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      Chelsea could face Prem points deduction as leaked files raise questions over how Abramovich funded club

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      CHELSEA FC could face a points deduction after leaked docs revealed Roman Abramovich may have breached football rules.A string of secret payments by the Russian oligarch ex-owner allegedly helped fund the club’s success over more than a decade.
      Roman Abramovich may have breached ‘financial fair play’ regulations while Chelsea owner, new documents suggestCredit: Getty
      One secret payment appears to be linked to former coach Antonio Conte’s contract dealCredit: Getty
      The hidden payments allegedly may have helped fuel Chelsea’s success over more than a decadeCredit: AFP – Getty
      Leaked documents are said to reveal a hidden money trail worth tens of millions of pounds.
      Evidence suggests off-book funds, routed through offshore accounts belonging to Abramovich, could have broken “financial fair play” regulations.
      The transactions are alleged to have benefited Chelsea and questions are being raised over whether they were officially declared to football’s governing bodies.
      The beneficiaries appear to include an associate of former manager Antonio Conte, the former clubs of star signings Bertrand Traoré, Samuel Eto’o and Willian and various Chelsea FC officials.
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      Experts said the transactions, uncovered by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, could lead to the Premier League imposing punishments such as a deduction of points or a large fine.
      Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, author of The Price of Football, said Chelsea’s huge spending meant the club habitually flirted with limits on financial losses.
      He said: “If there is proof that the club has used third party transactions to circumvent the profitability and sustainability rules then sanctions would be either financial or a points deduction.
      “The latter is more likely as any commission investigating a club’s circumstances will want to put out a deterrent that dissuades others from repeating such behaviour.”
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      Chelsea’s finances were already being examined by the Premier League as part of an investigation covering the period from 2012 to 2019.
      The west London club announced that “incomplete financial information” had been submitted while Abramovich was owner.
      Uefa, the governing body of European football, has already fined the club £8.6million over the admission, and the Football Association is also said to be investigating.
      The new documents – spanning a longer period – have sparked a fresh round of scrutiny over whether Abramovich repeatedly flouted football rules.
      The payments came to light after a major investigation known as Cyprus Confidential into 3.6million records.
      The alleged off-book payments link the signing of coach Antonio Conte and a business deal Abramovich made with an Italian football agent, Federico Pastorello.
      He signed a deal with in July 2017 with Conibair Holdings – an Abramovich-owned company registered in the British Virgin Islands.
      Conibair paid Pastorello – who is reportedly close to Conte – £10million for a 75 per cent stake in a US-based business fund.
      The same day, Chelsea announced that Conte had signed a new £9.6million-a-year contract.
      Another Abramovich owned company, Leiston Holdings, also paid £1million in 2013 to Bertrand Traoré’s ex-club, Association des Jeunes Espoirs de Bobo.
      The contract was signed two months after the full-back officially signed for the Blues.
      Other payments are said to be related to the signings of Willian and Samuel Eto’o in 2013.
      A further company owned by the ex-Chelsea boss made payments that appear to have benefited the owner of their former a club, Anzhi Makhachkala.
      After the payments were made the now defunct club, Chelsea signed Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o and Brazil forward Willian in two days.
      It comes after bombshell files also linked the oligarch to two men dubbed Vladimir Putin’s “wallets”, according to a BBC investigation.
      The dossier of uncovered documents revealed new evidence that reportedly links Abramovich to a secret £26million deal in 2010.
      The alleged covert deal saw a transfer of shares in Video International, a highly-profitable Russian advertising company, for less than they appeared to be worth.
      The transactions were allegedly made by companies owned by a trust connected with Abramovich to two members of Putin’s inner circle, who in return received millions of dollars in dividends.
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      Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK and EU over to his links to Putin following his bloody invasion of Ukraine.
      He was forced to sell Chelsea FC last year after 19 years as owner.
      The leaked docs have raised questions over the signing of Brazil forward WillianCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Samuel Eto’o’s signing in 2013 coincided with an off-the-books payment to his former club, it is allegedCredit: PA
      The signing of midfielder Bertrand Traoré is also under scrutinyCredit: AFP or licensors
      Putin-linked billionaire Roman Abramovich owned Chelsea for 19 yearsCredit: Alamy More

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      Furious England fans blast ’embarrassing’ and ‘wrong’ FA request for Euro 2028 and say ‘how boring is that?’

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      THREE Lions fans were left fuming as the FA has reportedly requested for Wembley to host ALL of England’s Euro 2028 fixtures.The five-nation British Isles bid – featuring England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – was accepted by Uefa this week.
      England are to be offered the chance to play all their Euro 2028 games at WembleyCredit: Getty
      The original plans include six venues across England – Wembley, Villa Park, St James’ Park, the Etihad, Everton’s in-construction new home at Bramley Moore Dock and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      BUT now Gareth Southgate’s side are set to be given the chance to play all their Euro 2028 matches at Wembley.
      The commercial benefits of staging England matches there are likely to see the FA get their way.
      The other home nations will also lobby Uefa to play their own fixtures at their national stadiums, assuming they qualify.
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      With Casement Park in Belfast, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium the non-English venues to be awarded matches.
      But England fans have blasted the proposition.
      One supporter wrote: “How boring is that!”
      A second added: “That’s totally wrong. I’d prefer it went around the country.”
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      A third fan said: “So they expect England fans to travel to London?”
      A fourth declared: “Absolutely embarrassing.”
      The Three Lions will stage 28 of the 51 matches, including both semi-finals and the final at Wembley.
      With Wembley originally expected to get eight games including both semi-finals and the final.
      Big stadiums to miss out are Manchester United’s Old Trafford, West Ham’s London Stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield.
      A final decision on the match schedule for Euro 2028 will not be discussed until after next summer’s Euros, when the qualification process for the tournament will be decided.
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed that all the host nations wanted to go through qualifying, but Uefa will keep two spots open in reserve for any who fail to qualify. More

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      Uefa break their own protocol as Euro 2032 hosts are confirmed as Italy and Turkey

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      ITALY and Turkey will co-host Euro 2032 – despite the joint bid BREACHING Uefa’s own regulations.The European football governing body’s rule states that joint hosts must be neighbouring countries.
      UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin announced the news todayCredit: Reuters
      Juventus’ Allianz Stadium could host matchesCredit: Getty
      The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to be used again after hosting last season’s Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      Yet despite the nearest points of Italy and Turkey being around 600 miles apart – with Greece between them – the 2032 tournament will be split equally with five stadiums in each country.
      Astonishingly, the Turks are in a better place in terms of infrastructure than Italy.
      They are likely to use as many as four stadiums in Istanbul plus one in the capital Ankara.
      Meanwhile, Italy have received positive responses from Uefa on just three grounds.
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      Their FA boss Gabriele Gravina said: “The challenges we face are enormous and we’ve never had the courage to face them before.
      “Euro 2032 will be a great stimulus, full of opportunities.”
      Turkish counterpart Mehmet Buyukeksi added: “This is a great day for Turkish football, one that many of us having been dreaming about for years.”
      Before the action in nine years time, the 2024 Euros will be held in Germany at the end of this season.
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      It will be followed by the 2028 tournament, which Uefa confirmed will be hosted in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
      Turkey were competing with the British Isles bid but with them on course to lose they withdrew and turned there attention to partnering Italy for 2032. More

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      Russia could be allowed to play international football again as Fifa ‘considers lifting blanket ban’

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      FIFA could end its total ban on Russian teams this AFTERNOON.But the new position, bringing world chiefs in line with Uefa’s controversial move last week, will ONLY apply to Under-17 sides.
      Russia could return to international footballCredit: Getty
      They have been banned since Valdimir Putin the invaded UkraineCredit: Reuters
      Fifa and Uefa reacted to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by booting Russia out of the World Cup play-offs.
      The nation were banned from entering the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and all club sides also prevented from playing in official competitions.
      But last week an acrimonious meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee voted to allow Under-17 sides to compete, with the condition that no national flags or kit were used and the matches played outside Russian territory.
      The FA led a fierce backlash, with other countries including Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania backing Ukraine’s stance that there should be no leeway for Russia, even for “children”.
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      It subsequently emerged that the Swedish and Danish representatives on Uefa had SUPPORTED the move, despite the stance of the national federations they represent.
      And now Fifa is poised to take the same step at this afternoon’s meeting of its ruling Council.
      The Fifa decision would allow Under-17 Russian sides to play in the Fifa junior World Cup if they qualify through the Uefa tournaments.
      However, the finals of next year’s women’s version is due to be played in Sweden and the Swedish FA has reiterated its stance that Russia will not be allowed to compete.
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      Today’s likely vote represents a dilemma for FA chair Debbie Hewitt, elected as the Home Nations vice-president.
      As a representative of European football, she will be expected to back Uefa’s position but that is diametrically opposed to that of the FA.
      Russia have still been permitted to play friendly matches since being slapped with the ban.
      It was once reported that they were considering switching to the Asian confederation to escape Uefa’s sanctions. More

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      Uefa considering creating a SUPER LEAGUE with relegations and possible weekend games – meaning end of Champions League

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      UEFA are reportedly considering creating their own Super League in a move that would mean the end of the Champions League.European football’s governing body are set to discuss plans for a new competition, which would feature relegations and possible weekend games.
      Uefa are planning to create their own Super League
      The news comes over two years on from the failed plot to launch a European Super League to rival the Champions League.
      However, Spanish newspaper El Pais now reports that Uefa and the European Club Association are refining their own idea for a Super League.
      Their plans consist of three leagues made up of 18 teams each, with promotion and relegation between the divisions.
      The divisions would be named the Super League, Europa League and Aspiring League, meaning an end to the Champions League.
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      According to the report, the plans will be discussed at the next Uefa Executive Committee meeting.
      There will be four teams relegated and promoted between the second and third division, with two spots between the top two leagues.
      It is understood that this comes from elite clubs not wanting the risk of relegation to be as big.
      They have also requested that the relegation from the Super League is determined by an average of three or five seasons instead of one.
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      If put into action, the planned Super League would not begin until after the end of the 2024-27 cycle.
      Plans are being drawn up for each league to be split into two groups with a final stage, to avoid clubs playing 34 matches on top of their league schedules.
      Teams will be allowed to name squads of 34 players, though, in order to cope with the additional matches.
      Some of those fixtures could even be played on weekends in place of international matches.
      Meanwhile, winning a domestic league title or achieving a high league position could be rewarded with a cash bonus or extra points in the Super League. More

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      Fans spot Newcastle have been forced to make major change to kit due to little known Uefa Champions League rule

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      NEWCASTLE were forced to change their kit for their Champions League opener against AC Milan due to a little-known Uefa rule.Eddie Howe led his side out in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years at the San Siro on Tuesday night as they earned a hard-fought goalless draw.
      Newcastle got rid of the stripes going through their numbers to adhere to Uefa rules
      This is how the back of Newcastle’s kit looks in Premier League gamesCredit: Rex
      But the black and white stripes that usually stretch down the back of the shirt – through the players numbers – were removed to adhere with the competition’s guidelines.
      Uefa’s rules state “the area on the back of a playing shirt [is] reserved exclusively for the shirt number” and that the number zone “must extend 2cm above the highest point and 3cm below the lowest point of the two digits, and horizontally 3cm from the left edge of the left-hand digit and 3cm from the right edge of the right-hand digit”.
      The zone also has to be “free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising”.
      And those on social media could instantly see something about Newcastle’s kit had been changed.
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      One said: “That Newcastle kit looks strange.”
      While another added: “Something about Newcastle’s kit looks weird.”
      But others were loving the look, with a viewer reacting: “That Champions League edition Newcastle kit is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
      Newcastle have been drawn in an incredibly tough Group F.
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      Football fans were quick to spot the alteration to the Toon’s strip
      Alongside seven-time winners AC Milan, Howe’s men will also face 1997 champions Borussia Dortmund and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
      But they will have taken positives from the draw with Milan despite being second best for much of the game.
      Newcastle’s first home Champions League game at St James’ Park comes at home to PSG on October 4, before they host Borussia Dortmund three weeks later. More

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      Newcastle could face Uefa punishment without kicking a ball as storm throws Champions League plans into chaos

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      NEWCASTLE could face a Uefa punishment because of a storm that has disrupted their Champions League plans.Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference was delayed by the torrential weather spreading across Europe.
      Uefa could dish out a punishment for Eddie Howe’s delayed press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s flight to Milan was delayed by almost three hoursCredit: Getty
      Howe and his Newcastle squad landed in Milan around 7:50pm local time on Monday night.
      Uefa rules state press conferences must take place between 12-8pm.
      Newcastle had scheduled their press conference to take place at 7pm, but stormy conditions disrupted their journey to northern Italy.
      The Magpies boss eventually spoke to the assembled media at 9pm.
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      Toon were supposed to travel to Milan Malpensa Airport at 2:30pm, but their flight only took off at 4:49pm.
      Howe revealed he and the squad were forced to wait on the runway for some time before departing.
      He said: “I believe it was a weather problem, so we were delayed taking off. We were sat on the runway for quite some time. It was nothing that’s too out of the ordinary for us. We do a lot of travelling in the UK, and it can happen from time to time. We’re here now.
      “It’s just part and parcel of the job that we do. It’s not out of the normal that that can happen. This was a weather problem, but we’ve been in similar situations.
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      “It’s been a long day for us, we had an early start and a late finish. It’s been a day of preparation, trying to get all of our game plan right and make sure we’re as well organised as we can be for tomorrow’s game. It’s been intense. As soon as the game finished against Brentford, we immediately turned our attention to this one.
      “It’s something we’re used to, although it’s a slightly later arrival time than we would have liked for the players. It’s no big deal though.
      “The thought of not coming earlier in the day was so we could do our tactical work behind closed doors. For me, that’s so important, that we get our work done and are able to work because it’s such a small amount of time between games. It was really valuable that we did that.
      “I don’t think it impacted the flight schedule, the weather did that. We wanted to train and prepare for the game, whereas if you train here then that goes out of the window.”
      And although the delay was out of the club’s control, Newcastle could still be sanctioned after breaking Article 73.
      The regulation states: “Article 73 of the UEFA regulations state: “Press conferences must start between 12.00 and 20.00 local time. Exceptions to these timings must be agreed in advance with UEFA.”
      However it is possible Uefa will let Newcastle off the hook as the bad weather was unpredictable and out of their control.
      The Magpies take on AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday in their first Champions League game for 20 years. More

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      Who is Champions League draw star Giorgio Marchetti?

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      GIORGIO Marchetti is well known in the footballing world, with a career spanning decades.He has worked in the sport since the 1980s, but who is he?
      Giorgio Marchetti is known for drawing football teamsCredit: AFP
      Who is Giorgio Marchetti?
      Giorgio Marchetti is best known as the person who conducts the draws for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League throughout the campaign.
      Before this job he has had quite the career in the footballing industry.
      The Italian started off as a sports manager in the football league.
      At the beginning of 2004, with the new management of Lars-Christer Olsson as general manager, he was called by the European confederation to be the marketing and commercial director.
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      What does Giorgio Marchetti do at UEFA?
      Marchetti’s work at UEFA began in 2007 when he became director of all UEFA club and country competitions.
      In December 2016, he became Director of Sport and was promoted to the position of UEFA Deputy Secretary General.
      Due to being director of competitions he assisted in carrying out the draws for all UEFA competitions.
      He is recognised for conducting the draws for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
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      Marchetti has earned quite a following from the job, with supporters often tweeting their support during the draw for each competition.
      Speaking to the Daily Star about his role at UEFA, Giorgio admitted that he feels pressure when he draws the teams for each competition.
      He explained: “You feel huge pressure when you are live to deliver something which catches such eager attention among worldwide football fans.
      “What I try to do is to avoid thinking about anything which is not what’s happening on stage and following our procedure correctly. That’s not always easy, at times I feel I would need some kind of zen technique…”
      Is Giorgio Marchetti married and does he have children?
      Yes, Marchetti is married and has children.
      He is married to Matilde and the pair have three children together, Andrea, Davide and Matteo.
      The family live in Nyon, which is the city where UEFA is based. More