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      Van der Vaart tells Courtois to stop ‘silly’ moaning about schedule and goalkeeper is just ‘standing there a bit’

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      THIBAUT COURTOIS has been told to stop ‘whining’ about the number of games on the calendar for top-level football. Former Holland ace Rafael van der Vaart gave the Belgium goalkeeper a ticking off after he slated the need for a Nations League third-place play-off. 
      Thibaut Courtois reckons players are competing for ‘nothing’ in Uefa Nations League third-place play-offsCredit: Rex
      The Real Madrid stopper, 29, accused Europe’s top football authority of putting profit before players’ wellbeing. 
      However, Van der Vaart, who has 109 Holland caps, dismissed the former Chelsea star’s argument.
      Appearing on Dutch sports show Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, the former Tottenham playmaker, 38, said: “I think it’s silly. 
      “You have six months of vacation. You only play football, a club pays you a lot of money, of course, the match schedule is very busy, but we have all been through that. 
      “Competitions are the most fun there is. They are whining.”
      Courtois refused to back down in the lead-up to the clash for the Nations League’s third spot in which Belgium were beaten 2-1 by Italy. 

      And the Bernabeu star, who played 14 international games from 2020 to 2021, said players were being treated like ‘robots’ within the current set-up. 
      Courtois, who 61 times last season, told Sky Sports: “Next year we have a World Cup in November, we have to play until the latter stages of June again. 
      “We will get injured. Nobody cares about the players anymore. If we never say anything it will be always the same.
      “In the end, top players will get injured and injured and injured. We are not robots.
      “It’s just more and more games and less rest for us. 
      “This game is just a money game and we have to be honest about it. We just play it because for Uefa it’s extra money.”
      And the Madrid keeper told Belgian publication Nieuwsblad: “We are playing for nothing. 
      “To arrive third or fourth in the Nations League is not interesting for anyone.”
      Courtois is among the sports figures who have criticised new Uefa contests such as the Nations League and Europa Conference and Fifa’s unpopular proposals for two-yearly World Cup and Euros tournaments. 
      Rafael van der Vaart believes it is ‘silly’ to criticise competing in Uefa National League play-off gamesCredit: Getty
      And his views on the necessity of a Nations League third-place play-off have been echoed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher who describe the match as ‘an absolute waste of time’. 
      However, Van der Vaart gave Courtois’ comments concern the risk of player injury and fatigue short shrift. 
      And the former Spurs forward claimed goalkeepers have little reason to highlight tiredness with the Dutchman suggesting their performance involves ‘just standing there a bit’. 

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      Thibaut Courtois shows off his expertise in goal at Real Madrid training More

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      Leicester City fined £17,000 by Uefa after fan violence at end of Europa League draw with Napoli

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      LEICESTER CITY have been fined £17,250 for the fan violence that marred their Europa League tie with Napoli.Supporters of both sides clashed at the end of the 2-2 draw with a series of missiles also thrown.
      Fans clashed in violent scenes at the end of Leicester’s 2-2 draw with NapoliCredit: AP
      Uefa hit the Foxes with two charges, for ‘crowd disturbances’ and ‘throwing of objects’ and have now confirmed the fine.
      Napoli, who faced the same two charges plus causing ‘damage’ to the King Power Stadium, were fined just under £13,000.
      A dozen fans were arrested following the match on September 16.
      Around 100 police and stewards raced to the far corner of the ground, where 250 Napoli fans were housed as bottles were launched shortly after the full-time whistle.
      And there were ugly scenes when baton-wielding cops waded in to separate rival fans as skirmishes broke out and stewards struggled to restore order.
      An appeal over the speaker system called on supporters to ‘respect your club’ by ‘moving away from the segregation line’.

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      However, the trouble flared for a few minutes before police restored some level of order.
      It came after Leicester fans saw a two-goal lead wiped out by second-half strikes from Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli striker snatching an equaliser three minutes from the end.
      On the final whistle Napoli’s small band of spectators appeared to taunt their Leicester counterparts before the mood took a sickening sinister turn.
      Foxes followers clambered over tarpaulin covers and stewards were overwhelmed as punches were thrown.
      Some Italians were seen to remove their belts which they used as weapons to attack rivals.
      Uefa also confirmed Aaron Wan-Bissaka must serve a two-game Champions league ban for his red card in the defeat at Young Boys.
      Meanwhile, Spurs were warned over the gloves worn by keeper Pierluigi Gollini in the Conference League draw at Rennes, which breached Uefa regulations on logo size.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka will miss two Champions League matches after his red card against Young BoysCredit: Getty
      The size of the logo on Pierluigi Gollini’s gloves led to a Uefa warning for Tottenham
      Napoli fans clash with Leicester supporters on the streets ahead of their Europa League match More

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      Man Utd slip to TENTH in Uefa club rankings as Chelsea shoot up seven places to fourth behind Man City and Liverpool

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have slipped three places to tenth in the latest Uefa coefficients.Europe’s governing body of the game bases their results on clubs who competed in the five previous seasons of the Champions League, Europa League and the new Europa Conference League.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have slipped down three places in the latest Uefa coefficient rankingsCredit: Getty
      The new Uefa coefficients for the 2021/22 campaignCredit: The Sun
      The rankings determine the seeding of each club in relevant Uefa competition draws.
      United were dumped out of the Champions League last season and found themselves in the Europa League.
      They did make it all the way to the final, but they were defeated by Villarreal after an epic shoot-out.
      Now those setbacks have hit them hard in Uefa’s latest coefficients after they slid from seventh to ten in the rankings.
      The Red Devils are not the only club to suffer a huge slide downwards from the 2020 listings.
      Bayern Munich, who lifted the Champions League last year, retain top spot but Real Madrid have dropped from second to sixth.

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      Manchester City, who were beaten in last season’s Champions League final, have climbed to second with Liverpool taking third – which is a huge leap from ninth 12 months prior.
      After Chelsea were crowned European champions by beating City, they have moved to fourth in the latest table and are followed by Barcelona in fifth.
      Paris Saint-Germain have moved a place up to seventh while Atletico Madrid have dropped three places to nith with Juventus sandwiched between them.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa More

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      Uefa scrap Champions League and Europa League Covid testing for fully vaccinated players ahead of next month’s kick-off

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      UEFA have removed the need for fully vaccinated players to undergo Covid-19 tests before Champions League and Europa League matches.Stars have been regularly checked for the virus before all games since the pandemic broke out.
      The new Champions League season kicks off next weekCredit: Getty
      But those who have been doubled-jabbed, or recently recovered after testing positive for Covid, will no longer require a Uefa-mandated test.
      European football’s governing body confirmed the decision in a statement updating their pandemic protocols ahead of the tournaments kicking off.
      The ban on away fans was also lifted, potentially allowing supporters to travel abroad to watch their team in group stage action.
      In practice, the guidelines for Covid testing have been handed down from Uefa, to the clubs and the countries they are competing in.
      If all members of an away team are required to take a test to travel across borders, they will still have to do so – depending on that nation’s rules.
      Furthermore, the onus is on the clubs to ensure their players are fully vaccinated and to properly report this to the relevant authorities.

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      It is not widely known which footballers have accepted their jabs although managers such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta have openly admitted that some of their stars are refusing to do so.
      Uefa’s ruling allows teams playing on home turf to forego testing their vaccinated players, who could produce a positive result and miss games despite being far less likely to suffer the ill effects of the virus.
      Yet clubs could still choose to do so anyway, to ensure maximum safety and help protect those unable to get jabbed, or those who do not want to.
      The Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League kick off next week.
      Manchester United are the first British team in action, travelling to Switzerland’s Young Boys on Tuesday, September 14.

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      Christian Eriksen hails Simon Kjaer and Denmark medical staff for ‘saving my life’ as they get Uefa President’s Award

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      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN hailed Denmark’s medical staff and team-mate Simon Kjaer for ‘saving my life’ after they were handed the 2021 Uefa President’s Award.The Inter Milan midfielder, 29, suffered a shocking cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match with Finland at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 12.
      The Denmark team gather around Christian Eriksen as medical staff resuscitate him on the pitch at a Euro 2020 game in the summerCredit: Reuters
      Quick-thinking skipper Kjaer, 32, a centre-back at AC Milan, immediately placed Eriksen in the recovery position, cleared his airways and started administering CPR.
      Medics then resuscitated the former Tottenham star with a defibrillator before he was taken off on a stretcher off and taken to hospital.
      Eriksen said: “I would like to thank Morten [Skjoldager], Morten [Boesen] and the medical team who helped that day. You did a fantastic job and saved my life.
      “Also a big thanks to my friend and captain Simon and my team-mates in for your support, both on June 12 and afterwards.
      “And thanks to all the fans who have sent messages to me and my family. It means a lot and has given us strength and support. Thank you.”
      Eriksen has since had a type of pacemaker implanted that can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm.
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      The annual award recognises outstanding achievements and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described the medics and Kjaer as “the true heroes of Euro 2020.”
      He added: “This year, the President’s Award transcends football. It serves as an important and eternal reminder of just how precious life is and puts everything in our lives into the clearest perspective.
      “I would also like to send my very best wishes to Christian Eriksen and his family as he continues his recovery.”
      Christian Eriksen returns to Inter Milan training ‘in excellent physical condition’ after Euro 2020 cardiac arrest More

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      Football fans fume as 46-goal Robert Lewandowski fails to make finalists of Uefa Men’s Player of the Year shortlist

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      FOOTBALL fans were left scratching their heads at the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year shortlist that was revealed last night.Bayern Munich goal-machine Robert Lewandowski was somehow omitted from the final three for the prestigious award.
      Robert Lewandowski was overlooked on the final shortlist for Uefa Men’s Player of the YearCredit: Getty
      He scored 46 goals last season and has hit the ground running with three in two this campaignCredit: AP
      And that was despite banging in 46 goals for Bayern Munich last season – plus two more in the Club World Cup as well.
      Lewandowski, 32, has also scored three in two games to hit the ground running this season.
      He won The Best Fifa Men’s Player prize in 2020 by edging out Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
      But he will not be claiming this Uefa gong when the winner is announced during the Champions League group stage draw on August 26.
      And his future at Bayern Munich is also up in the air after reports said he wants to leave the club and has a £100m transfer fee slapped on him.
      The Uefa winner will be either Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne, or one of Chelsea’s midfield pair Jorginho or N’Golo Kante.
      Messi was fourth on the list ahead of Lewandowski in fifth place.
      Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came in sixth with Kylian Mbappe seventh and Raheem Sterling eighth.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland rounded off the top 10.
      The shortlist was voted for by managers of teams in last season’s Champions League, Europa League and the Euros, as well as 55 selected journalists.
      And Lewandowski’s omission from the top three was slammed on social media.
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      One tweet read: “Robert Lewandowski scored 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich, broke a 50-year record set by Gerd Muller even after a month injured, had an amazing Euro 2020 with an awful Poland team, yet loses out on the top 3 for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.”
      Another said: “It’s still okay if Kante and Jorginho are in the UEFA Men’s player of the year top three but what’s De Bruyne doing on that list?? Ahead of Messi and Lewandowski?.”
      And another user posted: “Lewandowski isn’t in Top 3 UEFA nominations.. This guy definitely needs a PR team.”
      One more said: “Lewandowski really broke the record for most Bundesliga goals {41} just for ending fifth in UEFA award.”
      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

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      Uefa charge FA over pitch invasion, objects thrown and fans booing Italian national anthem in England’s Euro 2020 final

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      UEFA have charged the FA over FOUR separate incidents which took place during Sunday’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley.European football’s governing body has come down hard on the FA after a number of incidents before and during the clash between England and Italy.
      The FA have been charged over four incidents at the Euro 2020 final, including the pitch invaderCredit: Reuters
      One of the other charges appears to involve the stadium break-in ahead of the matchCredit: PA
      Disciplinary proceedings have been opened over a pitch invasion, throwing of objects by fans, booing the Italian national anthem and the stadium break-in.
      A Uefa statement read: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the Uefa Euro 2020 final match between the national teams of Italy and England, played on 11 July at Wembley Stadium, London.
      “Charges against The England Football Association:

      Invasion of the field of play by its supporters – Article 16(2)(a) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations (DR)

      Throwing of objects by its supporters – Article 16(2)(b) DR

      Disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem – Article 16 (2)(g) DR

      “The case will be dealt with by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDR) in due course.
      “Separately, and in accordance with Article 31(4) DR, a Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation into events involving supporters which occurred inside and around the stadium.”
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      One of the charges against the FA involves the booing heard over Italy’s national anthemCredit: Getty

      Ahead of the game at Wembley, eager Three Lions supporters pushed past barricades as cops desperately tried to stop the wave of supporters.
      Some stadium staff claimed ‘hundreds’ of supporters were involved in knocking down or climbing over perimeter fencing at about 5.30pm.
      SunSport witnessed dozens of fans, including children, sprinting across the concourse at the lowest level of the stadium at the top of Wembley Way.
      Police officers were called in to help find and eject the invaders.
      During the game itself, a section of England fans loudly booed the Italian national anthem despite pre-match cries to be respectful.
      Objects were also thrown by some home supporters, while a pitch invader – Little Mix singer Adam Harison – stormed onto the field of play late in the game and gave stewards a long chase.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Pitch invader chased by security before being bundled off the field during Euro 2020 final More

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      England and Italy fans arguing before Euro 2020 final as Uefa asks them to vote on who was better out of Rooney & Totti

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      ENGLAND and Italy fans have taken to social media to debate who was better out of Wayne Rooney and Francesco Totti.Rooney is the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer with 53 goals and received the most England caps for an outfield player with 120.
      Rooney is England’s all-time top goalscorerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Totti lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006Credit: Action Images
      Uefa caused a real debate on Twitter after posting the poll
      At club level he won the Champions League trophy with Manchester United as well as five Premier League titles.
      However, his failure to win anything with his country is not something that can be levelled at Totti.
      Although the Roma legend only won one Serie A title with his boyhood club, he did lift the World Cup with Italy as a part of their superb 2006 squad.
      And England and Italy fans – who will be on opposing sides on Sunday when their two nations meet in the Euro 2020 final – came out in force to argue the cases for both men after Uefa tweeted asking who was the superior player.
      One backer of Rooney said: “Totti was a fabulous player, capable of the truly incredible… but Rooney at his best was a monster.
      “Totti managed by Sir Alex Ferguson might have been something else, but I would go for Rooney.”
      Another added: “It’s not even close! 5 league titles, four FA cups, and the UCL?!?! Vs someone with one one league title and got subbed off after 60’ in the WC final which his team barely beat 10 man France???”
      And a third said: “Rooney has 3 40+ G/A seasons, Totti has 1, Rooney is so clear in every single way. If we use team achievements he is so extraordinarily clear too.

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      Totti was a fabulous player, capable of the truly incredible… but Rooney at his best was a monster…Totti managed by Sir Alex Ferguson might have been something else, but I would go for Rooney.— Cle Etc. (@ClementsEtc) July 10, 2021

      LOL at 35 years old Francesco Totti had 12 goals and 12 assists for top flight AS Roma.at 35 years old Wayne Rooney is sitting at home after 2 seasons at tier 2 Derby County and 2 seasons at MLS. https://t.co/SWnAbtSWuq— art morelli 🇮🇹🍝 (@ArtMorelli) July 9, 2021

      It’s not even close! 5 league titles, four FA cups, and the UCL?!?! Vs someone with one one league title and got subbed off after 60’ in the WC final which his team barely beat 10 man France??? 😂 😭 pic.twitter.com/Irrw3MHbdt— Waynes World (@FcWazza) July 10, 2021

      Anybody who says Rooney needs their head testing!— Thomas Baldwin (@tbaldwin1992) July 9, 2021

      Rooney vs Totti:Rooney has 3 40+ G/A seasons, Totti has 1, Rooney is so clear in every single way. If we use team achievements he is so extraordinarily clear too. Totti has 1 league title, Rooney has 5. Totti isn’t even Italy’s all time scorer— Haris (@UtdHaris) July 9, 2021

      “Totti has 1 league title, Rooney has 5. Totti isn’t even Italy’s all time scorer.”
      But others thought Totti was the more impressive player across his legendary career.
      One said: “Anybody who says Rooney needs their head testing!”
      And another added: “At 35 years old Francesco Totti had 12 goals and 12 assists for top flight AS Roma.
      “At 35 years old Wayne Rooney is sitting at home after 2 seasons at tier 2 Derby County and 2 seasons at MLS.”
      England and Italy will clash at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night to decide who lifts the Euro 2020 trophy.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

      England heroes train for last time ahead of Euro 2020 final with Italy but Phil Foden sits out due to ‘minor knock’ More