UEFA

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa 2020 team of the year revealed with just two Prem stars, Messi as No10 and Ronaldo on wing in ultra-attacking XI

      by

      ONLY two Premier League stars made it into the Uefa 2020 team of the year with Lionel Messi playing as a No10 and Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing.
      The side – voted for by fans – is an ultra-attacking XI with both Messi and GOAT rival Cristiano Ronaldo in slightly unfamiliar roles.

      Barcelona skipper Messi, usually seen through the middle or on the right side of the forward line, finds himself slightly deeper as a No10 in a 4-2-3-1 system.
      The two central midfielders are Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Thiago – who joined Liverpool in the summer but was part of Bayern Munich’s Champions League winning squad last season and therefore does not add to the Prem quota.
      Ronaldo is out on the right wing as opposed to playing as a central striker like he does so successfully for Juventus – he leads the Serie A Golden Boot standings with 15 goals in 14 games this season.
      The Portuguese superstar is no stranger to playing out wide having excelled earlier in his career on the right for Manchester United.

      Robert Lewandowski is the man elected to lead the line and few could argue after a stunning 2020 saw him bag 55 goals in just 47 matches.
      The Pole reminded fans of how successful he was by posing with the TWELVE trophies he bagged in the last 12 months on New Year’s Eve.
      Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar takes the final attacking slot on the left after helping the French giants reach their first Champions League final.
      Liverpool’s talismanic defender Virgil Van Dijk is the other Prem star selected after the Dutch ace helped lead the Reds to a first league title in 30 years.

      FANCY A PUNT? TODAY’S BEST ODDS BOOSTS FROM THE UK’S LEADING BOOKIES

      Five members of Bayern Munich’s Champions League winning side were selectedCredit: EPA

      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks

      He is partnered in the heart of defence by Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos while Bayern provide both full-backs as well as Manuel Neuer in goal.
      Normally a defensive midfielder, Joshua Kimmich is another star playing out of position after filling in expertly at right-back for the Germans after injuries.
      And Alphonso Davies takes the left-back slot to become the first Canadian named in a fans’ team of the year.
      Ronaldo has featured in every single side since 2007 and makes the cut for the 15th time while Messi was selected for the 12th occasion.
      Fans voted from a 50-strong shortlist that was compiled based on players’ performances in Uefa and domestic competitions in 2020.

      Lionel Messi sent off for violent conduct as Barcelona and Ronaldo Koeman are denied first silverware against Athletic Bilbao More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa announce ‘breakthrough’ team of 2020 including Jude Bellingham, Alphonso Davies and just ONE Premier League star

      by

      UEFA have revealed their ‘breakthrough’ team of 2020 including just ONE Premier League star.
      Europe’s governing body have picked out their best XI of players who enjoyed a breakout year in the Champions League in 2020.

      Uefa’s breakthrough Champions League XI of 2020

      Only players who made their debut in Europe’s elite competition or who had ‘only limited prior experience’ last year are eligible and stars must be aged 24 or under.
      Some big names such as Alphonso Davies and Jude Bellingham make the cut in the star-studded XI.
      But which Premier League icon is in the team? Find out below…
      GOALKEEPER
      Anatolii Trubin, 19 (Shakhtar Donetsk)

      THE young stopper started five of his side’s six Champions League group stage games this season.
      Trubin kept three clean sheets in those games, including the two goalless draws with Inter Milan and the 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
      However, he was between the sticks for the 6-0 mauling at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.
      DEFENDERS

      Jules Kounde was named in Uefa’s breakthrough XICredit: The Mega Agency

      Alphonso Davies enjoyed a phenomenal 2020 with Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      Zaidu Sanusi, 23 (Porto)

      UEFA picked two left-backs in their XI, with the first being Porto star Sanusi.
      The defender played all-but 13 minutes of the Portuguese giants’ group stage after joining the club from Santa Clara in the summer.
      Porto qualified for the last-16 where they will face Juventus.
      Cristian Romero, 22 (Atalanta)
      THE Argentine defender has been in superb form for Atalanta since joining on loan from Juventus.
      Romero played in five of Atalanta’s Champions League group stage games, including the shock 2-0 win at Anfield having only missed the 5-0 mauling at home to the Reds earlier in the campaign.
      Jules Kounde, 22 (Sevilla)
      BEING chased by a host of European giants, Kounde was in superb form in the Champions League group stage.
      Kounde even scored a spectacular goal against Rennes as Sevilla missed out on the Europa League – instead making it to the Champions League last-16.
      Alphonso Davies, 20 (Bayern Munich)
      DAVIES is arguably one of the most-promising footballers on the planet.
      The exciting left-back has been in electric form for Bayern and most-notably caught the eye during the latter stages of last season’s Champions League.

      MIDFIELDERS

      Dortmund duo Bellingham, left, and Reyna, right, both make the XICredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dominik Szoboszlai’s performances for Salzburg attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubsCredit: AFP or licensors
      Jude Bellingham, 17 (Borussia Dortmund)
      THE ex-Birmingham star played in all six of Dortmund’s group stage games.
      Still only just 17 years old, Bellingham has already played 20 times in all competitions this season, becoming the latest young English star to thrive at the Westfalenstadion, after Jadon Sancho.
      Giovanni Reyna, 18 (Borussia Dortmund)
      ANOTHER promising young Dortmund star, USA ace Reyna also played in every one of his side’s group games.
      While he failed to score in the Champions League, Reyna has netted twice in the Bundesliga, playing 24 times for club and country already this term.
      Dominik Szoboszlai, 20 (RB Leipzig)
      CHASED by Arsenal and Real Madrid after a superb year at RB Salzburg, Szoboszlai officially joined Leipzig on January 1.
      He scored three times in six group stage games despite the Austrians only picking up four points and crashing out below giants Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
      ATTACKERS

      Diogo Jota has gone from strength to strength at Liverpool and scoring a Chgampions League hat-trick at AtalantaCredit: Reuters

      Marcus Thuram joins Jota and Pedri as the attackers in the XICredit: EPA
      Pedri, 18 (Barcelona)
      THE hot prospect became one of the youngest-ever Champions League scorers when he found the net against Ferencvaros in October.
      With 20 appearances for Barcelona under his belt this season, he’s been a rare bright spot for the struggling giants.
      Marcus Thuram, 23 (Borussia Monchengladbach)
      SON of France legend Lilian, Marcus played in all six of the German side’s group games.
      Thuram scored twice in the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid as his side narrowly progressed to the last-16 in a thrilling group.
      Diogo Jota, 24 (Liverpool)
      JOTA was originally signed from Wolves in the summer as back-up for Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
      But he’s quickly become a key figure, playing in all six Champions League group stage games, scoring four times, including a sensational hat-trick in the 5-0 win at Atalanta.

      Man Utd wonder boy Charlie McNeill scores on his debut against Derby More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Robert Lewandowski shows off his incredible 2020 trophy haul while lying in bed after Bayern Munich’s historic year

      by

      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI is deservedly in the mood to relax – as he showed off his incredible 2020 trophy haul lying in bed.
      The Bayern Munich star, 32, enjoyed a stellar 12 months and took to social media this New Year’s Eve to demonstrate just how successful it was.

      The Bayern Munich star was in top form all year, scoring 45 goals in 41 official appearancesCredit: AFP or licensors

      Posing topless and propped up under his duvet, the Polish striker joked: “Woke up like this – version upgraded,” with silverware surrounding him after posting a similar photo with the Champions League trophy.
      Next to him on the pillow is the famous big ears, sealed in August with a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
      The large gold trophy beside his left shoulder is the DFB-Pokal – the German Cup – which Lewandowski helped seal with two goals in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
      Bayern’s other team trophies won in 2020 were the Bundesliga, the plate at the bottom of the picture, the German Supercup and the Uefa Super Cup, on the large silver trophies on the left and right respectively.

      His stunning tally of 55 goals in 47 matches in the 2019-20 season – including 34 in 31 Bundesliga matches and 15 in ten in the Champions League – saw Lewandowski pick up his fair share of individual accolades, too.
      Domestically, he was crowned Bundesliga Player of the Year (trophy next to Uefa Super Cup with brown base and golden ball) and Bundesliga top scorer (cannon trophy) as well as winning a host of German awards.
      The golden ball in the glass box is the trophy the ex-Borussia Dortmund man was presented with earlier in December for winning Tuttosport’s Golden Player Award.
      The similar trophy on the left is Lewandowski’s Globe Soccer Award picked up in Dubai after Christmas.

      Lewandowski was unsurprisingly named Uefa’s Forward of the Year, scoring the most goals in last season’s Champions League on Bayern’s way to lifting the trophy.
      That trophy is the small silver Champions League ball above his Bundesliga Player of the Year gong.
      Then come the biggest individual awards.
      Sticking with Uefa, the celebrating headless player trophy was given to their Men’s Player of the Year 2019-20.
      And last but by no means least is arguably The Best of the lot.
      Lewandowski has his right hand on Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player 2020 award as he saw off the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to officially be the No1 male footballer on the planet for this year.

      The only trophy missing for Lewandowski was the Ballon d’Or.
      He was favourite to win the prestigious honour from France Football before the organisers scrapped this year’s award due to Covid-19.
      Including various media gongs, golden boots, personal accolades and team trophies, Lewandowski’s remarkable haul stands at more than 25 different awards in 2020.
      To round it off, a return of 45 goals in 40 official matches across all competitions in the calendar year places him top of the pile in world football (top three tiers) – four ahead of Ronaldo and ten more than third-placed Romelu Lukaku.
      Not a bad 12 months for the striker who almost joined Blackburn Rovers in 2010 before the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud prevented a deal going through.

      Lewandowski was the top scorer in Bayern’s successful run in the Champions League last seasonCredit: Reuters

      Fifa president Gianni Infantino points to The Best male footballer on the planet in 2020Credit: Getty – Pool

      One of the final awards of the year for Lewandowski was the Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year gongCredit: AFP

      The only major award he did not get his hands on was the real Ballon d’Or as the vote was scrapped for 2020Credit: Instagram

      Robert Lewandowski 2020 Awards & Records

      Bundesliga winner 2019-20
      DFB-Pokal winner 2019-20
      DFL-Supercup winner 2019-20
      Champions League winner 2019-20
      Uefa Super Cup winner 2020
      The Best Fifa Men’s Player 2020
      Uefa Men’s Player of the Year 2019-20
      Champions League Forward of the Season 2019-20
      World Soccer Player of the Year 2020
      Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year 2020
      Tuttosport Golden Player 2020
      FourFourTwo Player of the Year 2020
      Footballer of the Year in Germany 2020
      VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga top scorer 2019-20
      DFB-Pokal top scorer 2019-20
      Champions League top scorer 2019-20
      Champions League top assist provider 2019-20
      Champions League Squad of the Season 2019-20
      ESM Team of the Year 2019–20
      IFFHS Men’s World Team 2020
      Bundesliga Team of the Season 2019-20
      VDV Team of the Season 2019-20
      Kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season 2019-20
      Bayern Munich Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga Player of the Month October 2020
      Goal 50 2019–20
      FIFA FIFPro World11 2020

      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa fans’ all-time XI revealed including Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Henry and just one Englishman

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi unsurprisingly got the nod up front in an all-time Uefa XI voted for by fans.
      The legendary pair, with 11 Ballon d’Or crowns between them, were joined by Thierry Henry in a deadly front three – but there is only space for one Englishman.

      European football’s governing body announced the 50-man shortlist in contention for a place in 2020’s Team of the Year this week.
      Fans will get their say in the public vote to determine the final XI.
      But supporters have already decided on an all-time XI as Uefa brought together the players selected in the most annual squads.
      And it is some team with a selection of the most successful players in the Champions League and European Championships….

      GK – Iker Casillas
      Getting the vote between the sticks is the legendary Iker Casillas.
      Not only did he win three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and two Euros with Spain but he also holds the all-time record for the number of Champions League appearances on a staggering 177.
      RB – Sergio Ramos
      Casillas’ team-mate for club and country, Sergio Ramos also won back-to-back European Championships.
      But he goes one better on the Champions League tally with four triumphs within five years between 2014 and 2018.

      Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos confirmed their status as Real Madrid legends with their success in EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      CB – Gerard Pique
      The first graduate of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy in the team.
      Gerard Pique is also well into the 100 Club for Champions League appearances – four of those coming for Manchester United – as well as three winner’s medals and one European Championship.
      CB – Carles Puyol
      Pique and Carles Puyol formed a formidable partnership for years at the heart of the Barca defence.
      The latter was integral in their 2006, 2009 and 2011 Champions League successes as well as Spain’s 2008 Euro glory.
      LB – Philipp Lahm
      After four Spaniards, finally we have someone who has not played for Barcelona or Real Madrid.
      Philipp Lahm made 112 Champions League appearances for Stuttgart and Bayern Munich – winning the tournament in 2013 – before hanging up his boots in 2017.

      CM – Steven Gerrard
      The sole representative from England is former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard.
      Gerrard may be the only player in the XI not to make 100 Champions League appearances – but he more than left his mark on the competition in 2005 with arguably the most memorable night in its history against AC Milan in Istanbul.
      CM – Xavi
      Back to the Spanish dominance and unsurprisingly Xavi walks into the side in midfield.
      His 151 Champions League appearances spanning 17 years places him third on the current list – and three of those were finals he won with Barcelona and he was an unused sub in the 2006 triumph.
      CM – Andres Iniesta
      No team with Xavi is complete without his midfield partner Andres Iniesta, who also won the competition four times during his Nou Camp career.
      It was his late strike at Chelsea that booked Barca’s place in the 2009 final, while the Xavi-Iniesta pairing combined with equal effectiveness for Spain between 2008 and 2012.

      Steven Gerrard captained his boyhood club Liverpool to European glory in dramatic scenes in 2005Credit: PA:Empics Sport

      Barcelona legends Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique all made the teamCredit: AFP – Getty

      RW – Lionel Messi
      The fifth La Masia graduate and the fifth Barcelona legend is, of course, Lionel Messi, another four-time winner of the Champions League and only non-European in the side.
      As well as his bonkers goalscoring tally, Messi has been voted into Uefa’s Team of the Year for 11 of the last 12 years – 2013 the missing year.
      ST – Thierry Henry
      A Barcelona star for sure, but it was at Arsenal that Thierry Henry was at his very best – despite his sole triumph in the competition in 2009 with Messi & Co.
      Ironically Henry was left heartbroken by Barca when they came from behind to beat his Arsenal side in the 2006 final – that after Henry’s stunning solo goal against Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
      LW – Cristiano Ronaldo
      Last but by no means least is Cristiano Ronaldo – arguably the Champions League’s greatest player.
      His 131 goals in his first 171 matches in the tournament means he is 13 goals clear of Messi at the top of the pile and just six appearances behind matching Casillas’ record tally. Oh, and he’s won the thing five times as well as the Euros for Portugal.

      Thierry Henry scored a stunning solo goal against Real Madrid in 2006 before joining BarcaCredit: PA:Press Association

      Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two highest scorers in Champions League historyCredit: Reuters

      Ronaldo returns to Juventus training ahead of Champions League clash against Ferencvarosi More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League handball rule set to change AGAIN next season to stop penalties like Eric Dier’s against Newcastle

      by

      FOOTBALL chiefs are ready to agree ANOTHER change in the handball Law.
      But it will not come into effect until next season.

      Ifab are set to change the handball rule again which would see this Eric Dier incident no longer an automatic penaltyCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      The alteration, set to be approved by the International FA Board, will mean the penalty controversially conceded by Spurs’ Eric Dier against Newcastle at the start of the season will no longer be an automatic spot kick.
      Under current Laws, if the ball strikes the arm or hand above the shoulder, referees have no option but to punish the offence.
      But the change, set to be endorsed next month and confirmed in March – and to take effect from June 1 – will hand back discretion when the defender’s action is judged to be “part of the natural movement”.
      In the case of Dier, his back was towards Andy Carroll when the header struck him.

      But the referee could now rule that he was using his arms to gain elevation and not in an attempt to block the ball.
      Referees are also set to be told they should not punish a player who handles when he is protecting his face against the ball.
      Ifab will also officially endorse the handball interpretation giving referees more leeway when the ball is struck at their arms from close distance.
      This was a dispensation given to Premier League chiefs in September.

      There were further pleas from Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin for a relaxation of the rigid rulebook.
      However, no other changes will be presented to next month’s Annual Business Meeting of the Law-making body.

      Current Laws mean the ball striking the arm or hand above the shoulder is punishedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Victor Lindelof was caught out by the harsh ruling when he conceded a spot kick against Crystal PalaceCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      Jamie Ohara says that says referees must be responsible for the handball farce in the Premier League More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Mourinho handed one-match suspended Euro ban and Spurs fined £23k after late kick-off against Antwerp

      by

      SPURS boss Jose Mourinho has been hit with a suspended one-match Euro ban for a late kick-off against Royal Antwerp.
      Tottenham were also slapped with a £23k fine after the Europa League clash on October 29 began late.

      Jose Mourinho has been rapped for Uefa for causing a late kick-off in EuropeCredit: PA:Press Association

      His club were fined just under £23,000 for the late start by Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB), as well as a further £2,700 for a breach of Uefa’s equipment regulations.
      Spurs lost 1-0 in a game that started a few minutes late.
      Meanwhile, Scottish champions Celtic were fined £6,300 for improper conduct related to their Europa League game against Lille on the same night.
      Spurs and Celtic have been contacted for comment.

      In July, Mourinho slammed the ‘clueless’ FA after Eric Dier was banned for four games for jumping into the Spurs crowd.
      Spurs defender Dier was given a four-match ban and fined £40,000 for climbing into the stands to confront a fan who had hurled abuse at him and his family after the FA Cup shootout defeat to Norwich on March 4.
      The FA’s independent panel punished England defender Dier for ‘threatening’ behaviour – despite being told the fan called him a ‘w*****’ and a ‘f***ing c***’.
      Mourinho branded FA people ‘powerful people who do not have a clue’.

      And he risked getting himself into trouble, insisting they ‘do not belong to the tribe’ of football.

      Mourinho has opened the door for Gedson Fernandes to return to Benfica in January.

      Mourinho’s countryman only moved to North London in January on an 18-month deal but his boss has hinted at cutting the flop’s spell short.
      Fernandes, 21, has featured just 13 times across all competitions under his compatriot Mourinho, totalling 357 minutes of action, and yet to register a goal or assist.
      And the Spurs boss suggested the deal could be terminated after just a year if that is best for the player.

      He told Sport TV: “For me it is never a problem, but a solution.
      Having him in the squad, even if he is not called up and not playing, is an extremely comfortable situation.
      “I will never be the one to push him or say that I don’t want him here. But I understand the situation of the kid and Benfica.
      “If the club wants to end the relationship here, we will be here to collaborate, because we want the good of the player.
      “Benfica has the power to decide and will be accepted by us.”

      Jose Mourinho says Spurs would win title in many European countries but the Premier League is difficult More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Disgraced Greg Clarke quits £190k-a-year Fifa vice-president job after resigning as FA chairman

      by

      DISGRACED former FA chairman Greg Clarke has resigned from his £190,000-a-year job with Fifa.
      Clarke, forced to quit his Wembley role after a car-crash appearance before MPs on Monday, had wanted to keep his role on the Fifa Council until March.

      Greg Clarke stepped down from his role as Fifa vice-president after being forced to resign as FA chairmanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ex-Wembley chief claimed he had been asked to stay on by Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin to ensure that European football did not lose a vote on any contentious issues arising over the coming months.
      But Uefa’s own rulebook says that the European governing body has the right to elect a replacement for any vice-president or council member who leaves their position.
      And in a statement, Uefa confirmed: “Following a telephone call this morning between the Uefa President and Greg Clarke, they agreed with Greg Clarke’s proposal that he should step down with immediate effect from his position as a Uefa representative on Fifa Council.”
      The U-turn came just hours after Clarke told Sky Sports News: “I am staying purely at the request of Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin.”

      It was claimed that Ceferin, still locked in a bitter power battle with Fifa president Gianni Infantino and who has formed a strategic alliance with South American chiefs on a number of proposals, was concerned at losing one of his bloc’s eight votes on the 37-member Council.
      There was a suggestion that Ceferin’s willingness to keep Clarke on for four months was a repayment for the FA chairman’s vote in favour of Colombia’s bid to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
      That came despite Fifa’s official bid team strongly coming down on the side of the winning bid from Australia and New Zealand, with Clarke taking flak from both nations for seemingly ignoring the strong links between the Antipodean countries and the UK.
      But it then emerged that Uefa’s own rulebook DID allow them to replace Clarke – and, in fact, demanded they do so if he stood down.

      Article 5 of Uefa Statutes reads: “If a Vice-President  or a person elected to the Fifa Council vacates his position during his term of office, the Uefa Executive Committee shall elect a replacement for the remaining period until the next Congress.”
      Clarke’s departure now puts the onus on Ceferin to name his replacement ahead of the next Fifa Council meeting due in a few weeks.
      The likeliest short-term option would be to ask Uefa Treasurer and former Manchester United chief executive David Gill – who stepped down from the former ruling Fifa executive committee in 2015 in a protest at the rule of Sepp Blatter – to fill the void.
      There are only a handful of Fifa meetings due between now and March, although Gill has already signalled he intends to stand down from his current Uefa post at the Congress.
      That will give time for the FA to find a candidate for the remaining two years of Clarke’s mandate.
      All 55 Uefa member nations are allowed to vote on the British seat, which saw Clarke see off a challenge by Northern Ireland’s David Martin in 2019.
      But Ceferin has previously indicated he believes England should represent the UK rather than the seat being filled by someone from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
      That will be even more critical with England being the leader of the planned British Isles 2030 World Cup bid, with the vote currently due to be held in 2023.

      What he said wasn’t acceptable and there was no alternative but for him to go
      Gareth Southgate on Greg Clarke

      Clarke resigned as FA chairman on Tuesday following the grilling in front of Parliament.
      The 63-year-old was forced into two public apologies after making reference to ‘coloured footballers’ and then suggesting that being gay was a lifestyle choice.
      Upon quitting, he said: “My unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on. 
      “I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate said there was ‘no alternative’ but for Clarke to step away.
      Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Ireland, he said: “We can’t just keep standing in front of the cameras talking about change. We are seeing a lot of change in society and football needs to be at the front of that.
      “What’s a shame for him [Clarke] is he has done a lot of work behind the scenes to support the diversity code and make inroads into relationships around Europe.
      “But what he said wasn’t acceptable and there was no alternative but for him to go.”

      Clarke resigned following a shambolic appearance in front of MPs on TuesdayCredit: PA:Press Association More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa beg Fifa to change ‘unfair’ handball laws with VAR controversy in Chelsea’s win over Rennes the final straw

      by

      UEFA have pleaded with Fifa to change the “unfair” handball laws – after another night of VAR controversy.
      Chelsea’s second penalty in their 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes left the French side shocked by both the VAR spot-kick award and the second yellow card for defender Dalbert Henrique.

      UEFA have intervened after widespread dismay over a handball incident between Chelsea and Rennes last night Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      BT pundit Rio Ferdinand slammed German referee Felix Swayer for an “absolute disgrace” of a decision, with Timo Werner slotting home his second penalty of the night.
      And now Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has stepped into the ongoing rows over the handball Laws by urging Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to intervene.
      In a letter to Zurich, Ceferin said: “The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offense has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community.”
      Despite being the wealthiest and most powerful of Fifa’s Confederations, Uefa has NO place on the Law-making International FA Board, made up of the four Home Nations and four representatives of the world governing body.

      The latest Laws, agreed by Ifab in Belfast in March, came into effect on June 1.
      Infantino had championed the introduction of the “tee-shirt line” which means the shoulder is no longer considered part of the arm.
      But Ifab, backed by Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina, guides that handling offences when the body is made ‘unnaturally bigger’, must be punished.
      Although the Premier League was given dispensation to apply a less strict criteria after a controversial start to the season, Uefa is sticking more firmly to the official guidelines.

      Aleksander Ceferin wrote to FIFA over the handball rules Credit: Reuters
      In addition, the 2019 Law which sees any goal chalked off if the ball is handled by the scorer or player who passes directly to a scoring team-mate, has caused frustration.
      Ceferin added: ”The spirit of the game must be preserved at all times.
      “The arms are part of bodies dynamically engaged in athletic efforts and their movement is necessary to preserve the body balance, make the effort successful and avoid injuries.
      “Defenders are nowadays forced to assume ‘unnatural’ positions simply to avoid the risk of seeing their hand or arm accidentally hit by the ball and concede a penalty kick.
      “There are also plenty of situations where hands/arms exposed outside the profile of the body in moves which are understood to be natural, unintentional and unavoidable have been punished with penalty kicks. This is no good service to the game.”
      The Uefa President suggested in his letter that the widespread use of VAR had been more of a curse than a blessing in terms of decisions.
      Ceferin said VAR had ‘exacerbated’ problems, leading to ‘paranoid effects and controversial outcomes’.
      He added: ‘lf the original spirit of this amendment was to avoid that a goal is scored with a hand or arm, this goes far beyond the rationale.’

      Gianni Infantino may have some thinking to do as the handball rule continues to attract controversyCredit: Reuters
      “It leads to goals being disallowed following situations where the ball may have minimally hit the hand or arm of a player, without any intention, even when the deflection did not have any significant impact on scoring the goal.
      “There is no shame in admitting that sometimes decisions that are made for the good do not achieve their objectives and should be reviewed.

      “Doing so would certainly not undermine the credibility of IFAB.
      “I believe that going back to the previous wording, perhaps reviewed and integrated by a provision which does not allow goals to be scored with a hand/arm, is an option to be taken into account.”
      Ceferin’s letter comes ahead of the looming ‘business meeting’ of Ifab, which will determine any Law change proposals to be decided by the organisation’s AGM, due to be held in Cardiff next March. More