Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, March 9.
Cardiff contest EFL embargo
Cardiff City are contesting the transfer embargo which has been placed on them by the EFL which prohibits them from spending money on a player until the summer of 2024.
The Bluebirds managed to lift the embargo placed on them by FIFA in January after paying the first instalment of the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala to Nantes, which allowed them to bring in Sory Kaba on loan before signing Connor Wickham as a free agent after the window closed.
However, the EFL only partially lifted their embargo, with the stipulation that they were not allowed to pay a transfer fee for any player for the next three windows.
Cardiff noted in their accounts, which were published earlier this week: "The club has now paid the first instalment of the transfer fee of seven million euros and the transfer embargo was subsequently lifted, which at least allowed the club to trade during the recent transfer window.
"Our ability to trade, however, was restricted in that we were not allowed by the EFL to pay any transfer or compensation fees and were therefore restricted to bringing in loan players or players who were out of contract.
"Discussions with the EFL are continuing around the legality of that ruling and the imposition of EFL rule 52.6 and whether it is fair or proportionate."
However, Cardiff have contacted the Football League over overturning that particular ruling, thus allowing them to spend money on transfers as they look to build on their squad this summer in order to avoid another relegation scrap next term.
Manager Sabri Lamouchi said in this morning's press conference: "I am happy here, our mission is to save the club from relegation and we are not yet safe, but we are putting ingredients there to put a smile on our fans' faces and it is very positive In a couple of weeks. We probably need to sit and discuss what the club want to do."
READ MORE: Sabri Lamouchi says Cardiff City's new training ground can't come soon enough as plans revealed
The new Cardiff City leaders
In years gone by, the leaders were pretty obvious within Cardiff teams.
The likes of Sean Morrison, Aden Flint, Marlon Pack, Lee Peltier, Aron Gunnarsson and, of course, Sol Bamba scream leadership to you without really having to scratch beneath the surface too much.
But this season, with a brand-new playing squad, Joe Ralls has taken on the armband and has had to help the players navigate the rigmarole of playing under three different managers.
But just who, in this new group, is helping him out? Well, City's skipper explained: "Obviously, Ryan Wintle is vice-captain, Romaine (Sawyers) has had a lot of experience in the league.
"Rocky (Ryan Allsop) as well, there are plenty of lads there, when things need to be said, between the boys, they are being said.
"We went through a difficult spell when confidence went and it's tough. You've just got to keep going and that's what we did.
"The manager has come in and done really well, but I'm proud of how the boys stuck together and hopefully we have come through it now and we can look forward."
Lamouchi: Alnwick a 'very good professional'
Sabri Lamouchi has heaped praise on the patience Jak Alnwick has shown in waiting for his opportunity to make his Bluebirds league debut, which will come against Preston this Saturday.
Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop is suspended for the trip to Deepdale thanks to a late red card in the win over Bristol City last weekend, a moment which prompted Perry Ng to take the gloves for the final minutes of the match.
And now Alnwick, who has a League Cup and two FA Cup appearances to his name in a Cardiff shirt, will assume the role from the off against Preston on Saturday.
Asked about City's No.2 goalkeeper, Lamouchi said: "I was talking with him last week about his mentality, I said to him, 'Look, I've just come in a month ago, you've never played, but I just want to say thank you to you. Because you have never played, you're always positive, you push Ryan to play better and train good. You're very professional. I just want to say thank you for that.'
"But Ryan is No.1 and Jack, he knows the situation, and fortunately I am talking with an honest man and a very good professional."
Gunter retires
Former Bluebirds defender Chris Gunter has retired from Wales after a glittering international career.
The versatile defender has been a mainstay for the Red Dragons over a number of years and was part of the squads which reached two European Championships and last year's World Cup in Qatar.
However, he has joined Wales icons Gareth Bale and Joe Allen in hanging up his boots from international duty ahead of his nation's opening Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Croatia and Latvia later this month.
"I’ve had the privilege of representing our great country for 15 years, and it’s given me some of the best times of my career and my life," the 33-year-old wrote in a statement.
"To all of the managers I’ve played under, and all of the staff who have helped me in many different ways, I have so much appreciation for you and need to say a huge thank you."
Gunter - who currently plays for League Two side AFC Wimbledon - made his international bow against New Zealand in 2007 and amassed a total of 109 caps, breaking the previous men's record held by Neville Southall in a loss to Albania in 2018.
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