to participate in the investigation and has been banned for 10 years for breaching the sport’s code of conduct.The ban will be served concurrently with his initial 20-year suspension, meaning he is still not able to return to any coaching role with Australia or a state or territory body until 2044 when he will be 72.AAP understands neither complainant has so far opted to pursue criminal charges.The seven-time Test representative had been involved in Cricket Victoria’s women’s program for almost 16 years, including as a long-time assistant coach at the WBBL’s Melbourne Stars, before resigning in May.Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins had previously labelled Samaraweera’s conduct “utterly reprehensible” and “a betrayal of everything we stand for” after CA released the findings of its initial investigation in September.”The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up,” Cummins said after the initial charge.  “She will continue to receive our ongoing support to allow her to achieve her goals on and off the field.”From an organisation perspective, the safety and wellbeing of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount. We will not tolerate any behaviour which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up.”The Colombo-born Samaraweera opened the batting in seven Tests for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1995, before later moving into coaching. He was an assistant coach with the Stars from the inaugural WBBL season in 2015, and even served as Victoria’s interim head coach for most of last summer.Samaraweera had been due to take over the role full-time, but resigned in May when Cricket Victoria’s conflict of interest policy prevented him from hiring his brother Thilan to the coaching staff.