Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: UEFA

UEFA scraps away goals in Champions League, Europa League
UEFA’s Executive Committee has finally scrapped the away goals rule.
The away goals rule will be removed from all UEFA club competitions in the 2021/2022 season.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
This means fixtures in which the two teams score the same number of goals over the two legs will now have two 15-minute periods of extra time, and, if required, penalty kicks.
The statement read in part: “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various UEFA meetings over the last few years.
“Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.
“There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored.
“It’s fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was.
“Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the UEFA Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it’s no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.“
June 24, 2021
UEFA sanctions nine clubs over Super League project as three hold out
UEFA on Friday announced sanctions, including financial punishments, against nine of the 12 clubs behind the aborted Super League project, after the clubs “apologised” and acknowledged “a mistake”.
The governing body of European football said that “in a spirit of reconciliation” the nine clubs had agreed to a “Club Commitment Declaration” and accepted a five percent cut in their European revenue for one season.
However, three clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, did not sign the declaration.
UEFA said it “reserved all rights to take whatever action it deems appropriate against those clubs that have so far refused to renounce the so-called ‘Super League’.
“The matter will promptly be referred to the competent UEFA disciplinary bodies,” the statement concluded.
The nine clubs that opted out of the project — Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan — have agreed to a series of “reintegration measures”.
“These clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
“The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved in the so-called ‘Super League’ and UEFA will deal with those clubs subsequently.”
The nine have agreed to forego five percent of their revenue from UEFA competitions for one season and pay, between them, a 15-million-euro ($18.25 million) donation to support grassroots and youth football in Europe.
They also committed to participating in UEFA competitions for which they qualify and agreed to pay fines of 100m euros if they ever seek to play in an “unauthorised” competition.
“It takes a strong organisation to admit making a mistake especially in these days of trial by social media. These clubs have done just that,” said Ceferin.
“In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, UEFA wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.”
AFP
May 7, 2021
Oshoala nominated for maiden Uefa Women’s Team of the Year
Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the first-ever Uefa Women’s Team of the Year, following her exploits with Barcelona.
Uefa released the shortlist for fan voting on Tuesday and the Super Falcons captain unsurprisingly appeared on the nominations, along with 14 strikers, including teammate Jennifer Hermoso.
The 50-name shortlist was made by Uefa on the basis of the players’ individual performances in European and domestic competition during the 2020 season, and comprises of five goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 15 midfielders, and 15 forwards.
Barcelona claimed the Spanish Primera Iberdrola title for the first time since 2015 and a fifth in their history in May, without suffering a defeat in 21 matches during the 2019-20 campaign.
Oshoala, the scorer of the consolation goal in 2019 Champions League final, netted 20 times in 19 outings last term and is among the eight Barcelona stars nominated, and hopeful for a place in the final XI.
The 26-year-old is the only African nominated in the first-ever women’s TOTY shortlist, as she hopes to extend her reputation beyond the continent following a record-equalling fourth African crown.
Since her arrival on loan from China’s Dalian Quanjian in February 2019, the former Arsenal and Liverpool star scored 29 goals in 32 league appearances for Barcelona.
Besides Oshoala, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Marta Torrejon, Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon and Kheira Hamraoui are the other seven Barcelona stars in the running for the final XI.
Barcelona have the third-highest amount nominations on the 50-woman list after reigning Women’s Champions League holders Lyon with 13 players and runners-up Wolfsburg (11).
RELATED POST:
Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for UEFA Fans’ Women’s Team of the Year
Laliga Celebrates Oshoala’s Impressive Scoring Form After Goal Vs Real Betis
December 2, 2020
Reece James Handed Two-Match Ban By UEFA
Chelsea right-back Reece James has been handed a two match ban by UEFA after his red card at Wembley.
UEFA chiefs ruled James used “abusive language” at Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano in England’s Nations League defeat to Denmark last month.
James actually got his marching orders after the final whistle when tempers flared after the game which also saw Harry Maguire get his marching orders and the Manchester United defender will serve a one game ban.
But James’ suspension – which has now been confirmed by UEFA’s disciplinary committee – means he is likely to miss out on Gareth Southgate’s squad which is to be named on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Liverpool & Manchester City in race for Alaba
Because James would not be available for either Nations League game he is set to be left out of another expanded squad as England boss Southgate will use the Ireland friendly as another chance to experiment at Wembley.
Mirror Sport reported last week Phil Foden is set to return after being sent home from Iceland in disgrace in September after breaking strict coronavirus protocols.
Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood is also available again but may not be quite as certain of a recall with competition fierce and Raheem Sterling is expected to be fit.
The withdrawal of Danny Ings – the Southampton striker is out for up to six weeks through injury – may open the door for Greenwood.
But Southgate has options galore at right-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier are all set to be in while Ben Chilwell is likely to be recalled at left back.
If another full back is needed than Aaron Wan-Bissaka is next in line.
Kalvin Phillips also misses out through injury but Southgate has midfield options and will rest and rotate through the three games to keep clubs happy even though players do not like big squads if it means they are not involved.
RELATED POSTS:
Bale and Ramsey in Wales squad for upcoming games
Chelsea match decade-old clean sheet mark in Champions League win over Rennes
Abraham return helps Chelsea beat Villa
November 5, 2020
Champions League to undergo changes as UEFA consider new plan
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is making plans to have a new format for Champions league.
The single-country, one-leg format was adopted for practical purposes as an effective way to conclude the competitions last season in a campaign badly disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, and proved to be a big hit as a spectacle.
European football’s governing body is bound by contracts with broadcasters to revert to the regular two-legged system for quarter-finals and semi-finals for the rest of the current cycle, but has not ruled out a change to the format beyond that.
Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA’s deputy general secretary, told the PA news agency: “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.
“Single knock-out 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.”
The 2019-20 Champions League’s final stages took place in Lisbon, while the German cities of Cologne, Duisburg, Dusseldorf and Gelsenkirchen hosted the conclusion of the Europa League.
October 19, 2020
Lewandowski named UEFA men’s player of the year
Robert Lewandowski was named UEFA men’s player of the year on Thursday following a superb season in which he won the treble with Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski was at the Champions League group draw in Geneva to receive the award, just weeks after Bayern won the 2019/20 edition of the competition.
The Poland striker scored 55 goals in 47 games as Bayern also won the Bundesliga and German Cup.
“It’s an amazing feeling, because you work so hard, so this trophy is something special,” said Lewandowski after receiving the award.
“I have to say thank you to my team-mates and coaches who helped me get where I am. Also, my family have given me so much support and are so important.”
Lewandowski also picked up the award for best forward in last season’s Champions League after amassing 15 goals in 10 games. In one match against Red Star Belgrade he needed just 14 minutes to score four times.
The 32-year-old was also top scorer in the Bundesliga last season with 34 goals, equal to a goal a game in the 18-team league.
It was the fifth time he claimed the ‘cannon’ award for the highest number of goals in the German top flight since arriving at Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.
Lewandowski would have been the strong favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or had it not been cancelled by France Football magazine due to the coronavirus pandemic.
October 1, 2020
UEFA gives European leagues May 25 deadline for restart plans
European Football Leagues have been given a May 25 deadline to inform the governing body UEFA of their plans to restart their domestic competitions.
Soccer has been grounded to a halt in all major leagues in Europe and none is yet to resume. But UEFA is keen to start planning for next season’s European club tournaments.
In a letter to the 55 federations in UEFA, President Aleksander Ceferin, wrote that any league cancelling its season would need to produce a list of teams that have qualified for European club competitions, also by May 25.
“National Associations and/or Leagues should be in a position to communicate to UEFA by 25 May 2020 the planned restart of their domestic competitions including the date of restart and the relevant competition format.
“In the event that a domestic competition is to be prematurely terminated for legitimate reasons… UEFA would require the National Association to explain by 25 May 2020 the special circumstances justifying such premature termination and to select clubs for the UEFA club competitions 2020/21 on the basis of sporting merit in the 2019/20 domestic competitions,”Ceferin wrote.
The sport has been brought to a standstill by the pandemic, with the Euro 2020 competition postponed until next year and both national leagues and continental club competitions on hold.
UEFA has made it clear that it wants its member associations to complete their domestic seasons rather than abandoning them. It also hopes to finish the Champions League and Europa League competitions.
Leagues such as the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and English Premier League say they want to finish their seasons.
However, the Dutch Eredivisie cut short its season on Friday and said there would be no title awarded and no relegations or promotions – a decision strongly criticised by some of the affected clubs.
April 28, 2020
UEFA exco to meet as uncertainty continues
UEFA will hold a meeting of its decision-making executive committee on April 23 with discussions likely to centre on how, when and if the European football season will be able to resume amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The sport has been brought to a standstill by the outbreak with the Euro 2020 competition postponed until next year and both national leagues and continental club competitions on hold.
Football associations, leagues, clubs and players around Europe are debating how to complete seasons and ensure the safety of players and officials.
UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, has made it clear that it wants its member associations to complete their domestic seasons rather than abandon them. It also hopes to finish the Champions League and Europa League competitions.
UEFA said in a statement that the meeting, to be preceded on Tuesday by a session for the general secretaries of its 55 member associations, will “discuss the latest developments regarding the impact caused by the coronavirus outbreak on European football.”
“The meetings will look at developments across both domestic and European competitions,” it added. Both will be held by video conference.(Reuters/NAN)
April 17, 2020
UEFA postpones Champions League, Europa League finals
This season’s Champions League, Europa League and women’s Champions League finals scheduled for May have been formally postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Monday.
All three competitions are currently suspended along with almost every European domestic league because of the coronavirus while UEFA last week postponed the Euro 2020 tournament until 2021.
“No decision has been taken on rearranged dates,” UEFA said in a statement.
It also did not say whether it would be able to complete the competitions in the current format or would have to shorten them.
The Champions League was halted halfway through the return legs of the round of 16 with four ties still to be decided.
The final was due to take place in Istanbul on May 30.
Some media reports have suggested ties could be reduced to one leg instead of two from the quarter-finals with a “final four” tournament in Istanbul.
In the Europa League, two of the round of 16 first leg matches have still to be played and all of the second legs. The final was due to be held in Gdansk, Poland, on May 27.
The women’s Champions League final was scheduled for Vienna on May 24. (Reuters/NAN)
March 24, 2020
UEFA summons clubs, FAs, players to discuss coronavirus impact
European football governing body UEFA will hold a video conference meeting of all 55 football federations in Europe, it said on Thursday.
The meeting which will involve representatives of clubs, leagues and players is to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on all football in the region, including Euro 2020.
UEFA has so far declined to discuss whether Euro 2020, which will be held in 12 different countries around Europe between June 12 and July 12, will be postponed or venues altered.
UEFA said the meeting would be held next Tuesday and that “discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020”.
“Further communication will be made following those meetings,” it said.
On Thursday, Real Madrid and Juventus, two of Europe’s biggest clubs who are scheduled to play Champions League matches next week, sent all of their footballers into quarantine.
Real Madrid’s move came after one of the club’s basketball players tested positive for the coronavirus, while Juventus defender Daniele Rugani also tested positive for the virus.
Real Madrid’s basketball team was also sent into quarantine.
Domestic leagues around the continent have been put on hold or are taking place behind closed doors.
Two Europa League matches scheduled for Thursday have been postponed because Spanish side Getafe refused to travel to Italy, the epicentre of the outbreak, to face Inter Milan.
AS Roma said they could not travel to Spain to face Sevilla because of flight restrictions.(Reuters/NAN)
March 13, 2020