Alexander Shprygin, an executive member of Russia’s football federation as well as the President of Russia’s official supporters’ association, has been banned for two years by FIFA, the global governing body announced on Friday.
FIFA’s ethics commission had opened an investigation against him following discriminatory statements made on social media in 2014 and 2015.
Shprygin, who was deported from France following crowd violence during Euro 2016, was also fined 10,000 CHF (9,140 euros) as well as being banned from all football-related activities until September 2021.
Lampard has made no secret of his intention to develop a pathway from the youth set-up into the first team, thus Abraham has been handed the kind of opportunity so often denied to youngsters attempting to break through at a club contesting the Champions League.
He has responded impressively, offering pace and a physical presence upfront while his goals have confirmed the qualities that brought 25 goals in 37 league games during Villa’s promotion-winning campaign last season.
As an academy product he, like Mason Mount, has the backing of Blues supporters anxious to see homegrown talent come through.
That support will only last so long and Abraham’s abilities will be further scrutinised when he hits the bumps in the road that appear during any campaign.
The decision of Gareth Southgate to leave the forward out of his recent England squad provided an early reality check.
Giroud has made it clear he has no intention of sitting back and accepting the role of deputy to a player 11 years his junior.
“Obviously not,” the France international told Le Figaro this week when asked if he was resigned to being number two.
“I have goals in my head. I’m here to help the next generation, but the time for retirement has not come.
“I’m still hungry and have a lot of ambition.
“I don’t want to be Chelsea’s No.2 striker, for sure.
“Just because I’m here as an older brother for the younger players, it doesn’t mean I’m out on the sidelines.”
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