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      EFL chief Rick Parry warns Uefa new Champions League format could decimate English football

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      EFL chairman Rick Parry has warned Uefa its Champions League expansion plans risk decimating the fabric of English football.
      European chiefs are set to confirm the new plans to come into effect from 2024 after getting the backing of Europe’s biggest clubs.

      Rick Parry has warned Uefa of the threat faced by smaller clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      But Parry, who was supported by Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, suggested the planned extra 100 Champions League games per season would destroy the League Cup and be potentially fatal for some of English football’s most historic clubs.
      Parry told the European League’s Club Advisory Platform virtual meeting: “The 72 clubs in the EFL are at the heart of their communities
      “The League Cup has been in existence for 60 years and is owned and managed by the EFL.
      “One of the conditions on the formation of the Premier League was that all clubs would play in it.

      “But Uefa proposal poses a major threat to the League Cup, especially with regard to the teams in the Champions League – and it will have a massive effect on EFL revenues
      “We estimate we could lose one third of the revenues we distribute to our clubs – which could pose a very real threat to the existence of those clubs.”
      Parry was echoed by Selhurst chief Parish, who added: “This would have a devastating effect on domestic competitions in England.
      “The League Cup is the largest financial contributor to the EFL and this will be the end of that Cup in its entirety or reduce it to a youth competition.”

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      Clubs like us feel so remote from the decision-making and there is a huge conflict of interest.
      Steve ParishCrystal Palace chairman

      Uefa have reached agreement with Europe’s biggest clubs that there will be no weekend games in its club competitions, leaving the field clear for domestic leagues.
      The deal effectively kills off the planned European Super League, despite efforts led by Real Madrid to breathe life into the dying embers of the breakaway plan.
      But Prem clubs want to thwart the proposal to play two of the 10 games in the initial league phase of the 36-team Champions League “Swiss model” competition in January.
      Uefa will formally announce the new format next month but Parish also blasted Nyon chiefs and the influential European Club Association for ignoring the voices of those left out of the elite group.
      He said: “Clubs like us feel so remote from the decision-making and there is a huge conflict of interest, with Uefa and the ECA now choosing to make changes for the long term in the middle of a pandemic.
      “We are expected to accept them because they’re not as bad as they could have been.
      “But there will be a huge impact on us and the creep is never ending.“
      Parish and Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow also condemned the proposal, backed by the Prem’s ‘Big Six’, for a backdoor safety net to be available for two clubs to qualify for the Champions League through their Uefa coefficient score.

      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin is set to green light Champions League reformsCredit: REUTERS

      Parry fears for the future of the League Cup if the changes occurCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Palace chief said: “If we took it on last season, Leicester were fifth but the two clubs below them [Spurs and Arsenal] would have qualified for the Champions League based on an arbitrary period of success in Europe.”
      Purslow added: “It affects domestic competitions if you boost teams from the Europa League to the Champions League based on what they did in the past.
      “That would give clubs in the Premier League a £45m advantage over a team that may have finished ahead of them. Most people would see that as unfair and not right.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Referee Coltescu banned until end of season for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after PSG vs Basaksehir ‘racism’ walk-off

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      UEFA have banned referee Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the season for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ during Paris Saint-Germain’s Champion’s League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir last December.
      Coltescu, who was the fourth official in the match, found himself at the centre of a racism storm for his role in the dismissal of Basaksehir’s assistant coach Pierre Webo.

      UEFA have suspended Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Romanian referred to the former Cameroon international as ‘the black one’.
      His comments sparked a furious reaction from Basaksehir hitman Demba Ba, who accused him of racism.
      Webo himself fumed at the Romanian before he was ordered away from the touchline.
      In a show of solidarity, PSG players joined their opponents by walking off the pitch.

      European football’s governing body launched an immediate investigation into the matter.
      And in a statement on Monday, they announced the suspension of the official.
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      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      In their statement, UEFA revealed Coltescu had been suspended for ‘inappropriate behaviour during a UEFA match for which he was appointed.’

      Additionally, UEFA have ordered Coltescu to ‘attend an educational programme before 30 June 2021.’
      The players’ decision to walk off the pitch led to the abandonment of their Champions League Group H match.
      The fixture, which PSG eventually won 5-1, ended up being played the following day.

      Demba Ba accused Sebastian Coltescu of racismCredit: AFP or licensors

      Immediately after the match, Coltescu took to social media to issue an apology for his comments.
      He tweeted: “Racism was never my intention.
      “In such an environment, people sometimes cannot properly express their feelings and can be misunderstood.
      “I apologise in the name of the UEFA Champions League.”

      Sebastian Coltescu issued an apology for his actions shortly after the matchCredit: AFP or licensors
      According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Coltescu claimed his comments on the touchline had been misinterpreted.
      He reportedly said: “I just try to be good.
      “I’m not going to read any news sites these next few days.
      “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not racist! At least that’s what I hope.”

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      England boost in hosting all of Euro 2020 as Uefa’s chief medic says he cannot guarantee all 12 countries can have games

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      UEFA’S chief medic has conceded he cannot “100 per cent guarantee” all 12 planned hosts will be able to stage Euro 2020 games – opening the door for more matches in England.
      PM Boris Johnson told The Sun he had invited Euro bosses to move more games and even the entire tournament to England this summer.

      Boris Johnson is hoping to host all of Euro 2020 in the UKCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Covid expert Daniel Koch gave the UK reason for optimismCredit: AFP – Getty

      SunSport revealed how Uefa chiefs are demanding all potential host cities confirm that fans will be allowed in grounds.
      So far, three of the 12 have been unable to make the promise, with only a month left until Uefa’s April 7 deadline.
      And in another boost for the prospects of extra games being moved to English soil in addition to the seven already scheduled for Wembley, Uefa’s Covid expert Daniel Koch admitted some of the planned hosts might not be able to put games on.
      Koch said: “We first of all have to discuss the situation with all the cities and all the countries too, because it is the Government that will decide what is possible.

      “There will be differences from place to place but that is not a problem.
      “If nothing can take place in one country, there are 11 others in which preparations are already under way.”
      Concerns within the Irish Government means there are growing fears that Dublin, which would host England’s last 16 clash if Gareth Southgate’s men win their initial group, may have to pull out.
      There are also issues elsewhere.

      Ten English stadiums are on standby to host the entirety of this summer’s delayed European Championship
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      Despite a proposal for 50 per cent capacities at Munich’s Allianz Arena German officials have yet to clear any fans being allowed into venues, with similar concerns in Italy, Spain and potentially Scotland.
      Koch added: “Preparing for a Euros in 12 countries is a difficulty but also an opportunity.
      “But in a pandemic, there can be no such thing as a 100 per cent guarantee because there is always the prospect of surprises.

      We will not make a decision on fans before April
      Daniel Koch

      “For the moment, I am very confident that the Euros will be held this summer, as the epidemic situation cannot be compared to what we faced in the winter.
      “That is why we will not make a decision on fans before April.
      “What we feel, though, is that going to see events, not just sporting ones, is a legitimate necessity for people.
      “That is why we are looking at ways to allow it at the Euros, although we will not take any irresponsible risks.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Boris Johnson’s offer to host all of Euro 2020 welcomed by European football chiefs with 10 English stadiums on standby

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      BORIS JOHNSON’S offer to stage the whole of Euro 2020 has been welcomed by European football chiefs.
      Wembley is already due to stage SEVEN games at the tournament, including all three of England’s opening group matches, both semi-finals and the July 11 final.

      Ten English stadiums are on standby to host the entirety of this summer’s delayed European Championship

      But the PM’s invitation, exclusively revealed by The Sun, has opened the way for the ultimate summer of football across the country.
      One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
      European football’s governing body Uefa plans to confirm the schedule for this summer’s delayed tournament by April 7.
      That is the date Euro bosses have ordered the current 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to host games.

      But Uefa is demanding that ALL hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.
      The Government announced last week that all Covid restrictions will be ended from June 21, opening the way for Wembley to allow a 90,000 full house in for the finale of the tournament.
      That adds to the growing prospect of more matches being played on English soil.
      At a video meeting held by Uefa chiefs last week, it was made clear that opening the turnstiles was an absolute condition for matches to be held in the proposed cities.

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      Boris Johnson has offered the UK as a host for the entire delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: 2021 Getty Images

      EURO 2020: How many fans will be allowed in stadiums?

      UEFA initially asked all host cities to rank their preferred options for crowds numbers.

      They ranged from full houses down to no supporters.
      But the roll out of the vaccine has changed the stance of Euro chiefs, who are now determined to see the turnstiles at least partially opened.
      Last week’s Government announcement would allow crowds of up to 10,000 for the first two England group games, against Croatia and then Scotland.
      Subsequent matches would see no further restrictions, meaning 90,000 fans could be allowed in to Wembley.
      But it is expected that pleas from the FA to let more fans in might be met with a positive response.
      That could mean 30 per cent of the Wembley capacity – adding up to 27,000 per match, for the group games, with attendances then being increased.
      Uefa are happy with the idea of two tiers of fan thresholds as long as the number of fans increases.
      But hosts will not be allowed to start with one capacity and then reduce it.
      And that us why the upbeat assessment and plans by the Government have been welcomed by Uefa and its high command.

      As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg, and the Azerbaijan capital Baku.
      So far, only nine cities have been able to give Uefa that commitment, conditional on Covid restrictions being eased.

      Dublin appears to be one of the venues in doubt, with Jonathan Hill, head of the FA of Ireland, admitting the issues being faced.
      He said: “We know we can deliver fans safely into the Aviva Stadium, so it is a question of how many we can deliver.
      “We are having those conversations with Uefa but they have real people who have bought real tickets.
      “At some point soon they are going to have to take decisions in relation to the structure of the tournament.”
      But despite the confident promises of the nine countries, the concerns of the Irish Government are also shared by Italy, Spain and Germany among other countries.
      None of those three nations have yet even suggested a roadmap which will allow the return of fans, in stark contrast to the pathway offered by the vaccine roll-out in England.

      Ten stadiums are on standby to host Euro 2020 and welcome fans in the processCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Uefa chiefs are huge fans of Wembley, which has already hosted two Champions League Finals since it was reopened in 2007 and will also stage European club football’s biggest match in 2024.
      The Swiss-based body was also hugely grateful to the FA when it agreed to take on the four games which were initially due to be hosted by Brussels when the format of the tournament was announced in 2012.
      Now English football could come to the rescue of Europe again if Uefa accepts it cannot hold the tournament as planned as a result of the pandemic.
      If next month’s decision is to ask the FA to stage the entire event it could see Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester used.
      Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could also be used.
      In the capital, Wembley could be one of four venues.
      The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are the other three.

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      Fifa planted ‘the law of the jungle’ trees they now wish to bulldoze with new regulations for agents

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      FIFA describe the current power of football agents as “the law of the jungle” with “conflicts of interests rife and exorbitant ‘commissions’ being earned left and right”.
      Bearing in mind football agents earned £470million in fees in 2019 — four times more than in 2015 — it’s not hard to see how they have come to this conclusion.

      Daniel Kinahan is entering the world of football as an agent

      The irony is that it was Fifa who planted the trees that they now wish to bulldoze to the ground, with what look like suitable new regulations for agents.
      This includes caps on fees, more transparency, a licensing system, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining high professional standards, all of which should benefit everyone involved in the game.
      But hold on there…
      The rewards of being an agent are so remunerative that others are emerging from the darkness wanting a piece of the action — and I wonder if any kind of reforms will hold them back.

      Alleged drugs chieftain Daniel Kinahan is expanding his sporting management operation MTK Global from boxing into football.
      Kinahan’s record persuaded Irish police in the High Court to name the 43-year-old as a drugs lord and crime boss in his native Dublin.
      “I’ve no criminal record anywhere in the world,” he pleads. But then neither does Vladimir Putin.
      World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury vouched what a nice chap Kinahan is — and no doubt he is very good to his mother.

      Kinahan has previously worked with Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
      But that is a long, long way from a recommendation that he should glide unchallenged into football.
      The British Boxing Board of Control don’t like his alleged links with crime but say they can do nothing about it.
      They don’t explain why not — after all, they are the governing body for boxing. And what’s the point of having ‘Control’ in your title if you have none?
      So, of all the reforms proposed by Fifa, “maintaining high professional standards” will be the most difficult to translate into an actual regulation. But it is perhaps the most important.
      Representing football players and their careers should only be done by people who protect the integrity of football, prevent abuses and who genuinely have their players’ best interests at heart.
      And as administrators of the game, we need to ensure Fifa award licenses to agents who can and will do this.
      I understand and respect the fact players need to get as much from a short career as they possibly can.
      They are professionals who hold all the hopes and fortunes of our football clubs in their hands, and they deserve every penny they get.
      So I do worry about the influence and characters of the people who want to get the closest to them.
      If this Irishman’s plans do not put a rocket up the underpants of Fifa-dom, it should.

      And where are the PFA in all this? Are they not concerned about having characters like this representing the players? Are they not lobbying to prevent such types getting licenses to represent their union members?
      On the subject of the PFA, it’s hard to understand what role they play in football any more.
      They represent some of the most influential people on the planet (step forward Marcus Rashford) and their union members are keeping the whole country from going off their rockers during lockdown by continuing to play football.
      The PFA should have prestige, power, influence and a mandate for good. They should be driving the discussion on diversity and inclusion in the country by using the power of football to drive positive social change. Their values should represent the high ones set by the players themselves.
      They should be leading on every issue that affects the players, from education, financial planning, social media abuse, dementia, mental health and . . . who can and should represent them.
      When, oh when, is their reform going to happen?

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      Gary Lineker leads calls for Euro 2020 to be held ENTIRELY in England but Uefa still plan to hold it across 12 countries

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      GARY LINEKER showed his excitement at reports of England being handed the reins to host every game of Euro 2020.
      Talk has been sparked of Uefa binning its original plan to host the tournament across 12 European cities, with a Wembley final.

      Gary Lineker is keen on Euro 2020 being moved entirely to EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fans are set to return to Wembley this summerCredit: Alamy Live News

      But SunSport has revealed that the governing body has no plans at this stage to tear up the extensive tournament setup.
      Lineker responded to the idea of England being named the sole host of the summer showcase, tweeting: “Ooooft. Yes please.”
      Fans across the country are excited by the prospect although some are concerned of the impact it would have on its coronavirus situation.
      Vaccine rollout has been quicker in the UK than the rest of Europe, with another country doing well, Israel, offering to host Euro 2020.

      Uefa rejected the proposal to move games to three stadiums in the country, which was knocked out of qualification in the play-offs by Scotland.
      With host cities stretching from Baku to Bilbao, there are concerns over travel restrictions and potential coronavirus outbreaks during the tournament.

      European club competitions have already been forced to move fixtures due to blocked airways, such as between the UK and Portugal.
      Furthermore, plans are in place for the return of fans in England by the summer.

      Uefa are ready to stomach lost ticket revenue in a number of locations, and would have to compensate any cities stripped of matches.
      A conference call between the body and the various hosts earlier this week did not discuss a potential England-only Euros.
      A final decision must be made by April, at which point the pathway for controlling the virus and vaccinating against it should look clearer across the continent.
      But there are doubts over the original plan for the games, with Armand Duka, a member of the Uefa executive committee, telling Italy’s Radio Kiss Kiss: “It doesn’t depend on Uefa – it’s up to the authorities in each country.
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      “They have decided to let the fans into the grounds in England and we hope it will happen in the rest of Europe too.
      “The hope is that Euro 2020 can be played with 50 per of fan capacities in the stands.
      “It is possible that it could be played solely in England.
      “But there are still four or five months left. Let’s see if the situation will change. If not, England remains a possibility.”
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      Euro 2020 WILL go ahead this summer with Uefa confident fans will be allowed to travel across Europe amid vaccine push

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      UEFA’S pandemic expert has promised Euro 2020 WILL definitely go ahead.
      And Dr Daniel Koch believes it is possible that fans will be able to travel across the continent in a response to the Covid vaccine roll-out.

      Dr Daniel Koch is hopeful that fans will be able to travel across Europe to attend matches at Euro 2020 this summerCredit: AFP – Getty

      Koch spent most of the past year battling the pandemic in his previous role as head of communicable diseases at Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health.
      He said: “There is no way the Euros will not happen. They will happen.
      “There is no worst case scenario. There are realistic scenarios and best-case scenarios.”
      Uefa will confirm the structure of the tournament in early April, with insiders at headquarters in Nyon still suggesting the planned 12 host city format is likely to remain.

      Koch conceded that, for now, there remain doubts over whether and how many fans will be allowed into the grounds.

      The ending of Covid restrictions in the UK opens the prospect of 90,000 full houses at Wembley, due to host seven games including England’s three group matches, both semi-finals and the final, by the end of the tournament.
      Koch added: “I think there will be a lot of flexibility at least up until the end of April.

      “A decision must be made at the beginning of April but then there is a lot of flexibility to say ‘now we can scale-up because the situation improved much more than expected’.
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      “I think the capacity percentages are much more than we imagine. 
      “In the autumn some countries were at 30 per cent in the grounds and I think it is possible more than 30 per cent by the summer.
      “It is very, very difficult to forecast. It is not only forecasting the epidemic, it is forecasting the politics. 
      “The feeling in Europe is still very sceptical that this pandemic will be in a good shape in June.
      “But if you look at the numbers and all the possibilities we have, I think we should plan in an optimistic way.
      “At the moment it is too early to say if fans will be allowed to travel.

      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations

      “We will see what the situation is and what is the requirement from the different countries but I hope that at least some travelling will be possible.
      “Every country has tried to protect itself but travel restrictions are not the main issue. 
      “The main issue is to keep this virus bound by detecting the case, finding the connections and have social distancing. But we are confident.”

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      Champions League final could be held in New York as Uefa plan drastic changes including 36 teams

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      THE Champions League final could be held in New York in Uefa’s dramatic revamp.
      European chiefs want to agree the new 36-team model for their biggest prize will run for at least nine seasons from 2024.

      The Champions League final could take place in New York in a major overhaul from Uefa

      And as part of the pitch to potential sponsors, Uefa is suggesting that the showpiece event could take ‘Old Big Ears’ to the Big Apple.
      President Aleksander Ceferin floated the prospect of the Champions League final being taken out of Europe shortly after his election in 2016.
      He said: “I think it might be an idea in the future but we have to speak about it.
      “To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan, for example, is almost the same as if you go to New York. For the fans it’s no problem.”

      Ceferin subsequently rowed back from the idea in the short-term and the upcoming finals will be staged in Istanbul in June, followed by St Petersburg, Munich and then Wembley in 2024.
      But that will signal the end of the Champions League in its current format.
      Despite opposition from European top flight leagues, including the Premier League, Uefa is determined to plough ahead with its revamp concept.
      That will see the 36 teams – with two of the four extra places awarded to clubs based on ‘historical coefficients’, representing a potential backdoor route for the likes of Manchester United or Juventus – put in a single league.

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      All teams will play ten games against seeded opponents to create a final table through the the so-called ‘Swiss system’.
      The top eight clubs will pass to the last-16 knock-out stage by right, joined by the winners of play-off involving those sides ranked from ninth to 24th.
      But Uefa recognises the need to change its marketing strategy to get more high value sponsors on board.
      And appealing to the cash-laden US market could be the key to unlocking extra millions in revenue.
      American fans are desperate to see Europe’s biggest sides play competitive games on their soil and no match means more than the Champions League Final.
      A 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off on the East Coast would still mean the match beginning in its normal 8pm slot in the UK, 9pm in most of Europe, so it would not impact negatively on the ‘home’ market.
      But turning the final into a truly global event, not every season but on an occasional basis, would be a significant move.
      It could also spark a bidding frenzy from US broadcasters for TV rights to the crown jewel of European club football.
      One US soccer insider told SunSport: “We’ve seen crowds of 100,000 or more for pre-season friendlies involving big European sides over here.
      “Commercially it makes all the sense in the world for Uefa to explore this.”

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