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      Why Wembley could host 4th Champions League final in 17 years as Uefa reopens bidding for 2027 after San Siro stripped

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      THE 2027 Champions League Final could be awarded to Wembley after Milan’s San Siro Stadium was stripped of hosting rights.Uefa had indicated the San Siro would stage the biggest game in European club football for the fifth time and first since 2016.Wembley could host the Champions League final for the fourth time in 17 yearsCredit: ReutersThe San Siro has been stripped of the 2027 finalCredit: GettyBut Uefa chiefs put confirmation of the venue on hold when they met in Dublin in May because of the uncertainty over the ground’s future.And now Euro bosses agreed at a meeting in Prague that Italian authorities could not give them sufficient guarantees.In a statement following the meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee, the organisation said a new host would now be sought – opening the way for Wembley or another English ground to go into the mix.Uefa said: “As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan and to re-open the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe decision is a major embarrassment for Milan and the San Siro but comes with current co-tenants Inter and AC Milan both considering alternative new home grounds.This season’s final will be played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena while the 2026 game has been confirmed for Budapest.Wembley played host for Real Madrid’s win over Borussia Dortmund only in June but Uefa know playing their biggest match at a venue with outstanding corporate facilities would make it an even bigger money-spinner for their finances.Uefa bosses also confirmed that the “Big Five” leagues, including the Prem, will only receive £8.3m in “solidarity” cash for the clubs not competing in European competitions this season, worth around £640,000 to each of the 13 top flight outfits.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChampions League final venues2005: Istanbul – Atatürk Olympic Stadium – Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (3-2 on pens)2006: Paris – Stade de France – Barcelona 2 Arsenal 12007: Athens – Olympic Stadium – AC Milan 2 Liverpool 12008: Moscow – Luzhniki Stadium – Man Utd 1 Chelsea 1 (6-5 on pens)2009: Rome – Stadio Olimpico – Barcelona 2 Man Utd 02010: Madrid – Santiago Bernabéu – Inter Milan 2 Bayern Munich 02011: London – Wembley – Barcelona 3 Man Utd 12012: Munich – Allianz Arena – Chelsea 1 Bayern Munich 1 (4-3 on pens)2013: London – Wembley – Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Dortmund 12014: Lisbon – Estádio da Luz – Real Madrid 4 Atletico Madrid 1 (AET)2015: Berlin – Olympiastadion – Barcelona 3 Juventus 12016: Milan – San Siro – Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1 (5-3 on pens)2017: Cardiff – Millenium Stadium – Real Madrid 4 Juventus 12018: Kyiv – NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium – Real Madrid 3 Liverpool 12019: Madrid – Metropolitano Stadium – Liverpool 2 Tottenham 02020: Lisbon – Estádio da Luz – Bayern Munich 1 PSG 02021: Porto – Estádio do Dragão – Chelsea 1 Man City 02022: Paris – Stade de France – Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 02023: Istanbul – Atatürk Olympic Stadium – Man City 1 Inter Milan 02024: London – Wembley – Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0The remaining 50 smaller leagues will share £215m with Uefa believing the new split – no clubs in any of the three European competitions will benefit from the larger fund – will “support the competitive balance across Europe”.Wembley has hosted the Champions League final three times since being rebuilt, with Barcelona winning 3-1 against Man Utd there in 2011 and Bayern beating Dortmund 2-1 in 2013 before last season’s showpiece.Serie A clash involving Champions League club POSTPONED after torrential rain as 19-word statement released More

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      Premier League ref Anthony Taylor in firing line AGAIN after Uefa bosses admit he made monumental error during Euro 2024

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      PREM ref Anthony Taylor has been hit by another blow – after Uefa bosses said he wrongly denied Germany a penalty during Euro 2024.Taylor was relegated to fourth official duties last weekend after booking a record 14 players in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.Uefa have confirmed that Anthony Taylor made a monumental mistake at Euro 2024Credit: PAHe did not award a penalty for a handball by Marc CucurellaCredit: ReutersThe Wythenshawe whistler is due to be back in the middle this weekend after being appointed to take charge of Liverpool’s visit to Wolves on Saturday.But a report by Uefa’s referees’ committee, leaked in Spain, castigated Taylor for not awarding Germany a spot kick during extra-time of their last eight defeat by the subsequent champions.And that led to former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos lambasting Taylor for his decision and mockingly asking: “Can I now say that I am a European champion?”Taylor played on after Jamal Musiala’s shot was blocked by the arm of Chelsea defender Marc Cucarella, with his decision not to award a spot kick backed by VAR Stuart Attwell.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLArsenal summer recruit Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain soon afterwards, with the incident leading to Cucarella being jeered mercilessly by German fans in both the semi-final win over France and the Final against England.But the official report of the Uefa body makes clear that Taylor got it wrong.It said: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly, and in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or on the body.“In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making itself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTaylor, one of Uefa’s most senior refs,  was surprisingly not appointed to any matches when the new-look expanded Champions League kicked off last week.And the report sparked a backlash from Germany, led by Kroos – who was playing what became the final match of his career.Football analyst bizarrely blames ref Anthony Taylor for ‘hindering Man Utd’s play’ in humiliating loss to LiverpoolToni Kroos led the backlash against the decisionCredit: GettyHe said: “It took them three months to realise that there was a handball, something that almost everyone could see in a second.“That reassures me a lot.”Can I say that I am now European champion because it has been officially confirmed? I don’t think so.”After the game, Cucurella admitted that the ball hit his arm but Taylor “immediately” told him it was not a foul.He said: “The ball hit my hand, but the referee immediately said no, no, no, and that made me feel better.”If the refereeing experts say it’s not a handball, then it’s not a handball”Taylor was also criticised for his role during Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Everton last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe official denied the East Midlands outfit of three penalty decision.He was also involved as the fourth official as three red cards were handed out in Forest’s 2-2 draw against Brighton on Sunday.Official stanceBy Mark HalseyWHEN Morgan Gibbs-White went to ground on Joao Pedro already on a yellow card, I thought he could be in big  trouble.Rob Jones clearly signalled for a throw in to Brighton and then made a gesture that Gibbs-White had clearly won the ball.Therefore, fourth official Anthony Taylor should simply not have got involved.Taylor has refereed that second-half incident. Had he not made the signal for a throw and that he won the ball, then Taylor could have helped Jones.And that incident sparked the managers and saw things boil over on the touchline.Ultimately, the officials caused Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo to be sent off for their reactions to the decision. More

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      Major change to handball rule with more penalties than ever before set to be awarded – but Premier League exempt

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      UEFA is set to tweak the handball rule – after admitting its referees made a huge mistake at Euro 2024.The Uefa Referees Committee claims hosts Germany should have been awarded a penalty during their quarter-final loss to Spain.Germany were incensed after not being given a penalty at Euro 2024Credit: GettyThe ball struck Marc Cucurella on the arm and was on target, but Anthony Taylor turned down German’s appealsCredit: APGermany were left incensed after Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella appeared to handle in the area during extra time on July 5.Anthony Taylor, the on-field referee, and VAR Stuart Atwell, decided not to award a spot-kick after a lengthy review. Eventual champions Spain would go on to win the game in the 119th minute, leaving Cucurella to be booed for the remainder of the tournament. Following the incident, Uefa’s Referees Committee has recommended a change to its handball guidelines. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt wants to “strictly punish” instances where a player’s hand blocks a shot on target.According to Spanish publication Revelo, the report reads: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly.”And in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or on the body.”Referencing the Cucurella incident, it continues: “In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making himself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe committee concluded that although a penalty should have been given, Cucurella should not have been booked. Changes to the Uefa guidelines are likely to see more penalties awarded for handball. Watch Cucurella stand on table and sing about ‘drinking Estrella and making Haaland tremble’ during Spain celebrations The tweaks will not however impact the Premier League, a separate governing body. German coach Julian Nagelsmann was inconsolable following ref Taylor’s decision.But he called for the handball rule to be reviewed in light of the incident.Nagelsmann said: “They applied the rule and it was not a penalty. I do not feel cheated. “For me, the question is about making it more practical, more logical, in terms of how this [handball] rule is assessed. “I say this for football [overall], not just today. “You look at the hand. If it is at 3 o’clock, if it is a bit higher or a bit lower. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But there are people with bigger muscles than me, different movements.”Is it going into the clouds or is it going in the goal? In one case it is a penalty, in the other, it is not. If it is going into the stands, then it is no penalty.” More

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      League One club will host Uefa Conference League games THIS SEASON after new partnership announced

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      A LEAGUE ONE club will host Uefa Conference League games this season.Welsh side The New Saints (TNS) are set to feature in the tournament for the first this season after winning their play-off against Lithuanian side FK Panevėžys 3-0 on aggregate.Shrewsbury Town are set to host TNS’ home Europa Conference League gamesCredit: GettyTNS are the first Cymru Premier side to qualify for a European tournamentCredit: GettyBut their home games are to be moved from Park Hall, which is just inside the English border.Instead TNS will travel 20 miles south-east to League One side Shrewsbury, who play at the 9,875 capacity Croud Meadow.TNS kick things off against Astana on October 4, before Djurgården visit on November 28.Their final home group game is against Panathinaikos on December 12 and the two clubs are excited to announce their new partnership.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTNS Chairman Mike Harris said: “We’d like to thank Shrewsbury Town for allowing us to host these historic matches at the Croud Meadow.”We are hopeful the community will come out in full force to support The New Saints as we face some of the continent’s biggest clubs.“Being so close to our Park Hall home will mean that supporters from Oswestry, Mid Wales, and North Wales can travel to cheer on the team.”TNS are the first Cymru Premier side to feature in the group stages of a European competition after winning the league last season and qualifying via a play-off.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWho are these famous footballers?Their away fixtures see them take on Serie A side Fiorentina in what will be a real David vs Goliath clash.They also have a short trip across the Irish Sea to play Shamrock Rovers.Bromley boss Andy Woodman shares craziest EFL memories including players’ full on fight in club shop I What the EFL?! More

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      Arsenal wonderkid, 14, makes history by becoming youngest scorer in Uefa Youth League as fans gush ‘future is bright’

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      ARSENAL fans rejoiced as their latest wonderkid became the Uefa Youth League’s youngest-ever goalscorer.The Gunners were dealt an almighty blow on Wednesday when captain Martin Odegaard was ruled out for “a while” with an ankle injury.Max Dowman scored for Arsenal in their Uefa Youth League tie at AtalantaCredit: GettyThe attacking midfielder struck aged just 14 years, eight months and 19 daysCredit: GettyBut on Thursday, there was plenty of reason for celebration.That is because teenage star Max Dowman was on the scoresheet for the Arsenal Under-19s away at Atalanta.And in doing so, he broke the record as the youngest player to find the net in the competition. England U17 international Dowman was aged just 14 years, eight months and 19 days when he fired home from a cross.READ MORE ON ARSENALThe attacking midfielder – born on December 31, 2009 – broke the previous record held by Borussia Dortmund sensation Youssoufa Moukoko, who was 14 years, 11 months and three days at the time of his first Youth League goal.They are the only two players to have struck in the U19s tournament – a youth version of the Champions League.Among the other youngest goalscorers is Ryan Gravenberch.The Liverpool midfielder was just 15 years, four months and ten days old when he fired home for Ajax. Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Dowman’s effort bumps him out of the top five down to sixth on the list. According to Scouted, Dowman also became the youngest-ever starter in the Youth League and second-youngest debutant against Atalanta. Arsenal fans react to derby win over Spurs and reveal players who impressed them the mostAnd fans were quick to heap praise on the teenager for his impressive exploits. One said: “Spectacular talent.”Another wrote: “A proper baller.”A third commented: “Max Dowman is truly a rising star! Excited to see what the future holds for him and the Arsenal academy!”A fourth typed: “Another incoming wonderkid from Hale End.”A fifth labelled him “Talent of the Century”.A fifth added: “You just know he’s gonna be the youngest player starting for us in the premier league. I see him getting his debut within the next two years.”And a final user replied: “He is following in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri.”Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest player when he came on for the Gunners against Brentford in 2022.The schoolkid was just 15 years and 181 days old when he made his senior debut in West London – and is now part of the first-team set-up under Mikel Arteta.So much so that he was brought on in the closing minutes for Arsenal in Sunday’s North London Derby win at Tottenham to help see out victory. READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, despite Dowman’s success against Atalanta today, Arsenal supporters will be hoping there is no repeat of the scoreline when the senior sides face off in the Champions League.The junior Italians ran out comfortable 4-1 winners – racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time before Dowman pulled one back early in the second and then the home side grabbed a fourth late on. There are high hopes for the playmakerCredit: GettyDowman will hope to follow in the footsteps of Ethan NwaneriCredit: GettyDowman is already an England U17s internationalCredit: Getty More

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      Champions League club appear to play in special kit in order to comply with fussy Uefa rule

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      SPORTING LISBON were forced to make a subtle change to their kit for their Champions League opener to comply with Uefa rules.The Portuguese champions played host to Lille on Tuesday night as they returned to Europe’s premier competition after one year away.Sporting Lisbon wore this new kit for their Champions League openerCredit: GettyThis is the club’s usual home strip with three white lines through the shirtCredit: ReutersAnd they kicked things off in style with a comfortable 2-0 win – which included a stunner from defender Zeno Debast.Former Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres also got on the scoresheet for the hosts.It was the first of Sporting’s eight fixtures in the new-look Champions League.The others will come against PSV, Sturm Graz, Manchester City, Arsenal, Club Brugge, RB Leipzig and Bologna.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, the strip Sporting wear in domestic competitions has been altered for European matches.That is because Uefa rules dictate that if a shirt has three or more colours, one must be “clearly dominant”.Sporting’s shirt contains white, green and black stripes.But in order to ensure one was the focal point of the shirt, one of the white stripes near the bottom of the jersey was changed to black by designers Nike.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis meant the black dominated the shirt, meaning the kit did not break any Uefa regulations.It is expected they will have to do the same for their remaining games when they wear their home strip.Jamie Carragher ‘absolutely cooks’ Micah Richards live on TNT Sports after cheeky Champions League jibe More

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      England could be BANNED from playing in Euro 2028 despite hosting tournament due to Keir Starmer proposal

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      UEFA have threatened England with a ban from playing and hosting Euro 2028.Prime Minister and Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer is set to push forward with plans to implement a football regulator.Keir Starmer is ready go ahead with plans to implement a football regulatorCredit: APUefa are unhappy about the regulator and could ban England from the EurosCredit: GettyThe new legislation is set to prevent clubs forming a breakaway-style Super League and “protect clubs” by “ensuring their financial sustainability”.Britain will be the first country to have a football watchdog in place and Uefa are said to be unhappy about it.The European governing body has slammed the proposed “interference in the running of football”.And in a leaked letter sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis has threatened to strip England from competing in tournaments.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTheodoridis wrote: “We do have concerns remaining… as normally football regulation should be managed by the national federation.”One particular area of concern stems from one of Uefa’s fundamental requirements, which is that there should be no government interference in the running of football.”We have specific rules that guard against this in order to guarantee the autonomy of sport and fairness of sporting competition.”The ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from Uefa and teams from competition.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis would mean that English clubs could be banned from European tournaments like the Champions League.Uefa also hit out at the football regulator’s proposed “backstop powers”.England fans SLAM Lee Carsley for not singing the national anthem at Wembley The move could see the watchdog be allowed to intervene in talks between the Premier League and EFL over funding.On this, Theodoridis said: “Mandating redistribution which effects the competitive balance in the game and wider European competition would be of concern to us. “We also fear that having a third party intervene in redistribution would likely prevent amicable solutions being found.”As we see it, the ‘backstop’ power, while intended as a safety net, should be carefully reconsidered to avoid undermining these fundamental principles.” More

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      Championship rakes in second biggest crowds in the WORLD as 12.7million attend games

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      THE Championship was the second-biggest attended league in the WORLD last season.Figures compiled by Uefa found the 24 top tier EFL sides were watched by 12.7million fans in 2023-24.This turn-out of Blackburn fans at relegated Burnley this season shows Championship attendance figures are again huge in 2024-25Credit: GettyQPR supporters at Luton also typify ardent backing in the second tierCredit: RexIt was a figure bigger than the attendances in any league except the Premier League – which had total gates of 14.7m.And England’s love affair with the game was shown with 44.7m supporters walking through the turnstiles from the Prem down to Tier 6.That was nearly 50 per cent more than the nearest rival, Germany, where the game attracted a total 30.6m fans.The figures were contained in Uefa’s updated European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, which included a huge number of statistics about game across the continent.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUefa noted: “The Championship showcased substantial support last season, with its average attendance of over 23,000 per match ranking seventh among European leagues and the nearly 13 million in aggregate crowds ranking second in world football.“The depth of support in England is unmatched, with more than 5 million attending third-tier matches, almost 3.5 million attending fourth-tier matches and almost 3 million attending the three leagues in tier five and six.”Six Prem sides – Manchester United, West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – attracted aggregate league gates of more than 1m fans last term, with Old Trafford hosting 1.834m supporters across all United’s home matches.That was a total exceeded only by Borussia Dortmund, whose 1.95m came with an average attendance of just over 81,000, and AC Milan.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmong the other findings, Uefa confirmed that Prem refs allowed more stoppage time than any other league last season.Prem matches saw an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds of added time, with 68 per cent of matches lasting more than 100 minutes as PGMOL officials adopted new Fifa guidelines.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!However, with refs’ chief Howard Webb asking his officials to adopt a new approach this term, the average amount of added time so far in the Prem has dropped to nine minutes 59 seconds per game.Across European football, the summer transfer window saw a drop in spending of eight per cent, from 2023’s £6.16bn to £5.66bn this year.For the first time since the Covid pandemic, French, Italian and German clubs were “net spenders” alongside the Prem and Saudi Pro League.Prem sides, despite a slight spending reduction to £1.75bn, paid an average of £13.2m for each signing. More