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Liverpool should be emboldened that while Saturday evening's shattering defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League has resulted in an injury to the in-form Cody Gakpo and suspensions to Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, the rekindled verve and vitality is there for all to see.

What's also pleasing is that the Anfield side boasts a wealth of academy talent that eclipses anything the club has been seen in recent years, with such exciting options offering a different approach for manager Jurgen Klopp, should he need it.

And use it he has; last season, with Liverpool suffering an incredible depletion of form and fluidity, a young Stefan Bajcetic was brought into the senior fold to aid the beleaguered Reds in their efforts, and he shone as the brightest spark in a midfield that was languishing heavily below expectations.

Hailed for his "exceptional" rise to prominence by Klopp last season, the 18-year-old Spaniard is but one example of the rich crop of precocity just waiting for a chance to impress on the major stage.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the obvious example, having been promoted to Liverpool's vice-captain in the summer and praised as "world-class" by former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves.

The aforementioned Jones has also enjoyed an impressive rise over the past year, while Ben Doak, aged 17, has currently made eight senior showings in age-belying fashion, and has been proclaimed to be a 'Scottish Wayne Rooney' by his agent Jackie McNamara due to his small yet strong stature and innate physicality.

Some remarkable talent, and all names starting to make themselves known on the major stage, but perhaps one of Liverpool's most prodigious youngsters is yet to become known to the masses.

Oakley Cannonier, goalscoring sensation, has recently returned from injury and is looking to continue his ascent to prominence after demonstrating such a sharp cutting edge in the earliest phase of his youth career.

Who is Oakley Cannonier?

Cannonier's progress beneath the surface at Liverpool has seen him be hindered by a long-term injury that has ruled him out of contention for much of the past year.

The aptly-named Cannonier has been firing the strikes home with vicious regularity at youth level, scoring 44 goals and supplying five assists from only 60 appearances for the Reds' respective development sides, heralded as a "goal machine" by prominent Liverpool reporter Neil Jones for his efforts.

The 19-year-old forward exhibited his prolific abilities last term with a flourish, scoring ten times from only 12 outings during a term that was hampered by injury – including seven goals from only four matches in the UEFA Youth League.

Last month, the striker returned to action with a resounding hat-trick in a friendly against Hull City after indeed spending ten months on the sidelines, and will now surely be viewed as one to keep an eye on as he continues to build back the form that left the likes of The Athletic's James Pearce describing him as "outstanding."

An out-and-out centre-forward, Cannonier will indeed be hoping that he could find his name on the senior team sheet this season for the first time, perhaps linking up with academy peer Kaide Gordon, who is looking to pick up where he left off under Klopp's wing after battling his own long-term absence.

How good is Kaide Gordon?

It's perhaps a testament to Gordon's prodigious skill set that he is still only 18-years-old (for a few more days) and has already forged four senior showings under Klopp's stewardship and netted his maiden goal – and that's despite spending the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign on the sidelines with a long-term injury.

Once described as "exceptional" by his manager, Gordon thrived for Liverpool's development squad after signing from Derby County for a reported fee of £3m as a 16-year-old, posting 12 goals and five assists across all competitions.

The one-cap England U21 international is capable of thriving across both offensive flanks and boasts skill, speed and guile in abundance.

Already demonstrating his ability to provide both incisive and creative danger, the Merseyside outfit's second-youngest-ever goalscorer would work seamlessly in tandem with Cannonier, providing the all-encompassing attacking threat as the focal frontman.

Player

Age

Result & Competition

Ben Woodburn

17 years, 1 month, 14 days

2-0 vs Leeds, League Cup

Kaide Gordon

17 years, 3 months, 4 days

4-1 vs Shrewsbury, FA Cup

Michael Owen

17 years, 4 months, 22 days

2-1 vs Wimbledon, Premier League

Jordan Rossiter

17 years, 5 months, 30 days

2-2 vs Middlesbrough, League Cup

Ki-Jana Hoever

17 years, 8 months, 7 days

2-0 vs MK Dons, League Cup

With both Gordon and Cannonier sharing an unfortunate spell on the sidelines with long-term injuries despite remaining pleasingly ensconced in the maiden stage of their professional career, with ample time to grow into their skin, they can both prove to be the first-rate phenoms Klopp and Liverpool crave for in the future.

As mentioned earlier, Liverpool's rise since that fateful day when Klopp graced the Merseyside club as manager for the first time has done more than just improve the first-team squad.

Liverpool, as a footballing institution, has been comprehensively rejuvenated, the stains of a miserable period in the club's history wiped away, and sustained success is now stitched into the fabric of the outfit once again.

As such, youth players are now held in a higher regard. The investment is felt. Gordon and Cannonier are but two of the teenage sensations pushing for a place on the Premier League pitch soon, and given the immense quality brimming from each, there is every possibility that both earn a shot to cement their berth soon enough.

ScorecardPeter Della Penna

How the tide turns. Uganda scripted a comeback only dreams are made of. Denmark needed five runs off the final over, with four wickets in hand. Then, they committed hara-kiri as Roger Mukasa, the captain, brought himself on for the first time and created magic at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur.Mukasa darted his part-time offspin from around the stumps into Denmark’s right-handers, denied them the room for the swing and created panic that delivered two wickets and two run outs. This meant Denmark were delayed promotion to Division Three, while Uganda gave themselves an excellent chance to get there.It boiled down to No. 11 Bashir Shah needing three off the final ball. He flicked the ball into the gap at deep midwicket, only for Frank Nsubuga’s athleticism and a sharp relay to Fred Achelam catching Bashir short of the crease to trigger wild celebrations.Denmark were at 73 for 4 in 23.4 overs when rain delayed play for a little over two hours. When they returned, Denmark were set a revised target of 131 in 29 overs. They took it till the end, only for it to disintegrate at the last moment.For the third match in a row, Mohammad Irfan and Nsubuga took the new ball and they reduced Denmark to 7 for 2 inside four overs. With rain clouds lurking, Denmark continued to trail on DLS par. They suffered another setback when Freddie Klokker chipped softly to midwicket off Deusdedit Muhumuza in the 22nd over, just 14 balls before play was halted.Uganda’s chances of setting a defendable total looked bleak at 155 for 7 in 45 overs. Despite a 79-run third-wicket stand between Masaba and Hamu Kayondo, their platform for a rocket boost cameo from Irfan backfired when he was out for 3 in the 37th over.It took a ferocious assault from Achelam and Kenneth Waiswa to add 60 off the last five, including a backbreaking 20-run 49th over. Achelam was eventually named Man of the Match for his 39 off 28 balls to go along with his clean takes to complete the pair of last-over run outs.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez is now closer than ever to leaving Spurs after a development, with a report from the English press sharing some news.

Who has left Tottenham this season?

New Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou has watched a plethora of his squad depart this summer, either on loan or permanently.

Indeed, former Spurs superstar Harry Kane joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in one of the most high-profile transfers this year, while Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott and Dane Scarlett all joined him out the door.

Despite the British window closing on September 1, it is believed that further Spurs players could follow them, as Turkish and Saudi Arabian sides can still make signings until a later date.

Saudi clubs have until this Thursday to add to their squads, while sides from the Turkish Super Lig can keep on bringing in players before September 15.

This gives Postecoglou and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy an opportunity to shift more deadwood over the next few weeks, with expensive flop Tanguy Ndombele coming as one of the players who look set to make way in the next days.

Ndombele is said to be on his way to Galatasaray, according to Fabrizio Romano, while Colombia international defender Sanchez is another rumoured to be be nearing a move to the Turkish club.

Galatasaray have apparently set their sights on the 27-year-old alongside Ndombele, with a report by CaughtOffside sharing news on his potential move further east.

Sanchez, who doesn't appear to be in Postecoglou's plans at Spurs, is apparently "closer than ever" to leaving the north London after both the player and Galatasaray reached an agreement over personal terms.

Spurs and the Turkish giants are said to be "edging closer to a final agreement as well", with the former Ajax sensation's transfer looming "fairly imminently".

It is also believed that final details are now being ironed out for him to depat N17, over six years after Tottenham signed him in a past club-record deal from the Eredivisie.

What's been said about Davinson Sanchez?

The South American hasn't been playing at a top level for Spurs in recent years, and his poor peformances date all the way back to Jose Mourinho's tenure in charge.

Speaking to Football Insider all the way back in April 2021, former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan slammed Sanchez for making "schoolboy"-like errors.

"Sanchez hasn’t looked great for a while now," Whelan explained over two years ago.

"We’re talking about fine margins and you look back on goals they concede when he’s in the side and it’s always little mistakes that cost them.

"Jose Mourinho will have been very disappointed to have kept giving Newcastle that hope. That’s not what you need when you’re meant to be going for Europe, is it?

“He’ll be tearing his hair out when he watches the goals they conceded. Schoolboy mistakes, especially from Sanchez. Shocking stuff.”

If Spurs can indeed agree a deal to offload Sanchez, it's arguably the right call, as his potential departure would also free up space for Postecoglou to bring in another defender next year.

Looking to strengthen before the summer transfer window slams shut, Leeds United could reportedly turn their attention to the Premier League as they attempt to build a squad capable of promotion at the first time of asking.

So far this summer, Daniel Farke has welcomed a total of four new arrivals, with the pick of the bunch being Joe Rodon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, however, the Yorkshire club could reportedly turn to Jonjo Shelvey.

What's the latest on Jonjo Shelvey to Leeds United?

According to reports, Leeds are considering making a move for out-of-favour Nottingham Forest midfielder Shelvey this summer. The former Newcastle United man is yet to make an appearance for Steve Cooper's side this season, and missed the final part of the last campaign after a reported bust-up with the manager.

Now, Leeds could swoop in to end a saga to forget for the Englishman, after they recently lost Tyler Adams to Bournemouth, leaving them in need of a midfielder, as per Teamtalk.

With plenty of experience to his name, it would certainly be interesting to see Shelvey make the move to Elland Road this summer. If he does stay at Forest, game-time looks unlikely to come his way anytime soon.

Should Leeds United sign Jonjo Shelvey?

Replacing a 24-year-old midfielder with a 31-year-old player who was frozen out at the back end of last season is far from a good look on paper for Leeds. However, Shelvey's experience could be crucial in a young squad at Elland Road.

The likes of Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray could undoubtedly do with a bit of guidance in the middle of the park to combine with their youthful fearlessness. So, whilst Shelvey is far from a star player, he could yet play a pivotal part if he made the move to the Yorkshire club.

It's worth noting, too, that the midfielder has experience of earning promotion from the Championship after securing the league title with Newcastle back in the 2016/17 season.

When at his best, Shelvey has earned plenty of praise, too, including from former Hull City man Michael Dawson, who said on Sky Sports, via Nottingham Forest News: "He certainly creates chances, he gets on the ball and makes things happen. That’s something that Forest in the first 60 minutes, or even in previous games, have been missing.

“He will get on the ball in the middle of the field, he’s got a wide range of passes, he’s a very confident player. Not just confident, he can execute that pass when he sees it, if it’s a long-range one he can hit that.”

So far this season, Leeds have struggled for control in some areas and have, therefore, failed to get off to an emphatic start.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

In their opening three games, Farke's side have struggled, failing to win a single game, with draws against Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion, as well as a surprise defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.

Shelvey could bring some much-needed calm to what is a rocky ship at Elland Road, if he does end up making the move this summer.

علّق فيل فودين، نجم فريق مانشستر سيتي، على تحقيق لقب بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، 2023/24، اليوم على حساب آرسنال.

وفاز مانشستر سيتي في الجولة الأخيرة من الدوري الإنجليزي، ضد وست هام بنتيجة 3-1، كما فاز آرسنال على إيفرتون بهدفين مقابل هدف.

وحسم مانشستر سيتي بذلك لقب الدوري الإنجليزي، للمرة الرابعة على التوالي.

وقال فودين في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “من الصعب جدًا وصف ما فعلناه اليوم بالكلمات، لم يفعل أي فريق ذلك من قبل (4 ألقاب متتالية)، لقد وضعنا أنفسنا في كتب التاريخ”.

وأضاف: “ترى ما يعنيه هذا بالنسبة للجماهير ولنا نحن اللاعبين الذين يعملون طوال العام من أجل هذه اللحظة، إنها لحظة خاصة لمشاركتها مع الجماهير”.

وواصل: “الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أربع مرات، لم يفعله أي فريق من قبل، لذا فإن القيام بذلك يعني أننا مع أفضل الفرق على الإطلاق)، أنا في حالة ذهول لأكون صادقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رسميًا.. مانشستر سيتي بطلًا لـ الدوري الإنجليزي 2023/24

وعما إذا كانوا يشعرون بالتوتر، رد: “لست أنا فقط، بل جميع اللاعبين لعبوا في مباريات مهمة على مر السنين، وقد مروا بهذا الوضع عدة مرات أيضًا، لذا فمن المؤكد أن هذا ساعد في تخفيف التوتر”.

واستطرد: “لقد ظهرنا اليوم واثقين من أنفسنا ولقد لعبنا كرتنا، وحصلنا على النتيجة في النهاية”.

وفيما يخص تسجيله الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 2، قال: “بداية مثالية تقريبًا، في بعض الأحيان أؤمن بالتسجيل مبكرًا بعض الشيء، لحسن الحظ سجلت لنا الهدف الثاني وهذا حسم أمرنا قليلاً، طريقة احتفالي، القناص، موجودة لتظل بالتأكيد”.

وعن فوزه بلقبه السادس في مسيرته، قال: “أنا لا أشعر بالملل من ذلك أبدًا، أنت تريد هذا الشعور في كل مرة، عندما تفوز بشيء لا يوجد شعور أفضل، أريد الاستمرار في الفوز قدر الإمكان”.

The former India captain fears aping Kohli’s aggressive words and approach might lead to youngsters not being authentic to themselves

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2017

Youngsters need to do what works for them and not blindly follow Virat Kohli, according to Rahul Dravid•Associated Press

The impact of Virat Kohli’s in-your-face persona on young, impressionable cricketers is a cause for concern for Rahul Dravid. The former India captain feared aping Kohli’s aggressive words and approach might lead to youngsters not being authentic to themselves.While Dravid admitted to cringing at some “outrageous” things Kohli says on occasions, he also defended him by saying that so long as he was true to himself, and it helped get the best out of him it shouldn’t matter.”I think the game is still about performance. So let’s not take that way from someone like Kohli,” Dravid said at the Bangalore Literature Festival on Sunday. “That’s his personality. People have asked me, ‘Why didn’t you behave like that?’ But that’s not what got the best out of me. I would have been inauthentic to myself if I had tried to put tattoos and behave like Virat.”Sometimes, especially before an Australia series, you’ll find Virat saying the most outrageous things. And I read the paper and cringe at times. But then I think back, maybe he actually wants that contest. He wants that lip on the field because that gets the best out of him. Now that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But at the end of the day, he’s got to do what gets the best out of him. Ajinkya Rahane is very different and he gets the best out of himself by doing different things. I think being authentic to yourself is very, very important.”If engaging in a contest, sometimes needling the opposition, is getting the best out of Virat – and it certainly is because his level of performance is second to none in the world today – then so be it. You can’t blame him for it.”What worries me a little bit is a lot of that gets translated into junior cricket. That’s the scary thing for me, not so much what Virat does. Kids at 12, 13, 14 want to become the next Virat Kohli, not realising that maybe that’s not authentic to who they are.”During the Test series against Australia earlier this year, Kohli took on Steven Smith and alleged systematic DRS abuse. He also said his relationship with the Australia players was irrevocably damaged. Dravid was happy that cricketers today were a far more confident lot and that the financial security that came with playing the game even at a lower level empowered them.”I think there’s a certain confidence and belief in Indian cricket today which has come about through results,” he said. “It’s definitely more evident today than from the time I started. I remember I was sitting on a flight and I was really excited going on one of my early tours and said, ‘It’ll be great if we can win the series.’ And what I got was, ‘We’ll be lucky if we can win one Test match. Let’s hope we can win one and draw the rest’. People expect India now to win. Certainly, there is a level of fitness, confidence and belief that probably didn’t exist when I was starting out.”When I look at a lot of the India A guys or Under-19 guys that I coach, I can see the fearlessness and confidence. It also comes with a certain level of financial security. For me, as a 21-22-year old, I knew that the B.Com degree I barely managed to get in college wasn’t going to suffice, and I needed to make cricket work. There was a pressure to make cricket work and make it possible for me to lead a good life. Today’s cricketers know that even if they don’t play for India, they can still make a very good living for themselves. I’m very happy about that.”Dravid, however, had one cautionary note for young players: they don’t need a player agent until the time they reach a high standard of cricket. “One of the things I like to tell young cricketers is that you don’t really need an agent. Okay, a Virat Kohli or a Mahendra Singh Dhoni today needs an agent because if they have to focus on their cricket and play at that high level, they need to ensure that somebody else is looking after their finances,” he said. “They don’t want to be chasing their dates, or chasing people for money that is owed. But at the younger age of 17, 18 and 19, having agents is definitely not necessary. I don’t see any big hoarding of a 17 or 18-year old. The only hoardings you see today are Kohli or Dhoni or one or two other Indian players. So it’s only when you reach that standard of cricket do you need agents to support and help you.”

تحدثت وسائل إعلام إنجليزية، عن تطورات جديدة حول مستقبل ثنائي مانشستر يونايتد، جادون سانشو، وماسون جرينوود، مع النادي الإنجليزي في الموسم القادم.

ويحتل مانشستر يونايتد المركز الثامن في سلم ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، برصيد 54 نقطة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. مانشستر يونايتد يعلن عودة الثنائي المصاب قبل مواجهة آرسنال

وانضم جرينوود إلى صفوف نادي خيتافي الإسباني على سبيل الإعارة قادماً من نادي مانشستر يونايتد لمدة موسم واحد.

فيما التحق جادون سانشو بصفوف نادي بوروسيا دورتموند الألماني على سبيل الإعارة لمدة ستة أشهر.

وبحسب ما جاء في شبكة “ManchesterEvening News”، فإنه يهدف نادي مانشستر يونايتد إلى بيع جادون سانشو وماسون جرينوود في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

وتابعت الشبكة الإنجليزية أن إدارة مانشستر يونايتد تطمح في جلب ما يصل إلى 70-80 مليون جنيه إسترليني إذا غادر كلا المهاجمين بصفقات دائمة. 

ويأتي ذلك بناءً على رغبة المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، إريك تين هاج، الذي يسعى إلى تعزيز صفوف فريقه في الميركاتو الصيفي القادم.

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio would consider a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia this summer amid uncertainty over his future at the London Stadium, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Michail Antonio leaving West Ham United?

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke writing in his biweekly column for Football Insider, it is believed that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who former England international Steven Gerrard manages, hold a 'concrete interest' in trying to entice the £85k-a-week ace to the Gulf region this summer.

The report states that Al Ettifaq have received 'encouragement' from West Ham over a potential deal being struck and the Hammers wouldn't stand in the way of the Jamaica international making a lucrative cross-continental move.

90min corroborate that West Ham would be open to parting ways with Antonio and have confirmed that they are 'anticipating' a bid for the 33-year-old from Al Ettifaq.

It is said that West Ham would sanction Antonio's departure if a 'suitable' offer was to arrive due to the veteran being in the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.

Over the course of his time in east London, Antonio has been a fan favourite and notched 75 goals and 43 assists in 276 games in West Ham colours, as per Transfermarkt.

Nevertheless, a new challenge could now await Antonio as he veers towards the twilight years of his career and talks are at an early stage, according to Sky Sports Premier League.

Speaking to Football FanCast, transfer insider Jones thinks that Antonio would be willing to consider the prospect of heading to Saudi Arabia to join Al Ettifaq.

Jones told FFC: "There has been nothing formal around this one at the moment, but that doesn't mean that conversations have not begun between intermediaries. It wouldn't actually surprise me if the player was willing to at least listen to what is on the table there because his future at West Ham, long-term, seems a little bit in doubt; he's still got a year of his contract to run. West Ham, I believe, have the option to give him one more year on top of that, so it's not like he's desperate to get out of there, but if he's offered huge money to go to Saudi Arabia, it wouldn't surprise me if he considered it."

What now for West Ham United?

If Antonio was to head for the sunnier climbs of the Middle East, West Ham boss David Moyes would likely enter the market to try and recruit another forward to take his place.

Chelsea striker Armando Broja has reportedly been earmarked as someone who could fill the void and may join the club on a permanent basis for a fee in the region of £30 million, La Gazzetta dello Sport claim.

In other positions, Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse is a target for the Hammers and they are ready to ramp up their interest in the England international by submitting an official bid for his services, as per Football Insider.

Tuttomercatoweb has detailed that Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis is closing in on a move to the London Stadium and should arrive in the capital across the next few days.

West Ham have had a £14.6m bid for Strasbourg forward Habib Diallo rejected, according to a key update from journalist Papa Mahmoud Gueye.

Who is Habib Diallo?

The 28-year-old has been an impressive performer for his current side since arriving from Metz back in 2020, shining in their attack and producing a consistent end product.

Last season, Diallo scored a highly impressive 20 goals in 32 Ligue 1 starts for Strasbourg, also winning an eye-catching 3.6 aerial duels per game (as per WhoScored), showing what an excellent focal point he was. His overall tally currently stands at 41 strikes in 103 appearances, with six assists also thrown in for good measure.

The Senegalese's current deal expires in the summer of 2025, and while next year would be the last chance for Strasbourg to realistically earn good money for him, now could be the best opportunity to receive the biggest amount possible.

West Ham have been linked with a move for Diallo recently, seeing him as someone who could potentially transform their attack, but a new update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of him ahead of the new Premier League season.

Have West Ham bid for Habib Diallo?

According to Gueye, journalist from Senegalese outlet Taggat [via Sport Witness], the Hammers have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign Diallo in the summer transfer window:

He wrote on Twitter: "West Ham have just seen their offer of 17 million euros (£14.6m) for Habib Diallo refused by Strasbourg."

This is clearly a setback for West Ham as they look to bring in a striker this summer. The Hammers were not exactly prolific in the Premier League last season, only scoring 42 times in 38 matches. No player scored more than six goals for the Hammers in the competition, with Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma leading the way with that amount.

Meanwhile, Gianluca Scamacca failed to set the world alight in his first campaign at the London Stadium and has been linked with Roma over recent weeks.

It does suggest that the east Londoners are still pushing hard to snap up Diallo, however, and the hope is that a bigger offer is tabled soon – one that could sway Strasbourg's thinking and persuade them to accept a bid, allowing West Ham to seal the signings of someone currently at the peak of his powers.

Either way, a new centre-forward has to make the move to the London Stadium in order to improve West Ham next season, and the huge fee received for Declan Rice's signature will certainly generate plenty of transfer funds, allowing David Moyes to improve in several key areas.

Diallo is an 18-cap and four-goal Senegal international, and Strasbourg coach Frederic Antonetti recently praised the impact he had made over the past 12 months, saying:

"Habib Diallo is simply confirming his good season and all the good things everyone thinks of him. I told you… that he was reliable, and he's proved it again."

Diallo looks prepared to test himself in the Premier League, and the hope is that his future belongs at West Ham rather than elsewhere.

In a warning to the BCCI and its state associations, the Supreme Court has indicated that people who do not meet the Lodha Committee’s criteria to be office-bearers cannot take part in the board’s meetings or represent it at the ICC.The response was to the Committee of Administrators (CoA), appointed by the court to run the BCCI, asking for clarity on whether disqualified office-bearers could return as representatives to attend BCCI or ICC meetings. The CoA’s request was part of its third status report and was submitted to the court on Friday, two days before the BCCI’s special general body meeting.The SGM was called in part to select a person to represent the board at the crucial quarterly round of ICC meetings in Dubai from April 24 to 27. The COA was aware that former BCCI president N Srinivasan, who fails the eligibility criteria on three counts, would be in attendance and was a favourite for the role. Eventually, the SGM was adjourned, and acting BCCI president CK Khanna said they would reconvene after the court issued its final decision on April 17.According to the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, anyone who is 70 years of age, or has completed separate nine-year terms as an office-bearer at state and BCCI levels is no longer eligible to remain an office-bearer with the board. In a short hearing on Monday the CoA, through its legal counsel Chander Uday Singh, raised the concern that these disqualified officials could still represent the board at ICC meetings.Kapil Sibal and Tushar Mehta, arguing on behalf of the BCCI and some state associations, said even if a person is disqualified to be an office-bearer, they could not be barred from being named a representative for the board or a state.The three-judge bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said they would give their final decision on April 17. “This is a matter to be debated,” they said, although they did wonder about how a disqualified official could represent the BCCI at the ICC to do something “indirectly which otherwise directly was not permissible.”This is the second time in three months the court has been asked to take a call on who will represent the BCCI at ICC meetings. In February, the court had approved three names – Vikram Limaye (CoA member), Amitabh Choudhury (acting secretary) and Anirudh Chaudhry (treasurer) for this purpose. Choudhury attended the ICC chief executives committee meeting while Limaye represented BCCI at the Financial & Commercial Affairs and the ICC Board meetings.