Football (Soccer) Thread

[Zoupa]

France got dominated for 90 minutes and still won. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign for the final.

[Gups]

The French left looks very weak with Mbappe not tracking back. Wonder if they will keep him in the centre.

[Duque de Bragança]

France got dominated for 90 minutes and still won. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign for the final.

The optimist will say « la chatte à Dédé » is back.

[Josquius]

Poor Morocco. So many almosts.

[The Larch]

So, no European Super League unless the clubs are ready to fully break away from their national leagues, apparently?

European Super League: legal adviser's view delivers blow to ailing project
European court of justice advocate general backs Uefa and Fifa
Says clubs can break away but need approval to stay in leagues

The prospects for a revived European Super League have been knocked back after a key legal opinion argued that Uefa and Fifa are within their rights to sanction clubs who join any breakaway.

The opinion sssued by advocate general Athanasios Rantos at the Court of Justice of the European Union is non-binding and is only a potential argument for judges to consider before a final verdict in a case brought by the European Super League Company (ESLC) is delivered next year. But there was no doubt that the opinion found heavily in favour of football's existing powers.

The key findings expressed in the opinion were succinct. "The Fifa-Uefa rules under which any new competition is subject to prior approval are compatible with EU competition law," the advocate general wrote. "Whilst ESLC is free to set up its own independent football competition outside the Uefa and Fifa ecosystem, it cannot however, in parallel with the creation of such a competition, continue to participate in the football competitions organised by Fifa and Uefa without the prior authorisation of those federations."

Last year, when 12 clubs agreed to form a breakaway competition, they did so without the official authorisation of Uefa or Fifa. This led to Uefa threatening the clubs with financial sanctions and sporting punishments. The possibility of being unable to compete both in the Super League and the clubs' domestic competitions – combined with a massive public sense of outrage – brought the competition tumbling down. If the judges at the CJEU follow the opinion of the advocate general, that threat will be made permanent.

Uefa said it "warmly welcomed" the "unequivocal" findings of the advocate general. "The opinion reinforces the central role of federations in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity," it said.

"Football in Europe remains united and steadfastly opposed to the ESL, or any such breakaway proposals, which would threaten the entire European sports ecosystem.

"While we await the Court's final judgment due next year, Uefa, as a public interest, not-for-profit governing body, will continue to be fully focused on its mission to develop football for all, in close cooperation with national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, EU institutions, governments and other relevant stakeholders who have the true values of football at heart."


The European Club Association, a body which represents 245 clubs, also welcomed the news. Led until last year by Andrea Agnelli, one of the chief architects of the ESL, the ECA now insists it sees the future of club football as being under the umbrella of Uefa.

"ECA exists to promote, represent and serve European football clubs of all shapes and sizes," said its CEO, Charlie Marshall. "We do this by working hand in hand not only with our members but also with our major stakeholders, none more important than Uefa. This partnership is the foundation of the future sustainability and success of European club football and we look forward to driving its responsible evolution in a way which secures it for future generations, not destroys it."

The three clubs who remain publicly supportive of the ESL project – Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid – did not immediately comment on the opinion. The marketing company A22, which has been working to promote the ESL, did offer a short response on Twitter, calling for greater clarity on the possible sanctions for those who seek to join any breakaway in future, should it happen.

"Clubs and players must be able to know in advance conditions to be able to participate in third-party events," it said. "Sanctions must also be sufficiently clear, predictable and proportionate to limit any risk of arbitrary application."

[Duque de Bragança]

No love for the bronze medal game? Usually more pleasant to watch than the final.

Croatia 2 Morocco 1
Deserved victory for the Croats, Moroccans made more mistakes but then they had more wounded players.

[Admiral Yi]

A little dull, no?  Needed a bad call or two to spice things up.

[Josquius]

I didn't even watch it when England was in it. Its a friendly level game generally.
No idea how this was. I guess Morocco tried?

[mongers]

I didn't even watch it when England was in it. Its a friendly level game generally.
No idea how this was. I guess Morocco tried?

[Josephus]

I guess Morocco tried?

Yes, they did. So did Croatia, oddly enough.

[HVC]

Let's go France!

[mongers]

I've no preference; so may the best team win.

[Threviel]

God damn, Argentina is making Coq au vin.

[HVC]

Argentina was taking it for granted. Although France have not been playing well

[Threviel]

France has great efficiency, two shots on target, two goals.