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      Karren Brady: English football is NOT broken – Government are searching for problems and could get us BANNED

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      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football on TV reached for the stars last Wednesday.Four English teams and one Scottish side featured on separate TNT screenings.Man City were one of five British teams involved in a brilliant Champions League nightCredit: RexMoving between four sets might have caused some confusion, dizzy spells and a little irritation at missing goals, but so what? It was live viewing at its best.All doubts about the complexity of the one division with 36 clubs were forgotten as the mind-provoking puzzle unravelled.The end result was a wonderful evening of entertainment.When I saw the first table I wondered if the compilers were bonkers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt would work financially for clubs and players but would it for spectators and, particularly, for neutrals?But it did for me. Channel juggling, I caught a number of spectacular goals and plenty of gaffes.Celtic’s comeback at Villa Park was thrilling and Manchester City needed a serious Pep-talk at half-time. As for Liverpool… cor blimey.And the overall result was a big win for European football and the Premier League.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYWhich is why I am so concerned about the letter Uefa sent to the Secretary of State Lisa Nandy raising their concerns about the creation of an Independent Football Regulator, as usually football regulation is managed by the national federation — the Football Association.One of Uefa’s fundamental requirements is that there should be no Government interference in the running of football.Government announces plans for new football regulatorThe proposal is not just to regulate football through the Bill but to actually take it over.From being able to define when a season is, to how money is distributed through the pyramid.To set up rigid financial systems, introduce new license conditions under which clubs can operate, and introduce subjective ownership and directors tests.Determine how revenues are allocated between and within divisions, whether parachute payments can exist and in what form, and what clubs can actually spend their money on.League One spent more on transfers this month than the 20 LaLiga clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid. The English pyramid is not broken or on the precipice in the slightest.Many fear this is largely a solution in search of a problem.Not a single club has gone into administration in more than three years since a fan-led review.League One spent more on transfers this month than the 20 LaLiga clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid.The English pyramid is not broken or on the precipice in the slightest.Which is why the Uefa statement is so alarming.If the autonomy of sport and fairness of competition is broken would “the ultimate sanction be excluding Premier League teams and the England team from Uefa and competitions”.READ MORE SUN STORIESFans will ask questions when there is no point in watching the Champions League on TV any more as the Premier League clubs are not playing in it, having been kicked out for introducing a regulator which has broken Uefa rules.But by then, of course, it will be too late.Lisa Nandy has been written a letter by UefaCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal face nightmare path to Champions League final as play-off draw leaves fate in the balance

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      ARSENAL face a potential nightmare journey to Champions League glory following the play-off draw.The Gunners qualified automatically from the league phase after finishing third behind Liverpool and Barcelona.Arsenal face a potentially tricky path to the Champions League finalCredit: AlamyBut they have been dealt a tough draw with Juventus potentially up next if the Italian side beat Lille.Alternatively, Arsenal could play the winner of Feyenoord or AC Milan, depending on the draw for the Round of 16.If they progress an even more difficult quarter-final clash will await.That is because Arsenal have been picked out in the same side of the draw as Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.READ MORE ON ARSENALThey could face any of that trio or one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid or Celtic.Liverpool, Paris St Germain or Barcelona could come next in the semi-final, so the Gunners face a massive challenge to get to Munich.City have been tasked with the same nightmare run – only they face an game extra against Real Madrid in the play-off, with both juggernauts failing to finish in the top eight.By contrast Liverpool have an easier set of fixtures up until the semi-final, with PSG and Borussia Dortmund arguably the most difficult teams they could potentially face.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Gunners could face a nightmare runAston Villa were pulled out on the same side of the draw as Liverpool and could face Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting or Dortmund in the Round of 16.City’s horror draw means they face Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool in the space of a few weeks next month.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaps praise on ‘calm and composed’ youngster Ethan Nwaneri for Champions League victory More

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      Man City face horror February of SEVEN games including Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid that may derail top four push

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      IT MAY appear to be smooth sailing once again at the Eithad Stadium thanks to recent results, but there’s an iceberg in the distance that could sink their newly patched up superyacht.Man City have been dealt a horror month of fixtures in February that could see their top four hopes come crumbling down.Manchester City have been handed a horror run of fixtures in FebruaryCredit: RexCity have been draw to face Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offsCredit: GettySheikh Mansour and the Man City hierarchy have splashed over £130MILLION this month to try and re-track their uncharacteristic campaign.And they’ll need all of their new arrivals to be on top form if they’re going to navigate a February that will see them take on the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid.Their nightmare month begins on Sunday with a visit to face recent rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.Before a trip to take on Leyton Orient in the FA Cup offers an unhelpful additional fixture against a side on flying form just three days before a huge European clash.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity’s narrow qualification for the next stage of the Champions League means they will have to take part in a two-legged play-off round to book a spot in the last 16.And unfortunately for them, they’ve been drawn against Spanish giants Real Madrid.The Cityzens will play Madrid either side of a home game against Eddie Howe’s red hot Newcastle United side on February 15.As if that wasn’t difficult enough, after returning from the Spanish capital, City will have to play league leaders Liverpool in the same week.Most read in FootballMan City face Arsenal this SundayCredit: GettyThe play league leaders Liverpool right after their trip to MadridCredit: EPACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTheir February ends with a visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground they have only ever won one Premier League game at.The February slog could have huge ramifications on City’s league position as they fight to secure a spot in the top four.Man City boss Pep Guardiola looks forward to the return of injured players to help Champions League campaign City are currently fourth in the league, ahead of Newcastle in fifth on goal difference.While they trail Liverpool in first place by some 12 points.Pep Guardiola has urged his team to remain focused during the tricky run of fixtures, claiming it’s nothing new for the four-in-a-row champions.He said: “The schedule is what it is. In the Premier League every team has to play everyone, but it normally happens here in the Premier League, always they have the toughest schedules for the European teams at the toughest stages.“It’s tough playing against Real Madrid and the problem is, in the middle, playing Newcastle. They are always so kind with the calendar!”For many, many years it has always happened that way.”He added: “For many, many years before I came here, it’s always been like that.“So it’s not complaining because you had incredible success dealing with this calendar.“Always it has been like that and we accept it. I’m not complaining because we won the treble and quadruple doing it like that.“I said many times in the past, last season, we played the quarter-finals against Madrid and three days later we had the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley when we could have had more days. It’s always been like that.“And we survive and we don’t survive because Madrid is better, because the opponents are better.“But the calendar, I remember when I was in Barcelona training, and I followed the Premier League because it is the most attractive league in the world and Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger made the same complaints.“So now you cannot ask me about the calendar because it’s from a long, long time ago.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s not as though the difficult fixtures stop when February does either, City take on high-flying Nottingham Forest as their first game in March.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Premier League closing in on EXTRA Champions League spot for next season after English clubs dominate European groups

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      THE Premier League has closed in on an extra place in next season’s Champions League after dominating the first phase of the new expanded competition.Six of the Prem’s seven sides earned automatic qualification for the last 16 of their respective competitions, with Liverpool and Chelsea achieving top seeding spots and Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs in the top four.Prem clubs have excelled in Europe this seasonCredit: ReutersIt means that with the initial league phase of the three revamped competitions now concluded, English sides have picked up an average of 20.892 coefficient points.That puts the Prem more than 3.7 points clear of third-placed Spain, the equivalent of 13 individual match wins, in the fight for an extra place in the elite competition.And it gives Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle even more encouragement as they seek a place in the most prestigious club competition in football.Across the 54 matches played by Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea – who had to play a two-legged Conference League qualifier, Prem sides have won 37 and lost just eight.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBy contrast, Italy’s eight sides amassed 32 wins between them, losing 15, Spain clocked up 31 victories but had 19 defeats and Germany’s 29 triumphs were almost cancelled out by 26 losses.And with Liverpool, Arsenal, Villa, Spurs, United and Chelsea all qualifying automatically for the last 16 of their respective competitions, the English sides have added a further 62.25 bonus points already.England’s aggregate total of 146.25 points is the highest by 7.75pts, with Italy on 138.5 and Spain on 120.25.But the position was strengthened by England having just seven teams in Uefa action, compared to the eight for Italy and Germany who earned an extra Champions League slot last term, as total points are then divided by the number of competing teams each nation has at the start of the season.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile all the English sides have reached the knock-out phase, the other major nations have seen clubs fall at the league hurdle.The Bundesliga lost both Leipzig and Stuttgart in the elite competition, while Bologna and Girona also missed the Champions League cut, meaning they cannot add to their countries’ totals.Ally McCoist explains the new Champions League format Hoffenheim made an early Europa League exit as did French outfit Nice – also part of United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos sporting empire.That means Germany are almost out of contention already.England’s huge advantage – plus the European form of the teams – means it would need a huge meltdown when the teams return to Uefa action for fifth place in the Prem not to earn a place among Europe’s elite.Despite their Prem wobbles, United and Spurs are now on course for a potential Europa League final showdown in Bilbao after finishing third and fourth in the league phase.It means they cannot play each other until the Final, when a sixth Champions League spot would also be on the line.Germany’s debacle leaves the Bundesliga fifth and more than six full coefficient points behind England, with Italy and Spain seemingly fighting for the second extra slotUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Premier League club announces 23,000-seater new stadium plan to fulfil Champions League ambition

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      BOURNEMOUTH have announced their plan to build a 23,000-seater stadium to fulfil their Champions League ambitions.The Cherries have gone from strength to strength since appointing Andoni Iraola as their manager 18 months ago.Bournemouth are ready to build a new 23,000 seater stadium to replace the VitalityCredit: RexThe Cherries’ current ground holds just over 11,000Credit: AlamyBournemouth lie 7th in the table with 11 wins and five defeats from 23 matches this season.Iraola’s men blasted five past Nottingham Forest’s mean defence last weekend.And seven days earlier they secured an impressive 4-1 win away at high-flying Newcastle.The Cherries have done all this with a severely depleted squad full of injuries.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut fans are starting to dream of a shock push for Champions League football.And club chiefs are already setting out plans to take Bournemouth to the next level.American businessman Bill Foley took over the south-coast club in 2022 as part of his Black Knight group’s multi-team ownership strategy.As well as reversing Bournemouth’s fortunes on the field while landing a top coach in Iraola, Foley and Co are now close to finishing an elite new training ground.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut the biggest change is set to come with a brand new stadium, with plans at an advanced stage to double the capacity of Bournemouth’s current ground.The Cherries have been playing at the Vitality Stadium, otherwise known as Dean Court, since 1910.Premier League club announces major stadium changes with new capacity and away fans moved A new ground would help Bournemouth realise their Champions League ambitionsCredit: MicrosoftThe historic ground packs in over 11,000 fans for each game.But plans are now afoot to knock it down and build a new stadium over the same space while boosting capacity to over 23,000.The surge in tickets sold will give Bournemouth a huge financial boost, thereby helping them attract better players and eventually crack the Premier League’s top four.Foley told Men in Blazers via the Athletic: “We have a waiting list of 15 or 16,000 people that want tickets, so we’re not going to have trouble filling the stadium.“We’re a little ahead of schedule. I thought we’d be in Europe next year. We may have a chance this year if we can keep going and keep on playing well.“If we just get lucky on injuries and get these guys healthy the second half of the season, we should be very successful.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If we’re successful, we will play in Europe. The Champions League? That’s my dream.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Man City handed nightmare Real Madrid clash as Arsenal edge towards last 16 tie with former Champions League winners

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      MANCHESTER CITY have drawn Real Madrid in the play-offs for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.Pep Guardiola’s side narrowly avoided an early exit in the league phase of the competition and have been handed a tough draw against the 15-time champions.Manchester City have been given a nightmare drawCredit: ReutersCity will welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad on February 11 or 12, with the return leg the following week.It will be the fourth time in five seasons that the two sides have met in the Champions League.Because they finished 22nd in the league phase the English champions could only have drawn Real or Bayern Munich.Celtic will face Bayern while the remainder of the draw has had interesting ramifications for the other English clubs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all qualified for the quarter-final automatically after finishing in the top eight.But the Gunners’ reward could be a meeting with former winners AC Milan or Juventus – if they beat Feyenoord and PSV respectively in the play-off.The draw gets even more difficult for Arsenal after that stage, with City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen a potential opponent in the quarter-final.Liverpool face an easier route to the final on paper but they could meet PSG in the quarter-final, or Brest, Monaco or Benfica.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile Villa could face Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting or Borussia Dortmund.English teams have performed very well in Europe this season and are closing in on an extra Champions League spot for next year’s tournament.Ally McCoist explains the new Champions League format Champions League draw in fullClub Brugge vs AtalantaManchester City vs Real MadridCeltic vs Bayern MunichJuventus vs PSVFeyenoord vs AC MilanBrest vs PSGMonaco vs BenficaSporting vs Borussia Dortmund More

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      Champions League draw LIVE: Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase tie, Celtic meet Bayern

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      THE draw for the Champions League knockout play-offs has concluded.And Manchester City have found out they will face Real Madrid in their blockbuster knockout play-off tie, while Celtic will meet Bayern Munich.The draw for the Last 16 – which features Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa – will take place on Friday, February 21 after the knockout ties.Draw start time: 11am GMTTV channel: TNT Sports 2FREE live stream: TNT Sports YouTube/ Uefa.comCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…That’s all from us!Thanks for joining us for today’s Champions League draw!Have a great weekend!Copy linkCopiedAre there any changes to the knockouts?No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.The last 16 stage will continue, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.The removal of away goals – implemented last season – will continue as well.Copy linkCopiedArsenal could be handed ‘nightmare’ path to finalCopy linkCopiedREVEALED: Champions League earnings so farCopy linkCopiedRoad to Munich Champions League draw sees Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase Copy linkCopiedExtra CL spot up for grabsCopy linkCopiedWhen is the next Champions League draw?The Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draws will take place on February 21 – the week of the play-off second legs.Copy linkCopiedA reminder of the Champions League play-off draw in full…Left side:Brest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side:Monaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedCeltic fans receive warningCeltic have warned their travelling fans that they are risking being DENIED access should they buy tickets and travel for their play-off round clash.Copy linkCopiedPrem closes in on extra CL spotThe Premier League has closed in on an extra place in next season’s Champions League after dominating the first phase of the new expanded competition.Six of the Prem’s seven sides earned automatic qualification for the last 16 of their respective competitions, with Liverpool and Chelsea achieving top seeding spots and Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs in the top four.It means that with the initial league phase of the three revamped competitions now concluded, English sides have picked up an average of 20.892 coefficient points.That puts the Prem more than 3.7 points clear of third placed Spain, the equivalent of 13 individual match wins, in the fight for an extra place in the elite competition.And it gives Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle even more encouragement as they seek a place in the most prestigious club competition in football.Copy linkCopiedCity’s Rodri boostMan City plan to name Rodri in their squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.The Spain international was ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September.But Rodri has made excellent progress in his recovery and still believes he can be back in contention before the end of the current campaign.Boss Pep Guardiola wants to keep the door open for him to do that – even though City would have to go deep in the competition for him to be even in the frame.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedMan City land horror drawCopy linkCopiedEuropa League draw in fullHere are the fixtures we’ve got to look forward to in the Europa League…Left side of the bracketFC Twente vs Bodo/GlimtUnion Saint-Gilloise vs AjaxAZ Alkmaar vs GalatasarayFerencvárosi vs Viktoria PlzenRight side of the bracketFenerbahce vs AnderlechtPAOK vs FCSBFC Midtjylland vs Real SociedadPorto vs RomaCopy linkCopiedPlay-off fixtures revealedChampions League draw sees Man City to face Real Madrid in blockbuster knockout phase Copy linkCopiedWhat does the path to the final look like?Copy linkCopiedChampions League play-off draw in fullLeft side:Brest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side:Monaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedPlay-off fixturesThe first leg of the play-off matches will take place on the 11th & 12th February, with the return fixtures taking place one week later on the 18th & 19th February.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLeft side of the bracketBrest vs PSGJuventus vs PSV EindhovenMan City vs Real MadridClub Brugge vs AtalantaRight side of the bracketMonaco vs BenficaFeyenoord vs AC MilanCeltic vs Bayern MunichSporting Lisbon vs Borussia DortmundCopy linkCopiedLeft side of the bracketClub BruggeMan CityJuventusBrestRight side of the bracketSporting LisbonCelticFeyenoordMonacoCopy linkCopiedSpecial guest announcedFormer Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara will assist with the draw.Copy linkCopiedHere we go!The draw is about to begin!Copy linkCopiedREVEALED: Champions League earnings so farCopy linkCopiedAre there any changes to the knockouts?No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.The last 16 stage will continue, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.The removal of away goals – implemented last season – will continue as well.Copy linkCopiedWhy Arsenal had TOUGHEST run to Champions League knockouts…It’s official – Arsenal had the toughest run of the four Premier League teams in this year’s Champions League.Copy linkCopiedWhich teams are automatically through?The top eight teams in the Champions League group stage table have earned automatic qualification for the last-16.LiverpoolBarcelonaArsenalInter MilanAtletico MadridBayer LeverkusenLilleAston VillaCopy linkCopied More

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      Celtic announce Uefa disciplinary notice that could see fans BANNED from Bayern Munich away game

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      CELTIC have warned their travlling fans that they are risking being DENIED access should they buy tickets and travel for their play-off round clash.The Hoops have been learned this morning that they will face Bayern Munich in the next round of Europe’s glamour club competition.A green flare has to be removed from the pitch at Villa ParkBut the bad news for Celtic fans is that their club has now seen fit to warn them that they have RECEIVED a disciplinary notice from UEFA in the wake of their defeat to Aston Villa, a match which saw away fans throw a smoke bomb onto the Villa Park pitch.And that could well trigger an away fan ban for the next match, an outcome which Uefa indicated was on the cards when they offered the club a suspended sentence for the action of their fans earlier in the campaign.In a statement today, the Hoops appeared to be laying the groundwork for precisely such a ban.It read: “As a result of the use of pyrotechnics during our match against Borussia Dortmund last year, Celtic Football Club was sanctioned by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.”The decision meant that, not only did the Club receive a fine of €20,000, but also that, if such behaviour was repeated at a match in the next two years, the Club would be prevented from selling tickets to supporters for one away match in UEFA club competitions.”Unfortunately, the club has received a further disciplinary notice from UEFA following the match against Aston Villa FC on Wednesday evening.  “The Club will obviously make robust representations to UEFA and will make every effort to ensure that our fans can attend our next UEFA Champions League match. “However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend. Most read in Football”In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by UEFA.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More