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      Euro 2020 ‘could take place in Russia as Uefa eye single host’ – leaving England to miss out on holding final

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      ENGLAND could reportedly lose out on holding the Euro 2020 finals to Russia as UEFA look to host the tournament in just one country.
      UEFA had to delay the tournament until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and are adamant it will still go ahead, according to The Mirror.

      England could miss out on hosting the Euro 2020 finalsCredit: AFP or licensors

      President Aleksander Čeferin has insisted that the competition must go ahead as it ‘would bring positive energy to the people’.
      To ensure it can go ahead safely they are said to be thinking about changing the format of the Euros.
      Initially, UEFA had planned to play the tournament over 12 nations – including England.
      The other nations which were set to host the Euro’s are Germany, Italy, Romania, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Hungary, Scotland and Denmark.

      England were due to host the group matches for Gareth Southgate’s men at Wembley plus also some of the latter stages, including the final next summer.
      But with the high rise in coronavirus cases in the country this now seems unlikely.
      This would be a huge blow to England, who had been hoping they could thrive off the spirit of the home crowd in the Euros, as they did in 1996.
      Boss Gareth Southgate was also keen for the competition to be held in England.

      He was part of the the Three Lions squad in 1996 and missed the crucial penalty in the semi-finals against Germany.

      Russia have been touted as potential hosts due to their relatively low number of cases and their successful handling of the World Cup in 2018.
      This is a far cry from last year when they faced expulsion from the tournament due to alleged inconsistencies in anti-doping data.
      Suprisingly, Azerbaijan has also been thrown into the hat but that would be unrealistic due to their ongoing military conflict with Armenia.
      At this present time nothing has been decided by UEFA, who are said to be making contingency plans in the light of the latest setbacks.

      Gareth Southgate reacts to Harry Maguire and Reece James red cards More

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      Champions League could be extended to 36 teams and restructured into single table with 10 matches for each side

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      THE CHAMPIONS League could be extended to 36 teams in the group phase.
      The idea is one of a number of options set to be considered by Uefa chiefs who are under pressure to agree a format ensuring more guaranteed games for clubs.

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      The Champions League may be extended to 36 teams in the group stageCredit: EPA

      Euro chiefs have to find a way of appeasing the demands of the influential European Club Association which is pushing for more income when the three Uefa club competitions are restructured from the 2024-25 season.
      In addition to a plan for the current 32 team group stage to be split into four groups of eight, rather than the current eight groups of four, there are two potential 36-team models as well.
      Under one plan, there would be six groups of six in the initial phase, with the top two teams in each group and best four third-placed teams going through to the last 16.

      That proposal guarantees each side 10 matches, four more than under the current format.
      The other, more complicated plan, would see the adoption of the so-called “Swiss-system tournament”, by which the teams would be assigned 10 opponents of varying strengths by a computer programme.
      Under this system – first designed for a chess tournament held in Zurich in 1895 – all the teams would compete in the same league table format, based on the 10 games played – five home, five away.
      The biggest issue with this format would be fans struggling to understand how the games are allotted with suspicions that certain clubs have been favoured with an easier fixture list to get them into the last 16.

      Last week’s Project Big Picture proposals for the Premier League, drafted by Liverpool and Manchester United, sought to create room in the calendar for extra matches by reducing the English top flight to 18 clubs, scrapping the Carabao Cup and abandoning all FA Cup replays.
      But the biggest push for more games comes from outside England, with Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, the head of the ECA, determined to extend the number of matches played in the Champions League.
      The 36-team plans, though, could also find favour with Europe’s mid-sized nations who struggled to get teams into the current competition where England, Spain, Germany and Italy have 16 of the 32 group stage slots automatically and France are also handed three slots.

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      Providing room for another four clubs would benefit the likes of Holland, Belgium, Portugal,  Switzerland and Denmark.
      Claus Thomsem, chief executive of the Danish Superliga and who helped draft the proposed “Copenhagen Model” which was discussed by the ECA last year, said: “More teams from non-top five leagues need to have access to the Champions League and the Europa League.”
      Agnelli – who along with PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a member of Uefa’s ruling executive committee – and the ECA are pushing for a final decision “by the spring of 2022”.

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      Champions League could be moved to ‘final eight’ one-off mini-tournament from 2023 as Uefa begin talks

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      UEFA is ready to confirm end of season tournaments to find the winners of its three European competitions.
      But Euro chiefs are split on whether to introduce a ‘Final Eight’ or ‘Final Four’ format when the new schedule is confirmed for the 2024-25 season.

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      Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has proposed a ‘final four’ format for the Champions LeagueCredit: EPA

      The success of July’s ‘one-off’ knockout tournaments, with Champions League quarter-final stages onwards played in Portugal, and Europa League in Germany has prompted Uefa’s way forward.
      The organisation’s President Aleksander Ceferin suggested on Friday that a ‘final four’ concept, with the semis and finals played out in a series of one-off ties, was the most likely option.
      Ceferin talked about a ‘week’ of football which would round off the club season and capture worldwide interest.

      But now Ceferin’s widely respected No 3, deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti, has raised the prospect of the tournament’s last eight stages being played out.
      Uefa – pushed by the influential European Club Association – recognises there is pressing demands for changes. 
      However, any format alterations will be on hold until the end of the next three-year TV contract cycle in 2024.
      Marchetti, though, said: “Everybody watched the final eight tournaments in August.

      A good rule is to never exclude something which proves valuable or has potential
      Giorgio Marchetti UEFA Deputy General

      “Single knockout matches obviously favour uncertainty and emotions. 
      “We received great feedback from clubs, broadcasters and other partners as well as from the fans. 
      “The circumstances made this format a must, but the result could not be better as well as the degree of satisfaction.”

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      Uefa’s format change could see Champions League and Europa semis-finals played as one-off tiesCredit: Reuters
      When asked if that implied a format change was now likely, Marchetti added: “A good rule is to never exclude something which proves valuable or has potential. 
      “We know there are many elements that need to be taken into account, such as calendar and organisational constraints, fans’ involvement, economic implications, but we will for sure study this format and its variations for our upcoming discussions.”
      Uefa will launch their new third-tier competition, the Europa Conference League – which includes a place for the winners of the Carabao Cup – next season.

      Uefa admit delayed Euros can’t go ahead as planned with format set to be changed and some host cities set for axe More

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      Uefa admit delayed Euros CAN’T go ahead as planned – with format set to be changed and some host cities set for axe

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      FOOTBALL bosses are preparing to rip up the format for the Euros – and SCRAP some venues.
      Uefa privately accept there is no way that next summer’s tournament – postponed because of Covid – will be able to go ahead with the planned 12 host cities.

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      Euro 2020 is set for a format change with some host cities to be axed due to Covid

      A worst-case scenario could see one country stage the tournament with four venues being used.
      Wembley is due to stage seven games, including England’s three group matches, plus the semi-finals and final.
      The competition is sure to go ahead – owing to the millions Uefa will receive from TV companies.
      And the governing body is hopeful supporters will still be able to attend.

      But some venues are at risk and the tournament will have to be condensed to ensure less travelling.
      Places such as Baku in Azerbaijan – now caught in a conflict with Armenia – plus St Petersburg in Russia will be among the first to be dropped.

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      Baku, Azerbaijan, is under threat as the country is in conflict with ArmeniaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, is among those that could be axed as it struggled to sell ticketsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Bilbao in Spain struggled to sell tickets so would also be in the firing line.
      Uefa know they can complete a tournament in one country, with teams staying in bubbles.

      Further meetings are due over the next few months.

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      Champions League games WILL see fans at 30 per cent capacity if local coronavirus rules allows

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      UEFA have given the green light for fans to return – but only where national governments allow.
      In a move that will add to pressure from Prem sides for a UK Government U-turn, European football’s ruling executive committee has agreed that fan numbers will be capped at 30 per cent of stadium capacity.

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      Football fans could be back in stadiums cheering their heroes onCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But there will be no away supporters allowed for now.
      The change, which will apply to all competitive games under the Uefa umbrella, will come into effect from next week’s international break.
      This will include the delayed Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals and the National League group stage.
      Fans will be ordered to socially distance and wear masks in line with local regulations.

      But it will not apply for any of England’s games next week or the opening Champions League or Europa League home games for English sides unless the Government relents on its current ban on attendances.
      Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin said: “This is a sensible first step which puts fans’ health first and respects the laws in each country.
      “Different countries have different approaches and different challenges at any given moment but 27 countries on the continent already allow fans to some extent.
      “This allows a coherent approach on a country-by-country basis and not on a competition-by-competition basis which was sometimes difficult to understand for fans.”

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      Football fans will have to get used to social distancing in the standsCredit: Reuters

      The move comes just weeks after European football was warned of a cash ‘crisis’ which will last for two years.
      Clubs face being hit by a triple whammy of no gate income, reduced TV money and sponsors demanding lower value deals.
      And Europe’s biggest sides including Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City will also be hit by a £530million cut in Uefa prize money for the Champions League and Europa League.
      The gloomy forecast was given by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli.
      Agnell told an audience of Europe’s biggest clubs that the real price of the Covid-19 pandemic has still to be paid.
      Speaking at the opening of the virtual general assembly of the European Club Association, Agnelli said: “None of us could have imagined what we have had to live with over recent months.
      “Now we are looking at a top revenue decrease of approximately £3.6billion in the next two years.
      “According to Fifa, 90 per cent of those top line losses will be borne by clubs.
      “I don’t believe we will have a full scope of what this means to us until we have the first set of accounts published this autumn.
      “But we do have a set of facts which we have to face.”

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      Bayern Munich vs Dortmund: Live stream FREE, TV channel, kick off time, team news for German Super Cup TONIGHT

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      BAYERN MUNICH and Borussia Dortmund meet tonight for the first Der Klassiker of the season in the German Super Cup.
      Bayern will be hoping to add another trophy to the UEFA Super Cub that they recently defeated Sevilla to lift.

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      Sancho and co will be hoping for victory against BayernCredit: EPA
      What time does Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund kick off?
      Kick-off will be at at 7.30pm BST tonight.
      It will be held at the Allianz Arena.
      What TV channel is Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund on and can I live stream it?

      The match will be show on BT Sport in the UK.
      BT Sport subscribers can live stream the match online via computer, mobile and tablet.
      Fans in the US can catch the game on ESPN+.
      Can I watch Bayern Munich vs Dortmund free?
      EE phone customers can also watch the action for free by signing up to a three-month trial – simply just text SPORT to 150.

      This will allow you to stream all BT Sports channels via the app, while also casting it to your television.
      You can cancel at any time during the trial, but may be charged after the three months.

      What is the team news?
      Bayern Munich
      Bayern are missing defender Tanguy Nianzou who is out with a hamstring injury.
      Borussia Dortmund
      Dortmund are without centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, right-back Mateu Morey and left-back Marcel Schmelzer.

      Thorgan Hazard is also sidelined having suffered a torn muscle fibre in his teams win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
      And Man Utd target Jadon Sancho hasn’t travelled with the squad with a respiratory illness, but BVB have confirmed he does not have Covid-19.

      Bayern Munich beat Sevilla to lift the Super Cup in Budapest More

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      Bayern Munich vs Dortmund: Live stream, TV channel, kick off time and team news for German Super Cup

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      BAYERN MUNICH and Borussia Dortmund meet for the first Der Klassiker of the season in the German Super Cup.
      Bayern will be hoping to add the trophy to the UEFA Super Cub that they recently defeated Sevilla to lift.

      1

      Sancho and co will be hoping for victory against BayernCredit: EPA
      What time does Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund kick off?

      The match will take place on Wednesday, September 30.
      Kick-off will be at at 7.30pm.
      It will be held at the Allianz Arena.
      What TV channel is Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund on and can I live stream it?
      The match will be show on BT Sport in the UK.

      BT Sport subscribers can live stream the match online via computer, mobile and tablet.
      Fans in the US can catch the game on ESPN+.
      Can I watch Bayern Munich vs Dortmund free?
      EE phone customers can also watch the action for free by signing up to a three-month trial – simply just text SPORT to 150.
      This will allow you to stream all BT Sports channels via the app, while also casting it to your television.

      You can cancel at any time during the trial, but may be charged after the three months.

      What is the team news?
      Bayern Munich
      Bayern are missing defender Tanguy Nianzou who is out with a hamstring injury.
      Borussia Dortmund
      Dortmund are without centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, right-back Mateu Morey and left-back Marcel Schmelzer.
      Thorgan Hazard is also sidelined having suffered a torn muscle fibre in his teams win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
      And Man Utd target Jadon Sancho hasn’t travelled with the squad with a respiratory illness, but BVB have confirmed he does not have Covid-19.

      Bayern Munich beat Sevilla to lift the Super Cup in Budapest More

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      Bayern Munich vs Sevilla FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for TONIGHT’S Uefa Super Cup clash

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      THE winners of UEFA’s two major European competitions meet in this season’s Super Cup.
      Bayern Munich hammered Barcelona and then edged past Paris Saint-Germain last month to lift the Champions League.

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      Robert Lewandowski scored on the weekend in Bayern’s 8-0 rout against Schalke.

      And Sevilla overcame Inter in a entertaining Europa League final to claim their fourth win in the competition in seven years.
      What time does Bayern Munich vs Sevilla kick off?
      Bayern Munich face Sevilla on Thursday, September 24.
      The match kicks off at 8pm.
      It will be played at the neutral venue of the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
      What TV channel is Bayern Munich vs Sevilla on and can I watch it for free?
      Bayern Munich vs Sevilla is live on BT Sport 1.
      To live stream, head to the BT Sport website or app.
      Coverage begins at 7.15pm
      The game can be viewed for free by EE subscribers with a three-month trial of BT Sport.
      Team news
      Robert Lewandowski picked up a knock in training following Bayern’s 8-0 thrashing of Schalke, but is expected to be fit.
      Tanguy Nianzou will miss out while David Alaba’s fitness is a doubt.
      Sevilla are expected to have a clean bill of health.

      Latest odds
      Bayern Munich 3/10
      Draw 4/1
      Sevilla 13/2
      *Latest odds from Ladbrokes correct as of Tuesday, September 22 More