⚽️ ⚽️ Football Thread ⚽️ World of Football ⚽️

[Perumthachan]

some beautiful fireworks there...
angel di maria, de bruyne, giggs, totti, bergkamp would be my picks... what beautiful crossings...

[BangaloreaN]

Breakaway 'Super League' players would be banned from World Cup - FIFA






World football's governing body FIFA says players who feature in any breakaway European Super League would be banned from playing in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
In a joint statement with European governing body UEFA and the other five continental confederations on Thursday, FIFA said it would not recognise any such breakaway.
"In light of recent media speculation about the creation of a closed European "Super League" by some European clubs, FIFA and the six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA) once again would like to reiterate and strongly emphasize that such a competition would not be recognised by either FIFA or the respective confederation.
"Any club or player involved in such a competition would as a consequence not be allowed to participate in any competition organised by FIFA or their respective confederation," they added.
The idea of a breakaway league, as an alternative to UEFA's flagship Champions League, has been floated for many years but speculation has intensified in the past two years.
In November 2018, German magazine Der Spiegel, citing leaked documents, reported that Real Madrid had been making plans for a Super League to feature the continent's biggest clubs.
Although a number of those clubs denied they were in talks, Real president Florentino Perez has continued to talk of the need for major changes in European club competition.
In October outgoing Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said he had signed the club up to a Super League.
"The board of directors approved the requirements to participate in a future European Super League, a project promoted by the big clubs in Europe," he said.
On Monday, Real's Perez travelled to Turin to meet Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, who is head of the European Clubs Association (ECA) which represents the biggest teams on the continent.
Thursday's joint statement also gave clear backing from UEFA and the other confederations to the plans for an expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
"As per the FIFA and confederations statutes, all competitions should be organised or recognised by the relevant body at their respective level, by FIFA at the global level and by the confederations at the continental level.
"In this respect, the confederations recognise the FIFA Club World Cup, in its current and new format, as the only worldwide club competition while FIFA recognises the club competitions organised by the confederations as the only club continental competitions," the statement said.

[BangaloreaN]

Spanish club Sevilla FC finalise partnership with FC Bengaluru United

The objective of this agreement is to reinforce Sevilla FCs presence in the Indian market, keeping in line with the club’s global strategy as well as strengthen their presence in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.



Sevilla FC has finalized a partnership agreement with FC Bengaluru United and Nimida Sports business group — led by Gaurav Manchanda — as part of the Spanish football club’s expansion plans to grow their brand internationally.
The objective of this agreement is to reinforce Sevilla FCs presence in the Indian market, keeping in line with the club’s global strategy as well as strengthen their presence in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.
Sevilla FC brings to this partnership their football know-how, backed by more than 130 years of successful performances in the Spanish leagues. With the help and guidance of Bengaluru, Sevilla FC aims to participate in technological Innovation, Development & Implementation projects addressing the sport industry and, simultaneously increase its footprint in one of the world’s largest, young and growing markets.
FC Bengaluru United is a young, high performing team with a bright future, having already earned several plaudits in the Indian footballing circuit. The city and community of Bengaluru is at the heart of the club and it is with this foundational focus that the club intends to grow.
In accordance with the spirit, Sevilla FC will make available to FC Bengaluru United all its expertise and knowledge to help them achieve fast and robust development in Indian football. Gaurav Manchanda, Founder & Director of Nimida Sports added "We are delighted and proud to partner with Sevilla FC, a club with great tradition, history and performance. We are excited to build local football talent with Sevilla FC´s support and grow our club both in India and internationally”.
Sevilla FC´s chairman, Jose Castro, was delighted with the deal sealed with FC Bengaluru United: “This partnership helps us place Sevilla FC within the Indian market, one that we had marked as a strategic goal within our international expansion plan. We partner up with a young club who have a really strong base for growth and an exciting future in an emerging footballing nation. We are delighted with the new partnership”.

[Perumthachan]

[BangaloreaN]

Motherwell's Bevis Mugabi beats Cristiano Ronaldo's leap for THAT famous header



MOTHERWELL have announced on Twitter that Bevis Mugabi's winning goal against Ross County on Wednesday night involved a leap so impressive that it puts even Cristiano Ronaldo to shame.
Oli Shaw put the hosts ahead during the midweek Premiership encounter before a Devante Cole equaliser sparked a revival for Graham Alexander's side, who went on to win the game thanks to Mugabi's second-half header.


.

It's official.

Bevis Mugabi jumped higher than Cristiano Ronaldo for his winning goal 🤯@B_M321@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/veJPhGGaMF
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) January 29, 2021

The Ugandan rose highest to steer home Jake Carroll's delivery, and Motherwell are now claiming that the defender jumped even higher than Ronaldo did for his famous goal against Sampdoria for Juventus in December 2019.

On that occasion, the Portuguese superstar jumped 71cm off the ground, with his head connecting with the ball at 256cm.
According to Motherwell, though, Mugabi's leap against County was 75cm, with the 25-year-old connecting with the ball 262cm in the air.

[frincekjoseph]

Mostly English teams......

[BangaloreaN]

FIFA Club World Cup: Benjamin Pavard scores as Bayern Munich beat Mexico's Tigres to lift cup - Sports News , Firstpost


Pavard's close-range tap-in was enough to give European champions Bayern their sixth title in quick succession.


Bayern's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer holds the trophy as celebrates with his teammates winning the Club World Cup. AP
Al-Rayyan, Qatar: Bayern Munich won the Club World Cup final in Qatar on Thursday as Benjamin Pavard's second-half winner sealed a 1-0 victory over Mexico's Tigres, the Germans claiming a "six pack" of titles within 12 months.
Pavard's close-range tap-in was enough to give European champions Bayern their sixth title in quick succession.
This is the eighth year in a row that the Champions League winners have gone on to win the Club World Cup, as Bayern follow in the footsteps of last year's champions Liverpool.
Bayern are the second side to win all six available titles within a year after Barcelona managed the feat in 2009.
Hansi Flick's men had already won the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Super Cup and German Super Cup last season.

[BangaloreaN]

Barcelona's financial struggles: €820m of gross debt, €1.4billion of liabilities


Whilst Barcelona news on the pitch has been more encouraging in recent weeks with a run of victories, the off-field situation continues to be of growing concern.
Financial analysis from @swissRamble illustrates the mounting problems that the Blaugrana have financially with spiraling levels of debt and liabilities owed.
It is outlined how the gross debt at the club has risen by a whopping 48 percent in the financial year and now stands at €820m.

The club’s total amount of money owed – including to players, tax authorities, suppliers and the bank – stands at a significant €1.4 billion.

This follows on directly from a report in La Vanguardia last week which outlined how the Catalan giants must repay €420m in debt this year or face insolvency.
Whilst the club’s first-team squad has been slimmed down this year, with a reported €80m off the wage bill, there is still a worrying financial outlook for the club.
Interim club president Carlos Tusquets gave a wide-ranging interview to Catalan radio station RAC1, with quotes carried in full by Marca, claiming that the club were unable to pay players for their pre-agreed January salary.

Barcelona on the verge of bankruptcy: €1,173m in debt, €730m in short-term
The financial figures at the heart of Barcelona news are increasingly alarming and a report in El Mundo has given more context to the numbers, claiming that the club are on the verge of bankruptcy.
The club are €1,173m in debt, with €730m of that sum due in the short term while €266m is owed to the banks by 30 June, of which €90m is owed to Goldman Sachs.
It is also highlighted how the wage bill at the club still occupies 74 percent of the club’s total income – a figure that exceeds the league limit of 70 percent.
Revenues for the last normal season, 2018/2019, stood at €990m, but last year they fell to €855m, which were down 14 percent. However, expenses were barely reduced by 2 percent, from €973m to €955m.
For the current fiscal year, the club expects to have expenses of €796m and income of €828m.



Barcelona ask major banks to delay debt repayments to avoid bankruptcy


An uncertain and worrying financial situation has been at the forefront of Barcelona news in recent months and a report published on Friday in El Confidencial may add further alarm.
It is claimed that the Catalan giants have asked companies Goldman Sachs, Allianz, Barings, Amundi and Prudential to delay outstanding debts so that the club can avoid potential insolvency.
The club are said by the report to have requested from the banks and investment funds a dispensation for failing to comply financially, which would mean that there has been a non-payment of €200m.
Barcelona are said to have a negative working capital of €601.8m and have imminent debts of €300m, which they have requested to be delayed.
The club accounts show that Barcelona’s debt had more than doubled during the 2019-20 campaign amid extremely worrying financial results.
The club’s financial figures, as outlined by Marca late last year, showed that the debt at the club has risen from €217m in June 2019 to €488m in June 2020.
Whilst the club’s first-team squad has been slimmed down this year, with a reported €80m off the wage bill, there is still a worrying financial outlook for the club.

[BangaloreaN]

സ്വന്തം പേരിലെ സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തിൽ മന്ത്രിക്കൊപ്പം പന്തുതട്ടി വിജയൻ, സിന്തറ്റിക് ടർഫും 2000 പേർക്കിരിക്കാവുന്ന ഗാലറിയും


തൃശൂർ ലാലൂർ ഇൻഡോർ സ്*റ്റേിയത്തിന്റെ നിർമാണ പുരോഗതി വിലയിരുത്താനെത്തിയ മന്ത്രി വി.എസ്.സുനിൽകുമാറും ഐ.എം.വിജയനും ഫുട്ബോൾ ഹെഡ് ചെയ്യുന്നു. തൃശൂർ ∙ സ്വന്തം പേരിൽ നിർമിക്കുന്ന സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തിൽ മന്ത്രി വി.എസ്. സുനിൽ കുമാറിനൊപ്പം പന്തുതട്ടി ഫുട്ബോൾ താരം ഐ.എം. വിജയൻ. ലാലൂരിൽ നിർമാണം പുരോഗമിക്കുന്ന ‘ഐ.എം. വിജയൻ രാജ്യാന്തര സ്പോർട്സ് കോംപ്ലക്സ്’ സന്ദർശിക്കാൻ മന്ത്രിക്കൊപ്പം എത്തിയതായിരുന്നു വിജയൻ. സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തിനു മുന്നിൽ മന്ത്രിയുമായി പന്തുതട്ടിയ വിജയൻ നിർമാണത്തൊഴ*ിലാളികൾക്കൊപ്പം സെൽഫിക്കും പോസ് ചെയ്തു. *സ്റ്റേഡിയം ഏപ്രിലിൽ പൂർത്തിയാവുമെന്നു മന്ത്രി സുനിൽ കുമാർ പറഞ്ഞു.
‘ജീവിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ഫുട്ബോൾ ഇതിഹാസത്തിന്റെ പേരിൽ തന്നെ സ്റ്റേഡിയം നിർമിക്കാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞതിൽ ഏറെ അഭിമാനമുണ്ട്. ലാലൂർ ഗ്രൗണ്ടിൽ അവശേഷിക്കുന്ന മാലിന്യം നീക്കിയശേഷം സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തിലേക്കുള്ള റോഡ് നിർമാണം പൂർത്തിയാക്കും. കഴിഞ്ഞ 5 വർഷത്തിനിടെ തൃശൂരിൽ 4 സ്റ്റേഡിയങ്ങൾ നിർമിക്കാനായെന്നും മന്ത്രി അറിയിച്ചു. മാലിന്യം തള്ളാൻ ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരുന്ന ലാലൂർ ഗ്രൗണ്ടിൽ 14 ഏക്കറിൽ കിഫ്ബി സഹായത്തോടെ 70.56 കോടി രൂപ മുടക്കിയാണു സ്റ്റേഡിയം നിർമിക്കുന്നത്.രാജ്യാന്തര നിലവാരത്തിലുള്ള സിന്തറ്റിക് ടർഫും 2000 പേർക്കിരിക്കാവുന്ന ഗാലറിയുമുണ്ടാകും. 4 നില ഇരിപ്പിടങ്ങൾ ഉൾപ്പെടുന്ന പവിലിയൻ, ഇൻഡോർ സ്റ്റേഡിയം, നീന്തൽക്കുളം, ടെന്നിസ് കോർട്ട്, 5 ലക്ഷം ലീറ്റർ ശേഷിയുള്ള മഴവെള്ള സംഭരണി, വിഐപി വിശ്രമ മുറികൾ എന്നിവയും ഒര*ുക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. മേയർ എം.കെ. വർഗീസ്, ഡപ്യൂട്ടി മേയർ രാജശ്രീ ഗോപൻ, സ്ഥിരം സമിതി അധ്യക്ഷൻ വർഗീസ് കണ്ടംകുളത്തി എന്നിവരും മന്ത്രിയെ അനുഗമിച്ചു.

[BangaloreaN]

Organisers keen to have India at Copa America: AIFF




India couldn’t confirm their availability for Copa America after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Panaji: India are hoping to get an invitation from organisers of Copa America, the South American football championship starring powerhouses Brazil and Argentina, for the next edition after narrowly missing out on 2021 due to scheduling issues.
The Copa America – postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic -- is scheduled to kick off on June 11. Amazingly, India could have been one of the participants after being recommended by Australia as their replacement.

“There were two Asian teams, Qatar and Australia, invited for Copa America. Australia couldn’t make it due to various commitments. They actually then spoke to India and to CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation), who were excited to get India. They were very interested in having us play,” All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das told TOI on Wednesday.
India, however, couldn’t confirm their availability after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponed the Fifa World Cup qualifiers from March-April to June.