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      European Club Association was created to appease the richest clubs after failed Super League plot

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      THE fallout from the nuclear explosion which could have destroyed the unity of European club football is changing the game again.Drastic action taken by supporters of the Premier League clubs who wanted to join it effectively sank the European Super League.
      Uefa has initiated another attempt to appease the self-identified elite six of EnglandCredit: Reuters
      One or two further attempts to appease the self-identified elite six of England were aborted.
      Then along came another, this time initiated by Uefa with a body named the European Club Association — which they arrogantly describe as the “Heart of Football”.
      My immediate reaction is that their heart already requires a transplant.
      No question, Uefa were spooked by the discovery that ESL clubs were about to wreck their structure.
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      And with Fifa also sniffing around the multi-billions of our continent’s leading leagues, the ECA was born.
      The motto should have been “More for the few”.
      And last week an  antidote to the ECA was introduced, the Union of European Clubs, which quickly brought applause from hundreds of neglected also-rans.
      Sorry about the rash of ‘E’ initials. Only the mobile phone company EE have more.
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      In their case they stand for “Everything Everywhere” which is rather appropriate for Uefa and Fifa, people who have plans for dictatorship of the people’s game.
      It’s no accident that Manchester City and United, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea, six promoters of the aborted Super League, are the only full English members of the ECA.
      They have the votes to make the important decisions. The rest could simply be referred to as ‘observers’ but are politely called ‘associate members’.
      Some Prem clubs outside the top six have agreed to be ‘associate members’, as have other clubs throughout Europe.
      Among their ranks are mighty Valletta of Malta, average crowd 1,000; Vikingur of the Faroe Islands, average about 400; and Kairat of Kazakhstan, individual plastic seats for a 23,000-capacity crowd.
      On a geographical note, 85 per cent of Kazakhstan is in Asia and has a border with China. In my book, that is not Europe.
      Vikingur, Kairat and Valletta, and many others among the 110 full  members, are not the kind of opposition — or should I say allies? — the Glazers or Abu Dhabi signed up for.
      They expected Juventus, Real Madrid or Barcelona.
      But this trio are absent from the ECA, presumably keeping their powder dry while hoping for a miraculous ESL rebirth.
      LaLiga president Javier Tebas, fast becoming the voice of the thousand-plus clubs outside the ECA, said: “I’m fed up with hearing that the ECA represents the European clubs. It represents the elite clubs in Europe.
      “We try to defend solidarity but that is not just ten per cent of the clubs. It has to be everyone.
      “Is the ECA open? Not to vote and not for  decision-making. Which is what is really necessary.”
      The ECA was created to appease the richest.
      They signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with Uefa and have a say in how the money from competitions is dished out.
      And surprise, surprise, it’s not distributed fairly!
      The Champions League will expand next year and Fifa have announced an overblown Club World Cup in 2025.
      And guess where both finals are due to be held.
      You got it, the USA, one of the host nations for the 2026 World Cup.
      All for the same reason millions of the ‘huddled masses’ first arrived in New York: money.
      And that is what the ECA are all about.
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      Thirty per cent of Champions League prize money is based on a club’s historical European performances, enhancing the already huge financial disparities between and within leagues.
      I doubt this will change, no matter how worthy the Union of European Clubs is. More

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      I’m a model and Man Utd star’s sister but now I’m making my way in the game as a football agent

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      ALEX TELLES’ sister Hellen is now a Fifa licensed football agent.The Brazilian, who has a close relationship with her Manchester United star brother, can now work as a footy representative.
      Hellen Telles is now a Fifa licensed football agentCredit: Instagram / @bright_tells
      Hellen poses with brother Alex and his Man United and Brazil team-mate FredCredit: Instagram / @bright_tells
      Upon receiving the news Hellen, who also models, told of the nine years of hard work that have gone into being recognised by Fifa.
      She wrote on her Instagram feed: “Officially Licensed FIFA Agent!
      “Few will have the real notion of what this means to me. This title is the seal of 9 years of construction and daily struggle for recognition.
      “I entered the world of football uninvited, despite being born into a family that breathes it 24 hours a day.
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      “I needed to kick the door, make myself present, earn merit. I need to contradict suspicious looks, dodge disrespectful comments, run away from futile approaches… to be seen, but more than that: to be respected. And I keep doing that, every day.”
      Telles has been represented by Pini Zahavi’s Gol International during his career.
      But he now appears to also be working with Hellen’s H13 Sports Management.
      On what it’s like as a woman in the industry, she continued: “Being a woman here is like this: I enter meeting rooms out of curiosity but I only stay, and I return, because of my competence and my principles.
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      Hellen is thrilled to have obtained her Fifa licenseCredit: Instagram hellen_telles
      The Brazilian has also modelledCredit: Instagram hellen_telles
      “None of that I won. ANYTHING. I deserve to be here because I understand this thing called football and I’m not afraid to say that.
      “In fact, I am very proud to be one of the few women in the world with that title. Merit.
      “Thank you to those who never doubted and live it daily with me. Who trust my work. They know who they are.
      “And thanks also to you who doubt. This is fuel. They also know who they are.
      “There were 6,586 candidates, 3,800 tests applied and 1,962 approved, able to transfer and represent clients around the world.
      “It’s just beginning…”
      Telles, 30, is currently on loan at Sevilla from Manchester United.
      He appeared against his parent club in the Europa League last week, helping his loan side to knock them out.
      Upon his return from Seville in the summer he will have one year remaining on his Man United contract.
      Hellen explained what being a women in the football agent business is likeCredit: Instagram / @bright_tells
      Hellen poses at Old Trafford, home of her brother AlexCredit: Instagram / @bright_tells
      She also watched him in action at the World CupCredit: Instagram / @bright_tells More

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      Italian FA trialling major change to offside rule…and it’s proven to lead to more goals

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      THE Italian FA are trialling a major change to the offside rule which is proven to lead to more goals. The changes, developed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, would only see an offside given if there is a clear space between the attacker and the defender.
      The Italian FA is set to trial a major change to the offside ruleCredit: Rex
      There have been a lot of contentious VAR decisions this seasonCredit: Getty
      Wenger has previously spoken of his desire to make changes to the offside rule and has been a long time advocate of this but was aware of the difficulties in implementing any changes.
      Back in 2020 he said: “My objective, as well as Fifa’s, is to continuously think about ways to improve our game.
      “We shouldn’t be afraid to debate them in public.
      “But I am well aware any rule changes are subject to a standard approval process.
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      “That includes discussions with stakeholders and potential test phases, within the scope of the established IFAB framework.”
      The proposal was explained back in February before its first trial in the Italian u18’s championship by Christos Kanellas, Fifa’s high performance manager.
      He said: “The idea was born to favour a more offensive game, increase the chances of scoring goals and make the game more exciting.”
      The Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina said: The Italian Football Federation is at the forefront of the development of the game.
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      “We have made ourselves available to continue testing in the Under 18 championship because innovation is in our DNA.
      “We are not afraid of change both on and off the pitch and, in close synergy with Fifa, we will continue to study the effects of a change to the offside rule.”

      Matteo Trefoloni, head of the technical sector, explained the way the law will change.
      He said: “The experiment states that a player is no longer considered punishable if any part of the body with which he can score a goal is in line with the penultimate defender. 
      “Therefore, in order for an offside to be sanctioned between the attacker in the most advanced position and the defender, there must be the so-called light, i.e. they must be visually separated.”
      The rule change was first trialled back in April 2022 in 35 matches.
      The players, coaches and referees who participated in the survey gave a positive overall opinion.
      They indicated a reduced impact of the proposed change on the game and an overall increase in scoring opportunities.
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      Italian Football has been at the forefront of trialling new technology with the first VAR test having taken place in the friendly between Italy and France in September 2016 in Bari.
      Last December the use of semi-automatic offside was approved and was then bought into use from 27 January in Serie A. More

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      Fifa’s new football agent test will FINALLY root out the highway robbers Dick Turpin would be proud of

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      WELL, here’s a question that will test most agents — but one they should know the answer to.It’s one of several set by Fifa for new football agents, regarded by many club staff as close relations to blood-sucking leeches.
      Fifa will implement a new test for football agentsCredit: Getty
      Q) Which age range covers when training compensation can be due to the club(s) at which the player spent their development period?
      a) 12-15
      b) 12-23
      c) 12-21
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      d) 16-23
      Now this question is tricky enough without being made more so by the level of English usually associated with foreigners shakily trying to make themselves understood.
      So pity the aspiring, perspiring agent asked to unravel the newly minted tortures ordered by our football overlords.
      Having translated the knotty question above we come to the point: Fifa — for once, God bless them — are tackling the highway robbers who sometimes double as agents.
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      There are exceptions, I should in fairness add, who are hard-working, reliable and honest. God bless the Few.
      The best of them are almost essential for any outstanding player: sound advice; attention to the fine print of contracts, not only of those reached with his club but with sponsorships that can be worth multi-millions; negotiations and sometimes massage of ego and confidence.
      As an England regular, Gareth Southgate used to conduct contracts personally but at his playing level today the self-assured might not always be very successful.
      Even so, unscrupulous cheque-chasers have long warranted the time of comeuppance. I was one of many in football to cheer Fifa’s recent legislation which in one exquisite day announced that the entitlement to agents in future would be three per cent of a player’s pay above £180,000 a year and ten per cent of a transfer fee.
      In many cases these payments amount to a fortune. Think ten per cent of £100million to give you some idea of the possibilities.
      You may be sure that agents of any stamp will be able to work the figures out. They have always been better at that than understanding the complexities of football finance.
      There are further restrictions to the rules which apply from September — so many that rookie agents are undergoing tests that include the question above, which I pray they can translate.
      To be fair, this isn’t a patsy examination. And it shouldn’t be. Far too many agents have been holding clubs to ransom, a process that Dick Turpin would have enjoyed, except that the highwayman galloped off on Black Bess while the agents were driven away in a black limousine.
      That three-party transaction, seller-player-buyer, is soon to be forbidden.
      On Wednesday, hundreds of men and a few women turned up in London for the one-hour test. Forecasts were that only 20 per cent would pass the £300-a-person examination.
      Replacing the regulations that were unwisely abandoned eight years ago, the qualification pass rate stands at 75 per cent correct answers.
      Previously, agents had to pay only a £500 fee with no exam to try to get rich quick.
      Much swotting has been going on, although those who fail to pass have another chance in September, after which they will be welcome to make a profit by their own skills rather than a footballer’s.
      Veteran agents will not be called upon to test.
      And among those, the commonly held view is that newcomers whose prime motivation was to make a quick buck should face rigorous examination if, to start with, they could understand Fifa’s dense verbiage.

      The failure rate could be as high as 80 per cent. This might leave the business as understaffed as the average NHS hospital.
      But my suspicion is that agents will be around for as long as balls are kicked for cash. More

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      Bobby Moore’s 1966 World Cup winner’s shirt goes MISSING from his ex-wife’s attic – then mystery ‘owner’ puts it on sale

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      ENGLAND legend Bobby Moore’s World Cup winner’s shirt has gone missing, his stunned ex-wife revealed last night.  Bobby sported the iconic red shirt when he hoisted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley in 1966 and first wife Tina believed it was safely mothballed in her attic.
      Bobby Moore’s 1966 World Cup shirt has gone missingCredit: Getty
      Bobby’s wife of 24 years, Tina, said : ‘I would really love to get that shirt back where it belongs – with me’Credit: Rex
      It was thought to be in his first wife Tina’s atticCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But the jersey worth millions has now been offered for auction by a private buyer who refuses to be identified.
      Its mysterious appearance has baffled the late soccer great’s loved ones and forced them to issue an urgent appeal for its return.
      Wife of 24 years Tina told The Daily Mail: “I would really love to get that shirt back where it belongs – with me, with my family, and with the nation, for everyone to have a chance to look at it and marvel at Bobby’s achievement.”
      Tina last saw the shirt decades ago in the 1970s and 1980s when it was kept folded in a leather bag in the attic of the house Tina and Bobby shared in Chigwell, Essex.
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      Their daughter Roberta remembers seeing it when they went up into the attic to fetch Christmas decorations.
      When Moore was dying of cancer in 1992, his daughter brought his cherished trophies, medals and caps to his home so he could hold them for a final time.
      But by then the famous red shirt was missing – along with an equally cherished yellow Brazil shirt he swapped with Pele at the 1970 World Cup.
      Tina spent years that followed attempting to track down the shirts without success – until they received a call from the FA two years ago confirming the 1966 shirt had been unearthed.
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      The FA caller stunned the family by declaring it was in the hands of a private buyer.
      There is no suggestion of impropriety by the current holder – but the family want answers as to how the shirt came into his possession.
      Tina’s daughter Roberta, 58, said: “It was a huge shock and at first, totally baffling.

      Do you know who has Bobby’s shirt or have information on where it might be? Call The Sun’s tip line on 02077824100, message us on WhatsApp on 07423720250 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

      “The shirt belongs to my mother and she had been looking for it for years. Now out of the blue, they were telling us about some private buyer, and it had been ‘found’?”
      Roberta added: “It was all very strange. The information was vague. The shirt had been ‘found at a general auction of an unknown deceased person’.
      “It was hard to comprehend – how does the shirt go from being tucked in a bag in my mother’s attic to an auction of a deceased person?”
      Bobby’s family have suffered further frustration because the holder of the shirt is insisting on remaining anonymous and is said to have been “spooked” by their inquiries.
      The West Ham and England soccer great divorced Tina in 1986 and remarried Stephanie Parlane in 1991 shortly before his death from cancer in 1993.
      Tina, 79, is adamant that the shirt belongs to her after being left to her with football memorabilia to her when they split.
      She said: “If there is somebody out there who has the shirt, I appeal for them to come to us, and explain how they came about it.
      “I’m sure it’s been done in very good faith, but I don’t think the people or this person are aware of what’s happened.
      “I would just love to be able to talk to them and find out. But more than anything, I just want to get back the shirt which Bobby gave to me and entrusted to me. I owe it to him and the family.”
      An FA spokesman said: “Bobby Moore is an England hero. It would be wonderful if there was a way of finding his historic World Cup winning shirt and putting it on display for the nation.”
      It comes after the shirt worn by Diego Maradona during his iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal sold for a staggering £7million at auction last year.
      The legendary No10 shirt was bought by an anonymous fan after a month-long bidding battle.
      Likewise, one footie fanatic revealed that he has spent thousands on an epic collection of over 500 classic kits.
      Sadly, not all kits make their way to collections or the attics of ex players.

      For example, a rare Celtic shirt was stolen from the National Football Museum in February 2020,
      Thankfully, though, the jersey once warn by Charlie Nicholas was returned anonymously by post just a month later.
      It has been put up for auction by an anonymous private buyerCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Brazil shirt Bobby swapped with Pele in the 1970 World Cup also went missingCredit: Getty More

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      Major update to handball rule with Uefa to rip up laws as even PRESIDENT admits ‘I absolutely do not understand it’

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      THE handball rule is set to be ripped up again – after even Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said he “absolutely doesn’t understand it”.Debates about what is or is not an offence have plagued the season as players, managers and fans have shown their disbelief at decisions.
      This Tomas Soucek incident against Chelsea was not awarded as handballCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Brentford defender Aaron Hickey conceded a penalty for this handball against Brighton at the weekend but escaped punishment for a later incidentCredit: Getty
      Last weekend, Brentford’s Aaron Hickey was penalised for one offence but escaped a potential second penalty, both in stoppage time, in the 3-3 draw at Brighton.
      Arsenal players have incurred two fines for protests about penalty claims against Oxford and Newcastle, while PGMOL chiefs admitted Chelsea SHOULD have been awarded a spot-kick in the last minutes of their draw at West Ham.
      And now Ceferin has revealed Uefa has demanded talks with Fifa and the Law-making International FA Board in an attempt to sort out the issues.
      Ceferin said: “I absolutely do not understand the Law as it stands – and something must be done.
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      “At the end of this month we will form a special group, which will be led by out Head of football, Zvonimir Boban.
      “We want to have all the greatest coaches and former football players, the biggest names in world football,  in it. 
      “What’s clear is that the current handball law is really obscure. No one understands it any more. 
      “So we really need a conversation here, finding solutions and clarifying some issues.
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      “The Laws say that a player should be penalised by making himself bigger – but what should they do? 
      “How can you make yourself smaller if you fall to the ground or if you jump in the air – the hands are where they are, you can’t always press them to the body.”
      Ceferin revealed he had pushed the issue with Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino.
      He added: “We all need to do something about this together. 
      “What we have now is very bad for football, which is supposed to be a game which is very understandable and clear to everyone.
      “When it comes to offsides, we can debate whether VAR should consider a tolerance area and not intervene at every millimetre.
      “But even as it is, things are clear and nobody can argue with you. 
      “Yet handball decisions are strange and it is difficult for the referees to make decisions. 
      “If someone boots the ball at you from two metres, what can you do? 
      “I saw a game when the ball hit the defender’s thigh, then his hand, and the referee awarded a penalty. 
      “How a player could prevent this is really beyond me. 
      “We are having a very serious conversation about this, and we are increasingly coming to the conclusion that – once again – no one currently understands the Law.
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      “So we have to find solutions and find a way using football intelligence or logic to make sure the referees don’t look for an alibi in VAR and then award every contact with the hand just to protect themselves. 
      “This is a big problem and we have to solve it wisely.” More

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      Who is Fifa vice-president candidate Debbie Hewitt?

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      DEBBIE Hewitt is running for Fifa’s British vice-presidency role in an attempt to restore the English power in world football.The British vice presidency role at Fifa holds the crucial responsibility of ensuring that English football has a voice in the world’s most powerful global football corporation.
      Debbie Hewitt is running for Fifa’s British vice-presidency roleCredit: Getty
      The British vice president position has been in place since the four Home nations joined Fifa in 1946 and it has brought its fair share of controversies.
      Greg Clarke was the last English representative to hold the position, but he was forced to quit in 2020 after a series of offensive comments. Clarke’s brief spell was the first English vice-presidency since Geoff Thompson’s retirement in 2011.
      The role is currently occupied by Northern Ireland’s David Martin. But the lack of English power at Fifa was enforced by the infamous row over the ‘OneLove’ armbands at the Qatar World Cup 2022 which overshadowed England’s opening game.
      The FA feel they need to reclaim the role, which Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will actively support as he believes that Fifa needs a strong English voice. All 55 Uefa members will vote for the next candidate in April.
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      Who is Debbie Hewitt?
      Debbie Hewitt is a British businesswoman and sports administrator who is currently the FA Chair.
      She is the FA’s first Chairwoman in its 157-year history.
      The 43-year-old is now running for Uefa British Vice President in the Fifa Council.
      How did Hewitt get into football administration?
      Hewitt was chief executive officer of the RAC from 2006 until 2008. In 2011, she was awarded an MBE for services to business and the public sector.
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      Since 2018, she has been the non-executive chair of BGL Group, Visa Europe and White Stuff.
      Football has always been a passion of hers, and she is a life-long Liverpool fan.
      In 2021, she was voted by unanimous decision to become the first chairwoman of the FA following the resignation of the disgraced Greg Clarke.
      How does she know Gianni Infantino?
      Gianni Infantino is the current Fifa President.
      Hewitt knows the 53-year-old from her role with sponsors Visa Europe.
      Who is her husband?
      She is married to Paul Hewitt, the former finance director at the RAC.
      The couple has twins together. More

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      Argentina set to be handed spot in major tournament despite NOT QUALIFYING

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      ARGENTINA are set to play at the Under-20 World Cup this summer, despite not qualifying.The Albiceleste didn’t initially make the cut after failing to get out of their group in last month’s South American U-20 Championship.
      Argentina’s Under-20 side failed to qualify for the U-20 World Cup under Javier MascheranoCredit: AFP
      Managed by former Liverpool and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano, Argentina fell to fourth in their five-team group after defeats to Paraguay, Brazil and Colombia.
      They have been offered a reprieve, however, as HOSTS of the competition.
      Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, were initially scheduled to put on the event this summer.
      But the Asian nation were stripped of hosting duties by Fifa after refusing to host participating side Israel following protests that saw civilians march with Indonesian and Palestinian flags.
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      According to Israeli sports reporter Dor Hoffman, Argentina have quickly been selected by Fifa to replace Indonesia as hosts for the tournament, which is due to begin on May 20.
      This will also see the Albiceleste replace Indonesia in the competition.
      Mascherano resigned as coach after his side’s South American Championship flop – but the Argentine federation will reportedly try to convince him to return as boss.
      Fifa came to their decision to relieve Indonesia of hosting duties after a meeting between its president Gianni Infantino and Indonesian FA chief Erick Thohir.
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      Following confirmation of the devastating blow for Indonesian football, Thohir said: “Indonesia is a Fifa member, so for any international soccer matters, we have to abide by the rules.
      “I ask all football lovers to keep their heads held high over this tough decision by Fifa. It’s time we proved to Fifa to work harder to transform soccer, towards clean and high-achieving soccer.”
      The tournament had been set to be Indonesia’s first appearance at an Under-20 World Cup since 1979.
      Many Indonesians protested against Israel’s participation in the Under-20 World CupCredit: Getty More