The 2022 World Cup should be played in May and June, according to two major bodies representing European clubs and leagues.
The tournament, to be held in Qatar, has caused much controversy, w
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ith temperatures in the World Cup s traditional June/July slot deemed unsafe.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke announced last month that the global governing body was close to narrowing down the options to two January/February and November/December.
However, the European Club Association (ECA) and European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) have joined forces to make the case for a May/June tournament.
Under the proposals, the World Cup would begin on May 5, with the final to take place on June 4.
The bodies argue that the solution offers ac…
Rob Edwards is keen for Luton Town to ignore the scrutiny surrounding them in the relegation battle as they prepare for another big game against Wolves.
The Hatters sit one point from safety in the relegation zone after back-to-back 5-1 defeats against Manchester City and Brentford.
While Nottingham Forest also lost last weekend, being beaten 2-0 by Everton, Burnley beat Sheffield United to move them two points behind Luton.
Asked how he is handling the pressure of the relegation battle with only four games left, Edwards said: “The stakes are high already, we all know what it means and it s really important to everyone that s in this at the moment, a number of clubs that are still fighting to try and avoid it and be in the league next season, it s so important.…
Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his Manchester City players must improve on their opening day showing as they welcome Ipswich Town to the Etihad on Saturday.
City kickstarted their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 win against Chelsea, but Guardiola was left wanting more from his squad
Despite having more shots and shots on target, the Citizens underperformed their expected goals (xG) total by 1.23, something the Spaniard said surprised him.
I didn t expect it. We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us, Guardiola said.
We have an advantage, it s our ninth season together so we know each other well.
There is a plan, defensive, offensive. But afterwards, it s how we celebrat…
When South Africa switches off the World Cup lights on Sunday, the focus will switch to 2014 hosts Brazil, a country desperately hoping to avoid the pitfalls of 1950.
Back then, their much-vaunted national team slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Uruguay in the final, watched by 200,000 people crammed into Rio s mythical Maracana stadium.
To lose in 2010 could be understood, but to lose in 2014 would be a repeat of 1950 and this is something nobody can imagine, said Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) who is also head of the 2014 organising committee.
Brazil is still mourning the failure of its 2010 team to win a sixth World Cup with Dunga s side losing to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals in South Africa.
Their…
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has penned a contract extension until 2021.
Germany international Neuer moved to the Allianz Arena from Bundesliga rivals Schalke ahead of the 2011-12 season and has been a mainstay of Bayern s XI since.
Recent reports suggested Neuer may be tempted to join head coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City next season, but he has laid to rest any doubt over his future by penning fresh terms with the German champions.
He put pen to paper just minutes ago and soon we ll be hearing from the man himself!
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN)
Neuer is the latest Bayern star to commit his future to the club, with Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller, David Alaba and Javi Martinez having extended their stays over recent months…
Striker Ryan Babel has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 tournament starting next week after sustaining an injury in training, Dutch football officials said on Saturday.
The Liverpool forward is thought to have ruptured his Achilles tendon.
Coach Marco van Basten has yet to name his replacement.
Holland who won the tournament 20 years ago open their Euro 2008 campaign against Italy on June 9 and will play France four days later.
…
Fernando Torres has signed a one-year contract extension with Atletico Madrid for the forthcoming 2017-18 season.
Former Spain striker Torres is in his second stint with his boyhood club, having re-joined from AC Milan in January 2015 on the back of wildly contrasting spells at Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League.
In total the 33-year-old has 105 goals for Atletico, including 28 under current boss Diego Simeone.
Torres largely serves as back-up to the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro nowadays but will continue to provide welcome squad depth for Simeone, with Atletico restricted by a transfer ban during the current close season.
I am very happy to continue one more year together, said Torres in brief statement on Atleti s official webs…
Looking back today, I am filled with pride and gratitude! Not least because we met on 13th July 2014, we were able to fulfil our big dream and together became world champions in Brazil, Neuer wrote.
For a total of 7 years and 61 games, I was allowed up to my injury to lead the German national team as captain on the field. An honour that I appreciate every time.
This year s home European Championship was another highlight, even if it unfortunately wasn t enough for the title. Because, in every second, I felt a very special euphoria and cohesion all over the country. Let s keep that in mind!
Many thanks to all the staff, supervisors, coaches and also fellow players who have supported me since my debut in the national team on 02. Joined June 2009!
And I…
ArsenalÂ’s manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Germany to beat Spain in SundayÂ’s Euro 2008 final in Vienna.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday he said that Germany had the mental toughness that no other team at Euro 2008 had.
He added that Germany also had the most consistent player in the tournament, ChelseaÂ’s midfielder Michael Ballack of Chelsea.
He went on to say that Ballack was the main source of inspiration to the team and along with Lukas Podolski who was having an unbelievable tournament, these two formed a formidable partnership and difficult for other teams to overcome.
Wenger also rated RussiaÂ’s twenty seven year old Andrei Arshavin a great prospect after having lifted the Russian side afte…
Barcelona were stung last year when Real Madrid took back the Liga crown and became the first team to win back-to-back Champions Leagues in the modern era.
Well, order has been restored from a Camp Nou perspective in 2017-18. Barca have regained LaLiga, the 25th league championship success in their history, and they have done so without losing a match.
Although the campaign is not yet at an end, their invincible run is still a remarkable achievement. Arsenal managed it in the Premier League in 2003-04, but you have to go back to the great Athletic Bilbao side of 1929-30 for the last time the feat was accomplished in Spain s top flight.
With Madrid imploding domestically, it has rather felt like a procession for Ernesto Valverde s side, but there have nonethele…