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[25] Champions League changes for next season
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
>From uefa
The format of the world's most prestigious club football competition - the UEFA
Champions League - will change as from the 2003/04 season.
Sixteen-team knockout phase
UEFA's Executive Committee decided at its two-day meeting in Nyon to maintain a field
of 32 participants and an opening group stage with eight groups of four. However,
following this first group stage, the competition will revert to a two-leg knockout
phase with 16 teams.
Second group stage abolished
The decision will mean the abolition of the second group stage, which currently
features 16 teams playing in four groups of four, with the knockout phase beginning at
the quarter-finals. Under the revised format, the two teams reaching the final will
play a total of 13 matches from the start of the group stage, compared with 17 at
present.
Best interests
UEFA President Lennart Johansson, who chaired the Executive Committee meeting, said
that the format changes had been made with the best interests of the competition and
European football in mind. "We believe this reduction in the size of the competition
is in the longer-term interests of everyone involved - clubs, players, fans,
broadcasters, sponsors and European football in general," he said.
Act for the future
"It is not easy to change a competition which is recognised as the best club event in
the world, but sometimes you need to act for the future," said the UEFA President. "We
have been listening carefully to our stakeholders, and it is clear that there are a
variety of views - however, we believe this is a moment for leadership in the wider
interests of the game."
Better balance
"As the European governing body, UEFA has to consider many different factors, both
sporting and commercial, and at the same time think ahead," explained Mr Johansson.
"We want to see a better balance in European football, a less congested fixture list
for players and clubs and a flagship competition which has the right sporting mix and
brand strength."
Changing circumstances
"Changing circumstances in the commercial environment are important, but so is
planning for the future and basing your competitions on public interest and long-term
development," he added. "We believe that this move will send the right signals to the
whole of European football about how we can work together to tackle some of the
challenges ahead."
Adapting format
European football's governing body has continually adapted the format of its
blue-riband club competition since the Champions League was launched in the 1992/93
season with a field of eight teams.
Constant dialogue
In line with football's development over the past decade, the competition has expanded
considerably in terms of the number of participants and commercial appeal. UEFA has
maintained constant dialogue with the European football community and the many
commercial partners involved to fine-tune every element of what has become one of the
world's major sporting attractions, in which not only the participating clubs, but
also European football as a whole, benefit from the income generated.
Club revenue
Clubs who competed in last season's Champions League will receive CHF768m (EUR523m)
from the revenue generated. Spanish club Real Madrid CF received more than CHF55m
(EUR37.5m) for its successful campaign which culminated in them winning the
competition.
Solidarity principle
UEFA also operates a solidarity principle whereby national associations and clubs from
throughout Europe also receive a share of the Champions League revenue. The 51 UEFA
associations - as at last season, as new members Kazakhstan were not included - each
receive a direct payment of CHF300,000 (EUR205,000).
League payments
It was announced on Wednesday that UEFA would also be allocating nearly CHF59m
(EUR40.2m) in 2001/02 Champions League solidarity payments to the top leagues of its
member associations.'
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[24] More from Sparky
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"If I do join Wales as the full-time manager I won't be looking upon it as a sad time
in football for me. Looking back I've been very lucky in the game. I've got great
memories."
---------------------------------
[23] Ridsdale on Rio
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"Rio is going nowhere. That has always been my stance. He is contracted to Leeds for
another four years. And he has a clause in his contract saying he cannot sign for
another Premiership club. I have no knowledge that Rio is unhappy."
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[22] Roma deny Cafu claims
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
Roma president Franco Sensi
"I'm not at all worried about the interest in Cafu from England. He'll stay with us
and sign a contract extension in September."
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[21] Bizarre but true
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
>From 4thegame
'Photographs of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Paul Scholes modelling the new kit will be
sent out to the media tomorrow. David Beckham's United contract means that he cannot
be shown alone in a promotional picture for the kit. This is part of the image rights
section of the deal which kept the negotiations going for so long.'
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[20] Nike on new kit
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
on a low key affair
"We are happy to adhere to United's wishes. Not all the players are back from their
holidays yet and there will be plenty of other occasions for promotional events."
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[19] United quotes on new ticket system
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
This is attributed to a United spokesman but we presume it's Karl Evans from his MUTV
interview
"If you were to look at the books of this club and who regularly buys tickets, you
would find some of them are people who regularly sell tickets on. Clearly we have to
be mindful of that and we have to make sure there is a random ballot across the board.
It is as frustrating to us as anyone when there is x amount of tickets going on the
black market and we are working very closely with the police to stop this."
And just how long is the GMP investigation into Ned Kelly going to take?
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[18] United go footymad
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
>From the Guardian
'A little known football website in Burnley has landed the contract to supply news and
key results to dozens of prestigious websites including the Financial Times and
Manchester United.
Footymad.net has just snapped up the content licensing arm from the troubled internet
giant Sports.com, which supplied sports news and statistics to websites including
FT.com, AOL and Manutd.com.
It will add the content and syndication arm, known as the European Sports Agency, to
its own irreverent football content to create specialised news feeds. '
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[17] More from Sparky
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"I have had offers to play, but I will be speaking to (FAW secretary-general) David
Collins in the next few days with the hope we can come to an agreement. If those
talks are not successful, the offers to continue to play will then come back into the
equation. The decision to even think of retiring has not come easily, but I cannot
complain. I have had a great career and played with some of the best players in the
world. I'm ready for a new stage in my life and I am very excited about the potential
of the Welsh squad. I know we've improved since I've been in charge."
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[16] New kit beckons
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
from the Mail
'The football industry was expecting Nike to celebrate the start of
its record-breaking £300million, 13-year kit supply deal with
Manchester United with a razzmatazz befitting the unprecedented size of the contract.
Instead, Nike, not normally shy in announcing its products, will merely send out
pictures of United players in the new kit to be used to mark tomorrow's official
start of the partnership. The word from Old Trafford was that the club wanted the
quietest possible launch so as not to distract from the start of pre-season
training.'
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[15] No chance
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
tribalfootball report that Juve are still keen on Scholes
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[14] El Til puts heat on Rio
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
will he like this
"Let us not forget he has a contract for quite a long time yet. And while I'd like him
to be happy to be here, he has to understand the situation. He mustn't forget there
weren't too many out there who were prepared to come in and pay the money Leeds did.
It has turned out to be an awfully wise move by Leeds and they deserve a lot of credit
for showing that kind of faith in him in the first place. I shall very forcefully
point out to him the reasons why I think he should stay. I'll tell him what we are
aiming to achieve and see if he agrees with my plans for success. There has got to be
give and take when you sign a contract. As a player, you do have an obligation."
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[13] But will Rio like this?
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
>From the SUN
' RIO FERDINAND will NOT be offered a pay hike to persuade him to stay with Leeds.
Elland Road chairman Peter Ridsdale made his stand as Terry Venables was unveiled as
the club's new boss yesterday.
England defender Ferdinand, 23, is a £35million target for Manchester United.
But Ridsdale insisted: "Rio is very well paid already. A new contract would not come
into it when we sit down and talk with him on his return from holiday."
And Venables said: "He'll have to understand the situation. I think, basically, where
we can reach him is the fact he loves to play football"
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[12] El Til again
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"I will be emphatic when I speak to Riothat if he stays here we can go right to the
top"
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[11] Phil Honkson on trying to sign Lee Bowyer
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"Lee is a player we greatly admire. His football is top-class, he scores goals from
midfield and that is something we have been missing. We see him as being one of the
top midfielders in the country. At this moment the transfer negotiations are on-going
with Leeds and the necessary people are talking. If a deal can be done then we will be
more than happy. Lee has always scored goals throughout his career. The way he gets
forward and scores goals from midfield is similar to the way Terry McDermott used to
play. He has a knack of being in the right place at the right time"
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[10] El Til on keeping Rio
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
"I'm confident, very confident, we can keep him. Where we can reach him is that he
loves to play football, and my challenge here is to create a team others fear playing.
There is no better feeling in the game than that, probably more so for a coach than a
player."
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[9] And the grand total
---------------------------------
Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
of Leeds fans waiting to greet their new Championship winning El Til messiah
was...er...50
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[8] Sparky retires
---------------------------------
Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
to concentrate on managing Wales full time
"I'll be talking with the FAW during the next few days and I hope we can iron
everything out"
A legend, simple as that
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[7] Red News summer offer
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
Red News published 9 issues last season, of which we have limited stocks of 8 still
available. As a special offer you can purchase ALL eight issues together with a FREE
copy of Red News' book celebrating the Nou Camp triumph in 1999 - European Glory - all
for the bargain price of just £13.50 including postage and packing. This is a must
have offer so go on!
8 issues + book for £13.50 inc p&p in the UK
8 issues + book for £16 inc p&p in Europe and rest of the world.
Send your order by cheque, made payable to Red News, to Red News, P.O.Box 176,
Manchester, M16 8LG or you can now order by credit card. click on
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[6] Order your RN sub online
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
Thanks to our new link with the safe, simple to use and world wide massively known
paypal you can now order your 10 issue subscription to Red News the fanzine via credit
card payment, ordering online from wherever you live in the world, getting the mag to
your door.
To order the 10 issue sub to be sent to a UK address click on
To order the 10 issue sub to be sent to an address in the rest of the world click on
And those philanthropists out there can help with our costs by making an online
donation via paypal. Doesn't matter how small the amount is, every bit helps with the
costs of the site - thanks. click on.
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[5] Let the signing commence?
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
With a few of United's big players coming to the end of their summer hols rumours
build and continue to grow that the coming weeks will see the signing season commence.
Cuddly Pete as we revealed has already said we stand alone from many clubs in having
money to spend - and with clubs all over the world feeling the pinch a few pounds
spent here and there could bring in some world class players. We expect two signings
at the very least - as we have told you. July 5th may have passed of course but word
from a source close to the gaffer is that we will have a strong squad capable of
challenging for everything at the start of the season. And by that they mean new faces
too.
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[4] New Red News t-shirt
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
http:forum.rednews.co.uk/dcforum/DCForumID2/1139.html
Red News has come up with a new range of shirts, the first of which is a new take on
our well received UNITED THE RELIGION shirts.
You can check this new type shirt by clicking on the forum - on the message of 'Red
News new shirt' - and the shirt looks bang on in real life, as Reds at the Blackpool
tourny will testify.
The new shirt - in X Large only - is red text on a white and black shirt. United The
Religion on white shirt with black baseball like sleeves and neck.
Just £12.50 inc p&p in the UK you can order by sending a cheque to Red News, P.O.Box
176, Manchester, M16 8LG or for £14 inc p&p for the rest of the world.
Alternatively you can order the shirt via the fast and secure paypal. For the UK click
on
For the Rest of the World Click on
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[3] Season Tickets go out soon
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
Karl Evans in an interview with MUTV - saying that he wanted to address the problems
which fans identify about ticket distribution - said that season tickets will start
being sent out by United on 12th July.
---------------------------------
[2] Ray Wood - a tribute
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
I read in the newspaper that Ray Wood died on Sunday and so another of my boyhood
heros, another Busby Babe, has gone to join his mates in the Old Trafford of the sky.
Ray Wood is the first (Manchester United) goalkeeper I can remember with any clarity.
In 1957 I watched the Cup Final on the television and saw McParland deliberately hit
Ray, breaking, we later discovered, his cheekbone. I didn't see my dad that evening
for I had gone to bed by the time he got home from Wembley, but I can remember, with
absolute clarity, his reaction when I spoke to him on the Sunday morning. Never in all
the years I have been watching Manchester United with him can I ever remember him
being so cross. My dad is a very honest and balanced man and he said at the time, and
remains convinced to this day, that McParland got Ray Wood early in order to give
Aston Villa a chance of winning. That McParland has never been man enough to admit
that is to his eternal shame.
To a young boy (as I once was!) Ray Wood always appeared slightly ill at ease when we
pestered him for his autograph at the training ground. Not, I hasten to add, because
he was a nasty man, but because he was, I think, a little bit shy. Perhaps, I don't
know, in awe of those around him. He seemed a quiet, gentlemanly sort of person, with
little to say. But he always signed, without making a fuss and that was nice.
As a player he was a good, but no better, goalkeeper. It has to be said that playing
behind a defence which included the likes of Byrne, Jones and Edwards must have been a
big help. But the fact of the matter is that he won two League Championship medals and
that is pretty good by any standards.
Once Harry (Harry, Harry) arrived it was obvious (or so my dad told me) that Ray's
days were numbered, and, indeed, this was the case.
We should not forget Ray Wood - I know we won't. He was a very fine goalkeeper and an
even nicer fellow. May he rest in peace.
Keep the faith, Pete
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[1] Shelbourne ticket prices
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Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002 by bar-knee:
Order from ticketmaster in Dublin. Utd confirmed on MUTV yesterday - and a strong team
promised.
Shelbourne will play a friendly against a full-strength Manchester United on Saturday
20th July - kick-off 2.00pm at Tolka Park.
Ticket Prices - available only from Ticketmaster:
Ballybough End (for families): Adult - €20; Children - €10
Riverside Stand: All seats €25
Drumcondra Stand: All seats €25
Main Stand: All seats €30
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[30] Culkin on United move
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Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2002 by bar-knee:
"I played for Ian while I was on loan at Bristol Rovers for a season. He's a good and
honest man and I'm delighted to be playing for him again. I'm very happy to be signing
for QPR. This is a club that is moving forward in the right direction and I'm pleased
to be a part of it."
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[29] Now hints of Thuram bid
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Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2002 by bar-knee:
now rumours on a few sites that we are back in the hunt for Lilian Thuram, a fee of
£16 million - below Juve's £19m valuation. £16m - now in todays terms that is a
bargain.
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[28] Shelbourne tickets
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Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2002 by bar-knee:
can be got from www.ticketmaster.ie selling starts Thursday
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[27] United in Dublin
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Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2002 by bar-knee:
Reports suggest we're playing Shelbourne on July 20th kick off 2pm - apparently
Shelbourne have announced this fixture. Nothing this end yet though. Saturday in Dub.
Oh dear.
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