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    Barcelona vs Napoli: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Europa League round of 32

    BARCELONA are in unchartered territory as they take on Napoli in the Europa League.The Catalans were dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich after needing a win to finish above Benfica.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to be playing European football again after his move from ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    Elif Elmas scored the winning goal for Napoli against LeicesterCredit: Getty
    That leaves Barca in Europe’s second tier competition for the first time since 2004, when they were knocked out by Celtic.
    And they couldn’t have been handed a tougher draw after being paired with Napoli in the round of 32.
    Luciano Spalletti’s side left it until the final day to book their place in the Europa League knockout stages.
    A brace from Elif Elmas saw them dispatch Leicester to the Europa Conference League in an entertaining 3-2 triumph.
    What time does Barcelona vs Napoli kick off?

    Barcelona take on Napoli on Thursday, February 17.
    The match kicks off at 5.45pm UK time – 6.45pm local time.
    It takes place at the Nou Camp.
    The sides last met in 2020 when Barca ran out 3-1 winners at the same venue to secure a 4-2 aggregate triumph in the Champions League.

    What TV channel is Barcelona vs Napoli on and can I live stream it?

    Barcelona vs Napoli is live on BT Sport ESPN.
    Coverage commences at 5.30pm – 15 minutes before kick-off.
    To stream the game live, head to the BT Sport website or app.

    Are there away goals in the Europa League this year?
    Away goals have been AXED for Champions League and Europa League ties for the first time this season.
    This won’t come into play until the second leg but if the scores are level at the end of the second leg, the teams will play two halves of 15 minutes of extra time.
    If the scores are level at the end of extra time the tie will go to penalties.
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    Team news
    Team news to follow…
    Latest odds
    Barcelona 20/23
    Draw 13/5
    Napoli 3/1
    *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, February 14 More

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    Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Europa League round of 32

    RANGERS travel to Borussia Dortmund for a huge Europa League tie.Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men came through their group in second position, behind group winners Lyon.
    Rangers qualified for this stage with a 2-0 win over Sparta PragueCredit: Reuters
    Giovanni Reyna is named after Gers boss Van BronckhorstCredit: Getty
    And that means they have to play an extra round against Dortmund, who came third in their Champions League group behind Ajax and Sporting.
    In a humbling experience for the Gers boss, Van Bronckhorst’s team will face Giovanni Reyna – a player who is named after him!
    Reyna is the son of Claudio, a former USA midfielder who spent two years at Ibrox, becoming the closest of pals with Van Bronckhorst during their time together.
    In the aftermath of the draw, Van Bronckhorst said: “Gio [Reyna] sent a text straight to my eldest son.
    “They’re almost the same age. It’s good to be drawn against him.
    “It’s a special moment for both of us, knowing each other.
    “I’ve known Gio his whole life and he is named after me, so they won’t come better than this.
    “We visited him 18 months ago to watch one of his Dortmund games.
    “And I’ve already been in contact with his dad Claudio. We’re good friends and hopefully he can come to the games.
    “All in all, it’s a very special moment for both of us.
    “But being the professionals we are, we want to be the best for our clubs. That’s normal.”
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    What time does Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers kick off?

    Rangers travel to Dortmund on Thursday, February 17.
    The match kicks off at 5.45pm UK time – 6.45pm local time.
    It will be played at Signal Iduna Park.
    The sides last met in 1995 in the Champions League group stage, where a late Gordon Durie equaliser saw the sides play out a 2-2 draw at the same venue.

    What TV channel is Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers on and can I live stream it?

    Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers is live on BT Sport 2.
    Coverage commences at 5.15pm – half an hour before kick-off.
    To stream the game live, head to the BT Sport website or app.

    Are there away goals in the Europa League this season?
    Away goals have been AXED for Champions League and Europa League ties for the first time this season.
    This won’t come into play until the second leg but if the scores are level at the end of the second leg, the teams will play two halves of 15 minutes of extra time.
    If the scores are level at the end of extra time the tie will go to penalties.
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    Team news
    Team news to follow…
    Latest odds
    Dortmund 4/11
    Draw 15/4
    Rangers 13/2
    *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, February 14 More

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    ‘Never surrender’ – Sevilla targeting first LaLiga title since 1946 with Anthony Martial transfer statement of intent

    SEVILLA are really living up to their club motto “Never Surrender” this season.The Spanish side, who recently signed Anthony Martial from Manchester United, sit just four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid and are on the hunt for their first title since 1946. 
    Sevilla signed Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on loan for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
    Sevilla have won a record six Europa Leagues so are no strangers to success in that arena.
    But with ten points separating themselves and defending champions Atletico Madrid in fourth, there is a belief that with Julen Lopetegui at the helm, the current squad can smash through their glass ceiling. 
    The club’s general business manager Jorge Paradela said: “This is a club who have become top ten in UEFA rankings. 
    “We are a club who challenge the status quo. 
    “This is a team who never surrenders and a team who encourages our fans to aim at the highest goals and break barriers.
    “We have demonstrated we can achieve more with less.” 
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    And they definitely have done more with less this year with last season’s top scorer Youssef En-Nesyri ruled out since September and the squad being decimated by injuries and Covid. 
    Only crisis-club Barcelona have used more than Sevilla’s 31 players in La Liga this season. 
    But that has not stopped them from keeping pace with galacticos Madrid. 
    It is important that we show to the world that Seville is here and they have to come with us Ivan Rakitic
    Their defensive record of 16 goals conceded from 22 games is only bettered by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in Europe’s top five leagues. 
    Top clubs have usually snapped up Sevilla’s top players with the likes of Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic going to Barca or Jesus Navas or Alvaro Negrado joining Manchester City. 
    But football director Monchi has recently developed a stubbornness in the transfer window after rebuffing Chelsea’s £50million bid for Jules Kounde last summer and more recently not allowing Diego Carlos to join Saudi-rich Newcastle. 
    And the signing of Martial on loan for the rest of the season is a statement of their intent. 
    Director of football Monchi is responsible for all transfers at the club
    Sevilla rejected bids as high as £30million from Newcastle for defender Diego CarlosCredit: Getty
    Monchi revealed: “We haven’t changed our policy 
    “Sevilla cannot change the way it works. The reason why players have not left is because they are at the right level in the squad. 
    “Kounde, one of the best defenders in European football, the fact he plays for us speaks for itself.” 
    Club captain Ratikic, who returned to the city after six years at Barca, says he was surprised with how much Sevilla improved during his time away. 
    The Croatian midfielder said: “When I came back here I was really surprised at what the club did in the last years. 
    “There are even more possibilities to go even bigger. 
    “Players the club can sign are now different from seven or eight years ago. Big players now want to be a part of us. 
    “The signing of Martial is there to show to the football world that Seville is going in the right way. 
    “It is important that we show to the world that Seville is here and they have to come with us.” 
    Watch Sevilla FC and the LaLiga title run-in exclusively on LaLigaTV, available via Premier Sports and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
    Anthony Martial completes Sevilla loan transfer after taking pay cut to escape Man Utd More

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    Tottenham’s Europa Conference League hopes suffer blow as Uefa suggests ‘unfair’ rules must be followed

    SPURS’ hopes of a second chance to  stay in Europe suffered a major blow as Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin suggested “unfair” rules have to be respected.Antonio Conte’s men were unable to play their final Conference League group game against Rennes after a Covid outbreak closed down the club’s Enfield training base.
    Spurs currently sit third in group GCredit: Reuters
    Harry Kane’s last game was against NorwichCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sports Images
    Spurs were thwarted in their efforts to reschedule the game for last night – they were even prepared to give up home advantage and travel to France – and Uefa announced the December 31 competition deadline would not be extended.
    At the same time, Euro chiefs said a final decision would be made by Uefa’s control and disciplinary committee.
    Asked about the situation, Ceferin said: “I cannot comment on a case that has been referred.
    “But our regulations are clear. 
    “Maybe those regulations are sometimes hard to understand.
    “Sometimes it looks unfair that a team has to play the next match in a certain timeframe or the result is a 3-0 defeat.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Europa League.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “But if we hadn’t had clear rules about it we could not have finished last season.”
    Spurs have not played a game since their 3-0 win over Norwich on December 5 due to coronavirus outbreaks at the club.
    Their game against Leicester which was due to be played on Thursday has also been postponed due to coronavirus.
    Many Premier League fixtures are currently in doubt due to a rising number of Covid-19 cases around the country. More

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    Tottenham drawn against Rapid Vienna in Europa Conference League draw as they await clarification from Uefa

    TOTTENHAM have drawn Rapid Vienna in the Europa Conference League but still await clarification from Uefa. Spurs’ final European group tie with Rennes was cancelled due to the Londoners’ coronavirus outbreak.
    Spurs drew Rapid Vienna in the Europa Conference League but await clarification from UefaCredit: Getty
    They still face being awarded a 3-0 defeat for failing to fulfil the fixture, which would dump them out of the competition.
    But SunSport understands Uefa’s Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body could decide to change the rules to allow the match to be played after the December 31 deadline.
    With the potential of Tottenham still being able to play their final match, which they need to win, the club were included in the subsequent knockout draw.
    Spurs drew Austrian’s Vienna, with the two-legged ties due to be played on February 17, with the return fixture a week later.
    The winners then go through to the last-16 to play the Conference League group stage winners. 
    Uefa’s statement appeared to condemn Antonio Conte’s team to a KO when it confirmed: “A solution that could work for both clubs could not be found.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “The match can no longer be played and the matter will, be referred to the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body for a decision.”
    During the pandemic, the CEDB has awarded 3-0 victories to clubs whose opponents were unable to fulfil fixtures because of Covid infections — and the Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld that.
    But if the CEDB rule that Rennes had not been flexible enough in trying to arrange another date for the game, then they could be punished instead.
    The CEDB could also grant an exception to the December 31 deadline to allow the Group G match to be played in the new year — before the competition resumes in February.
    An added complication is that France has a winter break that lasts from December 22 to January 7. More

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    Europa League playoff draw LIVE: Updates with Barcelona and Rangers in the hat – stream FREE, TV channel, latest

    THE Europa League playoff draw takes place TODAY.There will be a different approach to the Europa League draw this season, with the teams who have dropped out of the Champions League – such as Barcelona – going into today’s draw.
    The Champions League dropouts will be unseeded in the playoff draw today with the Europa League second-placed sides seeded.
    Europa League group winners will not feature in today’s draw and have received a bye to the Last 16.

    FULL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DRAW

    Marseille vs Qarabag
    PSV Eindhoven vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
    Fenerbahce vs Slavia Prague
    Midtjylland vs PAOK
    Leicester vs Randers
    Celtic vs Bodo/Glimt
    Sparta Prague vs Partizan Belgrade
    Rapid Vienna vs Tottenham/Vitesse

    First leg – February 17
    Second leg – February 24
    .Credit: Getty
    RAPID VIENNA VS TOTTENHAM/VITESSE
    And finally…
    SPARTA PRAGUE VS PARTIZAN BELGRADE
    After a short delay for more technical problems in Nyon. We have the next tie.
    CELTIC VS BODO/GLIMT
    A good draw for the Scottish side.
    LEICESTER VS RANDERS
    I think they’ll be happy with that at the King Power Stadium.
    MIDTJYLLAND VS PAOK
    FENERBAHCE VS SLAVIA PRAGUE
    PSV EINDHOVEN VS MACCABI TEL AVIV
    MARSEILLE VS QARABAG
    The first tie out.
    LET’S GO
    OK. The road to Tirana continues right here.
    We’re ready to go.
    MOVING ON UP
    The eight Europa Conference League group winners will skip this round and go straight to the last 16. They are:
    LASK, Gent, Roma, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Copenhagen, Basel… and one other to be confirmed.
    DRAW TIME
    OK, let’s tie up the loose ends here.
    Seven of the eight seeded teams are confirmed for this Europa Conference League draw.
    Seeded teams: Bodo/Glimt, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, PAOK, Partizan Belgrade, Qarabag, Randers, Slavia Prague… plus one more.
    Unseeded teams: Celtic, Fenerbahce, Leicester, Marseille, Midtjylland, PSV Eindhoven, Rapid Vienna, Sparta Prague.
    BREAKING NEWS
    The Champions League draw will be redone at 2pm today after the farce of this morning.
    PART THREE
    Right then, one more draw today coming up shortly.
    It’s the Europa Conference League playoff round.
    We still don’t know what combination of Tottenham/Vitesse/Rennes will be in the hat after the Covid postponement last week.
    Twenty four teams are still left in this competition.
    The eight group winners have a bye at this stage and will join the tournament in the last 16.
    In this round we will have the eight group runners-up as well as the eight third—placed teams from the Europa League groups.
    DON’T GO ANYWHERE
    The Europa Conference League draw is coming up.
    If you thought the Champions League draw was a bit of a mess this morning, we don’t even know the full list of teams in this one.
    .Credit: Getty
    TIE OF THE ROUND
    It has to be Barcelona vs Napoli, but Dortmund vs Rangers will be a tasty one as well.
    Quite like the looks of Porto vs Lazio as well.
    Ties to be played in February.
    FULL EUROPA LEAGUE PLAY-OFF DRAW

    Sevilla vs Dinamo Zagreb
    Atalanta vs Olympiakos
    Leipzig vs Real Sociedad
    Barcelona vs Napoli
    Zenit vs Real Betis
    Dortmund vs Rangers
    Sheriff Tiraspor vs Braga
    Porto vs Lazio

    First leg – February 17
    Second leg – February 24
    PORTO VS LAZIO
    And a lovely big tie to finish off.
    SHERIFF TIRASPOL VS BRAGA
    DORTMUND VS RANGERS
    They’re licking their lips in Glasgow.
    Erling Haaland is off to Ibrox. Just for one night, that’s not a transfer rumour.
    ZENIT VS REAL BETIS
    BARCELONA VS NAPOLI
    That’s a biggy. What a tie!
    LEIPZIG VS REAL SOCIEDAD
    ATALANTA VS OLYMPIAKOS
    SEVILLA VS DINAMO ZAGREB
    Load more entries… More

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    West Ham set to AVOID Barcelona in Europa League last-32 as Moyes side get automatic bye to next round ahead of flops

    BARCELONA’S wretched season hit a new low as they were confirmed as THIRD seeds for the first knock-out round of the Europa League.Changes to the competition, starting this term, mean the eight Europa League group winners, including West Ham, no longer have to play in the initial knock-out round, which was a last 32 stage up to last season.
    The Hammers have already cemented their place at the top of group H with one game still to playCredit: Getty
    Instead, they will go straight through to the last 16 and await the winners of an interim stage.
    That will feature the eight Europa League runners up, as the seeded teams, with the eight sides dropping down from the Champions League having unseeded status.
    It means Barca, along with teams including Dortmund, Leipzig, Porto and Sevilla, will have to play at home in the first leg in February.
    And West Ham are already guaranteed home advantage for the second leg of their last 32 match, against one of the eight winners of the first stage.
    Uefa regulations state that no team can meet a side from the same country until the last eight phase of the competition.
    The Hammers host Dinamo Zagreb tonight in their final game of the group stage.
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    Tottenham vs Rennes OFF as Uefa confirm Europa Conference League clash will be rearranged after Spurs’ Covid outbreak

    TOTTENHAM’S Conference league clash with Rennes tonight IS off – despite the French side threatening to embarrass the North Londoners.Uefa decided this morning that it had no alternative but to follow the advice of Public health England.
    Antonio Conte revealed Spurs have 13 positive Covid casesCredit: Getty
    That means the match will not take place although Uefa will now have to make a ruling on a revised date.
    Under Uefa regulations, all group stage matches must be completed by December 31.
    But with Spurs having a full fixture list between now and the end of the month – although it is likely both Sunday’s Prem clash at Brighton and next Thursday’s home game against Leicester will now be postponed – there is no obvious space in the calendar for those provisions to be met.
    And even if a date can be found, there is now hugely bad blood between the sides.
    Spurs announced last night that the game would not go ahead as a result of the Covid outbreak that has ripped through the club.
    In a statement, Spurs said: “We can confirm that our UEFA Europa Conference League Group G home fixture against Stade Rennais will not take place tomorrow (Thursday 9 December at 8pm UK) after a number of positive COVID-19 cases at the Club.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “Discussions are ongoing with UEFA and we shall provide a further update on this fixture in due course.
    “Additionally, following discussions with the Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) and DCMS advisers, the Club has been advised to close the First Team area of its Training Centre at this time, in the interests of the health and safety of players and staff.
    “All other areas of the Training Centre remain operational.”
    That was a unilateral action by Spurs, on the advice of the health authorities and after boss Antonio Conte had publicly spoken of the fears and anxieties caused by the rapid outbreak.
    Rennes, though, accused the Prem giants of putting up a “London fog” to stop the game taking place.
    In a bizarre attack, the Ligue 1 side accused spurs director of football operations Rebecca Caplehorn of springing the cancellation on Rennes – and Uefa – in a video conference call.
    Rennes said: “In a video conference at 7.45 p.m. between representatives of UEFA, Tottenham and Rennes, the Spurs director of football announced her intention not to play the UEFA Europa Conference League game on Thursday evening.

    “This was a unilateral decision which has not been confirmed by UEFA in any way.
    “The Tottenham representative did not want to announce the number of her players affected by the Covid when the rule states that a match must be played as long as the team has 13 outfielders and a keeper.
    “She argued for a decision by the English authorities without advancing any official document.
    “As the match was not officially cancelled by UEFA, Stade Rennais FC upheld their decision to play.
    “Faced with this “London fog”, we reserve the right to approach UEFA.
    “This lack of fair play is all the more glaring as Tottenham had confirmed by email that the match would be held at the start of the afternoon before warning Rennes of their intention not to play just after their landing at London City Airport.”
    But Uefa sources have now confirmed to SunSport that the match will not take place on health grounds.
    According to Ouest France, Spurs are proposing the match be moved to next Wednesday, December 15.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    But Rennes have hit back, and said: “Rules stipulate that a match must be played as long as a team has 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper.
    “This lack of fair play is all the more flagrant given that Tottenham confirmed early this afternoon that the match would be held, before informing Rennes of their intention not to play right after landing at London City Airport.”
    Tottenham boss Antonio ConteCredit: Getty More