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      Euro 2021 still planned to go ahead this summer as Uefa confirm tournament will be held across 12 nations despite Covid

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      UEFA chiefs have again insisted they expect the delayed Euro 2020 to go ahead as scheduled this summer.
      But Euro bosses have left themselves a get-out clause if the virus runs out of control and forces last-minute changes.

      Wembley Stadium is still set to host the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Reuters

      The viability of a tournament held in 12 nations has been under increasing question as the pandemic continues to hold sway across Europe.
      But after a virtual meeting with all 12 planned host nations on Wednesday, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin confirmed there were no current plans to rip up the current schedule.
      Ceferin said: “Uefa is committed to holding Euro 2020 in the 12 cities originally planned.
      “The Euro is the flagship competition for national team football in Europe and is a vital source of funding for grassroots and wider football development.”

      There have been growing suggestions that the tournament could be switched to four, two or even one nation, even the idea by Bayern Munich’s Karlheinz Rummenigge that it might be staged entirely in London.
      Wembley is due to host seven games including the semi-finals and final.

      So far, though, none of the proposed hosts have indicated they intend to withdraw, leaving Uefa open to facing significant compensation claims if changes are made.
      Host cities have instead been ordered to draft preferred plans for the number of fans allowed in their stadium, ranging from full houses to games behind closed doors.

      But in a sign of growing unease, those plans will not now be required before the start of April.
      In a statement, Uefa conceded that the meeting “recognised the need for flexibility around decisions on arrangements for the tournament, in order to reflect the different challenges and circumstances cities find themselves in”.

      We must allow ourselves the maximum space to allow fans’ return to the stadiums.
      Aleksander Ceferin

      Despite that, Ceferin added: “I am optimistic that things are highly likely to be very different with regard to the virus as we move closer to the tournament.
      “It is important that we give the host cities and governments as much time as we can to formulate an accurate picture of what will be possible come June and July.
      “Fans are such a big part of what makes football special and that is true of the EURO as much as it is of any game.
      “We must allow ourselves the maximum space to allow their return to the stadiums.”
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      Man Utd warned of Prem and Champions League exile if they join European Super League and players BANNED from World Cup

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      GLOBAL football chiefs have slammed the door shut on plans for a breakaway European Super League.
      Liverpool and Manchester United were claimed to be part of the cabal seeking to set up their own competition, allegedly with the support of Fifa.

      FIFA boss Gianni Infantino sounded a warning to anyone who joins a breakaway leagueCredit: Reuters

      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been the ringleader of the plotters, regularly talking up the concept.
      But the Euro giants have now been warned they will find themselves banned from domestic leagues if they joined any breakaway.
      And players will be banned from taking part in the World Cup, European Championship or South America’s Copa America if their clubs are among the rebels.
      Uefa are expected to confirm the details of the new-look Champions League to take effect from the 2024-25 season in the next few months.

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      That is a response to the threats from the continent’s biggest clubs about setting up their own money-spinning competition.
      And a clear and aggressive warning shot, issued by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, Uefa counterpart Aleksander Ceferin and the heads of the other Confederations, potential mutineer clubs were told they and their players would become pariahs if the plans became reality.
      The statement said: “In light of recent media speculation about the creation of a closed European ‘Super League’ by some European clubs, FIFA and the six confederations once again would like to reiterate and strongly emphasise that such a competition would not be recognised by either FIFA or the respective confederation.

      “Any club or player involved in such a competition would as a consequence not be allowed to participate in any competition organised by FIFA or their respective confederation.”

      Liverpool and Man Utd were claimed to be part of the plans for a breakawayCredit: Getty Images
      The same would apply to domestic leagues, including the Prem, which fall under the remit of the FA and therefore Uefa.
      Some lawyers have argued that Fifa does not have the right to restrict clubs or leagues from organising their own competitions.
      But Fifa are also recognised as the sole worldwide governing body for the game, with the Confederations and national associations operating under Zurich’s control.
      The joint statement added: “As per the FIFA and confederations statutes, all competitions should be organised or recognised by the relevant body at their respective level, by FIFA at the global level and by the confederations at the continental level.
      “In this respect, the confederations recognise the FIFA Club World Cup, in its current and new format, as the only worldwide club competition while FIFA recognises the club competitions organised by the confederations as the only club continental competitions.
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      “The universal principles of sporting merit, solidarity, promotion and relegation, and subsidiarity are the foundation of the football pyramid that ensures football’s global success and are, as such, enshrined in the FIFA and confederation statutes.
      “Football has a long and successful history thanks to these principles. Participation in global and continental competitions should always be won on the pitch.”
      And in a clear and deliberate pincer movement, the European Leagues umbrella group, representing the domestic competitions, dismissed the idea of “a closed European Super League for a limited number of clubs similar to those franchise models operating in North America”.

      Chief executive Lars Christer Olsson said: “The European sports model is based on sporting merit, promotion and relegation with qualification to international club competitions via domestic league competitions.
      “We are determined to protect the existing model and how football is organised in Europe and the way the industry works for professional football.
      “All Football Associations and Professional Leagues in Europe are recognising and following FIFA and Confederation statutes, and this will guide us in our actions to stop this initiative.
      “If the initiative is put in motion, we will coordinate our measures with UEFA, FIFA and the Confederations.”

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      Bayern Munich would REJECT invitation to join European Super League after Man Utd’s secret talks, insists Rummenigge

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      BAYERN MUNICH would REJECT the chance to join a European Super League, according to club chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
      Manchester United and Liverpool held stunning talks with Fifa last year about forming a new European league made up of 18 teams, including Bayern.

      Champions League holders Bayern Munich aren’t sold on a European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters

      Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he would ‘decline’ an invitationCredit: EPA

      The two English giants are said to have come up with the proposal after their failed Project Big Picture idea.
      A £4.6billion-backed tournament would need the reigning Champions League winners to give it their support – but Rummenigge has admitted he would ‘decline’ any invitation.
      He told TZ and Merkur: “If the system changed, it could make it more difficult for many people to identify with football.
      “It could cause serious damage to the national leagues, that is why I have my reservations.

      “If I had to decide today for Bayern, I would decline.”
      Some see a potential mega-rich new competition as a good way to raise capital after the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
      And Rummenigge recognised a Super League could be economically beneficial and attract plenty of interest.
      He added: “They naturally think where there can be growth in the future, and a Super League would bring economic growth and arouse interest.”

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      A new European Super League would threaten the status of the continent’s top domestic leagues as well as Uefa’s flagship tournaments the Champions and Europa League.
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is a big supporter of a breakaway project.
      At the Spanish side’s annual general assembly, he said: “Nothing will be like it was before. The pandemic obliges us to make football more competitive.
      “We must innovate and look for formulas to ensure football remains attractive.
      “Real Madrid played a part in the foundation of Fifa and the European Cup and the current model needs a reboot, as the impact of Covid-19 has demonstrated.
      “Football needs new momentum and Real Madrid will be right there at the heart of it.”
      Uefa chief Alexander Ceferin was quoted in Slovenia as saying Perez ‘only watches football today, maybe tomorrow, but does not go beyond’.

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

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      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.

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      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.

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

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      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.

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

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      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

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

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      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

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

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      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

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