Video: Fulham Players Celebrate Goal with Young Fan Who Was Subject of Online Abuse
Sep 25, 2021
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham celebrates after scoring their sides fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Fulham at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on September 15, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Fulham players celebrated Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal Saturday against Bristol City by runninng over to 13-year-old supporter Rhys Porter, who had been the victim of abuse on social media.
Incredible: Fulham players climb into crowd to celebrate goal with 13-Year Old fan Rhys Porter who has cerebral palsy and suffered savage online abuse after posting footage of himself playing football. Beautiful moment of empathy and human kindness 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mf0Dq33fII
Porter, who suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, posted a video of himself making a save. He told Sky Sports he then received "loads of horrible comments."
"It made me feel quite sad, but I try and get over it and I try and make the positives come out of the situation," he said. "I joined a disability charity and I'm doing 20 saves a day in line with the Paralympics and I'm trying to raise some awareness for disabled people."
Earlier this week, Fulham defender Tim Ream surprised Porter while he was doing an interview with the BBC:
USMNT defender Tim Ream surprised Rhys Porter, a young Fulham fan who has cerebral palsy.
Porter recently received abuse online after he uploaded a video of himself playing football. His reaction to seeing Ream ❤️
The Cottagers also honored Porter by listing him among the men's first-team squad and giving him a full profile.
Fulham's Denis Odoi Kicked in Face by Team-Mate, Knocked Out, Stretchered off
Apr 27, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Denis Odoi of Fulham receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Cardiff City at Craven Cottage on April 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Denis Odoi had to be removed from the pitch on a stretcher during Fulham's 1-0 Premier League victory against Cardiff City at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Odoi was taken off following a collision with team-mate and fellow defender Maxime Le Marchand. He was taken from the pitch after a lengthy period of receiving treatment. Although Odoi briefly made it back to his feet, a stretcher was still needed:
Worrying scenes at Fulham as Denis Odoi receives treatment for nearly 10 minutes on the pitch before being stretchered off.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2019
The Belgium international was replaced by Cyrus Christie with the game still goalless.
Afterwards, Fulham caretaker manager Scott Parker provided an update on Odoi's condition, per NBC Sports' Joe Prince-Wright: "Denis is OK. I have just seen him; it was a big head injury. He was out of it for a few seconds which was concerning, but he is fine and will be OK."
Odoi has been a key figure recently, helping Fulham salvage some pride despite already being relegated from England's top flight. Defensive issues are the main reason why the Cottagers are facing a swift return to the Championship after just one season.
Fulham had conceded 76 goals before the start of play on Saturday. However, things have begun to improve on Parker's watch.
The man who replaced Claudio Ranieri after the Italian was sacked for failing to fortify things following the dismissal of Slavisa Jokanovic earlier in the season, led Fulham to back-to-back wins in the previous two games before the Cardiff match.
The Fulham victory pushed the Bluebirds closer to joining them on their way back to the second tier of English football and guaranteed Southampton would remain in the league next season.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Denis Odoi of Fulham is given treatment after a collision with a team mate during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Cardiff City at Craven Cottage on April 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine I
Odoi started in both wins and helped to earn rare clean sheets as Everton were beaten 2-0 before a 1-0 victory away to Bournemouth. Those performances have offered hope for next season and also served as a reminder of Odoi's importance.
He joined Fulham in 2016 after arriving from Belgian outfit Lokeren.
Fulham Relegated from Premier League to Championship After 4-1 Loss to Watford
Apr 2, 2019
WATFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Calum Chambers of Fulham looks dejected as his team are relegated due to the result in the Premier League match between Watford FC and Fulham FC at Vicarage Road on April 02, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
What has long felt like an inevitability became a reality on Tuesday—Fulham have been relegated.
The Cottagers' fate became official following a 4-1 loss to Watford. Fulham have managed just 17 points in 33 matches with four wins, five draws and 24 losses. The club's goal difference sits at a harrowing -46, and they've conceded an astonishing 76 goals, 17 more than any other club.
Fulham are relegated from the PL 🙁3 points from possible 39 in 2019 🙁2 points from possible 51 away from home this season 🙁Conceded 2+ goals in last 13 PL matches pic.twitter.com/1Zi4zDpZP9
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 2, 2019
For all of Fulham's futility, they are still three points ahead of Huddersfield on the table, though the Terriers have a game in hand. It's unlikely that Huddersfield will catch Fulham in the race to avoid finishing 20th, however, given they've won just three games this season and have scored a Premier League-low 18 goals.
To put that in perspective, Manchester City's SergioAguerohas scored 19 goals by himself this season, while four players—Liverpool's MohamedSalahandSadioMane, Arsenal's Pierre-EmerickAubameyangand Tottenham's Harry Kane—are hot on Huddersfield's heels with 17 goals apiece.
2 - 2018-19 (Fulham and Huddersfield) is just the second Premier League campaign in which two teams have been relegated with at least five games remaining after the 1994-95 campaign (Leicester City and Ipswich Town). Drop. pic.twitter.com/nsOwzd2Uyb
Huddersfield and Fulham can now, er, focus on avoiding unwanted records. Lowest Premier League goal tally is 20, Huddersfield currently on 18. 6 games left. Most goals conceded is 89, Fulham currently on 76. 5 games left. Both records currently held by Derby 2007/08...
Fulham's return to the Premier League was a short one, lasting just one season after four years in the Championship. The Cottagers were expected to be far better in the 2018-19 campaign after shelling out £105.3 million on 12 new players, making them the third-biggest spenders in the Premier League over the summer, per Sky Sports.
Instead,Fulhamfloundered, fired manager Claudio Ranieri in February and now are in danger of allowing the most goals in Premier League history. With relegation now assured, manyFulhamsupporters are likely more than ready for this season to be over.
Claudio Ranieri Sacked by Fulham with Club in Premier League Relegation Zone
Feb 28, 2019
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Fulham during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Fulham FC at St Mary's Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Claudio Ranieri has been fired as Fulham manager following a run of seven defeats in their last eight Premier League games:
Fulham Football Club Chairman Shahid Khan today named Scott Parker as Caretaker Manager, replacing Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri, 67, replaced Slavisa Jokanovic at the helm in November 2018 but won only three times in 16 Premier League matches.
Fulham confirmed his departure on Thursday and announced Scott Parker as their caretaker manager in a statement on their official website.
Ranieri's dismissal comes a little over two years after he was fired in February 2017 by Leicester City, the club with whom he won the Premier League in 2016—the only top-flight title of his career so far.
The former Chelsea chief failed to rouse players in the same fashion at Craven Cottage and encountered criticism from the club's fans due to his methods.
Fulham suffered a seventh defeat in eight Premier League matches when they lost 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday, where supporters voiced their disdain to vice-chairman Tony Khan (son of owner Shahid), per Match of the Day:
Fulham's hierarchy described the appointment of Claudio Ranieri in November as "risk-free".
The west Londoners had lost six league games in a row when Jokanovic was sacked. The Serb had taken only five points from 12 games, but his side managed to net 11 times in that span (an average of 0.92 goals scored per game).
Ranieri clinched 12 points from 16 Premier League games for a superior average of 0.75 points per game, and his side scored 0.93 goals on average (15 goals total).
Football reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt said Ranieri should have been fired before the trip to Southampton, noting the Italian's poor record at Craven Cottage didn't make him a bad manager:
Pointless if Ranieri is still there for Southampton or even for Chelsea - a bad manager he isn’t but nowhere near the right one for this current situation as continual decisions, performances + results have proven.
Ranieri was coming into a much different setup at Fulham compared to that of his previous Premier League employers, Leicester. After making a stop at Ligue 1 side Nantes in between, the expectations were a lot different this time around.
Fulham were the 17th club Ranieri has managed in his career, and a win ratio of just over 17 percent stands out as the worst of his club career to date, per Transfermarkt.
That being said, Ranieri has rarely spent more than a few months out of management since beginning his career in 1986—the only year in which he hasn't managed a club since then is 2006.
It's uncertain as to whether he'll return to England, having seen his reputation tarnished after Fulham sacked him after just three months in charge.
Ryan Babel Joins Fulham from Besiktas, Signs Contract Until End of Season
Jan 15, 2019
Ryan Babel of Holland during the UEFA Nations League A group 1 qualifying match between Germany and The Netherlands at the Veltins Arena on November 19, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Babel, 32, saidone of the key reasons he made the move is to help Fulham in their bid to avoid relegation: "My first impressions are good and I'm very excited. I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up. That's one of the reasons that I'm here, to try and help that to happen. I'm ready to go, I'm excited and I can't wait."
The Cottagers are 19th in the Premier League table—five points from safety.
Claudio Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as manager in November and has made improvements to Fulham's defence. They have conceded 18 goals in 10 matches under the Italian, having leaked 31 in their first 12 league games of the season.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri sends out instructions to his players during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Fulham FC at Turf Moor on January 12, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Im
But the west London outfit are still struggling for goals, having scored just 20 in 22 games this term, which is the fourth-worst total in the league.
Babel could help solve that problem.
In 91 Premier League appearances withLiverpool between 2006 and 2011, he scored 12 goals and provided five assists.
That is not a fantastic record, but his goals were always valuable:
11 - No player has a better 100% record for winning Premier League games in which they've scored than Ryan Babel (11/11). Tower. pic.twitter.com/4hhmxYiq9t
And he has been excellent in his three seasons with Besiktas, earning a recall to the Netherlands squad in 2017 after a several-year absence and starting all four of their UEFA Nations League fixtures last year.
Babel's versatility could make him a major asset for Fulham, as he is able to play anywhere across the front line, though he prefers the left flank.
Fulham vs. Wolves: Odds, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Dec 24, 2018
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Fulham gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham FC at St. James Park on December 22, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Fulham will attempt to climb off the foot of the Premier League table on Boxing Day when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage in the day's early kick-off.
The pair each won 2-0 at home when they met in the Championship last season, but the two newly promoted sides have endured contrasting fortunes in the top flight this season.
Wolves sit comfortably in mid-table with 25 points, while Fulham have accrued just 10 so far and prop up the rest of the league.
Fulham are bidding to become only the fourth side to survive having been bottom of the table at Christmas in the Premier League era.
Leicester City were the most recent to accomplish that feat in the 2014-15 season, and their situation was slightly worse than the Cottagers'. That Christmas, the Foxes also had 10 points, but they were five points from safety compared to Fulham's four.
Fulham have shipped 42 goals already this season, though. Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy discussed their struggles:
“Fulham have not spent their money on players that will keep them up!”
Danny Murphy isn’t confident his old side will stay in the Premier League.
Fulham now have a template with which to work now that could form the basis of a survival push under the Italian.
Wolves—who lost to Fulham's relegation rivals Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City in November—have only scored seven goals away from home this season.
Only Cardiff and Fulham themselves have found the net fewer times on the road, so Wednesday is a good opportunity for the hosts to build on their first clean sheet with another.
They'll need to be wary of main threat Raul Jimenez, though:
Raúl Jiménez has directly contributed to nine of the 17 goals that Wolves have scored in the Premier League this season.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are looking to bounce back after Liverpool brought their three-match winning streak to an end on Friday.
A win over Fulham would send them back to seventh, and they could remain there, too, depending on the results later in the day.
Fulham Announce Claudio Ranieri Has Replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as Manager
Nov 14, 2018
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri reacts following the Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley FC at The King Power Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
Fulham have confirmed Claudio Ranieri has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as the club's manager.
The Cottagers announced the managerial switch on Wednesday:
Shahid Khan today announced that he has appointed Claudio Ranieri as Manager of Fulham Football Club, replacing Slaviša Jokanović.
In a statement, Fulham said Ranieri has been given a "multiyear contract" at Craven Cottage.
Jokanovic has departed Fulham with the team bottom of the Premier League, having accrued five points from their first 12 matches and lost each of their last six. They also have the worst defensive record in the division as they have conceded 31 goals and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Chairman Shahid Khan said:
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters."
Jokanovic joined Fulham in 2015, shortly after earning Premier League promotion with Watford.
After keeping Fulham in the Championship in his first season, he guided them to the play-offs the following year, where they lost to Reading. Last season, the 50-year-old took them to the play-offs again and this time triumphed over Derby County and Aston Villa to secure promotion.
Alex Harris of theDaily Starthanked the Serb for his service:
Thanks for dragging our club off the ground, giving us an identity, masterminding two thrilling seasons in the Championship and, most importantly, *that* day in May @Jokanovic. A true Fulham legend. #FFC
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history. The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Fulham have become the 18th team Ranieri has managed in his coaching career, which began more than 30 years ago.
The Italian has managed the likes of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan in that time, but his biggest achievement came in 2016 when he guided Leicester City—who had only just survived the year before—to the Premier League title.
He was sacked the following season as results declined, but not before topping the Foxes' UEFA Champions League group to help them reach the knockout phase.
Last season, Ranieri was in charge of Nantes. The 67-year-old left at the end of the campaign after finishing ninth in Ligue 1.
James Benge of theEvening Standardand ESPN FC's Liam Twomey believe Fulham can turn things around under Ranieri:
Fulham have the quality of players to turn this around and thrive in the league, their hope will have to be Ranieri builds an atmosphere in which they feel they can express themselves and thrive.
Odd thing re Ranieri is that, despite perhaps the greatest managerial feat in the modern era at #LCFC, his record over past decade and more is not great when you look at the clubs he's managed. Should improve Fulham, but maybe not quite the "risk-free" appointment Khan suggests
The Cottagers will be banking on Ranieri sparking an immediate improvement to get them off the foot of the table.
Fortunately for Fulham, despite their poor start to the campaign, they're not yet adrift. They're just four points behind Newcastle United in 14th place.
They're only three behind upcoming opponents Southampton, who are above Cardiff in the drop zone only by virtue of goal difference.
Saints haven't won a match since September 1, so Fulham's home game against them on November 24 will be a prime opportunity to start climbing the table.
Andre Schurrle Joins Fulham on 2-Year Loan from Borussia Dortmand
Jul 25, 2018
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - JULY 13: Andre Schuerrle of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the friendly match between Austria Wien and Borussia Dortmund at Generali Arena on July 13, 2018 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Fulham have confirmed the signing of forward Andre Schurrle from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, with the versatile attacker agreeing a two-year loan deal, per the Craven Cottage club's official website.
Schurrle and Fulham co-owner Tony Khan reacted to the deal on social media:
I’m thrilled to announce that @FulhamFC has signed @Andre_Schuerrle on loan. He’s been a top target for us; I’m so excited that our pursuit was successful! He has vast experience, @premierleague, Bundesliga + Germany’s 2014 World Cup winners. Welcome André to FFC! Come on Fulham! pic.twitter.com/JjcOzoXU62
The player also thanked Fulham for their faith in him while declaring himself a good fit for the newly promoted Premier League side's style of play:
"I’m so happy to be here, I can’t wait to get started. Fulham were the first club that showed interest in me - that was something that I appreciated a lot, and one of the reasons I wanted to come here."
"I love ball possession, I love attacking, and I love making runs, so I think it could be perfect. I have to fight for my place and I have to show my quality so that I can be a member who really helps the team."
Those are wise words since Schurrle could be the perfect foil for the progressive and possession-based style Fulham play on manager Slavisa Jokanovic's watch. His team plays through midfield, where Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen offer vision, technique and scoring potential.
Their craft helped left-sided midfielder Ryan Sessegnon boss the Championship last season. The 18-year-old helped himself to 16 goals and eight assists as Fulham earned promotion through the playoffs.
ALDERSHOT, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham looks on during the pre-season friendly between Reading and Fulham at the EBB Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Aldershot, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Schurrle could be even more effective since he offers greater strength and a more direct threat. The 2014 World Cup winner has the pace and sense of timing to exploit any openings between the lines.
Premier League audiences already know about Schurrle's ability after the Germany international played nearly two seasons for Fulham's local rivals Chelsea. Schurrle scored 11 goals in England's top flight for the Blues, often coming off the bench to make an impact.
He'll likely be expected to start more for a Fulham side naturally eager to avoid a relegation scrap following over four years away from the Premier League. The combination of Sessegnon and Schurrle should give Jokanovic's side sufficient cutting edge to produce some memorable results and amass enough points to stay up.
Schurrle is the second high-profile signing Fulham have made this summer, following the arrival of midfield playmaker Jean Michael Seri on a four-year deal. Seri's neat and incisive distribution means the Cottagers have all the providers they need to regularly release Schurrle behind defences and keep him supplied with chances.
Jean Michael Seri to Fulham: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction
Jul 12, 2018
Jean Michel Seri of OCG Nice during the UEFA Europa League group K match match between OGC Nice and Vitesse Arnhem on September 28, 2017 at the Allianz Riviera in Nice, France(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Newly promoted Fulhamcompleted the signing of midfielder Jean Michael Seri from Nice on Thursday, with the Ivory Coast international penning a four-year deal at Craven Cottage.
The west London outfit confirmed the major move via their Twitter account, with Seri departing Nice after threeseasons at the Ligue 1 club:
A statement on Fulham's website provided comments from their newest recruit: "I'm ready to get started and looking forward to meeting the squad and getting to know them, the head coach and his staff better. I'm delighted to be here. It's a new adventure that starts for me, and I'm hoping it will all go well."
Seri will be a big loss for Nice. As Squawka highlighted, he has been a vital player for them in recent years:
Jean Michaël Seri has created more chances than any other Nice player in each of the past two Ligue 1 seasons:
He has impressed as a playmaking central midfielder, returning 12 goals and 20 assists in his three Ligue 1 campaigns.
At 26, Seri still has the potential to improve his game even more and should soon be reaching the peak years of his career.
It is not guaranteed Seri will be an immediate hit at Fulham. Having only previously played his European football in Ligue 1 and in Portugal's Primeira Liga, with Pacos de Ferreira, it will be a big step up to perform in the Premier League.
But the Cottagers have done remarkably well to snap him up ahead of the likes of Sevilla, West Ham United and Chelsea, clubs MailOnline'sSimon Jones reported were also interested in the midfielder.
Seri should fit well into Fulham's system and boasts more than enough ball-playing ability to be a huge asset at Craven Cottage.
He is a Premier League-quality player and, arguably, would not look out of place at a top-six club.
He always wants to be on the ball and has impeccable distribution skills. Therefore, he should become a key influence in Slavisa Jokanovic's side.
