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      FA bosses hope fans smash attendance records at Women’s 2022 Euros in England

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      FOOTBALL chiefs want fans to break the European record for the highest crowd numbers at the opening and closing games of a women’s Euros tournament. The targets were revealed as part of FA and UEFA plans to flog more than 700,000 tickets for Women 2022 Euros games taking place in England. 
      Wembley is set to host the final of the 2022 Women’s EurosCredit: Getty
      Football bosses hope to sell more than 700,000 tickets to Women’s 2022 Euros games in EnglandCredit: Reuters
      It is hoped spectators will pack out Old Trafford for the tournament’s opener surpassing a milestone of 41,301 set in 2013. 
      Authorities also aim to smash the European attendance number for a final at the contest’s finale at Wembley. 
      They hope to see spectator numbers for that clash surpass the figure of the 80,203 who watched the USA defeat Japan in the women’s football final of the London 2012 Olympic games. 
      Tickets for next year’s Women’s Euros will be priced from £5 to £50 with over half a million available for £25 or less.
      However, the FA say England group stage matches and quarter-finals and semis fixtures will be priced differently but were tight-lipped as to what the pricing for these games will be. 
      Chris Bryant, the FA’s tournament delivery head said: “This is all about setting out our ticket ambitions for the tournament. 
      “We want to deliver a record breaking showcase that unites football and communities to amplify the women’s game.
      “Our ambition really is centred around for stadia, fantastic atmospheres. And we really need a ticketing strategy that embodies that”
      Fixtures for the Women’s 2022 Euros games are due to take place in 10 venues in nine host cities in England. 
      Games will be held in Brighton, London, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan and Leigh.
      Tournament organisers hope the sport’s followers will flock to buy tickets for games involving 16 teams including host nation England.  
       Fans are being invited to pre-register for tickets on Uefa’s web site July 13.
      Northern Ireland are among 16 nations taking part in the tournamentCredit: PA

      Officials say there are plans to use the Euros to create a legacy project to encourage 120,000 girls to take up football in the tournament’s host cities.  
      And the FA hopes the to produce 350 newly-trained coaches and 350 new referees through the scheme.  
      FA women’s football director Baroness Sue Campbell said: “It has been a challenging year in so many ways, with mental and physical wellbeing hugely affected by the Covid pandemic. 
      “The tournament and the city legacy programmes are a real opportunity to positively change the impact restrictions have had on our activity levels and to bring us together through football.
      The FA hopes to encourage more than 80,000 fans to attend the final of the Women’s 2022 EurosCredit: Getty
      “The long-term legacy ambitions will unlock the game for more women and girls across host cities and beyond with equal access for all girls to play football in school and clubs. 
      “Our vision will ensure an inclusive, safe and welcoming environments for every woman and girl to play competitive or recreational grassroots football – irrespective of ability, age or ambition.”
      With Covid having hit fan presence at football stadiums with up to 10,000 currently allowed into grounds, the FA says it will have a contingency plan place if the pandemic causes attendance problems next year. 
      Bryant added: “We’ve already got an ambitious ticketing target and we want to make sure that we give ourselves every opportunity to hit those milestones if we can,
      “We need to be able to work back from the in the event that the pandemic is still around and it does require us to adapt. 
      “We are considering all the contingency plans that are available to us.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Tickets for Women’s Euros will be priced from £5 to £50 with up to half a million available for £25 or lessCredit: Alamy Live News
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      Chelsea boss Hayes promises Blues bounceback from heavy Champions League final loss to Barcelona

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      EMMA HAYES paid a touching tribute to Chelsea fans and vowed her beaten Blues will bounce back from Champions League heartbreak.And the Kingsmeadow boss described her team’s loss to Barcelona as another step in their journey after revealing her players’ post-match chat with club owner Roman Abramovich. 
      Emma Hayes says Chelsea will work hard on the training pitch after losing their first Champions League final clashCredit: Getty
      Barcelona Women won their first Women’s Champions League trophy after losing 4-1 to Lyon in the 2019 finalCredit: AFP
      Chelsea succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to Spain’s title winners in their first final in Europe’s elite club contest.
      And Hayes believes the performance of her side – who face Everton in the Women’s FA Cup – did not reflect the physical edge  of the WSL.
      Hayes said: “I think the physicality in our league that we have, we didn’t show that. So we’re disappointed. 
      “The realities are, if you don’t dominate enough of the first and second balls in any football match,  you don’t deserve to win it, and I don’t think we did that.
      “I think that’s what our dressing is most upset about. 
      “We’re a classy team and we behave I think as you should do when you’ve been beaten by a better team and that’s one that acknowledges what we need to do to improve. 
      “Our owner came in to see us. All the girls were very quick to tell him we’ll be back here and we’ll work hard on the training pitch to make sure we do that. 
      “If I know this group well enough I know they mean these words. 
      “And this is just another step in our journey, because – we talk about the disappointment – but we’re the second best team in Europe.”
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      Chelsea will face Everton in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round in their final game of the seasonCredit: PA
      Hayes’ players told Blues owner Roman Abramovich they plan to reach another Champions League finalCredit: AP

      Barcelona made history by being crowned as Spain’s first Women’s Champions League winners two years on from a 4-1 finals drubbing they endured against Lyon. 
      And the club’s victory entailed some standout displays including impressive wing play by Caroline Graham Hansen and Lieke Martens. 
      We wanted to be European champions and now we can say that we areLluis Cortes
      The result was the highlight of an outstanding season for the Lluis Cortes’s Catalan side who retained their LaLiga Women’s Crown
      And the Blaugranes did so after winning all 26 games they have played in Spain’s top tier with a match against ninth-placed Athletic up next.
      Lieke Martens and her Barca team-mates have won the LaLiga Women’s title as well as the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

      Asisat Oshoala and her Barca team-mates will play Athletic in Spain’s top tier nextCredit: Getty
      Barca boss Cortes said: “It’s incredible, in Budapest last time (when we lost 4-1 to Lyon) we were like Chelsea were. 
      “There has been a lot of work since that day. That day we promised ourselves we would work a lot to be European champions. 
      “Behind us, there are many, many people and everyone has worked really hard for this goal. 
      “We wanted to be European champions and now we can say that we are.”
      Lluis Cortes says Barca have been working hard to achieve their first major trophy win in Europe.Credit: Getty
      Emma Hayes responds to Chelsea’s devastating 4-0 loss to Barcelona More

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      Chelsea out to make history and join Arsenal as only English Women’s Champions League winners

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      ARSENAL are still the ONLY English club to have carved its name on to the Women’s Champions League trophy.And my name is written in the history books for scoring the winner in the final against Swedish side Umea in 2007.
      Emma Hayes wants to lead Chelsea to Champions League gloryCredit: Getty
      Alex Scott scored the winner in the 2007 Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      We went in as total underdogs not expected to win the competition that was then known as the Uefa Women’s Cup.
      The clock was ticking in the dying seconds of the game when the ball fell to me from far outside the box.
      With the scores stubbornly locked at 0-0 I knew what I had to do.
      I took a touch, looked up and sent a sweet, long-range strike dipping and curling beyond the Umea goalkeeper.
      There was stunned silence before I realised what had happened as mayhem ensued on the Arsenal bench.
      It was the only goal over the two legs and of course my name made all the headlines.
      But it was the WHOLE team and our hero goalkeeper Emma Byrne who propelled the club to European glory.
      It was never about one player,   which the game never should be.
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      Years later when  I bitterly watched the Germans lift the European Championship trophy in 2013, Hope Powell gave me some pearls of wisdom.
      After England were spanked in the group stages the Lionesses boss told me: “Remember this feeling because you’ll never want to experience it again.”
      Those words of wisdom should be etched in every Chelsea player’s mind today as they go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in their first Champions League final.
      They’ve tasted defeat on the European stage after they crashed out in the semi-finals to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
      Every one of those Blues aces deserves to be at the Gamla Ullevi stadium in Sweden tonight.
      But I don’t want them to be the ones with their heads hanging in shame while Barca lift the trophy.
      Boss Emma Hayes will not rest on her laurels and she’s got one last hurdle to make history.
      When Chelsea made Pernille Harder the most expensive player in the history of women’s football in 2020, it was a real statement of intent.
      The final between Chelsea and Barcelona will take place in Gothenburg’s Gamla Ullevi stadiumCredit: EPA

      They had just won the WSL for a third time and the Continental Cup for the first time.
      Hayes had every domestic trophy in her cabinet – and her sights were set on that elusive European stage.
      Cue Harder, who put the Blues 4-3 up on aggregate against Bayern in the dying moments of the Champions League semi-final second leg, before Fran Kirby secured victory in stoppage-time.
      Blues may have broken the bank for the Denmark star but that winning strike was priceless.
      You could tell by the emotion on Hayes’ face.
      But keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who joined in January 2019, has also been crucial in the quest for a European trophy.
      Harder, Sam Kerr and Kirby will get all the plaudits but Berger has been sensational.
      Every single one of those Chelsea players has had key moments to get them on the brink of toasting Champions League glory tonight.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Chelsea and Man City furious as they can only watch Champions League final if they fly to Portugal and back on SAME day

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      FURIOUS Chelsea and Manchester City fans have slammed Uefa “clowns” after their Champions League final travel plans were plunged into chaos.Just hours after Uefa finally confirmed 6,000 fans of each club will be able to attend the May 29 showpiece, the Portuguese Government demolished the travel plans hundreds of supporters had already made.
      The Champions League final will be held in Porto’s Estadio do Dragao – but supporters will have to fly in and out of Portugal on the SAME day
      Supporters of both Chelsea and Man City are furious with the announcementCredit: Getty
      Both club’s supporters were told they will ONLY be allowed to travel to the final if they fly in AND out of Portugal the same day.
      Chelsea season-ticket holder Dave Johnstone had to cancel trips to Istanbul and Lisbon — but now Porto is in the balance.
      He said: “I know of at least 80 fans in the same position but it probably runs into the hundreds.
      “It’s the supporters who are being punished.
      “People like me aren’t bothered where it gets played.”
      Johnstone, who follows Thomas Tuchel’s team home and away, added: “We have done our best to get cheap flights, get time off work and get the money together.”
      That came as Uefa, run by Aleksander Ceferin, won a drawn-out battle to ensure the capacity for the game was raised from 10,000 to around 20,000 — with 6,000 tickets for both clubs.
      Ian Cheeseman, head of the Forever Blue podcast,  added: “I’m just so sorry for the Man City fans who are left in this horrible situation. It’s just not fair.”
      Chelsea and Man City do battle for football’s biggest prize on May 29
      As supporters planned their journeys, they were hit by a hammer blow struck by Portuguese Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva.
      She said: “Those who come to the final of the Champions League will come and return on the same day, with a test done, in a bubble situation, on charter flights.
      “There will be two fan zones and from there they will be moved to the  stadium and from the  stadium to the airport, being in Portugal less than 24 hours.”
      Asked whether the measures also referred to fans arriving in the city earlier in the week, the minister added: “Obviously those coming by plane to be in Porto while the match is on but do not actually go the stadium will comply with the established rules and security measures will be put in place as happened in Lisbon last year.”
      It was a shock development for supporters and Uefa, whose President Aleksander Ceferin had earlier hailed the outcome.
      Ceferin, who met virtually with fan groups representing both teams on Wednesday, said: “After the year that fans have endured, it is not right that they don’t have the chance to watch their teams in the biggest game of the season.
      “Fans have had to suffer more than twelve months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football.
      “To deprive those supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found.

      “We accept that the decision of the British Government to place Turkey on the red list for travel was taken in good faith and in the best interests of protecting its citizens from the spread of the virus.
      “But it also presented us with a major challenge in staging a final featuring two English teams.
      “The difficulties of moving the final are great and the FA and the authorities made every effort to try to stage the match in England and I would like to thank them for their work in trying to make it work.”
      Uefa said: “Staging the final in Istanbul would have meant none of the clubs’ domestic fans would be able to travel to the game.
      “After a year of fans being locked out of stadiums, Uefa thought that everything needed to be done to ensure the supporters of the two finalist teams could attend.
      “Uefa discussed moving the match to England but, despite exhaustive efforts on the part of the Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to achieve the necessary exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements.

      “The Portuguese authorities and the FPF stepped in and worked quickly and seamlessly with Uefa to offer a fitting venue for the final.
      “As Portugal is a green list destination for England, fans and players attending the final will not have to quarantine on their return home.”
      But all those plans have been thrown up in the air, although there is no possibility of the game being switched again, to Wembley as initially planned.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus face two-year Champions League ban after Uefa launch probe into Super League plot

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      REAL MADRID, Barcelona and Juventus are facing two-year Champions League bans – after Uefa launched a formal disciplinary probe into the failed Super League plot.Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin is determined to make the three rebel leaders pay a heavy price unless they dissolve the breakaway competition.
      Uefa could hit Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona with two-year Champions League bans
      That means two-season bans from playing in any European competitions is on the Uefa agenda.
      And Ceferin demonstrated he is playing hardball by giving the green light to the next stage of Uefa processes.
      In a statement, Euro chiefs in Nyon announced: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project.
      “Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
      That article relates to the absolute power and discretion of the Uefa President, general secretary or the ruling executive committee to launch disciplinary proceedings.
      The confirmation of action is proof of Ceferin’s desire to make the three rebel clubs publicly recant and apologise for their attempts to broker the elite ESL competition.
      Ceferin publicly welcomed the withdrawal and apologies by the Prem Big Six, along with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter.
      They were hit on Friday by agreeing to each pay £1.44m up front and then five per cent of their next season’s Uefa competition earnings, taking the potential fine to £7m.

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      But there will be no further action and the nine clubs will be welcomed back into the Uefa fold and allowed to rejoin the European Club Association.
      Madrid, Barca and Juve, though, have refused to fall into line and accused Uefa of applying ‘unacceptable pressure, threats and offence’ to make them ‘abandon the project’.
      The trio said Uefa’s actions were ‘intolerable under the rule of law’ but the very real threat of missing out on more than £250m of income over two years may be enough to bring them to heel.

      What happens now the European Super League has collapsed More

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      Uefa ready to switch Champions League final from Istanbul to Wembley with 22,500 Chelsea and Man City fans in attendance

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      UEFA chiefs are ready to shift the Champions League final to WEMBLEY.But only if the UK Government can give them a set of guarantees.
      Uefa chiefs are ready to move the Champions League final between Chelsea and Man City to WembleyCredit: Reuters
      SunSport revealed the personal plea from Boris Johnson to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin after Turkey was placed on the Government’s red list.
      That would mean travellers would be required to quarantine for ten days on their return to the UK.
      Uefa are understood to be sympathetic and agree that, in the circumstances of a Covid wave in Turkey, not asking Chelsea and Manchester City fans to travel makes sense.
      But Uefa has ruled out grounds including Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
      The governing body is also not considering Hampden Park or the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
      Euro bosses signalled that Wembley – with a capacity of 22,500 until the middle of June – is the only suitable venue.
      While there is growing momentum, a series of issues must be overcome.
      The first would be for the EFL and FA to agree to shift or reschedule the Championship play-off final, also due to be played on May 29.
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      Chelsea and Man City could now go head-to-head at Wembley rather than in IstanbulCredit: EPA

      That could either be moved or brought forward by 48 hours, allowing both Chelsea and City to train at Wembley on the day before the Champions League final.
      But Uefa is also seeking absolute guarantees from the Government that all media, broadcasters, sponsors and VIPs will be allowed to attend without quarantine issues.
      In addition, Uefa will ask the clubs who were involved in this season’s competition to give up part of their prize money to meet the estimated £20million-plus costs already incurred by the Turkish authorities ahead of the planned game at the Ataturk in Istanbul.
      A final decision is expected to come early this week.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Champions League final chaos for Chelsea and Man City fans as Turkey added to UK travel red list More

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      Premier League Big Six agree to multi-million pound fines over European Super League farce

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      THE Premier League’s Big Six have agreed to multi-million pound fines from Uefa – as a condition of being allowed back into European football.Uefa chiefs confirmed they had agreed “reintegration measures” with the nine clubs – including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, City and United – who recanted their attempts to lead the rebel breakaway.
      Nine of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ have been punished by Uefa for their role in the European Super League farceCredit: Reuters
      As a condition of the deal, the nine – completed by AC Milan, Inter and Atletico Madrid – will share a slap on the wrist £13m “goodwill” payment to be ploughed into youth and grassroots football, including in the UK.
      But all nine, who Uefa said had “acknowledged their mistake”, also agreed to give up five per cent of the money they would have received from Uefa for their next European campaign.
      And they agreed they would face massive fines of £87m if they joined any future breakaway, or £43.5m if they merely committed to any such new league.
      It is still an escape for the Prem six.
      Manchester City and Chelsea are both likely to earn at least £110m from their exertions this season, with Champions League qualification worth a minimum £60m before they even kick a ball.
      It means the Prem clubs could hand back up to £6m each, with teams in the Europa League losing an extra £1.5m.
      Uefa said the agreement had been made “in the spirit of reconciliation”, with President Aleksander Ceferin noting the swift apologies from the English teams in particular.
      He said: “I said at the Uefa Congress two weeks ago that it takes a strong organisation to admit making a mistake especially in these days of trial by social media.
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      “These clubs have done just that.
      “In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, Uefa wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.”
      Ceferin, however, promised swift and decisive punishment for the three rebels – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – who are refusing to give up on their Super League dream.
      The trio face two YEAR bans from Europe after being referred to Uefa’s disciplinary beaks.
      Ceferin added: “These nine clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football.
      “The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved in the so-called ‘Super League’ and Uefa will deal with those clubs subsequently.”
      Champions League final chaos for Chelsea and Man City fans as Turkey added to UK travel red list More

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      Aston Villa offer to host Champions League final between Chelsea and Man City with fears over coronavirus ravaged Turkey

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      ASTON VILLA has offered to stage this season’s all-English Champions’ League cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City in Birmingham.The former European champions contacted the FA and Uefa proposing a dramatic switch of venue from Covid-19 hotspot Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium, to Villa Park, now the final has become an all-English affair.
      Aston Villa have made a staggering offer to UefaCredit: Getty
      They have offered to host the all-English Champions League final instead of IstanbulCredit: AFP
      However Uefa has confirmed in an official statement the final WILL go ahead as planned in Istanbul on May 29.
      Villa chiefs believe it makes no sense for up to 10,000 English fans of Chelsea and City to risk making the 3,000-mile plus round trip to Turkey, where the virus is rife and the nation remains in lockdown. 
      The Midlands club, who lifted the European Cup in 1982, stepped in to offer Villa Park as an safer, alternative venue, once Chelsea confirmed their place in the final by beating Real Madrid to set up an all English final with City.
      There are currently no travel restrictions in place between England and Turkey but anyone travelling back to the UK will be subject to quarantine rules when they return.
      Meanwhile UEFA insist the Turkish lockdown will have no impact on the final taking place as planned.
      A Uefa statement said: “The Uefa Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 should not have any impact on the match.
      “Uefa continues to work closely with the Turkish Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match safely.
      “Detailed information regarding the capacity for the match, travel and ticketing details will be communicated publicly by the end of the week.”
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      However Villa are keen to host the final and their offer to Uefa stands.
      Although Villa Park does not meet current Uefa standards to stage the final, it is understood the club was willing to carry out some speedy upgrades to the press facilities and TV positions.
      Villa felt Birmingham was ideally suited to stage the final as there is enough hotel accomodation in the area to host such a major event, and house all of the Uefa officials, delegates and sponsors who attend the final. 
      Chelsea and Man City fans are set to get 4,000 tickets each for the eagerly anticipated final but more fans may be tempted to travel to experience the atmosphere around the occasion.
      SunSport understands Uefa are not in favour of such a late switch unless the Turkish Government was to inform them it could no longer stage the final for safety reasons.
      Turkey is currently Europe’s Covid capital with the highest number of infections in Europe.
      The UK Government has yet to decide about whether Turkey will remain open for business within the UK’s permitted Travel Corridor, with a decision on potential future travel restrictions to and from Turkey expected to be reviewed next week.   
      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      Commons Culture Committee chair Julian Knight did back the idea of switching the game to England.
      He said: “Given our world leading vaccine programme and also the fact that we have been showing through the pilots that we are seemingly very capable of holding events in this country, then of course I would support the idea of the final being moved to Wembley.
      “Although international travel is very unlikely to the event, it would at least give a better experience for our fans to have the game in this country and hopefully there would be an opportunity to run the Champions League final as an additional pilot to allow fans into the ground.’
      The Tory MP added: “It Is also about a Covid-secure environment for the players and the support staff.
      “The most Covid-secure environment would be to have it in the country of origin of the two teams rather than make them travel.
      “It would seem to be much safer and more sensible to have it here.”
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      Thomas Tuchel admits his personal sacrifice has been worth it now Chelsea are in the Champions League final More