Wednesday cannon fodder: balance phenomenon scare

Premier League/England

Phil Neville calls for social media boycott to combat racist abuse | Football | The Guardian
Phil Neville has called for the football community to ‘send a powerful message’ after Paul Pogba was targeted online.

Phil Neville gives four players first England Women’s squad call-ups | The Guardian
Two members of England’s most recent Under-20 World Cup squad are among the players selected for friendlies against Belgium and Norway.

Bolton facing points deduction after postponing Doncaster match | The Guardian
Bolton could face a points deduction from the EFL after unilaterally postponing Tuesday’s League One home game against Doncaster.

Kevin MacDonald leaves Aston Villa after bullying investigation - BBC Sport
Aston Villa’s head of football development Kevin MacDonald leaves the club following an investigation into allegations of bullying.

Europe

The Dutch model of developing young footballers: let them sink or swim | The Guardian
The best teenagers at Ajax, PSV, AZ and Utrecht do not play in a youth league.

Maurizio Sarri: Juventus coach treated for pneumonia - BBC Sport
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri is being treated for pneumonia.

Sources: PSG reject Barca’s Neymar loan offer
Paris Saint-Germain have rejected an expected loan offer from Barcelona for wantaway striker Neymar.

Champions League roundup: Ajax hopes in balance after Apoel scare | The Guardian
Ajax face a fight to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

MLS/Americas

Paul Riley not interested ‘at this time’ in USWNT job | Pro Soccer USA
The head coach of the North Carolina Courage tweeted Tuesday that he is committed to the NWSL club.

Among the Chugs: How Phoenix Rising’s Dollar Beer Night became a phenomenon
How a simple promotion turned Phoenix Rising into giants.

Soil pollution at Beckham stadium site worse than expected | Miami Herald
The operating theory that is Miami FC hits yet another setback.

Other

VAR could take 10 years to perfect, warn football law-makers IFAB | FourFourTwo
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have issued a stark warning that VAR could take a decade to fully understand.