Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      West Ham 4 Ipswich 1: Jarrod Bowen simply unstoppable as Hammers turn on style to silence Lopetegui’s doubters

      by

      SUN out, forwards finally scoring and a first home win as West Ham manager in the Premier League.Julen Lopetegui might finally be enjoying life in East London after his Hammers ripped through Ipswich.Michail Antonio bagged a goal and an assistJarrod Bowen got back to best against IpswichAfter a stodgy start to the season, all three of Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen found the back of the net in this rout.All four had looked below par under Lopetegui, with neither Antonio nor Kudus even scoring before this afternoon.But this was West Ham’s best attacking performance since the early weeks of the year, when things were looking up before the sharp downturn which ended David Moyes’ tenure.Loptegui had bemoaned West Ham’s slow starts early in the season – culminating in conceding after 38 seconds last week at Brentford.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the Hammers turned that form on its head in East London, taking the lead 47 seconds in here.Tomas Soucek picked out Jarrod Bowen wide on the right after former Hammer Kalvin Phillips handed possession over in midfield.Phillips, who endured a horror six month loan at the London Stadium last season, tracked back put could not stop Bowen feeding the ball through his legs for Antonio to finish first time.For the first time under Lopetegui West Ham had started confidently and had their chests out – though that lasted just five minutes.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDelap, a summer signing from Manchester City, chased a loose ball from an Ipswich corner to the far side of the West Ham area, quickly spun a struggling Lucas Paqueta and thumped his third goal in two games past Alphonse Areola at the near post.Areola, who got a hand to the strike, should have dealt with it better but Delap’s confidence in taking on the effort quickly stumped the Frenchman.Leicester City Players Under Fire for Harassing Fan West Ham took their time to settle having been pegged back, with Ipswich continuing to create chances in flashes.Phillips sent an effort over the bar before Jacob Greaves headed wide from a free-kick.West Ham were hardly free-flowing but started applying pressure once more, with the front three looking far more like their old selves for the first time under the new manager.Kudus had two chances in as many minutes, one cut out by Phillips on the break before his header struck the bar while Soucek had an effort stopped on the line by Dara O’Shea.Ipswich have shown plenty of spirit since promotion so far but were starting to creak at the back.Arijanet Muric stopped a long-range effort from Paqueta, but moments later West Ham found their second.Emerson Palmieri, the only defender left from last season’s porous back four, drove through the Ipswich defence down the left.Antonio met his cross but the header struck the bar and bounced out off the line, though Kudus reacted quicker than anyone and nodded past Muric.Kieran McKenna’s side were sticking to their guns and looking to play through West Ham from the back, though it was getting them into trouble at times.Sam Morsy had a lucky escape after surrendering possession in the first half, but keeper Muric was not as fortunate after the break.The former Burnley man attempted a cute ball out of his box just four minutes after the restart, but found Bowen.Phillips, doing more for West Ham than he had during his time actually playing for the club, allowed the winger to cut inside and drill a low finish into the far corner.Having been left out of Lee Carsley’s England squad on Thursday, this was a superb response from Bowen.He was direct and dangerous all afternoon, a return to the form which got him into England contention in the first place – with two assists to go with his goal.The second of those was for Paqueta, whose tap in capped another fine Hammers move to put Ipswich out of sight – not long after the visitors had tested Areola through the impressive Delap.READ MORE SUN STORIESAntonio collected the ball and swiftly turned to feed Bowen down the right. Another driving run had him at the byline, able to poke across for Paqueta to grab his first goal since the opening day.The only frustration for Lopetegui now is that he has to wait until after the international break to try and keep this going. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Brentford 5 Wolves 3: Bees score inside 90 seconds AGAIN as pressure mounts on Gary O’Neil with side rock bottom

      by

      BRENTFORD struck early yet again – and it could now be too late for Gary O’Neil.No wins from the first seven games adds up to Wolves’ worst start since 2003-04.Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring from the spot for the BeesEthan Pinnock was among the goals at the Gtech Community StadiumMbeumo was in the goals again for Brentford in a thrilling contestAnd with the away end booing at the end of both halves it would be no surprise if O’Neil became this season’s first Premier League managerial casualty.First-half goals from Nathan Collins, Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock set up victory for the Bees – who opened the scoring in double quick time for a fourth straight Prem game.Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen provided equalisers but Wolves are bottom for a reason – they let in far too many.Sub Fabio Carvalho proved that point with a late fifth for Thomas Frank’s side, who kept Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone far too busy.Read more football newsThere was still time for Rayan Ait-Nouri to net a Wolves’ third but an international break is coming up and O’Neil may soon be the latest boss to pay the price for a duff start.”We’re gonna score in a minute!” sang the home fans as the game kicked off – and they were only slightly wrong.Wolves held out for just 75 seconds when Mikkel Damsgaard crossed for Collins to head past Johnstone.Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham had all let in first-minute goals in the Bees’ three previous Prem outings.Most read in FootballFrank hailed that as a world record – and the latest early edition saw the wags on Brentford’s X account quip: “We are getting slow.” I’m a Premier League star and gave myself a stupid nickname after watching Cool Runnings… it’s still on back of my shirtPerhaps they shouldn’t have as history repeated itself  in another way.Brentford had failed to hang on to any of those super-speedy leads – and Wolves were level just two minutes later.Nelson Semedo pulled the ball back from the right for Cunha to convert first time from near the penalty spot.Wolves continued to make things difficult for themselves by conceding a 19th-minute penalty.Again Collins was the main character, going down under Mario Lemina’s grappling.Referee Andrew Madley didn’t give it initially – but pointed to the spot on VAR Michael Oliver’s recommendation.It was a bit of a soft award but Mbeumo sent Johnstone the wrong way to net his sixth of the season.Yet again the lead lasted just a handful of minutes however.This time ex-Wolves man Collins was at fault for a loose pass from inside his own box in the 26th minute.That allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to whip in a cross from the left that Strand Larsen expertly guided into a corner from six yards.Incredibly Wolves decided once again that they didn’t fancy parity.Poor ball retention in their own back line saw Brentford open them up with a couple of rapid passes and Norgaard fired across Johnstone.Wolves were caught out again in first-half stoppage time when Pinnock was given too much space to head home a corner at the back post.Boos from the away end greeted the half-time whistle – and chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” followed when O’Neil swapped defensive midfielder Andre for attacker Hwang Hee-chan early in the second half.Wolves rarely looked like scoring but Johnstone remained busy, denying Kevin Schade and Mbeumo before diverting Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross for Carvalho to tap in.Ait-Nouri pulled one back in stoppage-time, bursting through on the left to fire through Mark Flekken’s legs but it was far too late.The away fans booed the final whistle – those who remained that is.Christian Norgaard scored Brentford’s all-important thirdEthan Pinnock’s header came just before half-time to give Brentford a 4-2 leadRayan Ait-Nouri’s late consolation did nothing to stop Wolves crashing to defeatGary O’Neil has much to ponder with Wolves rock bottom of the Premier LeagueThe away section was completely deserted as Brentford players did a lap of appreciation for their own following.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow O’Neil must see if he still retains the backing of his employers at a time when Wolves sit isolated at the bottom of the table, below Southampton on goal difference only.No such problems for Frank of course – it is only the Bees number-crunchers who are in trouble when the Dane asks them to check for the most goals in the first two minutes this week. More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City 3 Fulham 2: Mateo Kovacic scores TWICE as Pep Guardiola’s men claim nervy victory over Cottagers

      by

      MATEO KOVACIC spent most of his first season at the Etihad playing second fiddle while Rodri called the tune.When Ilkay Gundogan returned to his old stomping ground in the summer, it seemed the Croatian midfield grafter would slip another place down the pecking order.Mateo Kovacic scored twice for Manchester City as they edged past FulhamCredit: GettyAndreas Pereira gave Fulham a shock lead from close rangeCredit: AFPKovacic’s deflected strike levelled things up for the championsCredit: PAThe Croatian then helped himself to a second shortly after the breakCredit: ReutersKovacic was instrumental in ensuring Man City won on Saturday afternoonFulham had a significant share of the match and could have stolen a pointBut suddenly, out of nowhere, Kovacic hasn’t merely taken a seat in the Manchester City orchestra, but has the baton in his hand, conducting the whole damn show.Where the loss of Rodri for the season, sidelined with a smashed cruciate, was initially seen as a door slamming on hopes of five titles in a row, it could actually be the opposite.It could be the stroke of misfortune for the Spaniard, yet slice of luck for the Croat, which sees Kovacic nail down a slot as the midfield kingpin and puller of strings in this term’s assault.As someone in these parts once memorably said across the other side of town, football, bloody hell, eh!READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKovacic’s talents have never been in doubt, of course. A four-time Champions League winner – three with Real Madrid and one against City with Chelsea – is proof enough.Yet on the Etihad’s all-star cast of Galacticos, you’d have to look a long way down the list to find his name. Grit, not glamour or glitz, is the order of the day for him.A great option to chuck from the bench, to give one of the front liners a bit of a breather, but to most City fans, more of a side dish than a main course kind of guy.Put it this way, Kovacic isn’t a name on the back of too many youngsters’ shirts. Or at least he hasn’t been, until the last month or so, anyway.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJeremy Doku lashed in a sensational third for Man CityCredit: ReutersIt was his first Premier League goal of the seasonCredit: PARodrigo Muniz reduced the deficit and made for a tense climaxCredit: GettyMidfielder Kovacic completed 77 of his 86 passesUnlikely that may be. But then again, so was the prospect of Kovacic emerging as a two-goal transformer of a game that City were frankly stumbling through in the first half at least.An early slash wide from Gundogan apart and an angled effort even closer from Erling Haaland aside, it was actually Fulham who had the better openings.Inside Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner’s play for his £27m fortuneThe best of which went to Adama Traore, when Antonee Robinson’s delicious outside-of-the-foot pass set him on a foot race with pint size Rico Lewis.It was an unfair contest in terms of pace and poundage, but after Traore outmuscled the youngster, he could only drive against Ederson’s legs.A fateful tale of what was to come for the Spanish flier, but more of that later, because on 27 minutes it didn’t seem to matter, as the Cottagers bagged a well earned lead.And what a well crafted opener it was, too, with Raul Jiminez’ thigh control to take Alex Iwobi’s pass, and then his rub-your-eyes half-volleyed backheel cross.It certainly had City’s backline baffled, dropping over Manuel Akanji and in front of Lewis as Andreas Pereira stretched out a leg to volley in. A simple finishing touch to majestic crafting.Two minutes later and that lead should have doubled as Traore found himself staring keeper Ederson in the eyes once again.Again Iwobi was the architect, sweeping the ball left to his unmarked team-mate. This time he went high, and a point blank strike ended with the fans behind the goal.How fateful it proved, because with Fulham still cursing the miss, up stepped Kovacic to level it up.Gundogan’s corner was never remotely cleared, and when it fell invitingly 12 yards out, the City midfielder pounced.With a huge slice of fortune, too, it should be said clipping off Joachim Andersen to leave Bernd Leno totally wrongfooted.Balance restored? Normal service resumed? Routine victory now on the cards? Well it certainly seemed to be heading that way when Kovacic pounced again two minutes into the second half.And while his opener may have come with a hefty dose of good luck, this one was pure class. A finish that had Pep Guardiola leaping around punching the air on the touchline.Bernardo Silva did superbly to chest down and lay off Phil Foden’s deep cross almost in the same motion.But not half as well as Kovacic did in side footing a magnificently clinical, curling strike arcing away from Leno and into the corner.Lewis then struck a rocket from the edge of the box which clipped a stooping Haaland and fizzed inches wide, and you thought it was a question of “how many”.Until, as least, Traore showed substitute Kyle Walker, making his 400th appearance, that maybe he isn’t the fastest guy in the game after all.For the Fulham winger left him for dead to storm through…and then repeated his clanger of the first half by driving at Ederson’s legs.A miss that looked even worse when Jeremy Doku nearly took the net off its moorings with a rocket to earn breathing spaceREAD MORE SUN STORIESYes, Rodrigo Muniz ensured a couple of squeaky bum moments with a last-gasp lifeline for the visitors, but by then the damage had been done. For City, the points were safe.Rodri may be second favourite for the Ballon d’Or but for now at least Kovacic is loving life as the headline act. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      David Beckham showed true colours with gesture to Sven-Goran Eriksson after legendary England manager’s cancer diagnosis

      by

      DAVID BECKHAM made a final visit to Sven-Goran Eriksson in Sweden before the former England manager passed away.The iconic coach died at the age of 76 back in August after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.David Beckham paid tribute to Sven-Goran Eriksson following his passingCredit: AFP – GettyBeckham visited Eriksson in Sweden and brought with him his private chef to cook Swedish cuisineCredit: Instagram @davidbeckhamA host of famous faces from the world of football paid tribute to the iconic coach following his passing.And an Amazon Prime documentary was released in honour of his life as Eriksson addressed the camera with one final address.Beckham featured in the doc having travelled to Eriksson’s home to visit his old international boss.Beckham brought his private chef with him on the trip and got him to cook some Swedish favourites including herring and elk.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs reported by The Mail, Eriksson’s memoir spoke about Beckham and his visit to Sweden.It read: “We had an extremely good relationship during my time with England, and Beckham is Beckham. He’s an incredibly fine person. Since I left that job, we’ve met now and again, and we talk regularly.”When I made my diagnosis public earlier this year, he called a few days later and said: ‘I’d like to come and visit you, if I may.’ Of course he could. He arrived in his private jet at Karlstad Airport, about an hour’s drive from my home.”He brought with him his own chef – in fact he sent the chef one day ahead. The meal was herring and potatoes and elk meat, following my wishes.Most read in Football”We had one aquavit, a Scandinavian spirit, each. It was a highly relaxing moment and I truly appreciated his visit.”Of course we talked about football, but we also covered much more during David’s three-hour visit. What we said shall remain within us, and only us, as always between trainer and player.”David Beckham hugs Sven-Goran Eriksson’s ex Nancy Dell’Olio as they arrive with ex-England manager’s family at funeralBeckham made the journey back to Sweden for Eriksson’s funeral and looked emotional as he paid his respects to a long-time friend.He then shared one final heart-warming post about Eriksson on Instagram.He said: “We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye. Sven thank you for always being the person you have always been, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.”I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain but I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family. Thank you Sven and in your last words to me ,’It will be ok’.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Aaron Ramsdale breaks down in tears on pitch after Arsenal fans’ reception on return to Emirates Stadium

      by

      AARON RAMSDALE was overcome with emotion as he broke down in tears on his first return to the Emirates since leaving this summer.The England goalkeeper joined Southampton on deadline day in a four-year deal worth £25m, bringing his three-year Gunners stint to an end.Aaron Ramsdale was reduced to tears after receiving a warm welcome from Arsenal fansIt marks the first time Ramsdale will play at the Emirates since leaving in the summerThe goalkeeper dried his eyes with his gloves ahead of Southampton’s game at the EmiratesRamsdale was left visibly emotional after he received a warm reception from Arsenal fans as the Saints face Mikel Arteta’s side in North London.The Emirates was less than half-full before the home fans were unanimous in giving Ramsdale a round of applause during the warm ups.The stopper was unable to hold back the waterworks as he headed for the tunnel before kick-off.After being treated to widespread applause and chants, Ramsdale was pictured using his gloves to wipe away tears.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 26-year-old then flashed a thumbs-up and a cheeky wink at the crowd.Ramsdale produced several great saves in the first half, as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.He made 89 appearances in total for Arsenal but left in search of more game time after falling behind David Raya in the pecking order.Him and his family, particularly his dad, were heartbroken to see him lose his place to Raya, then on loan, at the start of last season.Most read in FootballThe decision seemed harsh from Arteta, as Ramsdale hadn’t made too many mistakes in their first title charging season in 2022-23.The England star thanked Arsenal fans for their reactionFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the Raya decision, however brutal, has proven be the right one, with the former Spaniard proving to be one of the league’s best.Ramsdale played just six Prem games last season but has been ever present for the Saints this term.I’m mum of an Arsenal star – I have a side hustle to help parents of Premier League footballers Ramsdale said he made the move down to the south coast because he had no desire to ‘”win trophies if I was sitting on the bench.”He told the BBC’s Football Focus show: “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me.I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.”Ramsdale became the ninth goalkeeper to play against Arsenal in the Prem having previously played for them in the competition.The only one of the previous eight to keep a clean sheet in his first such match against the Gunners is Emiliano Martinez, in a 3-0 win at the Emirates with Aston Villa in November 2020. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool manager Arne Slot joins exclusive club with Crystal Palace win as fans say ‘turning doubters to believers’

      by

      LIVERPOOL’s win over Crystal Palace saw manager Arne Slot join an exclusive club as fans claimed he is “turning doubters to believers.”The Dutch ace had no hesitation in taking charge from Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp this summer.Arne Slot has joined an exclusive club after Liverpool’s win at Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyAnd despite Liverpool having a quiet transfer window with just one signing, Slot has already ticked all the boxes.The Reds sit top of the table with six wins from seven games.Their sole defeat came at the hands of Nottingham Forest.And today’s 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace saw Liverpool record their third win on the bounce.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, that was not the only milestone for the Merseysiders.With the win coming at Selhurst Park, it saw Slot just the fourth manager in top-flight history to win his first four top-flight away games.Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, ex-Aston Villa gaffer John Gregory and Coventry City icon Bobby Gould are the only other tacticians to achieve the same feat.Slot’s record also sees him become the first-ever Liverpool boss to win four away games on the bounce.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut for now, the Dutchman remains behind his three managerial pals.Gould and Gregory both ended up winning their first five respective matches.Arne Slot aims dig at Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss says ‘I’m a stupid manager if 12.30pm kick offs are more difficult’ Gaffers to win first four top-flight away gamesLuiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea – 8John Gregory, Aston Villa – 5Bobby Gould, Coventry City – 5Arne Slot, Liverpool – 4Luiz Felipe Scolari holds the record after winning his first eight away games at ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdJohn Gregory won five on the bounce at Aston VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBobby Gould also achieved the same feat at Coventry CityCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdWhile Scolari took Chelsea on an EIGHT-game winning away run.However, Slot could end up being matched fairly soon by Enzo Maresca.The Chelsea boss has also enjoyed a strong start to life in his role.And Maresca’s next away victory will also see him do four in a row.Yet Slot himself can put the dent in his Italian rival’s dream.That’s because Chelsea’s next away fixture is at Anfield against Liverpool after the international break.Enzo Maresca is also on for four in a row provided Chelsea beat Liverpool at AnfieldCredit: AFP More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Erik ten Hag ignored being told to leave Man Utd ‘through the front door’… and now facing sack in crucial meeting

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG ignored advice to leave Manchester United, it has been claimed.Ten Hag, 54, stood defiant following the FA Cup final win over Manchester City last season amid a whirlwind of speculation suggesting he would be sacked after a poor season in the league.Erik ten Hag was advised to walk away from Man Utd in the summerCredit: GettyIt comes after Sir Jim Ratcliffe failed to publicly back Ten Hag, with a meeting set to be held by club chiefs on TuesdayCredit: AlamyThe Dutchman was eventually handed a contract extension in July, but is now facing the chop after just seven league games this season – with the seventh to be played against Aston Villa tomorrow.Reports have revealed that United chiefs are set to meet in London on Tuesday, 48 hours after the team face Villa.That meeting could conclude that Ten Hag should be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford, a feeling given particular weight after Ratcliffe failed to publicly back the manager.However, Ten Hag was apparently advised to walk before he was pushed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLeon ten Voorde, a journalist who has been friends with Ten Hag for more than 40 years and still works with their hometown club Bon Boys, revealed on the De Ballen Verstand podcast: “I advised him to leave last summer. “He won the FA Cup, so you leave through the front door. “He’s had a lot of injuries this past year. “But then trainers think: ‘I can turn things around’.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe added: “How long does United think this can go on? “That question is now hanging over United and Ten Hag again. ‘We are MAD’ – Ten Hag tells raging Man Utd flops to channel anger of Tottenham humiliation into must-win Porto clash”In general, he is calm and relaxed. “But I can’t imagine that this leaves you completely unaffected.”Man Utd ratings vs PortoMAN UTD ended up with a 3-3 draw after throwing away a 2-0 lead away to Porto.Here’s how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated the Red Devils’ stars performances in PortugalAndre Onana – 6/10Reacted brilliantly the first time he was called into action with a flying save, only for Porto to score the rebound.Porto then scored with their next shot on target too – Omorodion’s header – and Onana could do little about the excellent finish for Porto’s third.Made two great stops to keep Man Utd in the game.Noussair Mazraoui – 4Looked fairly stable in the first 45 minutes but waned as the game went on.All at sea at the start of the second half as Porto cut through the right-hand side of Man Utd’s defence with ease.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Looked imposing in the air as he dealt with Porto’s crosses from both sides, but then failed to get in front of Omorodion for the hosts’ second goal.Like most of the Man Utd side, his performance dropped as the game went on and he was bullied by Porto’s No9.Lisandro Martinez – 4Should have reacted quicker for the first Porto goal as Pepe got ahead of him to nod into an empty net – with Martinez static on the six-yard box.There is clearly not much of a partnership with De Ligt as Porto pulled them apart all evening.Diogo Dalot – 4Porto enjoyed a lot of success down Man Utd’s left-hand side and Dalot looked all at sea on several occasions.Had little help from Martinez but still looked exposed.Casemiro – 3Anonymous yet again in Man Utd’s midfield – the ball just passes him by.Could not even manage one of his customary fouls.Christian Eriksen – 5Looked leggy out of possession but produced an impressive run before laying it off to Hojlund for Man Utd’s second goal.Then failed to make much more of an impact and his delivery from wide areas left a lot to be desired.Bruno Fernandes – 4A damning indictment of Man Utd’s current predicament as Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game.Two high boots, two yellow cards, and another early bath for the Portuguese playmaker – who had worked tirelessly prior to his dismissal.Amad Diallo – 5Very quiet aside from one burst through the middle as Rashford received all of the ball over the other side.Replaced by Antony who arguably created even less.Rasmus Hojlund – 7Made his case for starting ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with a goal, firing beyond Costa at the near post.Held it up and then showed his strength and pace to run at Porto before the break – showing little rustiness in his first start of the season.Marcus Rashford – 8Rashford showed his directness for the opening goal, driving at the Porto back line and forcing the error from Costa.A constant threat in the first half as he assisted Hojlund’s strike.But he was then surprisingly hooked at the break, a decision that will need an explanation from Ten Hag.See how the Man Utd subs rated here More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa launch desperate mission to prevent transfer fees from being SCRAPPED after landmark Lassana Diarra case

      by

      FIFA will try to prove that the current transfer system is vital for smaller clubs – to prevent the Lassana Diarra ruling ripping up the footballing eco-system.Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Diarra’s victory at the European Court of Justice had his lawyer Jean Louis Dupont declaring the only possible outcome will be the end of clubs being able to demand fees for players.The Lassana Diarra ruling could rip up the football transfer systemCredit: GettyThe ruling could mean football clubs are no longer able to demand fees for their playersCredit: PADupont, who was also the successful lawyer behind the Jean-Marc Bosman case that upended European football in the 1990s, argued the decision would inevitably lead to US-style collective bargaining agreements between players and clubs and “trades” – swap deals – rather than transfer fees being paid.But while Fifa publicly insisted the defeat was a minor one relating to “only two paragraphs of two articles” of their transfer regulations, Zurich’s legal chiefs will now go all out to persuade the Euro Judges that they cannot afford to crash the system.West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady warned in her exclusive Sun column of the potential for “chaos and anarchy” if the potential repercussions do lead to players walking out on their contracts for better deals elsewhere.Fifa insiders conceded that the ruling would force a rewriting of some of the current rules regarding players who fall out with their employers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat would mean clubs engaging those players whose contracts were terminated would not be expected to pay any “fines” – with Diarra going to Court in 2014 after Belgian club Charleroi pulled out of a deal to sign him because they faced being hit by a demand for £8m from Lokomotiv Moscow.World chiefs also recognise that they can longer withhold processing International Transfer Certificate requests for players who are in conflict with a former club.But Fifa remains hopeful it can persuade the Court that its current rules are proportionate.The five Judges on the Court confirmed the need for “stability” in the football system, backing the existing two transfer registration windows which prevent players being able to move clubs at any time.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt is likely, though, that Zurich lawyers will attempt to argue that scrapping transfer fees wholesale would be a disaster for the entire economic fabric of the game.The business models of clubs in many European countries – especially France, Belgium, Holland, Portugal  and Scandinavia – are designed to develop and sell on talent to “bigger” markets.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveIf those fees can no longer be demanded, with players free to simply break their contracts and move on, those clubs would no longer be capable of remaining solvent.The argument will almost certainly be that allowing players to tear up their deals without any sanctions or consequences would prove a death-knell for the sport outside the biggest and wealthiest markets.And Fifa will be backed by Europe’s most powerful clubs including the Prem Big Six.The Diarra ruling will now be a major topic of conversation when the European Club Association, which represents more than 700 clubs across the continent, holds its General Assembly in Athens this week.Transfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millionsFORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…What was the case about?Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.Is that it?No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.Okay, so what does the ruling mean?Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.Is everybody agreed about this?Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.Read SunSport’s full Q&A with football on the brink of the biggest shake-up in 30 years…In a statement, the ECA said: “The ECJ did recognise the legitimacy of rules aiming at protecting the integrity and stability of competitions and the stability of squads.“It also recognised rules which aim to support such legitimate objectives, including the existence of registration windows, the principle that compensation is payable by anyone who breaches an employment contract and the imposition of sporting sanctions on parties that breach those contracts.“The football transfer system is designed to establish a balance between the rights of players to free movement and stability of contracts, together with the legitimate objectives of the integrity and stability of squads and competitions.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Crucially, the transfer system affords medium and smaller sized clubs the means to continue to compete at high levels of football, especially those who are able to develop and train players successfully.“The transfer system as a whole, and transfer fees and solidarity mechanism more specifically, are an efficient and effective means of wealth distribution from bigger clubs to smaller ones.”Inside Lassana Diarra’s legal case with FifaLASSANA DIARRA’S case with Fifa dates back to 2014 when he was playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.The former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder was in a dispute with Lokomotiv over wages – with the Russian side ultimately terminating his contract.The case was referred to Fifa’s Dispute and Resolution Chamber (DRC) which ruled against Diarra, fining him £16MILLION.During this time, Diarra received a new contract offer from Belgian side Charleroi.But Charleroi wanted clarification from Fifa that they would not be liable to pay any of the money owed to Lokomotiv.Fifa could not make that guarantee and the move never happened.As a result, Diarra brought new legal action against Fifa and the Belgian league claiming a loss of earnings.That started the long process that has led to this week’s groundbreaking judgment. More