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      Disgraced former Fifa and Uefa chiefs Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini charged with fraud over £1.6million payment

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      DISGRACED former Fifa and Uefa chiefs Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been charged with fraud over a £1.6million payment to the French football legend.The pair have been charged following a six-year investigation into a payment of 2.19m Swiss francs from Fifa to Platini.
      Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been charged with fraud over a £1.6million payment made in 2011Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      It’s alleged Platini, 66, wrote to Fifa in January 2011 demanding a backdated salary, having worked as an adviser to Blatter between 1998 and 2002.
      Both Platini and Blatter – who served as Fifa president between 1998 and 2015 – deny any wrongdoing, claiming a verbal contract was in place for over 20 years.
      However, the pair could now face trial in a court in Bellinoza, Switzerland in a matter of months after federal prosecutors claimed the ‘payment damaged Fifa’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini’.
      If found guilty, Blatter, 85, and Platini could face sentences of several years in jail or hefty fines.
      An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland statement confirmed the charges.
      The OAG claim the payment – which equates to £1.6m – was unlawfully arranged.

      A statement read: “The OAG accuses Joseph Blatter of fraud, in the alternative of misappropriation, in the further alternative of criminal mismanagement as well as of forgery of a document.
      “Michel Platini is accused of fraud, in the alternative of participating in misappropriation, for in the further alternative of participating in criminal mismanagement, as an accomplice, as well as of forgery of a document.”
      The case has been ongoing since 2015, when Blatter was sacked over the controversial payment.
      Both were banned from all footballing activity at the time.
      Platini had hoped to take over from Blatter as Fifa chief having been in charge of Uefa between 2007 and 2015.
      But the case saw his chances left in tatters and the former France international was forced to resign as Uefa chief a year later after losing an appeal against his ban.
      Platini’s lawyer, Dominic Nellen, told the BBC his client ‘categorically denies the untrue accusations’, adding it was ‘clear the investigation should have been discontinued long ago’.
      Nellen claimed: “There are enough witness reports and documents in the case files that prove my client’s innocence.
      “I am 100 per cent confident we will be able to prove my client’s innocence in court.”
      Blatter claimed he hopes the ‘story will come to an end’, saying ‘all responsible Fifa bodies’ had approved the payment.
      The ex-Fifa chief also claimed Platini had paid tax on the payment ‘at his Swiss residence’. More

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      England hopes of hosting 2030 World Cup still alive despite Euro final chaos after Uefa assurances

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      THE Euro 2020 Final chaos has not wrecked hopes of an England-led bid for the 2030 World Cup, MPs were told.Wembley chiefs are weighing up the humiliation of the stadium fan ban and £84,000 fine imposed by Uefa for the disgraceful scenes before the match against Italy in July.
      UK Sport believes an England-led bid to host the 2030 World Cup is still alive despite chaotic scenes ahead of the Euros 2020 final at WembleyCredit: Reuters
      But Simon Morton, chief operating officer of UK Sport which is working with the five British Isles nations and the Government on the £2.8m bid feasibility study, dismissed claims the concept is now dead in the water.
      Morton told the DCMS committee members in Westminster: “What happened was unacceptable.
      “I was at the match and pleased my daughter wasn’t with me as it was shocking and horrific and the opposite of what we want major sporting events to feel like. 
      “But the Uefa President, who is an important person in respect of the process, has gone on the record to say it will have no bearing whatsoever on our bid. 
      “The FA has commissioned a review. It is very serious but I do not think it’s our bid up in smoke.”
      Morton faced strong questioning from MPs including Tory committee chairman Julian Knight, who had earlier told talkSPORT we believed the Wembley scenes had “put a kibosh on the entire World Cup bid”.

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      He accused the FA of overseeing a potential “disaster”, suggested the feasibility study was now a “waste of money” and told fellow MPs the FA was a “basket-case” of an organisation.
      But Morton said the changes in Fifa’s processes – the final venue will be decided by the 211 member associations rather than the 22 eligible members of the ruling executive committee who embarrassed the FA’s failed 2018 bid – and the upside of hosting the tournament meant it was worth pressing ahead.
      He added: “We are talking about four to five million spectators, a global audience of three to four billion people, up to 40,000 volunteering jobs and billions in economic impact.
      “It would also be a tournament model which could be revolutionary and unprecedented in dispersing benefits across the five nations.
      “The things that have changed give us a level of confidence we might be able to close the gap from the last vote.”
      Influential figures within English and European football are privately urging the FA to junk the 2030 bid and instead focus n attempting to land the 2028 European Championships.
      And Morton said the key decision now would have to be made by the Government by the second quarter of next year after Fifa have finally published the bid requirements.
      Football chiefs feared Euro 2020 fan chaos at Wembley had undermined a bid to host the 2030 World CupCredit: Sportsphoto
      He explained: “We are assessing the benefits and impact, both social and economic, of hosting. 
      “Finally, we are looking at winnability and the bid process, given the history and the chances of success of a five-nation bid.
      “The five FAs and their Governments will have to size this up and take a view on whether they want to bid.”

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      Jason Sudeikis visits Wembley stadium as Ted Lasso More

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      England slapped with Wembley stadium ban and fined £85k by Uefa after Euro 2020 final chaos

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      ENGLAND have been ordered to play a match behind closed doors after fan trouble at the Euro 2020 final.Gareth Southgate’s men won’t have fans present for their next Uefa home match – which will be a Nations League contest next year.
      England will have to play a game behind closed doors after fan trouble at the Euro 2020 final at WembleyCredit: AP
      England fans won’t be able to attend a match next summer after the Euros final chaosCredit: AP
      And the Three Lions were also hit with an £85,000 fine as well as a second match behind closed doors, which is suspended for two years.
      It comes after chaos at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley this summer when ticketless fans stormed the stadium.
      England lost to Italy on penalties in a game that was overshadowed by the poor fan behaviour.
      Groups of fans broke through security cordons and got into the stadium without a ticket.
      And the disorder continued as objects were thrown and the Italian national anthem was booed.
      Tournament organisers Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the FA in August and finally issued sanctions on Monday.

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      But under new Uefa rules, England could still play in front of a stadium full of kids.
      Games played ‘behind closed doors’ are set to be allowed an unlimited number of kids under the age of 14 in attendance.
      The youngsters must be from local schools or football academies and be accompanied by responsible adults.
      A Uefa statement ordered the FA: “To play its next two Uefa competition matches as host association behind closed doors, the second of which is suspended for a probationary period of two years from the date of the present decision, for the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium.”
      And the European governing body statement added: “To fine the English Football Association £85,000 for the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium, for the invasion of the field of play, for throwing of objects and for the disturbances during the national anthems.”
      An FA statement said: “Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we acknowledge the outcome of this Uefa decision.
      “We condemn the terrible behaviour of the individuals who caused the disgraceful scenes in and around Wembley Stadium at the Euro 2020 final, and we deeply regret that some of them were able to enter the stadium.
      “We are determined that this can never be repeated, so we have commissioned an independent review, led by Baroness Casey, to report on the circumstances involved.
      “We continue to work with the relevant authorities in support of their efforts to take action against those responsible and hold them to account.”
      ONE CONVICTION
      The Sun revealed how just one England fan has been convicted of causing trouble at the Euros.
      And police do not know if they were even among those wreaking havoc at the final.
      Without convictions in court, no banning orders can be issued.
      So all who shamed the country are free to continue following the national side home and away.
      The lack of action heaps more pressure on Met chief Dame Cressida Dick.
      Force figures show there were more than 150 arrests for disorder during games in England.
      Of those, 19 were charged and 26 issued with cautions or penalty notices for disorder.
      A further 104 have been released under investigation or bailed.
      But just one person has been convicted so far.
      We can also reveal just one Met officer was at a Wembley safety meeting before the security shambles at the final.
      The force said: “We refute any claim that our representation at these meetings underestimates our commitment to keeping people safe and mitigating disorder.”
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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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      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.
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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.”
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