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      Who is Lassana Diarra? Ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid star dubbed ‘new Makelele’ & at centre of new transfer ruling

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      LASSANA DIARRA is the man at the centre of what could be a REVOLUTION in how football runs and operates.The retired France international, 39, is a blast from the past for many football fans but hit the headlines after a landmark court ruling over transfers.Lassana Diarra played three seasons at ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated PressWhat happened with Lassana Diarra’s court case?Diarra sued Fifa after it upheld a £16MILLION that was imposed by his former club, Lokomotiv Moscow, following his sacking for allegedly boycotting training over a pay dispute in 2014.Diarra’s case was heard by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg, the highest court in Europe.In a landmark decision, Diarra WON the case after his legal team argued that Fifa had broken European labour laws by refusing to issue the International Transfer Certificate which would have allowed him to join another club and exercise his rights as a professional. The ECJ ruling has now declared current regulations are in breach of EU Law on the free of movement of people.Inside Lassana Diarra’s legal case with FifaLassana Diarra’s case with Fifa dates back to 2014 when he was playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.The former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder was in a dispute with Lokomotiv over wages – with the Russian side ultimately terminating his contract.The case was referred to Fifa’s Dispute and Resolution Chamber (DRC) which ruled against Diarra, fining him £16MILLION.During this time, Diarra received a new contract offer from Belgian side Charleroi.But Charleroi wanted clarification from Fifa that they would not be liable to pay any of the money owed to Lokomotiv.Fifa could not make that guarantee and the move never happened.As a result, Diarra brought new legal action against Fifa and the Belgian league claiming a loss of earnings.That started the long process that has led to this week’s groundbreaking judgment.Diarra’s lawyer was Jean Louis Dupont, the man who had previously transformed the sport in the mid-1990s by successfully working for the introduction of the Bosman ruling, which allowed players to move for free once their contract was up.The Court ruled: “The rules in question are such as to impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.“Those rules impose considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them which, taken together, are such as to impede international transfers of those players.”What are the ramifications of the ruling?Potential ramifications could be huge depending on the full judgement, which will be published later today.Most read in FootballIf the Court has made a strong ruling, it could effectively declare the entire current system is in breach of EU Law.That would see Fifa losing its current authority over the transfer system and allow players the right to break their contracts and change clubs with impunity.In turn, that would end the current “trickle down” system where many smaller clubs are reliant on transfer income.Such an outcome would lead to big stars being able to hawk their services for free but for huge wages, allowing the wealthiest clubs – including the bulk of the Premier League – the opportunity to hoover up the best talent.How football changed after Bosman rulingTHE Bosman Ruling transformed football transfers in 1995.Before the Bosman Ruling, clubs could demand a transfer fee for a player even after their contract had expired.But Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman went to the European Court of Justice and the judge ruled in his favour.And that meant that when a player’s contract expired, they could move freely to another club within the EU without a transfer fee.The landmark court case gave players far more power in the final year of their deals – with clubs either needing to extend them or lose them for nothing at the end of the season.Footballers can now also sign pre-contract agreements with new clubs from January when their deals run out to move on a free transfer.The Bosman Ruling essentially removed the restrictions on EU football players with expired contracts, giving them the same rights as free agents and increasing the freedom of movement.And even with the UK leaving the EU, the Bosman Ruling still applies for Premier League clubs.Who is Lassana Diarra?Lassana, known as ‘Lass’ during his career, was born on March 10, 1985, in Paris to Malian parents.His first club was Paris FC but he bounced around academies, playing for Nantes, Le Mans and Red Star 93 before joining Le Havre aged 18 in 2003.Lassana Diarra became a key player at Real Madrid, winning two trophiesCredit: Action Images – ReutersDiarra had an outstanding first season in senior football, impressing in Ligue 1 and breaking into the Francer Under-21 team.He was then spotted by Chelsea, with chief scout Gwyn Williams dubbing him the new [Claude] Makelele – the Blues spent £1million to secure his signature.Diarra spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge and was named the 2005-06 Young Player of the Year – despite playing just seven matches. He played 31 games in all and was part of the side that won the League Cup and FA Cup in 2007, before moving to Arsenal.Diarra spent just one season in north London, playing only 13 matches, before a move to Portsmouth where he played 32 matches in two seasons, impressing despite struggling with injuries.Diarra then completed a shock move to Real Madrid for around £19m and became one of their key players over the next four seasons, playing 117 games between 2008 and 2012, as well as winning the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012.Lassana Diarra’s career statsLassana Diarra played for some of the top clubs in Europe as an all-action defensive midfielder.He started at Le Havre before earning his big break with a £4million move to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2005.Diarra was largely a rotation option but won an FA Cup and League Cup double with the Blues before a brief move across London to join Arsenal.But it was at Portsmouth where Diarra really made his name, winning a historic FA Cup and earning a massive £19m move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.Diarra played 117 times in five seasons for Los Blancos, winning one LaLiga title, again under Mourinho, and the Copa Del Rey.Then came Diarra’s fateful move to Russia, first Anzhi Makhachkala and then Lokomotiv Moscow, before he saw out his playing career in his native France with Marseille and then PSG, where he won one Liga 1 crown.Le Havre (2003–2005)Chelsea (2005–2007)Portsmouth (2008–2009)Real Madrid (2009–2012)Anzhi Makhachkala (2012–2013)Lokomotiv Moscow (2013–2015)Marseille (2015–2017)Al Jazira (2017–2018)Paris Saint-Germain (2018–2019)A move to Anzhi Makhachkala followed before a move to Lokomotiv Moscow – which is where he fell foul of coach Leonid Kuchuk.Diarra was allegedly asked to take a pay cut and then is said to have refused to turn up to training – Diarra was eventually sacked and later ordered to pay a huge fine and missed a season of football.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe then had spells at Marseille and Al Jazira before finishing his career with Paris Saint-Germain, where helped Unai Emery win the treble in 2017-18.An international for France, Diarra won 34 caps and was named in the 2010 World Cup squad and the Euro 2016 squad. However, he did not play any tournament football due to a blood disorder in 2010 and injury in 2016. More

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      Transfer fees could be SCRAPPED in biggest change to football in 30 years after landmark court case brought against Fifa

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      FIFA’s transfer rules have been declared ILLEGAL by Europe’s highest court.In a landmark ruling that could see the entire transfer system ripped up, the European Court of Justice backed former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra in his case against Fifa.Fifa’s transfer rules have been declared illegal by Europe’s highest court.Credit: GettyLassana Diarra has won a court case arguing Fifa broke European labour lawsCredit: AFP or licensorsFifa could lose its authority over transfers allowing players to move on free transfers for big wagesCredit: GettyDiarra, 39, sued the world body after it upheld a £16m fine imposed on him by former club Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014 after he was sacked for allegedly boycotting training over a pay dispute.The massive fine was halved to £8m after the player appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.But the case has since gone all the way to the Luxembourg-based ECJ, Europe’s highest court.Diarra’s lawyer, Jean Louis Dupont – the man responsible for the “Bosman” ruling in the 1990s that transformed the face of European football – argued that Fifa had broken European labour laws by refusing to issue the International Transfer Certificate which would have allowed him to join another club and exercise his rights as a professional.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in an eagerly-awaited ruling the ECJ has now declared the current regulations are in breach of EU Law on the free movement of people.The Court ruled: “The rules in question are such as to impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.“Those rules impose considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them which, taken together, are such as to impede international transfers of those players.”Potential ramifications could be huge depending on the full judgement, which will be published later today.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIf the Court has made a strong ruling, it could effectively declare the entire current system is in breach of EU Law.That would see Fifa losing its current authority over the transfer system and allow players the right to break their contracts and change clubs with impunity.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsTransfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millionsFORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…What was the case about?Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.Is that it?No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.Okay, so what does the ruling mean?Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.Is everybody agreed about this?Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.In turn, that would end the current “trickle down” system where many smaller clubs are reliant on transfer income.Such an outcome would lead to big stars being able to hawk their services for free but for huge wages, allowing the wealthiest clubs – including the bulk of the Premier League – the opportunity to hoover up the best talent.In its summary of the ruling, the Court added: “Restrictions on the free movement of professional players may be justified by overriding reasons in the public interest consisting in ensuring the regularity of interclub football competitions, by maintaining a certain degree of stability in the player rosters of professional football clubs.Inside Lassana Diarra’s legal case with FifaLASSANA DIARRA’S case with Fifa dates back to 2014 when he was playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.The former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder was in a dispute with Lokomotiv over wages – with the Russian side ultimately terminating his contract.The case was referred to Fifa’s Dispute and Resolution Chamber (DRC) which ruled against Diarra, fining him £16MILLION.During this time, Diarra received a new contract offer from Belgian side Charleroi.But Charleroi wanted clarification from Fifa that they would not be liable to pay any of the money owed to Lokomotiv.Fifa could not make that guarantee and the move never happened.As a result, Diarra brought new legal action against Fifa and the Belgian league claiming a loss of earnings.That started the long process that has led to this week’s groundbreaking judgment.“But these rules have as their object the restriction, and even prevention, of cross-border competition by unilaterally recruiting players under contract with another club or players about whom it is alleged that the employment contract was terminated without just cause.“The possibility of competing by recruiting trained players plays an essential role in the professional football sector.“Rules which place a general restriction on that form of competition, by immutably fixing the distribution of workers between the employers and in cloistering the markets, are similar to a no-poach agreement.“Those rules do not appear to be indispensable or necessary.”Dupont declared the ruling a “total victory”, adding that the Court had “severely censured the structurally illegal actions of the current regulations”.How football changed after Bosman rulingTHE Bosman Ruling transformed football transfers in 1995.Before the Bosman Ruling, clubs could demand a transfer fee for a player even after their contract had expired.But Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman went to the European Court of Justice and the judge ruled in his favour.And that meant that when a player’s contract expired, they could move freely to another club within the EU without a transfer fee.The landmark court case gave players far more power in the final year of their deals – with clubs either needing to extend them or lose them for nothing at the end of the season.Footballers can now also sign pre-contract agreements with new clubs from January when their deals run out to move on a free transfer.The Bosman Ruling essentially removed the restrictions on EU football players with expired contracts, giving them the same rights as free agents and increasing the freedom of movement.And even with the UK leaving the EU, the Bosman Ruling still applies for Premier League clubs.He said: “This paves the way for a modernisation of governance, in particular through the use of collective bargaining between employees and employers.“All professional players who have been affected by these illegal rules can therefore now seek compensation for their losses.“We are convinced that this will force Fifa to submit to the EU rule of law and speed up the modernisation of governance.”Diarra’s dispute originated in 2014 when he left Lokomotiv Moscow following a disagreement over his salary.The midfielder’s contract was terminated and he was subsequently fined £16million by Fifa after the Russia club took the case to the Fifa resolution chamber seeking damages.Diarra almost signed for Belgian side Charleroi at the same time and they wanted assurances from Fifa that they would not be liable for those damages if he joined, but those guarantees were not forthcoming.READ MORE SUN STORIESFifa rules stipulate an international transfer certificate must be granted by the league a player is leaving – but the Russia league did not grant it.As a result, Diarra began legal action against Fifa and the Belgian football league, claiming a loss of earnings, and was initially unsuccessful before the latest ruling.Lassana Diarra’s career statsLASSANA DIARRA played for some of the top clubs in Europe as an all-action defensive midfielder.He started at Le Havre before earning his big break with a £4million move to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2005.Diarra was largely a rotation option but won an FA Cup and League Cup double with the Blues before a brief move across London to join Arsenal.But it was at Portsmouth where Diarra really made his name, winning a historic FA Cup and earning a massive £19m move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.Diarra played 117 times in five seasons for Los Blancos, winning one LaLiga title, again under Mourinho, and the Copa Del Rey.Then came Diarra’s fateful move to Russia, first Anzhi Makhachkala and then Lokomotiv Moscow, before he saw out his playing career in his native France with Marseille and then PSG, where he won one Liga 1 crown.Le Havre (2003–2005)Chelsea (2005–2007)Portsmouth (2008–2009)Real Madrid (2009–2012)Anzhi Makhachkala (2012–2013)Lokomotiv Moscow (2013–2015)Marseille (2015–2017)Al Jazira (2017–2018)Paris Saint-Germain (2018–2019) More

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      Fifa introduce unprecedented THIRD transfer window with major change set to come in next year

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      FIFA have announced a special transfer loophole will be created for next summer’s new Club World Cup.Chelsea and Manchester City will be England’s representatives in the 32-team tournament to be played in the USA.Fifa have announced a new transfer window will be introduced next summerCredit: AFPThe changes will affect clubs competing in the expanded Club World CupCredit: GettyAnd both Prem clubs – and their rivals – will be able to complete some of next season’s transfers early to allow the players to take part in Fifa’s new flagship competition.Under current transfer regulations, the majority of contracts, alongside player registration periods, run until June 30.The new competition will be played from June 15 to July 13 – meaning that players and managers  could theoretically be out of contract half-way through.Current contracts for City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan will expire on June 30, as will Pep Guardiola’s, although the manager has indicated he is keen to sign a new deal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJadon Sancho’s loan spell at Chelsea is also due to finish on the same date, while Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich have SEVEN senior players out of contract at the end of the season.But at Thursday’s meeting of Fifa’s ruling Council, global chiefs agreed “unanimously” to bring in rules that will only apply to the 32 teams taking part.As long as their national associations, including the FA, agree, competing clubs will be allowed an 10-day “exceptional registration window” from June 1, allowing players joining them to play in the planned £600m prize fund tournament.There will also be a second temporary window lasting six days from June 27 for participating clubs to replace or re-register players who start the tournament on their books but whose contract then lapse mid-competition.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe changes mean Bayern could end up facing Real Madrid target, Canada’s Alphonse Davies, former Etihad winger Leroy Sane, versatile defender and midfielder Joshua Kimmich or keeper Manuel Neuer in the US less than three weeks after they feature for the Bavarians in the Champions League Final in the Allianz Arena.Early registration will only be permitted if both clubs and the players involved approve and nobody will be allowed to play for two teams during the month of action.Premier League joins move to boycott Fifa Club World CupKevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan’s contracts currently expire during the tournamentCredit: AlamyFifa said the “objective” was to “encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation”.In an additional move, Fifa chiefs agreed that any players called up for the Concacaf Gold Cup taking place on the west coast of the USA at the same time will have the choice of whether to represent their club or nation.That mainly applies to Mexican players, with three clubs – Monterrey, Club Leon and Pachuca – having qualified for the Fifa tournament but would also see left-back Davies having to choose between club or country.Fifa President Gianni Infantino said: “The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will kick off a new era for club football across the world, with the top teams competing to be crowned the official FIFA club world champions.“These regulations will ensure that the best possible conditions are in place in order for all 32 participating clubs and the best players in the world to shine at the highest level.”Bayern Munich have seven players out of contract at the end of June 2025Credit: AFP More

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      Three-time Champions League winner Samuel Eto’o handed six-month Fifa ban from attending national team matches

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      BARCELONA icon Samuel Eto’o has been banned from attending Cameroon national team matches for six months.The former Chelsea and Everton forward has been sanctioned by Fifa for breaching two articles of their Disciplinary Code.Samuel Eto’o has been banned from attending Cameroon matches for six months by FifaCredit: GettyEto’o, who retired in 2019 after a spell playing in Qatar, now acts as the President of the Cameroonian Football Association.But despite the prestigious role, the 43-year-old will not be able to attend any men’s or women’s Cameroon fixtures across all age groups for the next six months.It comes after he was found to have breached rules pertaining to “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconducts of players of officials”.The breaches are said to have taken place during a last 16 clash between Brazil and Cameroon at the Women’s U20 Fifa World Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFifa’s statement for the ban revealed no details of the incidents.The ban comes just under three months after Eto’o was slapped with a £150,000 fine by the African Football Confederation (CAF) for “seriously violating the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship”.That was in relation to signing a deal to be an ambassador for betting company 1XBET while holding his position with the Cameroonian FA.The retired striker has since appealed that decision and denied all wrongdoing.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBack in 2021, Eto’o was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence for pleading guilty to tax fraud.He was also handed a £1.4m fine at the same time.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseControversy followed the three-time Champions League winner in 2022, when he issued an apology after a video appeared to show him kneeing a man in the face in Qatar during the World Cup.Eto’o’s playing career saw him make 118 appearances for the Cameroonian national side, bagging 56 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice.He won three Champions Leagues, three Spanish titles and one Italian league title in a club career that saw him play for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid amongst others. More

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      Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star Lassana Diarra’s legal action against Fifa risks ‘anarchy’ and changing transfers forever

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      FORMER Premier League midfielder Lassana Diarra will learn the outcome of his legal battle with FIFA this week.The 39-year-old’s case stems from his time with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and a dispute over wages.Lassana Diarra will learn the outcome of his legal battle this weekCredit: RexThe case stemmed from his time with Lokomotiv MoscowCredit: GettyIn the summer of 2014, Diarra fell out with then-Lokomotiv manager Leonid Kuchuk.Club officials subsequently tried reducing his salary, suggesting it was justified due to his drop in performance.The Frenchman refused to accept the pay cut and eventually stopped attending training.Lokomotiv terminated his contract as a result and took the matter to FIFA.Read More in FootballThe football governing body banned Diarra before the Court of Aarbitration for Sport ordered him to pay €10.5million plus interest in compensation.Belgian club Royal Charleroi then made him an offer, subject to a guarantee they would not have to pay any additional compensation sought by Lokomotiv.But when they did not receive those guarantees, they withdrew the proposal.Diarra’s legal team argue this amounted to a restriction of trade and a breach of European labour law because Diarra was prevented from engaging in his profession.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFIFA refused to issue the international transfer certificate (ITC) which Charleroi needed to register him.Diarra claims he played no role in talks between Lokomotiv and Anzhi Makhachkala, his former club, but still found himself blocked from resuming his career after being denied his ITC.Chelsea Player vs Brighton RatingsThe Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will now determine whether FIFA’s refusal to issue the ITC was lawful or not.If it is not deemed lawful, FIFA may have to overhaul the whole ITC process.The football governing body could lose authority in the transfer market as a result, with clubs and players taking more control.Belgian sports law experts and academics Robby Houben, Oliver Budzinski and Melchior Wathelet suggested: “The likely practical outcome of Diarra will be that the transfer system in football, as we know it, will fall.”The Guardian also claim it could lead to “anarchy”.Diarra’s legal case is set to be concluded on Friday, October 4. More

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      Fifa confirm 12 stadiums for new-look Club World Cup including TWO £1.2BILLION NFL grounds and 88,500-seat Olympic venue

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      FIFA have confirmed the 12 stadiums that will host games for the new-look Club World Cup set to begin this season.The tournament, scheduled to begin on June 15, will take place in the USA and has already sparked controversy over its format.Fifa have confirmed the 12 stadiums that will be used for the Club World CupCredit: GettyThe Atlanta’s Falcon’s £1.2bn home – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – will be one arena used for the tournamentCredit: ReutersDC United’s Audi Field will host matches despite holding just 20,000 fansCredit: ReutersThe US, who will also be hosting the World Cup proper in 2026 alongside Mexico and Canada, will offer up 12 incredible stadiums for the tournament. Some 32 teams will compete in 63 matches across the 12 arenas to earn the title of Club World Cup champions.The chosen grounds range from capacities of 20,000 to a whopping 88,500.The matches will stretch from coast to coast with games played in iconic US cities like Los Angeles, Nashville and Washington D.C.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe smallest stadium set to be used is Audi Field in Washington D.C. Home of MLS side DC United, the 20,000 seater stadium is one of few purpose built football grounds in the lineup.Just three other MLS-only grounds are being used for the tournament, TQL Stadium in Cincinnati; Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee; Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.While six NFL stadiums will be commandeered by the footballing world this summer – including TWO £1.2BILLION super stadiums.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEvery Club World Cup stadiumHere’s a look at every stadium being used for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in the USA…Mercedes-Benz StadiumLocation: Atlanta, GACapacity: 75,000Bank of America StadiumLocation: Charlotte, NCCapacity: 75,000TQL StadiumLocation: Cincinnati, OHCapacity: 26,000Rose Bowl StadiumLocation: Los Angeles, CACapacity: 88,500Hard Rock StadiumLocation: Miami, FLCapacity: 65,000GEODIS ParkLocation: Nashville, TNCapacity: 30,000MetLife StadiumLocation: New York New JerseyCapacity: 82,500Camping World StadiumLocation: Orlando, FLCapacity: 65,000Inter&Co StadiumLocation: Orlando, FLCapacity: 25,000Lincoln Financial FieldLocation: Philadelphia, PACapacity: 69,000Lumen FieldLocation: Seattle, WACapacity: 69,000Audi FieldLocation: Washington, D.C.Capacity: 20,000Both the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, and the MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Jets and New York Giants, will host matches for the controversial tournament. The largest stadium announced as a host ground is the iconic Rose Bowl in California.Premier League joins move to boycott Fifa Club World CupThe former Olympic stadium will boast a capacity of 88,500 for the upcoming tournament and has held a record 106,869 fans in the past.The incredible colosseum-like arena is recognised as a National Historic Landmark in the US and is best known for its use as a venue for college level American football in the States. Fifa announced the 12-strong list on Saturday in New York City as they continue to hype up their new-look tournament.Despite a new model that will see 32 teams from six continental confederations face off against each other, there has been huge backlash against the fast-approaching tournament.Players have expressed their concerns over hectic calendars leaving them with no time for recovery this summer.While Fifpro, the players’ international federation, claimed that the scheduling “will undercut the rest and recovery time of these players at the end of the 2024-25 season”.Adding that they believe that Fifa’s new plan “demonstrates a lack of consideration for the mental and physical health of participating players, as well as a disregard for their personal and family lives.”The Premier League has also threatened a boycott of the competition with PFA boss Maheta Molango telling SunSport: “Football is killing its own product.”Those who run the game need to listen. If they don’t, then as unions we have a responsibility to the players to take action — and the legal route is the next step.”At the moment Chelsea and Manchester City are the only two Premier League clubs set to participate in the competition next year.Despite the tournament being just around the corner, Fifa are yet to announce any broadcast agreements for the Club World Cup.READ MORE SUN STORIESFootball’s governing body claim that this summer’s tournament will “crown the ultimate global champion”.While some clubs have been disappointed to be left out of contention with the tournament understood to be offering up some £600m in prize money.Teams competing in the Club World CupHere’s a look at which teams will play in next summer’s Club World Cup…Europe: Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Real Madrid, Red Bull SalzburgSouth America: Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palameiras, River PlateNorth and Central America and Caribbean: León, Monterrey, Pachuca, Seattle SoundersAfrica: Al Ahly, Espérance, Mamelodi Sundowns, WaydadAsia: Al-Hilal, Al Ain, Ulsan, UrawaOceania: Auckland CityThe iconic Rose Bowl will host a number of gamesCredit: GettyLincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, will also host matchesCredit: ReutersThe Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is one of the host groundsCredit: GettyOrlando City’s Inter & Co Stadium is one of few custom-built MLS stadiums to be used for the tournamentCredit: ReutersMetLife Stadium is another £1.2bn arena that will host matchesCredit: Getty More

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      Kevin De Bruyne could leave Man City midway through tournament with Real Madrid also facing contract chaos

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      KEVIN DE BRYUNE is one of a number of top stars who could leave their clubs next summer in the MIDDLE of the new Club World Cup.The newly expanded tournament will feature 32 teams – the Premier League’s representatives are Manchester City and Chelsea – playing in the United States across June and July.Kevin De Bruyne is among the stars whose contracts are expiring in the middle of the Club World Cup next summerCredit: GettyReal Madrid’s Luka Modric is another star with this problemCredit: AlamyHowever, Fifa has yet to secure a TV deal for the tournament and confirm venues the games will be played at before the July 13 final.It has been heavily criticised for adding more fixtures to an already packed calendar.And these are not the only headaches looming over the tournament.According to The Telegraph, players competing in the tournament have begun seeing clarity over their contract situations.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis is because the dates of the competition overlap June 30, which is the year-end for registrations globally recognised by Fifa.Several top stars will see their contract expire on the date next summer, meaning in theory that players could start playing the tournament for one team and end it with another.Belgium international De Bruyne is one of these.The report states many more players from the 12 Uefa clubs in the tournament have also asked for clarity over whether they would be allowed to compete due to their contracts being up.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne source said: “If this had been held last summer, Kylian Mbappe would have started the Club World Cup playing for PSG and ended it at Real Madrid.”Real Madrid have three major stars who come under this bracket, with Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vasquez all out of contract next summer. Man City vs Arsenal WagsMeanwhile, Bayern Munich have six players affected by the issue, with Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Eric Dier, Sven Ulreich and Alphonso Davies all out of contract next summer. Davies is a long-term transfer target of Madrid, so may have his future acutely impacted.Football’s governing body have created a never-before-seen dilemma with competitive club football not usually played at that time of year, which is when contract decisions are made en masse.Numerous legal issues surrounding said contracts may also unfold, with factors such as agent fees, salary and insurance all surrounding free agents. Fifa are expected to announce the venues for the tournament in the coming weeks, with much of it set to be played in the eastern USA.The expected venues are the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey; Washington DC’s FedEx Field; Philadelphia’s Subaru Park; Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium; Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium and Seattle’s Lumen Field.READ MORE SUN STORIESFifa president Gianni Infantino also faces problems such as audience interest in the States and a potential player revolution before it comes about.Man City star Rodri has hinted it may be a possibility for players to ensure they are heard, after persistent complaints that they are not listened to over concerns of match load.Alphonso Davies could switch from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid in the middle of the tournamentCredit: Getty More

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      New Champions League format is tiring enough to follow let alone play in – it’s time to listen to the players

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      SUPPORTERS are bound to like more top-class football.But the players? Not so much.Karren Brady insists Uefa chiefs need to listen to the playersCredit: GettyThe new Champions League format has added even more fixturesCredit: EPAA number of them are so tired at the thought of an expanded football programme in Europe and to an extension of the Club World Cup next summer that they are threatening to strike.The people who pay to watch ask: Why?Premier League stars are millionaires and the demand for additional Continental matches means greater fame and bigger earnings.Players understand this reaction but as Aston Villa captain John McGinn pointed out after the win over Young Boys in a freshly minted Champions League: “At times, the mental side of things you need to switch off.Read More on Football“It is hard to churn them out when you are playing 70-plus games a season and then internationals. There’s not a lot of time to rest.”Uefa have added two extra fixtures — it could be four for some — to a competition which had been a straightforward formula of sorting out the better teams from leagues of four clubs.The new arrangement opens with a league of 36 clubs — a magical confusion of ties in four sections each between clubs of similar standards before knockout matches begin with play-offs just to get into the Last 16.I don’t know about player fatigue, my own mental side is pretty tired at that lot.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSYou might also wonder about the reason behind this restructuring.Cynics are even suggesting extra profits will appease the Super League rebel crew and circumnavigate any possible future revolution. Uefa and Fifa made the decision that the plot should be altered.Rodri sensationally claims players are close to STRIKING over schedule after Alisson says ‘our opinion does not matter’Next summer the refashioned Club World Cup will take its bow and among the clubs competing are Chelsea and Manchester City.City are going to have a busy summer. No wonder midfielder Rodri talked in strike terms, adding that 40 to 50 matches should be about maximum for a season.He  played 63 competitive games for club and country last season, and featured for 5,598 minutes between July 2023 and July 2024, including pre-season friendlies.If Rodri is feeling the effects, spare a thought for team-mate Phil Foden, who played 69 competitive games last term and 72 in all.Some will say City are victims of their own success but that success is becoming a punishment for the players.And it’s only going to get worse. It’s expected with Prem games, domestic cup competitions, Europe, internationals and the Club World Cup, City’s players could play up to 85 times this season.No wonder the players are concerned about their own well-being. No one else seems to be giving it a thought.Players need to be heardWhilst the men in suits and white trainers sit in Switzerland and extend the football calendar, no one even bothered to seek the opinion of the players.Liverpool No 1 Alisson said: “Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games, so maybe our opinion doesn’t matter.”That’s woeful, as it should matter the most.As the PFA pointed out: “Players and their unions have asked to be listened to. “When they are ignored, the natural consequence is that players will begin to consider all options.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Players are repeatedly saying  enough is enough and this must  act as a serious wake-up call to  authorities.”I don’t expect a strike but it is reasonable for the men in shorts to ask the men in suits to listen to them. More