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    Man Utd and Liverpool slapped with £8k fines by Uefa after Simeone is pelted by fans and delay in kick-off vs Benfica

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a fine by Uefa after fans threw missiles at Diego Simeone at the end of their defeat to Atletico Madrid.Simeone oversaw a second leg 1-0 win at Old Trafford that saw United knocked out of the Champions League.
    Diego Simeone sprinted to the tunnel at the end of his team’s win over Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
    Bottles, cans and even a pie were thrown at the Atletico Madrid boss
    His team frustrated United throughout and fans’ anger boiled over after the full-time whistle.
    Simeone immediately sprinted down the touchline to head to the tunnel but furious fans began pelting him with bottles, cans and other objects – including a pie.
    United have also launched an investigation into the incident and will try to identify those responsible for throwing objects.
    Simeone said after the incident: “No, when I came off the pitch, I ran because I was happy and I like to enjoy it in the dressing room.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on Man Utd.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-ybrhvy{width:100%;}.css-18wqsel{display:inline-block;transition-property:color;transition-duration:200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 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    “So I don’t know what happened. What you just said, all I was thinking about was getting into the changing room to the dressing room, and I was really happy.”
    Uefa’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body have now fined the club £8,500 for the incident.
    It is the third time Uefa have dished out such a punishment with the Red Devils also fined the same amount after three fans invaded the pitch in a match against Young Boys this season.
    A similar incident in United’s win at Villarreal, which included missile throwing and a pitch invasion, resulted in a £7,400 fine from Uefa.
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    Liverpool have also been slapped with a fine by Uefa after kick-off in the first leg of their tie against Benfica was delayed.
    The Reds were judged to have been the cause of the delay and Jurgen Klopp has been given a written warning over the incident. More

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    Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus face Champions League bans after huge court defeat over rebel Super League row

    SUPER LEAGUE rebels Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus face Champions League bans after a huge defeat in a Spanish court.Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin had promised to make the three remaining insurgents pay for their role in pushing the breakaway plan even after the Prem Big Six staged their embarrassed retreats from involvement 12 months ago.
    Aleksander Ceferin has vowed that Uefa will take action over the three breakaway clubsCredit: PA
    Real Madrid and Barcelona may be punished, along with JuventusCredit: Getty
    The three clubs vowed to press on with their breakaway scheme despite the huge public backlash that forced Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and both Manchester sides to pull out of the plot.
    But the Madrid Mercantile Court, viewed by many as an in-house division of Real Madrid, had agreed with the club case that Uefa’s proposed sanctions unfairly prevented the trio from pushing on with their plot.
    Now, though, a senior judge overturned that ruling, which had prevented Uefa taking any disciplinary action against them for their continued involvement in the doomed project. 
    Judge Sofía Gil of the superior Spanish Commercial Court quashed that legal stay and appears set to dismiss the rebel’s case entirely at a pre-trial hearing slated for June 14, which would open the door for Uefa to take action.
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    In her 18-page ruling, Judge Gil stated that Real, Barca and Juve were “perfectly aware of the possible consequences” of their actions in defying Uefa.
    The Judge added: “Uefa and Fifa are associations that control and organise sporting competitions.
    “For them to have to give prior authorisation for any alternative competition is reasonable and justified, in order to preserve sporting merit and equal opportunities for participating clubs.”
    In response, a spokesman for the Nyon-based governing body said: “Uefa has today received the order of the Madrid court, lifting the precautionary measures in their entirety.
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    “Uefa welcomes this decision and is considering its implications. Uefa will not be making any further comment for the time being.” More

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    Premier League teams fear Champions League changes could hurt their cash windfall from TV rights deal

    PREM clubs fear the proposed changes to the Champions League could adversely impact top-flight TV deals.Uefa look set to confirm the 36-team competition will award two “coefficient places”, rewarding sides who missed out domestically but have the best Euro record over the previous five years.
    Steve Parish believes the changes to the Champions League are designed to give the big clubs what they wantCredit: Getty
    Crystal Palace supremo Steve Parish called it “Super League by the back door”.
    And his worries are shared, with clubs arguing the new system will amplify the current financial and sporting dominance of the Big Six — and make it harder for other clubs to catch up.
    If the top-four race loses its importance, the extra fear is that the broadcasters will decide the loss of the “jeopardy” element no longer justifies huge broadcast deals. This could mean a decline in income for all 20 clubs.
    Fifa’s last resort
    Fifa chiefs are working on ANOTHER plan to try to prevent “agreed” last-game results in the 2026 World Cup group phase.
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    Switching to a 48-team tournament, with 16 groups of three in the first round, raised concerns that teams drawn to play each other in the final match could come to unofficial arrangements to ensure both progress.
    Penalty shootouts after every drawn group game — in a tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and US — are one idea.
    Another option would see group winners stay in the same city for their second round, last-32 tie, rather than risk having to travel up to 2,500 miles and potentially cross THREE time zones.
    Plans for the 2026 World Cup are still being drawn upCredit: PA:Press Association
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    Wembley to host “Finalissima”
    Uefa’s link-up with South America was formalised by opening a joint London office.
    Wembley will host the sold-out “Finalissima” between Euro 2020 winners Italy and Copa America champions Argentina on June 1.
    And it is now planned to play an annual play-off between the winners of the Uefa Youth League and their South American counterparts, with a potential 50,000 crowd in Uruguay’s Centenario in Montevideo.
    Wembley is set to host the “Finalissima” between Italy and Argentina on June 1Credit: Getty
    Radrizzani to help Fifa streaming
    Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is playing a major role in Fifa’s planned delivery of 40,000 free live games per year worldwide.
    His sports media company Eleven will deliver the Fifa+ service to provide the new platform’s content.
    Wonder how many old films of Marcelo Bielsa’s teams he will be able to find?
    Andrea Radrizzani’s company Eleven will provide the Fifa+ streaming serviceCredit: Reuters More

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    Tottenham preparing huge security operation for South Korea tour with Son Heung-min set for hero’s welcome

    SPURS are preparing a big security operation for their mini-tour of South Korea this summer.The star attraction will be Son Heung-min, who is the country’s skipper and enjoys God-like status back home.
    Son Heung-min is incredibly popular with Tottenham and South Korea fans alikeCredit: AFP
    Tottenham will this week announce the July date for their game against the K League All-Stars.
    They will also face Spanish side Mallorca, who will include South Korean midfield star Lee Kang-in.
    Tottenham’s players have spoken about the trip with striker Son.
    Some have joked that they will discover what it feels like to be pop stars.
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    Prem teams are already popular in South Korea — and that is without having the nation’s most famous footballer feature.
    The number of South Korean fans who arrive at Spurs’ stadium on matchdays gives a flavour of what to expect.
    And we can reveal this is why organisers of the trip will put in place a major security operation.
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    Tottenham have four official Korean fan clubs, bespoke Korean language digital platforms and commercial partnerships.
    After returning from Asia, they will spend time in London before a game in Israel.

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON made a surprise appearance at Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday.
    But at least the legendary former Manchester United boss was able to watch some decent football for a change.
    Sir Alex Ferguson was sat in front of Gareth Southgate on SundayCredit: News Group Nrewspapers Ltd
    WATFORD are giving fans a drop of at least seven per cent on their season tickets.
    Although it looks as though they have already accepted which division they will play — as the online wallet states supporters will have 23 tickets for next season.
    Watford might be preparing for life back in the ChampionshipCredit: PA
    UEFA will this week send ‘eligibility’ letters to the football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
    This means they will be able to properly start putting together their bids for Euro 2028 and later this month, Uefa will hold stadium workshops for venues interested in hosting matches.
    Old Trafford would be used for Euro 2028 – but only during the group stagesCredit: Getty
    A minimum of ten stadia, one holding at least 60,000, one or preferably two of 50,000, at least four with a minimum of 40,000 capacity and at least three holding a minimum of 30,000 people are needed.
    But with the potential of 32 teams, more stadiums may be required.
    Old Trafford will be one but incredibly it would only hold group games as it fails to meet major European final standards.
    Wales are offering the Principality in Cardiff.
    Scotland initially just Hampden Park in Glasgow but Murrayfield in Edinburgh is a possibility.
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    Uefa and police launch investigations amid wild claims Bodo/Glimt manager ATTACKED Roma coach after being strangled

    UEFA and police have launched investigations after allegations of “physical violence” by a Roma coach on the Bodo/Glimt manager.The Norwegian side reported the incident after the Italian giants accused the home manager of assaulting their man.
    Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen was said to have been interviewed by policeCredit: Getty
    Nuno Santos, right, was reportedly assaulted after full-time in NorwayCredit: Getty
    The two teams faced off in Norway on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League.
    And the hosts, who knocked Celtic out, secured a dramatic comeback win in the first leg of their quarter-final to take a 2-1 lead to the Stadio Olimpico next week.
    But there were accusations of a bust-up after the full-time whistle as the two teams headed back down the tunnel to their respective dressing rooms.
    And it is said Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen “physically attacked” Jose Mourinho’s goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos.
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    Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini told Sky Sport Italia: “Something truly unpleasant just happened.
    “Their coach just attacked our goalkeeping trainer.
    “First, he said a few things to him, then physically attacked him.
    “It’s really sad, because behaviour like this is an insult to Roma, to the players and the staff. It is shameful.
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    “I am honestly still shaken by what I just saw, it’s absolutely shameful.
    “Now we want to send Bodo home, also because of what happened off the field.”
    Il Messaggero claim Knutsen may have attempted to punch Santos.
    However, Knutsen insisted it was Santos who provoked the fracas and accused the Roma coach of trying to strangle him.
    The Bodo/Glimt chief said: “Everything culminated in a physical attack on me in the player tunnel.
    “Usually I would withdraw. In this case, I was physically attacked.
    “He grabbed me by the neck and pushed me into the wall.
    “It is only natural that I then had to defend myself.
    I was not completely innocent, eitherKjetil Knutsen
    “It was an assistant who behaved like a fool. He hacked at me before the match and kept doing it throughout the match. 
    “There is so little fair play that it can interfere with my job. It boiled over twice.
    “I was not completely innocent, either. We must be that honest.”
    Asked if he told Santos to “f*** off”, Knutsen added: “It was not so far away. It must be agreed that there was at least something close but someone had been stabbing me for quite some time.”
    He also insisted he flagged the behaviour to the fourth official during the match.
    Pictures of the incident have been handed over to Uefa, NRK in Norway report, while the European football governing body confirmed a disciplinary investigation is underway following Bodo/Glimt’s official complaints.
    A Bodo/Glimt press release added: “Roma is bombarding the media with untruths, in an attempt to hide the unsportsmanlike behaviour. 
    “Glimt knows that there is a video of the incident, which shows the attack on Knutsen from representatives of Roma’s support team. 
    ‘PROVOCATION, MANIPULATION, PHYSICAL VIOLENCE’
    “The club has seen this video. We demand that the public have access to this video that Uefa possesses.”
    Bodo/Glimt general manager Frode Thomassen said: “This is a systematic provocation, manipulation and finally the exercise of physical violence against Kjetil Knutsen.
    “We are confident that an objective body will ignore incorrect claims from Roma’s coaching team.
    “They have now tried to tell their story. It has upset us a little. In dialogue with them, I do not see what will come out of it.”
    As reported by Sky Sport via Football Italia, local police interviewed Knutsen, Santos and the players who witnessed the alleged incident.
    Knutsen was promoted from Bodo/Glimt assistant to manager in 2018.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’KILL THEM ALL’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Russia’s ‘chilling order to wipe out civilians in horrifying radio message’
    He led the club to their first Norwegian national league title in 2020 – and they backed it up by defending their crown last year.
    Knutsen has been named Eliteserien manager of the year for the last three seasons.
    Roma took the lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini in NorwayCredit: AFP More

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    Uefa ready to boot out Russia’s Euro 2028 bid after outrageous attempt to fight Britain for tournament

    UEFA is ready to boot out Russia’s Euro 2028 bid with a decision promised “very soon”.Moscow attempted to sabotage the England-led British Isles campaign by making an 11th-hour bid last month, which also saw Turkey enter the fray.
    Uefa is ready to boot out Russia’s Euro 2028 bid after outrageous attempt to rival UKCredit: Getty
    That was despite the global backlash against Vladimir Putin’s regime and meant the expected confirmation of the 2028 hosts was blocked. 
    European football insiders hinted that Russia would be banned from bidding and after a meeting of its ruling executive committee, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “We are not talking about the UK bid or the Russian bid today.
    “But you will all hear something about this, very soon.”
    Ceferin also promised an imminent decision on Russia’s participating in this summer’s Women’s Euros, due to be held in England, with the likelihood the team will be banned.
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    Uefa has also confirmed its new “financial sustainability regulations” to replace financial fair play rules from next season.
    The new regime will see clubs’ expenditure on transfers, wages and agents’ fees capped, initially to 90 per cent of their income next season and at 70 per cent of revenues from the 2024-25 season.
    A fixed “sanctions list” punishment schedule for breaches of the rules will see clubs face fines, points deductions and potentially relegation from the new-look 36-team revamped Champions League when that starts in 2024.
    And the calculations, which also allow clubs to lose £50m over three seasons as long as they stay within the cap –  will be completed by May of each campaign, allowing “instant” punishments for the following term.
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    Uefa’s financial sustainability director Andrea Traverso explained: “The sanctions are much more transparent than before.
    “We have taken the criticisms on board and agreed this new approach with the clubs.
    “Yes, the bigger clubs will have more buying power than those in smaller leagues but this has always been the case.
    “It is not about competitive balance. The objective is financial sustainability and this system makes that more simple to address.” More

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    New Champions League plans are just like Super League and Ceferin must reconsider Putin-esque U-turn – Karren Brady

    PROMISES, Promises.According to president Aleksander Ceferin, Uefa could be counted on to prevent anything like the European Super League ever happening.
    Aleksander Ceferin’s Champions League plans are designed to keep the big clubs on top – just like the European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
    His exact words were: “Teams will always qualify and compete in our competitions on merit, not a closed shop run by a select few.”
    Now in a Putin-esque about-turn he is presenting a scheme in which two teams with historic records will be allowed into the Champions’ League in two year’s time without qualifying by a top placing in domestic competition.
    No matter how the reasoning is dressed up the fact is he and a group called the European Club Association are nodding to a rich boys’ club who don’t like the idea of fair competition at home leaving them without a ticket to further big bucks abroad.
    Those bucks are going to grow bigger.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DRAW-SOME! .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England in favourable World Cup draw with USA, Iran & Scotland, Wales OR Ukraine
    Uefa intend to add four clubs to the original 32, and to turn the first round of their premier competition into a single table involving ten ties for each club.
    What we haven’t been told is how opponents will be selected — not drawn from a hat, you may be sure.
    My deep suspicion is a ranking system will be fixed to give an extra boost to the continent’s aristocrats’ chances of reaching the knockout stage of 16 clubs.
    The proles must wait another season.
    If Ceferin thinks that all is fair in love and football then I guarantee all but the supporters of falling giants don’t. Their failures are the result of their own shortcomings and, meanwhile, better-managed, ambitious clubs will be marginalised.
    In Ceferin’s system, a club coming fifth in, say, the Premier League might well be omitted in favour of another who comes sixth or even seventh.I make that a protection racket and there is no place anywhere for that let alone in competitive sport.

    The excuse for these shenanigans has, as you no doubt realise, nothing to do with fairness and in time that will surely be its undoing.
    When competition is corrupted by money, as boxing once was, public interest declines.
    Football is miles from being fixed but even a sniff of off-stage deals is enough for doubts to emerge.
    In three of the past five seasons Arsenal would have qualified for the Champions’ League under Ceferin’s proposals without ever coming fourth in the League.
    This would be a perfect result for Uefa planners but hardly for a number of teams in other countries who have better competitive claims but don’t attract the crowds or, vitally, the appetite of television companies.
    English football is enthusiastically followed around the world. The reasons for such support are obvious. Our teams feature internationally famous players who value their jobs and wages.
    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    In general they play entertaining, exciting football and know that winning the Premier League is a prize of great value.
    And a word for the Championship, too. It attracts the third highest attendances in the game and, no wonder, because effort and tension buzz through every match.
    It also has a system of promotion and relegation understandable to kids of six or seven. Not in the future though.
    To all of us the shortly to be considered Uefa plan is so complicated its proud claim of “a coefficient based on historical performances” deadens my heart and brain.
    A year ago Ceferin also commented: “Our game has become the greatest sport in the world based on open competition, integrity and sporting merit, and we cannot and we will not allow that to change. Never, ever.”
    So much for promises. More

  • in

    New Champions League plans are just like European Super League proposals – designed to keep big clubs on top

    PROMISES, Promises.According to president Aleksander Ceferin, Uefa could be counted on to prevent anything like the European Super League ever happening.
    Aleksander Ceferin’s Champions League plans are designed to keep the big clubs on top – just like the European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
    His exact words were: “Teams will always qualify and compete in our competitions on merit, not a closed shop run by a select few.”
    Now in a Putin-esque about-turn he’s presenting a scheme in which two teams with historic records will be allowed into the Champions’ League in two year’s time without qualifying by a top placing in domestic competition.
    No matter how the reasoning is dressed up the fact is he and a group called the European Club Association are nodding to a rich boys’ club who don’t like the idea of fair competition at home leaving them without a ticket to further big bucks abroad.
    Those bucks are going to grow bigger.
    .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read more on SunSport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DRAW-SOME! .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England in favourable World Cup draw with USA, Iran & Scotland, Wales OR Ukraine
    Uefa intend to add four clubs to the original 32, and to turn the first round of their premier competition into a single table involving ten ties for each club.
    What we haven’t been told is how opponents will be selected — not drawn from a hat, you may be sure.
    My deep suspicion is a ranking system will be fixed to give an extra boost to the continent’s aristocrats’ chances of reaching the knockout stage of 16 clubs.
    The proles must wait another season.
    If Ceferin thinks that all is fair in love and football then I guarantee all but the supporters of falling giants don’t. Their failures are the result of their own shortcomings and, meanwhile, better-managed, ambitious clubs will be marginalised.
    In Ceferin’s system, a club coming fifth in, say, the Premier League might well be omitted in favour of another who comes sixth or even seventh.I make that a protection racket and there is no place anywhere for that let alone in competitive sport.

    The excuse for these shenanigans has, as you no doubt realise, nothing to do with fairness and in time that will surely be its undoing.
    When competition is corrupted by money, as boxing once was, public interest declines.
    Football is miles from being fixed but even a sniff of off-stage deals is enough for doubts to emerge.
    In three of the past five seasons Arsenal would have qualified for the Champions’ League under Ceferin’s proposals without ever coming fourth in the League.
    This would be a perfect result for Uefa planners but hardly for a number of teams in other countries who have better competitive claims but don’t attract the crowds or, vitally, the appetite of television companies.
    English football is enthusiastically followed around the world. The reasons for such support are obvious. Our teams feature internationally famous players who value their jobs and wages.
    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    In general they play entertaining, exciting football and know that winning the Premier League is a prize of great value.
    And a word for the Championship, too. It attracts the third highest attendances in the game and, no wonder, because effort and tension buzz through every match.
    It also has a system of promotion and relegation understandable to kids of six or seven. Not in the future though.
    To all of us the shortly to be considered Uefa plan is so complicated its proud claim of “a coefficient based on historical performances” deadens my heart and brain.
    A year ago Ceferin also commented: “Our game has become the greatest sport in the world based on open competition, integrity and sporting merit, and we cannot and we will not allow that to change. Never, ever.”
    So much for promises. More