News in brief: Adli operation a success

Both thumbs up, under the picture the good news: "The op has gone well!" was the message that Werkself player Amine Adli sent to his followers and fans on social media following his operation by the French specialist Dr Sonnery-Cottet in Lyon. "Now it's a matter of working hard to be fully fit again in the summer," said the striker, as optimistic as usual.

Adli suffered a torn ligament in his right thigh during the international break at the end of March. The France U21 international fell to the ground after a sprint 60 minutes into the Euros qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed it was the end of the season for the Bayer 04 forward.

The 21-year-old will complete his rehab at the Werkstatt facility in the BayArena. It is possible he will return to full training over the course of preparations for next season.

Financial Sustainability replaces Financial Fair Play

The executive committee of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) agreed the reform of Financial Fair Play (FFP) as expected on Thursday. From June, FFP will be replaced by the subsequent regulation of Financial Sustainability. Accordingly, clubs may only spend 70% of their income in future on transfers, salaries and agents fees. "The football industry has changed. The reform was necessary," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin: "The new rules will help us to protect the game."

The guidelines developed in coordination with the European Club Association (ECA), with Bayer 04 boss Fernando Carro on the board, is to be introduced in an ongoing process over three years. Breaches of the rules can lead to financial penalties through to points deductions.

The difference between income and expenditure can be covered in future by an external investor by up to €60 million over a period of three years. Previously it was €30 million over three years. That means there will be no unlimited financial input from investors as primarily feared by the German clubs.

aPPEAL: all to the hall!

Before the Werkself battle for important Bundesliga points in the away game at VfL Bochum on Sunday 10 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), there is another sporting spectacular at the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen. The Bayer Giants, currently fifth in the second basketball Bundesliga ProA and German basketball record champions (14 times), are looking to qualify for the play-offs again. The Black and Red giants need a victory in the last league game on Saturday night – and, above all, the support of all Leverkusen fans.

The match starts at 19.30 CEST against the fourth-placed team Uni Baskets Paderborn. Tickets are available here.

All in black to Bochum

The away tickets for the game at Bochum have long been sold out with 2,500 Werkself fans set to follow the team. The Nordkurve12 fan group has announced a meeting point before departure to the Ruhr region for all Bayer 04 travelling supporters: From 10.00 CEST at the 'Altes Rathaus' pub in Opladen. HERE is the call to action.