Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Security fears over Champions League final as Man City fans told to arrive at stadium NINE HOURS before kick-off

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY fans have been told to arrive NINE HOURS early for Saturday’s Champions League final.Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan, aiming to win their first ever Champions League crown.
      Manchester City fans will travel to Istanbul in numbers this weekendCredit: Getty
      Preparations are well underway at Ataturk StadiumCredit: PA
      City will be well backed by supporters flocking to Turkey this weekend, with authorities keen to avoid the distressing scenes that occurred at last year’s final.
      Ticketing issues and errors by heavy-handed cops at last year’s Paris final endangered Liverpool supporters in attendance.
      After initially trying to dodge the blame, Uefa chiefs eventually launched a review into the ticket chaos, and have new recommendations for this season’s showpiece event.
      Talks have been held between Uefa and local cops, with the former believing that some elements of the policing may be beyond their control.
      Read More Football Stories
      Uefa have managed to get a U-turn on initially proposed bans for items such as rainbow flags and clothing featuring the word “ultra”.
      But fans are still being recommended to arrive nine hours early for the game, which kicks off at 10pm local time.
      Ataturk Stadium, where Liverpool famously won their fifth Champions League in 2005, is situated more than an hour west of Istanbul city centre.
      It is served by a metro station, but Uefa chiefs are urging fans to board shuttle buses at 1pm instead.
      Most read in Champions League
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Istanbul has been getting prepared for Saturday’s big matchCredit: PA
      Fans will have to pass through three security checkpoints as they enter the stadiumCredit: PA
      Giant Champions League trophy in the centre of IstanbulCredit: PA
      Once at the stadium, ticket holders will be invited to join a fanzone opening at 2pm – where food and beer will be on sale.
      Fans will have to pass through THREE separate security checkpoints before entering the ground.
      The first will require their phone bluetooth to be switched on as tickets are activated.
      They will then be searched twice – once by police and a further time by a private security firm.
      Metro trains are expected to stop running at 11:50pm – although shuttle buses back into the city centre will be put on until 3am.
      No booze will be available to fans once inside the stadium, although the fan park will reopen for a short period after the match.
      Fan group Football Supporters’ Europe have been working hard to ensure that there is no repeat of last year’s Uefa farce.
      Ahead of this weekend’s final, their chief operating officer Niamh O’Mahony said: “Since last year’s final in Paris and also the review recommendations, we’ve seen a significant change in how Uefa works with us to prepare for the finals this year.
      “FSE was part of a pre-final site visit, been able to hear plans, and give advice on how best to approach certain scenarios.
      “That doesn’t mean all of our advice is being taken on board but it is considered, and that is an important change.
      Read more on The Sun
      “FSE’s role is to constructively challenge the planning so that supporters in Istanbul can enjoy their trip and all the effort into planning will be worth it.
      “Of course, we’ll have to wait and see what happens now but a huge amount of preparation has been happening.”
      Police errors led to distressing scenes at last year’s finalCredit: AFP More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet the Fake footballer who conned Champions League side CSKA Sofia into offering him a £15k-a-month deal

      by

      A FAKE footballer revealed how he convinced a Champions League club to offer him a £15,000-a-month contract.Frenchman Gregoire Akcelrod, now 40, sent out a fake CV and created a website filled with made-up match reports in a bid to fool some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
      Akcelrod played for PSG’s fifth tier amateur side but pretended he was a professional player for their senior team
      Akcelrod also utilised the fact that he played for Paris Saint-Germain’s amateur side – a level of football he describes as the “worst in France” – to fool other teams.
      And after receiving trial offers from Norwich, Bournemouth, and Swindon, he eventually attracted the attention of then-Champions League side CSKA Sofia in 2009.
      With the Bulgarian club believing he was a PSG reserve team player, a deal looked set to go through before it was scuppered in the final stages when some discrepancies were detected by fans.
      Speaking to The Mail in 2021, he said: “I did the two day trial and on the Sunday the coach told my agent that he wanted to sign me.
      Read More In Football
      “They took photos of me in the CSKA official jersey, I signed the contract, they published on the CSKA website that I was signing.
      “But it was the PSG fans who destroyed me. Overnight, one CSKA Sofia fan contacted a PSG online forum and asked, ‘We are about to sign Greg Akcelrod, what do you think about him?’
      “All the PSG fans didn’t know me. They said I was fake, they checked my website. But some of it was true, the video at Swindon for example.
      “The CSKA fan contacted every journalist in Sofia and it was revealed the club were going to sign a fake player.”
      Most read in Football
      After the secret was out, Akcelrod was told to head back to France, but that did not stop him pursuing a career in football.
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      He went on to play in Greece and Kuwait, as well as for top tier Canadian team Mississauga Eagles.
      Akcelrod is not the first prankster to fool a top football club.
      The most famous example is Ali Dia back in the 1990s, who conned Southampton and manager Graeme Souness into agreeing a one-month deal.
      Dia signed for the Saints in 1996 after Souness was contacted by someone claiming to be World Player of the Year George Weah.
      He recommended that Southampton sign his ‘cousin’ Dia, who had allegedly played and scored for PSG and Senegal.
      Dia featured in one five-a-side trial and the next day faced Leeds United in a 2-0 defeat.
      He never made a second appearance for Southampton.
      Akcelrod managed to fool an elite European club into believing he was a real player More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League winner is completely unrecognisable 25 years after lifting the cup and now boasts a ripped body

      by

      THIS former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace looks amazing for 48-years-old.Back in 1998, the ex-Brazilian international was a Champions League winner with the Spanish giants.
      Can you guess who this former Brazil international is?
      He’s bulked up since his playing days
      He won 85 caps for his countryCredit: Instagram zr11
      He regularly uploads fitness videosCredit: Instagram zr11
      He won five major European league titlesCredit: Instagram zr11
      During his illustrious playing days, he won two Copa Americas and finished runner-up at the 1998 World Cup.
      The versatile left-back-turned-midfielder made 85 Brazil appearances and scored six times for his country.
      He lifted one LaLiga and the Champions League with Real.
      He also claimed four Bundesliga titles in six years at Bayern spread over two stints in Germany.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But can you guess who it is?
      It is, of course, ex-midfielder Ze Roberto who enjoyed a stellar career as a player.
      However, he never looked this buff and has clearly been working out religiously since retiring from the game in 2017.
      He has since stunned fans on social media, showing off his hench body transformation akin to a bodybuilder.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      The Samba star uploaded an Instagram video of himself during a training session in the park during the Covid lockdown.
      Now a personal trainer, he gave an insight into how he was able to outlast so many of his former team-mates.
      He told local media in the past: “I have no vices. I don’t drink alcoholic beverages, I don’t smoke, I eat very well, I sleep well.
      “I have my family, which is my greatest security.
      “I think those are important factors to reach the age I reached and still continue playing at a high level.”
      And back in 2020 he even claimed he has a better physique than the ripped Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He told TyC Sports: “Today I would say that I have a better physique, because I played until I was 43-years-old.
      “If he does [play until then], I will say it is him.”
      Although with Ronaldo revealing he plans to keep playing into his 40s Ze Roberto may well be forced into making the admission.
      That’s of course former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace Ze RobertoCredit: Instagram /@fcbayern
      Ze Roberto claims he even has a better physique than Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Ze Roberto pictured in action for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup
      In 1997 Ze Roberto was playing for Real Madrid More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      West Ham’s Europa Conference League win is bad news for Man City’s Treble hunt as terrible omen revealed

      by

      WEST HAM’S Europa Conference League triumph has thrown up a bad omen for Manchester City.David Moyes’ men clinched the Hammers’ first major trophy in 43 years on Wednesday evening after they beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague.
      West Ham won the Europa Conference League trophy on Wednesday eveningCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The Hammers’ triumph has brought to light a stat that Man City fans will not want to seeCredit: EPA
      The victory was a historic one for the East London outfit, but has foreshadowed an ominous stat for Pep Guardiola’s side.
      The last time West Ham claimed a European trophy was in the 1964/65 season.
      That was the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup after they beat 1860 Munich in the final.
      In the same campaign, Inter Milan claimed the European Cup for the second successive year.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Man City face Inter in the Champions League final on Saturday.
      And the omen from 58 years ago does not bode well for the Premier League winners.
      Man City are seeking to win Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their history.
      Yet despite not having won it before, they head into the clash with Inter as the overwhelming favourites.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      And if they manage to clinch victory, they will become just the second English side to secure the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League Treble.
      Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United achieved the feat in 1999, but it has not been completed since.

      Man City moved one step closer to the Treble by beating local rivals United in the FA Cup on Saturday – winning 2-1 at Wembley.
      They had already scooped a third successive Premier League title and fifth in six years earlier this month. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel claims a Champions League club were on verge of signing son Kasper back in January

      by

      PETER SCHMEICHEL has claimed that his son, Kasper, was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich.The Manchester United legend revealed the information during an appearance on live television.
      Kasper Schmeichel almost left Nice last JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      His father Peter Schmeichel revealed he was in talks with Bayern MunichCredit: .
      Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash against PSG back in March, Peter told CBS Sports Golazo “It could have been my son [playing against PSG].
      “On they very same day that they signed [Yann] Sommer they were also in talks with my son.”
      Bayern were in the market for a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window following an injury to Manuel Neuer.
      It seems as though their options were dwindled down to two, Yann Sommer and Kasper Schmeichel.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      In the end, the Bundesliga giants opted for the Borussia Mönchengladbach stopper over the former Leicester City star.
      This meant that Schmeichel would see out the season with Ligue 1 side Nice, along with other former Premier League stars such as Ross Barkley and Aaron Ramsey.
      While Sommer played his part in Bayern’s 1-0 victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes.
      After a poor start in France, Nice and Schmeichel finished the season in the top half of the table in ninth. The shotstopper recorded 11 clean sheets and the team only conceded 32 goals, making them the second meanest defence in Ligue 1.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      However, the 36-year-old hasn’t made many friends in France – because of his reported training regime away from the rest of his team-mates.
      Schmeichel, who only joined the club last summer, could be set to move again – with L’Equipe saying his team-mates are also frustrated with his lack of leadership. More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s greatest EVER XI named by artificial intelligence with Premier League flop boss and no-nonsense right back

      by

      CHELSEA’S greatest EVER starting XI has been revealed by artificial intelligence.The Blues endured their worst-ever Premier League season following Todd Boehly’s takeover, but have a cabinet full of trophies to look back on and remind them of better times.
      AI has named Chelsea’s greatest ever xiCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Including names such as Eden HazardCredit: Getty
      Numerous club legends have emerged from those victories, and now Perplexity AI has named the best of the bunch.
      In goal is Petr Cech, arguably the best goalkeeper the Premier League has ever seen.
      The 41-year-old made 494 appearances for Chelsea, helping to win four Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the Champions League.
      The first star in the defence in front of him is Serbian bruiser Branislav Ivanovic.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The three-time Premier League winner made 377 appearances for the club, being famed for his no-nonsense approach to defending.
      At the core of the defence, the first is a star who exemplified the art of defending in former captain John Terry.
      After emerging through the Blues youth team, the Englishman enjoyed a trophy-laden 17-year career at Stamford Bridge.
      His successes included five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and lifting the Champions and Europa League across 715 appearances.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Partnering him is French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly.
      The former Milan and Marseille star played at Chelsea for six years, appearing in 221 games and winning four trophies.
      Completing the defence is Ashley Cole, who joined from Arsenal in 2006 and went on to make 337 appearances over his eight years at Stamford Bridge.
      In midfield, Claude Makelele partners Frank Lampard for a rekindling of the 2005 team which conceded just 15 goals to see Chelsea lift their first Prem title.
      Lampard was one of the poster boys of the Roman Abramovich era as a player, but did not have a great time as a manager in either of his spells.
      Luckily his legacy as a player remains intact, following 648 appearances for the club and netting a club-record 211 goals, all the while winning 13 trophies.
      Meanwhile, Makelele was with Chelsea for five years, helping the club win back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006.
      The xi includes stars such as Gianfranco ZolaCredit: Alamy
      Blues legend Peter Osgood was immortalised in a statue outside of Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      On the wings for this team are Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard.
      Between them, the pair played 662 games and netting 188 goals in that time.
      Zola won the club’s Player of the Year award in 1999 and 2003, with Hazard doubling this haul with his four wins in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
      Up front, Didier Drogba is paired with Peter Osgood – the only name from before the Premier League era to make it.
      The former was a final specialist, putting in starring performances to help the club win its first Champions League and a number of FA Cups.
      His 164 goals put him fourth in the club’s all-time scorer rankings.
      Read more on The Sun
      Osgood was a star who came far before his listed team-mates as he played for the Blues throughout the 1960s.
      And his tally of 150 strikes put him joint fifth in the standings. More

    • 175 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Bayern Munich’s seven-man transfer exodus revealed with four ex-Premier League stars on chopping block

      by

      BAYERN Munich are set for a brutal summer transfer clear out as they look to back Thomas Tuchel’s vision for the club.As many as seven players are deemed surplus to requirements with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane heading up the list.
      Thomas Tuchel will be ruthless ahead of the upcoming seasonCredit: Getty
      Getting rid of Sadio Mane is the club’s top priorityCredit: Getty
      Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Bayern boss in March and was dropped into a season full of upheaval.
      Despite the club securing the league title on the final day of the season, CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić were both sacked.
      It is understood the new regime will give Tuchel free reign to swing the axe and bring in players he wants.
      According to German outlet Bild, Sadio Mane is a top priority to be sold – despite only arriving last summer.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      The winger has not lived up to expectations since joining from Liverpool to replace Robert Lewandowski – scoring just seven times and returning five assists in 25 Bundesliga games.
      His frustration boiled over following Bayern’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final in April.
      The winger was suspended by the club after he punched team-mate Leroy Sane and despite having his suspension overturned, was not able to nail down a place in the XI.
      The club have lost patience with the Senegalese star and deem him surplus to requirements.
      Most read in Bundesliga
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Sane could also follow Mane out of the exit door, with Thomas Tuchel willing to listen to offers for him and fellow German international Serge Gnabry.
      Gnabry fuelled rumours of a return to Arsenal when he said “once a Gunner always a Gunner” when asked if he still follows his former club at the Spanish Grand Prix.
      The club are also keen to cash in on World Cup winning right-back Benjamin Pavard amid reported interest from Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool.
      Bayern are understood to be holding out for a £25million fee for the French international.
      Rounding out the seven-strong list are former Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer, right-back Bouna Sarr and goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
      Bayern hope the cash raised from the sales will help fund a move for top summer target Declan Rice – who is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
      West Ham are reportedly holding out for a £100m fee. More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      People are only just realising how to watch the Champions League for FREE

      by

      PEOPLE are only just realising there’s a way to watch Saturday’s Champions League final for FREE.Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend after storming past Real Madrid in the semis.
      People are finding out the Champions League final will be shown for freeCredit: AP
      Pep Guardiola’s side have already scooped the Premier League and FA Cup this term.
      And they are looking to become just the second English side in history to complete an incredible Treble.
      European games in the UK, ranging from Champions League to Europa League and Conference League, have all been shown on BT Sport this season.
      A subscription is required to watch all the continental action in full.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      However, tonight’s Europa Conference League final between West Ham and Fiorentina, plus the Champions League final, will both be shown for free.
      All European broadcasters are required to make the showpiece events completely accessible.
      And so BT Sport will show both finals on both their YouTube channel and app without any subscription or fee required.
      Twitter user HLTCO confirmed: “For anyone who is unaware, broadcasters of European finals are required to show them free to air.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      “So even if you don’t have a BT Sport subscription, you can watch tonight’s UEFA Conference Final & Saturday’s Champions League final free of charge on the BT Sport YouTube channel.”
      It means fans who feared they would miss out on the two finals can now relax knowing they will be available for free.
      One supporter said: “I didn’t know they had to be free. All those finals I could have watched over the years.”
      Another declared: “Excellent! Didn’t know that.”
      One noted: “Oh wow, thanks for letting me know, I’ve missed out on about 7 years of European finals.”
      Another added: “I had no idea about this, thanks for sharing.”
      Other fans were less impressed though, with one saying: “Funny how BT Sport don’t advertise this.”
      Another added: “Cheers for tweeting this after the Europa League final.” More