These are your Cardiff City headlines on Monday, July 4.
Another target identified
Yesterday WalesOnline reported Cardiff were closing in on their 10th signing of the summer window, with the Bluebirds confident of getting it over the line this week.
Today we revealed their interest in bringing former West Brom and Stoke City man Romaine Sawyers to south Wales.
He is a free agent after leaving The Hawthorns this summer, with the Potters also said to be keen on signing him.
READ MORE : Cardiff City interested in former West Brom and Stoke City midfielder Romaine Sawyers
The 27-cap St Kitts and Nevis international scored three goals and provided four assists for the Potters last season. Having come through the Baggies' youth system, he went on to impress for Walsall in League One and Brentford in the Championship before sealing a return home to The Hawthorns in 2019.
Duo left off squad profile page
Cardiff duo Gavin Whyte and Tom Sang have been left off the Bluebirds' player profile page on the club website.
The pair spent the second half of last season away from south Wales, with Whyte on loan at Oxford United and Sang heading north of the border to St Johnstone. Whyte was, however, spotted in Cardiff training on Monday but his future is likely to be away from the Welsh capital.
The profile page appears to be updated, with new signings Jak Alnwick, Ryan Allsop, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Mahlon Romeo, Jamilu Collins, Callum O'Dowda, Ebou Adams, Andy Rinomhota and Ollie Tanner all featuring.
Interestingly, Sean Morrison and George Ratcliffe are still listed as first-team players despite their contracts elapsing. In the former's case, Morrison is recuperating from a serious knee injury he suffered earlier this year.
Neville reveals why he didn't sign Bale
Inter Miami boss Phil Neville says the Herons "didn't want to sign" Gareth Bale despite being heavily linked with the Wales skipper.
Bale, 32, signed on the dotted line for Miami's MLS rivals LAFC last month, quashing Cardiff hopes of landing the former Real Madrid man.
Neville explained he wanted his side to go in a different direction to that forged by the Los Angeles-based outfit.
“At this moment in time, I feel as if we’re still in that foundation, building block phase,” Neville said. “And there will be times when we add the cherries and the icings on the cake.
"… As much as it's, yes, great on paper and all that business, we felt from a roster point of view, we felt from what we really wanted from this season, [Jean] and the other players hopefully we'll bring in fit what we want at this moment in time.
"[Bale] would enhance any football team, but we have a cap at this football club, we have a certain level of player that we think will improve us in certain areas," Neville added. "Good luck to Gareth in LAFC. I'm glad we don't have to play them again. They are ahead of us in terms of what they're building, but we'll catch them."
Warnock wades into Ronaldo row
Former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock has given his 10 pence worth amid increasing rumours Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United.
Reports emerged at the weekend suggesting the Portuguese wants out of Old Trafford after just one year into his return, citing a desire to play Champions League football in the twilight of his career. United have the Europa League to look forward to and rumours over his exit were heightened on Monday with his news the 37-year-old was absent from training due to family reasons.
Warnock, tweeting via his newly set up account, believes Ronaldo leaving would be a good thing for new United boss Erik Ten Haag.
He said: "Whilst the manager won’t admit it publicly, I don’t think he’s going to mind too much if Ronaldo leaves the club. Great player but #ManUtd need to support Ten Hag with the players he wants, let him build his own team and get that spirit and togetherness back in the dressing room."
Safe standing announcement
All clubs in the top two tiers of English football can apply to operate licensed safe standing areas next season, the Government has said.
Cardiff, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham took part in a safe standing pilot in the second half of last season and Brentford, QPR and Wolves will now join those clubs in offering designated areas for home and away fans from the start of the 2022-23 season.
The Government also confirmed that Wembley would also offer limited safe standing for fans from both sets of clubs at domestic matches later in the season, whilst other clubs are expected to apply as the season progresses.
The Football Association will trial safety rails at England's Nations League match against Germany in September, but at that stage spectators must remain seated.
Once the trials are completed, and should approval be given by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), 892 seats in the lowest tier behind each goal - 1,784 seats in total - will be in designated safe standing areas.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston had said in May he was "minded" to offer the option to all Premier League and Championship clubs on the back of interim findings from independent research on the pilot.
The pilot marked the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which had been in place for more than 25 years, with those clubs having been required to provide all-seated accommodation since August 1994 in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives.
It is understood Liverpool are not considering introducing safe standing for next season, but may extend or increase their existing rail seating provision having run a separate club pilot last season.
Huddleston told the PA news agency: "We're confident now that we can roll out safe standing.
"We've engaged with lots of stakeholders, including importantly with Hillsborough families, because it's really important that we do take everybody's views and opinions on board.
"Fans want it, we can do it safely, and I think it's a good day for football."
Commenting, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, said: “This is fantastic news for football fans in Wales.
“Welsh Conservatives have been calling for this for many years, and I’m delighted that the UK Conservative Government have given safe standing the green light.
“I was proud to lead a Senedd debate on this some years ago which won cross-party support. It is a move that is overwhelmingly backed by fans and it is a great victory for them.”
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Tom Giffard MS, added: “After trials across England and Wales, including at Cardiff City, it’s fantastic to see safe standing reintroduced.
“It will improve atmospheres at our great stadiums in a safe environment. I am proud that Welsh Conservatives have campaigned for this and that my fellow Swansea City fans will be able to enjoy safe standing.”
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