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      How £4.6bn European Super League would work with more than 70 games a season and END of Champions League

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      THE THREAT of a breakaway European Super League has resurfaced after Liverpool and Manchester United were unmasked as ringleaders of the latest plot.
      Fifa’s backing of the scheme, funded by Wall Street giants J P Morgan to the tune of £4.6billion, means the prospect has to be taken seriously.

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      Fifa President Gianni Infantino is backing the breakaway European Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

      But fans want to know what is proposed, how it would work and the impact any breakaway would have.
      SunSport explains the proposals, as they stand – and the hurdles that have to be overcome:
      WHAT IS THE PLAN?
      An 18-team, self-elected and ring-fenced European Premier League, with matches to be played midweek and an end of season play-off to determine the winners, with a provisional kick-off from the start of the 2022-23 season.

      WHO WILL BE INVOLVED?
      That is less than clear but the expectation is that we are only talking about the “Big Five” leagues.
      England will have the largest contingent, with Liverpool and United joined by three from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs.
      Spain would supply Real Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona, plus one other team – probably Sevilla.

      Italy want four places – Juventus, Inter, AC Milan plus one. Bayern Munich, Dortmund and one other German club would be invited with France represented by PSG and, presumably, either Lyon or Marseilles.

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      Here are the proposed teams
      AND THE FORMAT?
      It is envisaged that the teams will play each other home and away in a midweek league, with the top four – or eight – involved in the end of season play-offs.
      BUT THEY WILL STILL PLAY THEIR DOMESTIC LEAGUES?
      That’s the plan. At least, for now.
      HOW DOES IT ALL FIT, THOUGH?
      That is the big question.
      The Premier League’s 38-game season is already squeezed into a 34-week window and there would now be an EXTRA 34 games for each of the five selected Prem teams to fit in.
      Reducing the Prem to 18 clubs, as envisaged in Project big Picture – an element backed by all the Big Six – would create some wriggle room, as would scrapping the League Cup.
      But Prem sides are mandated to play in the FA Cup.

      IS THERE ANY OTHER ROOM FOR GAMES?
      Other than an early start and a late finish, no.
      Until 2024-25, when the new international match calendar – still being worked on by Fifa – comes into operation.
      One plan gaining support is for there to be three four-game international windows – in November, March and June – each year, opening up the entire autumn part of the season for extra club matches.
      WHAT WOULD THIS MEAN FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
      Curtains – which is why Uefa will fight tooth and nail to kill the plot stone dead.
      If Europe’s biggest 18 clubs go it alone, the Champions League – let alone the Europa League – will plummet in commercial value, devastating European football’s economic model.

      AND THE IMPACT ON THE PREM?
      Not so much in the immediate term – but significant in the longer term.
      The “top four” race will be rendered redundant if there is a closed shop Super League, which will have an impact on future TV rights sales, although there will still be the appeal of the Big Six playing their domestic matches.
      But the financial disparity between the elite and the rest will become a gaping chasm that will make the Prem utterly uncompetitive – unless the big boys prioritise the new European Premier League and play shadow sides at home, which, of course, will make the Prem even less appealing to the broadcasters.
      CAN IT BE STOPPED?
      Uefa will do everything in their powers and this could all be part of an elaborate bluff by Fifa President Gianni Infantino to ensure he gets his way in other issues where he is fighting Europe, including his pet project, the expanded Club World Cup due to be played in China in 2022.
      The FA could also, in theory, block clubs from taking part and ban any players who were involved, although that would have to be part of a global collective policy from all national associations.

      Troy Deeney joins The Sun as our new hard-hitting columnist with Watford star to give you the inside track in football More

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      Watch hilarious moment Chelsea star Kante is left baffled by Gilmour’s Scottish accent and admits ‘I don’t understand’

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      CHELSEA’S N’Golo Kante was caught on camera hilariously trying to understand what Billy Gilmour is saying – before revealing he hasn’t got a clue.
      Scotsman Gilmour, 19, and the French World Cup winner were discussing a rating for the new edition of FIFA 21.

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      Gilmour and Kante discuss their FIFA 21 rankingsCredit: Twitter@sportbible

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      Kante looks puzzled when Gilmour is speaking to himCredit: Twitter@sportbible

      In the clip posted online, Gilmour can be seen reading out a question about the game’s player ratings to his Chelsea team-mate.
      Referring to a fan’s comment, the youngster is heard talking about how it is surprising that Thiago Silva has a lower physical rating than Kante.
      He then goes on to ask 29-year-old Kante what his views are on the comment.
      When the camera turns to the Frenchman, he looks clueless and admits that he couldn’t understand a word Gilmour said, to which they both burst out laughing.

      Fans also saw the funny side of the incident and took to social media to share their responses.

      One fan said: “N’Golo Kante not understanding Billy Gilmour’s Scottish accent is outstanding. His face ??”
      Another said: “Actually embarrassing. Can’t even understand your own team-mate”

      actually embarrassing. cant even understand your own teammate🤣
      — reguilon is the goat (@TTlads) October 11, 2020

      Despite the language barrier, Gilmour is being touted as the new Kante after a series of impressive displays at Stamford Bridge.
      Kante isn’t the only Blues star who has had problems understanding Gilmour’s accent.
      Chelsea’s new boy Hakim Ziyech was also present at the exchange and was pictured rolling around the floor in fits of laughter when the youngster had finished speaking.

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      Ziyech also had problems understanding GilmourCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He later took to Instagram to explain by saying: “I don’t understand Billy.”
      The Chelsea squad’s FIFA 21 rankings see all the players ratings adjusted, but Kante leads the pack with a rating of 88.
      SunSport have compiled a list of all the Chelsea player rankings which you can view here. More

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      Arsenal FIFA 21 player ratings: Partey, Aubameyang and Saka stars to watch out for as Ozil stats drop after exile

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      ARSENAL’S players ratings for the upcoming FIFA 21 have been confirmed with Mesut Ozil’s rating taking a hit.
      In contrast, new signing Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka stats have shot up and are the ones to watch out for.

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      Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest ranked player this season

      Ozil’s rating has dropped from 83 last year to 82, alongside Nicolas Pépé and Willian.
      Partey comes in at a strong 84 and leading the pack is striker Aubameyang who is 87 on FIFA 21.
      Mesut Ozil
      Ozil’s poor performances and off-field issues have affected the Arsenal star’s ratings this year.
      The German midfielder has gone from 86 to 82 in recent years but is still one of the club’s highest ranked players.

      Despite being downgraded, his passing is 85 and dribbling is 83 fans will be pleased to know.

      Thomas Partey
      The Gunners signed Partey on transfer deadline day from Atletico Madrid by activating his £45million release clause.
      He comes in with at bang and has been given a rating of 84, making him the highest ranking midfielder at the Emirates.
      His strongest assets are his defending which is 82, and physicality which is 85.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
      Aubameyang will be Arsenal’s top-rated player on FIFA for another season.
      But he comes in one rating lower than his FIFA 20 ranking – despite finishing last season with 22 goals
      His best attributes this season is his sprint speed and his positioning, which have been ranked 94 and 93 respectively.

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      Arsenal fans are upset some players have been ranked so low
      Bukayo Saka
      The youngster’s ranking has seen a big jump from FIFA 20 where he was given a modest 65.
      After some impressive displays he rose to a 74 throughout the season.
      This year his ratings see a slight improvement and he comes in at 75.
      His biggest strengths are his acceleration which is 86, and his sprint speed 82.
      Arsenal’s Full Team Ultimate Ranking
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (87)
      Bernd Leno (85)
      Alexandre Lacazette (83)
      Mesut Ozil (82)
      Willian (82)
      Nicolas Pepe (82)
      Lucas Torreira (81)
      Dani Ceballos (80)
      David Luiz (80)
      Granit Xhaka (80)
      Hector Bellerin (80)
      Sokratis (79)
      Gabriel Magalhaes (78)
      Shkodran Mustafi (78)

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      Saka has shot up dramatically in his rankings from last season
      Sead Kolasinac (78)
      Kieran Tierney (78)
      Mohamed Elneny (76)
      Cedric (76)
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles (76)
      Bukayo Saka (75)
      Calum Chambers (75)
      Rob Holding (75)
      Pablo Mari (75)
      Gabriel Martinelli (74)
      William Saliba (74)
      Reiss Nelson (72)
      Joe Willock (71)
      Eddie Nketiah (71)
      Runar Alex Runarsson (70)
      Emile Smith-Rowe (69)

      Some Arsenal fans were left fuming when the FIFA 21 ratings were released, as they believe their club has drastically improved under boss Mikel Arteta.

      Arsenal fans fume as FIFA 21 ratings are revealed with Kieran Tierney just 78 same as flop Sead Kolasinac More

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      Arsene Wenger lists four changes he wants to make to rules of football that will affect corners, throw-ins and offsides

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      ARSENE WENGER listed four changes he wants to make to the rules of football – including to corners, throw-ins and offsides.
      The former Arsenal boss, 70, left his role in North London after 22 years in 2018.

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      Arsene Wenger has proposed a list of rule changes to the laws of football including over throw-ins in the defending halfCredit: Getty – Pool

      Last year he took on his position with Fifa as the Chief Head of Global Football Development.
      And part of that post means helping in the process of adapting the laws of the game.
      Speaking to L’Equipe via Get French Football News, Wenger reiterated his hope of changing the offside rule.
      The Frenchman wants to give attackers more of an advantage with forwards considered onside if any part of the body they can score with is level with the last defender.

      He also wants to shake up out-swinging corners, free-kicks and throws to help the attacking teams.
      Thankfully for Tony Pulis, this time he is not hoping to axe the long throws Stoke optimised for years against Arsenal.
      Wenger said: “For the moment, you are offside if a part of your body that you can score with sits ahead of the body of a defender.
      “I would like it to be that there is no offside so long as a (single) body part which a player can score with is in line with the defender.

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      Out-swinging corners will be allowed to go over the goal line and back into play under Wenger’s new rulesCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Strikers would only need to have any goalscoring part of their body level with the defender to be deemed onsideCredit: Sky Sports

      “This could be too much of an advantage for an attacker, because that obliges the defenders to play higher up.
      “We are also considering other things: a corner that goes out of play and comes back in could be made valid, this would create new goalscoring opportunities.
      “There is also the option of quickly playing a free-kick to yourself.
      “I would also like to change the throw-in rule: five minutes before the end, a throw-in for you should be an advantage, but in these situations you are facing ten outfield players in play, whilst you only have nine.
      “Stats show that in eight out of ten of those throw-in situations, you lose the ball.
      “In your half of the pitch, you should have the possibility to take a kick instead.”
      One rule that has already changed in recent years is the ability for defenders to receive a goal kick from inside the penalty box – rather than wait for the ball to exit before touching it.
      And Wenger reckons this adjustment has been a genuine success as more teams play out from the back, starting with the goalkeeper.

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      Wenger took on his role as Fifa’s Chief Head of Global Football Development last year Credit: Getty – Contributor

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      He added: “I think that the new rule that allows you to play in the box from the start of play within 5.5m has profoundly changed play. I have to admit that I did not see it coming. This has consequences.
      “The real playmaker now is the goalkeeper. And instead of looking to play as quickly as possible in the opposition half, you are looking to create space in your own box.
      “This has created dangerous situations because teams press very hard, so well that they leave a lot of space.
      “And this rule, which was innocent at the start, has profoundly turned the game upside down.”

      VAR football control experts show how the virtual offside line is placed on the field of play More

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      REVEALED: Arsenal FIFA 21 player ratings: Partey, Aubameyang and Saka stars to watch out for as Ozil’s stats dip

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      ARSENAL’S players ratings for the upcoming FIFA 21 have been confirmed with Mesut Ozil’s rating taking a hit.
      In contrast, new signing Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka stats have shot up and are the ones to watch out for.

      3

      Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest ranked player this season

      Ozil’s rating has dropped from 83 last year to 82, alongside Nicolas Pépé and Willian.
      Partey comes in at a strong 84 and leading the pack is striker Aubameyang who is 87.
      Mesut Ozil
      Ozil’s poor performances and off-field issues have affected the Arsenal star’s ratings this year.
      The German midfielder has gone from 86 to 82 in recent years but is still one of the club’s highest ranked players.

      Despite being downgraded, his passing is 85 and dribbling is 83 fans will be pleased to know.

      Thomas Partey
      The Gunners signed Partey on transfer deadline day from Atletico Madrid by activating his £45million release clause.
      He comes in with at bang and has been given a rating of 84, making him the highest ranking midfielder at the Emirates.
      His strongest assets are his defending which is 82, and physicality which is 85.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
      Aubameyang will be Arsenal’s top-rated player on FIFA for another season.
      But he comes in one rating lower than his FIFA 20 ranking – despite finishing last season with 22 goals
      His best attributes this season is his sprint speed and his positioning, which have been ranked 94 and 93 respectively.

      3

      Arsenal fans are upset some players have been ranked so low
      Bukayo Saka
      The youngster’s ranking has seen a big jump from FIFA 20 where he was given a modest 65.
      After some impressive displays he rose to a 74 throughout the season.
      This year his ratings see a slight improvement and he comes in at 75.
      His biggest strengths are his acceleration which is 86, and his sprint speed 82.
      Arsenal’s Full Team Ultimate Ranking
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (87)
      Bernd Leno (85)
      Alexandre Lacazette (83)
      Mesut Ozil (82)
      Willian (82)
      Nicolas Pepe (82)
      Lucas Torreira (81)
      Dani Ceballos (80)
      David Luiz (80)
      Granit Xhaka (80)
      Hector Bellerin (80)
      Sokratis (79)
      Gabriel Magalhaes (78)
      Shkodran Mustafi (78)

      3

      Saka has shot up dramatically in his rankings from last season
      Sead Kolasinac (78)
      Kieran Tierney (78)
      Mohamed Elneny (76)
      Cedric (76)
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles (76)
      Bukayo Saka (75)
      Calum Chambers (75)
      Rob Holding (75)
      Pablo Mari (75)
      Gabriel Martinelli (74)
      William Saliba (74)
      Reiss Nelson (72)
      Joe Willock (71)
      Eddie Nketiah (71)
      Runar Alex Runarsson (70)
      Emile Smith-Rowe (69)

      Some Arsenal fans were left fuming when the FIFA 21 ratings were released, as they believe their club has drastically improved under boss Mikel Arteta.

      Arsenal fans fume as FIFA 21 ratings are revealed with Kieran Tierney just 78 same as flop Sead Kolasinac More

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      Anthony Joshua on FIFA 21 as playable character as fans get to use boxer in Volta mode

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      WORLD heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua will appear as a playable character in FIFA 21.
      Developers EA Sports have introduced a number of new measures to freshen up the football video game franchise that has sold more than 100million copies.

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      Gamers can play as Anthony Joshua in the new Fifa

      And they have gone to great lengths this time to bring in a crossover including Joshua.

      DJ Diplo is another big star to feature in the diverse list of names from the “worlds of football, music, fashion and beyond”.
      Gamers will be able to play as the characters in FIFA’s Volta mode.

      Volta, brought in for FIFA 20, reintroduced the option to have five-a-side clashes.
      Players can take part in tournaments in a number of locations, make their own player (a Tyson Fury lookalike perhaps?) and recruit others to their team.
      Joshua and Diplo will feature as ‘groundbreakers’.
      This new feature lets players take on the famous names and gives them the chance to add them to their team.

      Some big names from football are included too.

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      You have the chance to play as DJ Diplo too

      Players can add the likes of Kaka and Eric Cantona plus current stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold to their squads.
      EA Sports recently put Joshua in a Fight Night simulation against Fury – with the Gypsy King demolishing his rival.
      The pair are set to meet in two blockbuster fights in 2020, with Fury recently teasing Joshua over his punching power.

      Anthony Joshua shows off his explosive power in training as he bulks up for Kubrat Pulev fight More

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      FIFA 21 demo AXED by EA Sports to focus on development for PS5 and Xbox Series X as fans fear game won’t be ready

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      EA SPORTS have confirmed FIFA 21 will NOT be getting a demo – amid fans’ concerns over the upcoming release.
      The latest edition of the annual video game comes out on October 6 and is once again expected to sell millions of copies.

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      Kylian Mbappe is the cover star of this year’s FIFA 21

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      EA Sports have confirmed that fans will not be able to test the game before purchaseCredit: YouTube

      As well as being released on the current generation of consoles, FIFA 21 is being developed for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, which both arrive in November.
      That has led American developer EA to focus further efforts on development for the next generation, cutting the traditional demo as a result.
      EA confirmed: “We aren’t releasing a demo for FIFA 21.
      “Instead we’ve made the decision to focus our development team’s time on delivering the best full game experience for current & next-gen consoles.”

      The decision to bring out a full FIFA title this year contrasts with PES developer Konami, who are releasing a cut-price ‘season update’ game with minimal changes ahead of a full revamp in 2021.
      Both games, along with other annual sporting titles, have faced growing criticism over a lack of improvement between seasons.
      EA’s American Football game, Madden 21, came in for particularly poor reviews after its release last month.
      And, following the demo cancellation, fans are concerned that FIFA faces the same fate.

      We aren’t releasing a demo for FIFA 21.Instead we’ve made the decision to focus our development team’s time on delivering the best full game experience for current & next-gen consoles.We look forward to EA PLAY members jumping in 10 days from now and launching the game Oct 9.
      — EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 21, 2020

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      Twitter user Diego commented: “To not put out a demo when there’s only a week and some left is a pretty big sign they are behind or something in the gameplay is off.”
      Damien joked: “For fifa 21 demo play fifa 20.”
      Another remarked: “Is it gonna be that bad you can’t demo it??”
      One fan wrote: “No FIFA 21 demo hopefully these lot actually work on the game before its release.”

      Sign up to play Dream Team 2020/21 now

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      PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi on trial in Switzerland over corruption charges for Fifa TV rights deal

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN president Nasser al-Khelaifi and former Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke went on trial over corruption changes on Monday.
      The trial of the pair and Greek marketing executive Dinos Deris in Bellinzona, Switzerland, is expected to last two weeks.

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      PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi has went on trial over corruption chargesCredit: Reuters

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      Former Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke is also on trial in SwitzerlandCredit: AFP or licensors

      Qatari Al-Khelaifi, also head of broadcaster beIN Media Group, is accused of inciting Valcke to commit “aggravated criminal mismanagement” of TV rights deal.
      The court will hear that al-Khelaifi, now a member of Uefa’s executive committee, gave Valcke the use of his luxury villa.  
      Valcke and Deris face separate accusations of bribery.
      The former Fifa chief, banned from football in 2018, is said to have taken more than £1m in kickbacks over rights deals.

      Evidence in chief will begin on Tuesday.
      Fifa will help fund a global agency to tackle corruption in sport, its president Gianni Infantino said today.
      Creating a body like the World Anti-Doping Agency to address financial corruption, match-fixing and the influence of organised crime in sport has been talked about for more than a decade without a detailed proposal.

      Infantino said: “We at Fifa are ready to invest in it.”

      PSG have also suffered problems on the pitch as well as off it having lost their opening two Ligue 1 games this season.
      Three of their players were sent off in the 1-0 defeat against Marseille on Sunday after a huge brawl erupted in injury time.

      Angel Di Maria ‘spits’ on Marseille star Gonzalez in crazy end to PSG loss More