ECJ strikes major blow for Uefa and Fifa in legal battle over European Super League December 15, 2022 Three of football’s biggest clubs have suffered a major blow to their hopes of reviving a breakaway Super League at the European Court of Justice. In a recommendation issued by an advocate general this morning that followed a hearing at the ECJ in July, the court has been advised to side with governing bodies Uefa [...]
Ed Warner: Bullingham must own England manager decision if it comes December 15, 2022 “The FA should only look at English managers if Gareth Southgate steps down.” “No, the FA should be prepared to hire a foreign coach.” Discuss ad nauseam. Now imagine you are Mark Bullingham, the Football Association’s chief executive, possibly (but not certainly) about to have to make an appointment whose success or failure would stand [...]
European Super League: Will ECJ resurrect breakaway or prove final nail in its coffin? December 14, 2022 Abandoned by most of its supporters in the face of widespread outcry, tied up in red tape, and then undermined by the financial problems of its remaining backers, the European Super League has never looked more dead. But the controversial breakaway football competition could be dramatically resurrected on Thursday when an advocate general delivers their [...]
Putting the Atlas Lions on the map: Morocco aiming to ‘do a Greece’ at the World Cup December 14, 2022 It may not quite be in the realms of Leicester City’s 5,000-1 Premier League triumph, but Morocco’s progress to the last four of this World Cup still represents a minor miracle. In reaching the semi-finals, the Atlas Lions have gone further than any previous African or Arab nation on international football’s biggest stage. Were they [...]
Premier League: Bournemouth is latest club to be bought out by a US businessman December 13, 2022 Premier League strugglers Bournemouth have been bought out by a US-led consortium including actor Michael B Jordan. Owner Maxim Demin has sold his 100 per cent stake in the firm to Black Knight Football Club (BNFC), managed by American businessman Bill Foley. The bid also has a number of high profile backers, including award-winning actor, [...]
Lionel Messi should be regarded as the best ever whether he wins a World Cup or not December 12, 2022 It is the curse of every Argentinian No10 to be measured against Diego Maradona, but for Lionel Messi the comparison took on extra weight during the summer of 2005. Messi won the top scorer and player of the tournament prizes as he led his country to victory at the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. [...]
Ranked: England’s five most painful defeats in major football tournaments December 11, 2022 England added another chapter to their history of World Cup heartbreak in Saturday’s quarter-final against France. But what were England’s most painful major tournament defeats, and does Harry Kane’s penalty miss even make it into the top five? 5. Argentina 1998 Michael Owen’s dazzling goal, David Beckham’s red card, Diego Simeone’s machiavellian antics, Sol Campbell’s [...]
Trevor Steven: England lacked belief of winners France – but we’re 95 per cent there December 11, 2022 England’s World Cup quarter-final with France was always going to be touch and go. There isn’t much above it for quality, pressure and match-ups. This was football at the highest level. But in games like that it is important to get into it as quickly as you can, and England were poor in the first [...]
England v France TONIGHT: Why World Cup opponents’ rivalry lacks spice December 10, 2022 For two neighbouring countries with such a long history of conflict and mutual suspicion, England’s World Cup quarter-final with France tonight is curiously short on piquancy. There is no love lost when the nations’ rugby teams meet each year in Le Crunch, while recent political developments have soured more than a century of Entente Cordiale. [...]
Qatar World Cup in brief: Why you should watch today’s matches December 9, 2022 We’re down to the final eight and there’s a spot in the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup within grasp. Brazil and Argentina will catch eyes but the resilient Europeans won’t let the South Americans have it all their own way. Croatia vs Brazil, 3pm, BBC The first of the Qatar World Cup quarter-finals will [...]