Blackburn v Chelsea Live Streaming

UEFA are waiting on the referee’s report before deciding if to punish Chelsea fans for taunting QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

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Some of the Blues’ travelling contingent were clearly heard singing, “Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are”, during the 1-1 draw against Genk last night.

It was a show of support for captain John Terry, who is now under police investigation over allegations he racially abused Ferdinand last month, something he denies.

Chelsea condemned the chanting, saying: “It was wholly inappropriate and we don’t condone it.”

UEFA are likely to receive their delegate’s and referee’s reports tomorrow and they confirmed this morning that their disciplinary unit “would look into” any allegations of racist chanting in those reports.

They would also do the same were “any other piece of evidence of such chanting be made available” before deciding “whether to open disciplinary proceedings against the relevant club”.

Possible sanctions for racist chanting include fines and forcing clubs to play matches behind closed doors.

However, even if UEFA are made aware of last night’s chants, it remains to be seen whether they can be deemed to be racist in a disciplinary sense.

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UEFA have delayed giving the Football Association their written reasons behind England striker Wayne Rooney’s three-match ban “for another week at a minimum”.

The European governing body had been expected to provide the FA with the reasoned decisions for the ban – imposed on the England striker for kicking Miodrag Dzudovoic during the 2-2 draw with Montenegro – by tomorrow.

But an FA statement this evening said: “The FA has today been advised by UEFA that we may not be provided with the written reasons regarding Wayne Rooney’s three match suspension for another week at a minimum.

“Once the reasons are received, The FA will determine on any appeal after discussions with Fabio Capello and Wayne Rooney.”

The FA will make a decision based on the full reasons but it would be a surprise if there is no appeal, given that a three-match international ban would rule the Manchester United player out of all of England’s group matches at the Euro 2012 finals.

National team coach Capello last week dropped a clear hint that Rooney will be going to next summer’s tournament regardless.

The Italian had not spoken about Rooney since the striker was handed the ban but the widespread view amongst professionals is that Rooney should go.

And Capello indicated Rooney would be part of his plans as part of an observation about the balance of younger players and older ones in his squad.

“The young players are really good and ready to play with the seniors, and the experience of the seniors is really important,” said Capello.

“During the games we need some leaders, people that know something.

“Jack Wilshere is incredible because he is so young. We also need the experience of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Scott Parker.

“You need this kind of player, plus Rooney, I hope.”

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Watch UEFA Europa League Online

Celtic and FC Sion will have their Europa League futures decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on November 24.

The dispute between the Swiss club and UEFA has been raging since September 2, when the governing body threw out Sion from the competition for fielding and ineligible player against Celtic.

The Scottish giants were installed in the group stage in their place but Sion have refused to take the punishment.

UEFA have since rejected numerous attempts by the club to regain their place via the Swiss civil court in the Canton of Vaud, insisting the CAS is the only authority with jurisdiction over the matter.

The hearing date is subject to all parties’ availability.

A statement on UEFA’s website read: “UEFA has constantly insisted on the need for a rapid decision on the merits of the case and has therefore already confirmed its availability, in an effort to respect all of the dates proposed by the CAS.”

A number of possible solutions have been drawn up with one possibility of Sion joining the group and all the teams play each other once.

But with the late CAS date, the vast majority of Celtic’s group will be completed by then, leaving the whole situation in a mess.

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UEFA president Michel Platini and the other seven members of the FIFA executive committee will meet to discuss president Sepp Blatter’s plans to reform.

The world governing body aim to take the first steps towards “restoring its reputation throughout the world” today when they meet to discuss the new procedures.

The Europeans will meet beforehand to unify their stance with Platini stressing the need to push through proposals, the majority of which will be unveiled by Sepp Blatter.

Blatter’s ideas will include a new-look ethics committee with more powers to investigate alleged wrongdoing.

Any new FIFA members have to prove they have no skeletons in the closet before they are permitted to sit on the executive committee.

Blatter has already announced some other plans, including having all 206 FIFA countries voting on future World Cup hosts rather than the 25-man ExCo.

Britain’s FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce feels the meetings, which start today and conclude tomorrow, are vital as FIFA look to recover the the damage to its reputation following the corruption scandals of the last 12 months.

Two FIFA members were banned last year following investigations by the Sunday Times.

This year former presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life for bribery, with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner resigning a month after being charged with the same offence.

“I am looking forward to hearing the measures the president will announce, to make sure FIFA restores its reputation throughout the world after the adverse publicity of the last 12 months,” Boyce said.

“I believe everyone in Europe at least will be singing from the same hymn sheet.

“The European FIFA members I have spoken to, and the UEFA executive committee members, are all of the same view as me that we want to ensure that FIFA moves forward in the right way.”

There have been reports that Blatter may propose to end FIFA’s legal action to block the release of documents from a court case in the Swiss canton of Zug concerning payments made by FIFA’s collapsed marketing partner ISL.

According to BBC Panorama, Brazil’s World Cup chief Ricardo Teixeira and former FIFA president Joao Havelange both received payments from ISL.

Paraguay’s FIFA member Nicolas Leoz was named in court as having received $130,000 from the company.

FIFA officials have said however they are unaware whether such a proposal will be made by Blatter.

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Premier League Live Streaming

Disgraced ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been caught on camera urging Caribbean officials to accept cash gifts from Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The recording of a speech made by Warner to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) on May 11 has been showed at a FIFA ethics committee.

It is being used as evidence into hearings into charges against 15 of those officials this week.

The video, brought to our attention by the Daily Telegraph, shows Warner telling members they do not have to vote for Bin Hammam for president but that he told the Qatari to bring cash.

Bin Hammam was banned for life in July by FIFA’s ethics committee but is appealing.

The speech took place in Trinidad a day after cash gifts of $40,000were handed out to the leaders of Caribbean associations.

“When Mohamed Bin Hammam asked to come to the Caribbean he wanted to bring some silver plaques and wooden trophies and bunting and so on, and told me to bring for 30 people would be too much luggage,” Warner said on the footage.

“I told him he did not need to bring anything but if he wanted to bring anything to bring something equivalent to the value of the gift that he brought.

“I said to him if you bring cash, I don’t want you to give cash to anybody, but when you do you can give it to the CFU and the CFU will give it to his members.

“Because I don’t want (it) to even remotely appear that anyone has any obligation to vote for you because of what gifts you have given them, and he fully accepted that.”

Warner also says he will return any money if the officials choose not to keep it.

“I know there are some people here who believe they are more pious than thou,” he added. ”If you are pious go to a church, but the fact is our business is our business.

“If there is anybody here who has a conscience and wishes to send back the money I am willing to take the money and give it back to him at any moment.”

Warner also leads an astonishing attack at UEFA president Michel Platini, saying a victory for Sepp Blatter over Bin Hammam will lead to the Frenchman taking over.

“We have to ensure Platini is not some automatic inheritor of FIFA,” Warner said. “Because I tell you if that happens FIFA will become a French province. Forever.

“The fact is that Platini is being groomed to succeed Mr Blatter and we don’t know if it is in our best interests to have a French president, a French general secretary…but in any event I don’t think it’s in our best interests to do that.

“I have told him (Blatter) that we who have supported him faithfully have not benefited from that support.

“We stood up and backed him and then he went to embrace his enemies and not his friends.”

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Liverpool v Man United Live Streaming

England striker Wayne Rooney has written a letter of apology to UEFA over his sending off against Montenegro last week to avoid an extra ban.

The 25-year-old hopes a personal demonstration of repentance will see the organisation’s disciplinary committee take a lenient approach when deciding his suspension.

The Manchester United star will definitely miss the opening game of the Euro 2012 group stages, but the governing body could extend his punishment to two or three matches.

Rooney was sent off for a petulant kick at Miodrag Dzudovic during the 2-2 draw in Podgorica, which secured the Three Lions’ passage to Euro 2012.

Referee Wolfgang Stark praised Rooney’s behaviour when leaving the pitch, which has given England some hope that he will only be given a one-match ban.

UEFA will announce the length of Rooney’s ban, along with other outstanding Euro 2012 qualifying issues, after its Control and Disciplinary Body meets on Thursday in Nyon, Switzerland.

Football Association director of communications Adrian Bevington has pledged to do everything in his power to ensure Wayne Rooney is available to England as early as possible at Euro 2012.

Football Association director of communications Adrian Bevington has pledged to help ensure Rooney is available to England as early as possible at Euro 2012.

Bevington has indicated that The FA would be prepared to launch an appeal if the striker is handed anything more than a one-game ban.

“We are still waiting to be advised by the UEFA disciplinary group as to what the penalty will be,” Bevington told Sky Sports.

“We have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that we are prepared to support Wayne in any way we can.

“If it does lead to an appeal process, or any supplementary evidence we can submit to support him, we are not disputing that he was sent off for a red-card offence, but it is very important to us as an organisation that we look after all our players.

“And I would like to say, on the record, that Wayne conducted himself incredibly well after the game. He was very apologetic and I felt he handled it very maturely.

“We will do all that we can to try and ensure that Wayne is available to us as soon as possible in the finals.”

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Montenegro v England Live Streaming

The chairman of the Football Association David Bernstein has accused FIFA of failing to tackle corruption and cast doubt on Sepp Blatter’s willingness to reform.

The FA chief also insists he has no regrets about standing up at the FIFA Congress this summer to call for Blatter’s re-election as president to be postponed.

He stood unopposed after arch-rival Mohamed Bin Hammam was forced to pull out of the race amid bribery allegations against him.

The Qatari has since been deposed of his presidency of the Asian Football Confederation and banned from all aspects of football for life.

It was one of several corruption scandals to engulf FIFA in recent years and Blatter promised to reform the organisation.

An announcement about how he intends to do this due on October 21 following a meeting of the organisation’s executive committee.

But speaking at the Leaders in Football conference in London this morning, Bernstein is not optimistic.

“We had a UEFA strategic meeting two weeks ago in Cyprus and there was great disappointment expressed there about the lack of progress that FIFA are making in terms of governance,” he said.

“There is a FIFA ExCo this month and we are hoping something will come out of that but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

“It’s a difficult nut to crack, we will just have to see what Mr Blatter will do.”

Bernstein would not go as far as England 2018 World Cup bid chief Andy Anson, who ridiculed FIFA’s handling of recent scandals and labelled Blatter’s desire to enlist the help of opera star Placido Domingo as “laughable”.

Indeed, the FA chairman insists his organisation’s relationships with FIFA and UEFA had improved since the latter tried to prevent his intervention at the FIFA Congress.

“I wouldn’t say it was foolhardy,” he added. ”There was a momentum of events and I felt I had to say something.

“The morning of that session, UEFA held an emergency meeting to discourage me from saying something.

“I said that within English football there are plenty of disagreements but everyone has the right of free speech. I would definitely do it again.”

Bernstein also revealed Argentina’s FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona had apologised for his “unacceptable” attack on England at the FIFA Congress.

Grondona, who is also president of his country’s national association, branded the English “liars” and “pirates” in June, but has now written a letter of apology.

“I was pleased to receive a letter of apology from the Argentinian (FA) president Grondona following his unacceptable comments about England in Zurich,” Bernstein said.

The Englishman promised The FA would get its own house in order after the recent Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry into Football Governance.

The Committee urged the Government to legislate if the game’s governing bodies failed to adopt new practices.

“If we can’t then there is a danger that they will legislate,” Bernsten said.

“Our job – and that’s why we’re working so closely with our friends at the Premier League and Football League  - is to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“The Select Committee report is not perfect. I think there are parts of it that leave something to be desired. But there is merit within there.

“We have to pick the best bits, work out a package that we can deliver together and come up with something so that the Government doesn’t have to get involved.”

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Man United v Arsenal Live Streaming

Arsenal have asked UEFA to grant Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a stay of execution over his two-match Champions League ban.

This would allow the Frenchman to fulfil his duties as normal in tomorrow night’s crucial play-off against Udinese.

European football’s governing body issued the two-match ban against Wenger yesterday after he was found guilty of breaching the terms of an earlier ban during the first-leg last week.

He was seen in the stands passing messages to the dug-out during the match at the Emirates Stadium via first-team coach Boro Primorac.

Wenger claimed UEFA had told him he was permitted to relay instructions to assistant manager Pat Rice through Primorac, who was in telephone contact with the Arsenal bench.

UEFA have also fined Arsenal £8,743 for the improper conduct of their officials during the match.

The match in Udinese tomorrow night will be vital in shaping Arsenal’s season, while the financial rewards of winning the tie and reaching the Champions League group stage are obvious.

Arsenal immediately indicated their intention to appeal, but for the purposes of speed have decided to initially seek a delay to the ban before contesting it fully.

“Please note Arsenal has lodged an appeal against the Control and Disciplinary Body decision taken yesterday and has requested a stay of execution,” a statement from UEFA read.

“The Appeals Body chairman will deal with the stay of execution today and we shall be in a position to let you know the decision by the end of play today.”

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been handed an additional two-match Champions League ban for flouting the rules over a touchline suspension.

The Frenchman failed to abide by UEFA’s rules after he was seen communicating, via coach Boro Primorac, to his dugout during the play-off first leg against Udinese last week.

UEFA have also fined Arsenal £8,743 for the improper conduct of their officials during the match.

Wenger will now have to sit in the stands for the return leg against the Italian side on Wednesday and, if they progress, the first group stage game as well.

The Gunners and Wenger have the right to lodge appeals against the decisions.

“UEFA has suspended manager Arsene Wenger from carrying out his duties at Arsenal’s next two UEFA competition matches,” a statement from the governing body read.

“Today’s decision was taken in relation to the Arsenal manager not abiding by the decision of the control and disciplinary body during the Champions League play-off game against Udinese last Tuesday.

“Wenger is therefore suspended for Arsenal’s second-leg match against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday and then the next UEFA competition fixture for which he would be eligible.

“The control and disciplinary body has also decided to fine Arsenal €10,000 for improper conduct by its officials.

“An appeal may be lodged against these decisions within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.”

Man United v Arsenal Live Streaming

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects punishment after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him for breaching his Champions League touchline ban.

The Frenchman was not allowed in the dugout following a suspension for comments made about the referee after the Gunner’s elimination against Barcelona.

He was seemingly caught passing messages to his team via a third party, Boro Primorac, during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Udinese in their play-off first leg.

Arsenal immediately confirmed that they will argue Wenger’s case when the disciplinary is held on Monday.

Wenger claimed UEFA had permitted him to relay instructions to assistant manager Pat Rice via Primorac, who was in telephone contact with the bench.

But European football’s governing body denied this and have been studying the report from their match officials before deciding whether to take further action.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Arsene Wenger for not abiding by the decisions of UEFA in relation to the one-match suspension he served during Tuesday’s game against Udinese,” a statement on UEFA’s website read.

“According to UEFA disciplinary regulations, a manager may not communicate with his team during the match and may follow the game from the stands only.

“Wenger was serving the suspension which the UEFA control and disciplinary body handed down following the English team’s round of 16 match at Barcelona in the same competition last season.

“The new disciplinary case will be discussed on Monday 22 August.”

Arsenal v Liverpool Live Streaming

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