Premier League: Clubs to ‘vigorously defend’ domestic game amid rumours of Champions League changes
All 20 Premier League’s clubs have said they will ‘vigorously defend’ any plans to alter the domestic game.UEFA recently started a consultation process for some radical changes to European club football when the current arrangements expire in 2024.2It is understood that one proposal, backed by European Clubs Association chairman and Juventus owner Andrea Agnelli, could see the current Champions League format replaced with four groups of eight teams that would play each other home and away, with qualification based on historic performance as opposed to recent domestic success.This would effectively ring-fence the competition, and its riches, for the biggest clubs but it would also mean a lot more European games and Agnelli, and other club bosses, have made little secret of their belief that the elite should play fewer domestic games to make room in the calendar.This would have a dramatic impact on the Premier League as it would almost certainly mean reducing the competition to 18 teams and ending the involvement of top-flight sides in the Carabao Cup.But in a statement released after an otherwise routine Premier League shareholders’ meeting in London on Friday, the clubs have firmly rejected any such change to the Champions League’s format or qualification criteria. “All clubs unanimously agreed it is inappropriate for European football bodies to create plans that would alter the structures, calendar and competitiveness of the domestic game and will work together to protect the Premier League,” it said.“In England, football plays an important role in our culture and everyday life. Millions of fans attend matches across the country, with allegiances and local rivalries often passed down through generations. We have a fantastic combination of competitive football and committed fans that we will vigorously defend.“The structures of domestic football are determined by leagues and their respective national associations. We will now work with the FA and other leagues to ensure that European football bodies understand the importance of this, and their obligation to maintain the health and sustainability of domestic league football.”

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The Premier League statement came an hour after the organisation that represents 35 leagues in 28 countries, including England and Scotland, wrapped up its two-day general assembly by sending a similar message to UEFA and the top clubs.Speaking to reporters in Lisbon, European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said: “Our main objective is to safeguard and protect the domestic competitions.“We think these are the most important competitions to the fans, much more important than any international competition.”Olsson’s rallying cry comes at a time of feverish speculation about the potential changes to European club competition in five years’ time.The ECA held its general assembly in Amsterdam last week and tried to distance itself from the idea that some of its members were trying to create a European Super League by stealth.2But there is no doubt the elite clubs and UEFA have started to discuss formats that would completely overhaul European football. That process started at a meeting between the boards of the ECA and UEFA at the governing body’s Nyon headquarters last month and European Leagues’ leadership will get the same opportunity on May 8.Olsson, a former UEFA chief executive who now runs Sweden’s professional league, said European Leagues “will develop our own model” for the UEFA club competitions as a “starting point for a conversation” about what they should look like. He then explained that the majority of the 900 clubs represented by European Leagues believe the current Champions League format and revenue distribution model has been ‘a negative’ for domestic competitions, as it has enabled the rich clubs to get richer, entrenching their positions at home.To illustrate this, European League’s general secretary Georg Pangl pointed out three statistics.He said that when the Champions League replaced the European Cup in 1992, the teams involved shared about 19million between them, but last year the clubs involved earned more than 1.7billion, a multiple of 90 in just 26 years.Furthermore, the 12 richest clubs took 39 per cent of the total income generated by the European football industry, and the 15 richest clubs earned three times more than the rest from broadcasting.

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Liverpool team news: How the Reds might line-up in Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich WITHOUT Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez
Liverpool are back in action in the Champions League when they take on Bayern Munich next Tuesday in their round of 16 tie.When the draw was made in December, Jurgen Klopp’s men were considered favourites to go through but a lot can change in two months.5Bayern do not possess the same aura they did under Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola but Liverpool’s recent draws against Leicester and West Ham will encourage Niko Kovac to believe the Reds can be got at.Liverpool also face a potential defensive crisis for the first leg as Dejan Lovren was made a doubt for the Anfield game with a hamstring injury alongside Joe Gomez, who is still recovering from a fractured leg.They will also be without Virgil van Dijk in the first leg as he is suspended, making Joel Matip the only out-and-out centre-back at Klopp’s disposal.5So how might the Premier League side line up for the game at home to Bayern?talkSPORT.com has taken a look at the different starting teams Klopp could go for when the Bundesliga giants come to town.5It seems likely Fabinho will have to step in at centre-back as a result of the injuries and suspensions.The Brazilian played there alongside Van Dijk during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Brighton in January, however, without the Dutchman and against much better opposition in Bayern, this will be a completely different ball game.The Reds could be set to welcome back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson, who were on the bench during the 3-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend.Meanwhile, Naby Keita has been slowly improving in Liverpool colours and has experience against German opposition, having been at RB Leipzig before moving to Anfield so he could join the front three in their attacks. 5However, if Klopp wants to give more protection to the defence, this line-up could be something to consider.Henderson and Milner are slightly more defensively minded and Wijnaldum isn’t as attacking as Keita, which could give Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane more freedom to wreak havoc on the Bayern defence.The trio of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum worked well together when Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the group stages with the Ligue 1 leaders being completely overwhelmed by Liverpool’s high press and the sheer work rate of the trio.5But if Klopp doesn’t see Alexander-Arnold as fit enough to play – very unlikely given the 20-year-old made a cameo appearance against Bournemouth – Milner could come in at right-back.Henderson and Wijnaldum could then play in the holding midfield roles while the in-form Keita could join the front three in a bid to blow Bayern away at Anfield – an approach that is definitely worth taking considering Liverpool’s defensive frailties for this game.However, it’s doubtful Klopp will take any more risks in defence as Liverpool’s resources at the back are somewhat depleted for this game.

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Manchester United vs Leeds confirmed for next summer as fierce rivals meet for first time in eight years
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HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Total games: 107Leeds wins: 26Draws: 35Man United wins: 46Leeds enjoyed plenty of fierce battles with the Red Devils back when they were both Premier League giants, although the Whites have since suffered a spectacular fall from grace.Marcelo Bielsa is attempting to restore top-flight football to Elland Road for the first time since 2004, with his side currently third in the Championship and three points off league-leaders Norwich.2And United have suffered a fall of their own, with the current eighth-place side a far-cry from the all-conquering teams of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear said:The trip, including the game against long-standing rivals Manchester United and some more fixtures still to be announced, will be a fantastic part of our centenary season and it is expected to attract thousands of visitors.”The Optus Stadium is home to Perth Glory, who will be part of both clubs’ pre-season preparations during the tour of Australia.Jose Mourinho’s men will take them on four days before the Leeds clash on July 13.

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‘Tottenham will NOT do what Arsenal did… they will take four new signings into new stadium,’ claims talkSPORT host
Darren Gough believes Tottenham will go on a big summer spending spree after moving into their new stadium.On Sunday, Spurs Under-18 side had the privilege of playing the first ever game at the 1billion stadium as they beat their Southampton counterparts 3-1.2Although the move was supposed to take place more than a year ago, the wait appears to have been worth it.talkSPORT commentator and West Ham United fan Ian Abrahams declared it the best stadium I’ve seen around the world’.With rumours flying around about the clubs debts, Drivetime host Darren Gough told listeners he believes the club have not delved into the transfer market since January 2018 for a very specific and exciting reason.I think the timing about it is absolutely perfect, what Tottenham are doing, he said on Monday afternoon.2Because they didnt want to win nowt before they got in there! Because what will happen now, is I think they will not do what Arsenal did.I think they will go out theyve not made a signing now for 18 months they will go out there and take four new signings with them into the new stadium.You watch, theyve done it on purpose!Theres a reason theyve saved their money and not gone and done anything. Theyve sorted out their own players contracts; made sure they look after the ones they want. And they are going to go out there and surprise everyone and sign four players for next season. You watch!Arch-rivals Arsenal moved into the Emirates stadium in 2006, but did not make what would truly be described as a marquee signing until landing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013.

Spurs will take four new signings into their new stadium. You watch. Theres a reason theyve saved the money, they will surprise everybody.@DGoughie says #THFC will now go on a big spending spree in the summer pic.twitter.com/Jxahvth2jd— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 25, 2019

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