The Friday Times brings you the most important events in club football this week. The following events are not listed in any particular order.
This week, there has been speculation in the football world when it was being reported that the people at the head of the club football hierarchy were meeting together to discuss the potential return of the European Super League.
Last year in 2020, the football world was outraged to learn that UEFA and the presidents of the top clubs in Europe were planning on creating a European Super League where only the most popular clubs in Europe could play. Unlike the UEFA Champions League, the Super League's club additions would be permanent rather on the basis of how well they did in their respective league's. Furthermore, the matches in the Super League would be 6 rather than 90 minutes long.
The football community was quick to point out the cash-grabbing nature of the Super League as well as it's biased selection process, particularly in the UK. Thousands took to the streets to protest the European Super League. In merely three days time, the Super League was abandoned and until this week, it was never mentioned again.
Now however, talk of bringing back the Super League has resurfaced although thankfully, it looks as if the football community's feelings towards it hasn't changed.
For those who don't know, Financial Fair Play (FFF) rules in the Premier League are put into place for say, making sure that no club with extremely rich owners can dominate the League simply by buying all the best players in transfer windows. Essentially, FFF puts a limit on how much clubs can spend in the League.
Manchester City violated FFF rules and regulation around 100 times in a 9 year period from 2009/10 to 2018/2019 according to the results of a Premier League investigation. As a result, UEFA have now banned City from participating in the Champions League for two seasons. The ban will take effect next season. The Manchester Blues have also been punished with a $30 million fine.
Lionel Messi's PSG side was knocked out of the Coup De France for the second year in a row. It is the only trophy in Ligue 1 that Messi has never won in his time at the French Club. PSG lost 2--1 to Olympique De Marseille with Alexis Sanchez and Ruslan Malinovskyi scoring for Marseille and Sergio Ramos scoring for for PSG.
On a more positive note, one of the most important events in club football this week was Neymar winning the Golden Samba Award for the 6th time. The Award is only given to the best Brazilian Player in Europe for that year. Neymar has been winning the award for the past 3 years as well as in 2017 and in 2014.
Will The Super League Come Back?
This week, there has been speculation in the football world when it was being reported that the people at the head of the club football hierarchy were meeting together to discuss the potential return of the European Super League.
Last year in 2020, the football world was outraged to learn that UEFA and the presidents of the top clubs in Europe were planning on creating a European Super League where only the most popular clubs in Europe could play. Unlike the UEFA Champions League, the Super League's club additions would be permanent rather on the basis of how well they did in their respective league's. Furthermore, the matches in the Super League would be 6 rather than 90 minutes long.
The football community was quick to point out the cash-grabbing nature of the Super League as well as it's biased selection process, particularly in the UK. Thousands took to the streets to protest the European Super League. In merely three days time, the Super League was abandoned and until this week, it was never mentioned again.
Now however, talk of bringing back the Super League has resurfaced although thankfully, it looks as if the football community's feelings towards it hasn't changed.
Manchester City Charged With Violation of Financial Fair Play
For those who don't know, Financial Fair Play (FFF) rules in the Premier League are put into place for say, making sure that no club with extremely rich owners can dominate the League simply by buying all the best players in transfer windows. Essentially, FFF puts a limit on how much clubs can spend in the League.
Manchester City violated FFF rules and regulation around 100 times in a 9 year period from 2009/10 to 2018/2019 according to the results of a Premier League investigation. As a result, UEFA have now banned City from participating in the Champions League for two seasons. The ban will take effect next season. The Manchester Blues have also been punished with a $30 million fine.
Messi's PSG Knocked Out of The Coup De France
Lionel Messi's PSG side was knocked out of the Coup De France for the second year in a row. It is the only trophy in Ligue 1 that Messi has never won in his time at the French Club. PSG lost 2--1 to Olympique De Marseille with Alexis Sanchez and Ruslan Malinovskyi scoring for Marseille and Sergio Ramos scoring for for PSG.
Neymar Jr wins the Golden Samba Award for the 6th Time
On a more positive note, one of the most important events in club football this week was Neymar winning the Golden Samba Award for the 6th time. The Award is only given to the best Brazilian Player in Europe for that year. Neymar has been winning the award for the past 3 years as well as in 2017 and in 2014.