Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[barmyarmy]

That's the reason Celtic made the group stages anyway. Would be funny if two British clubs benefited.

 

[JBlues08]

Regarding the FC Sion case:

Sion docked an astonishing THIRTY SIX points by Swiss FA for fielding ineligible players - News - MirrorFootball.co.uk

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) look to have avoided a ban from all sporting activity after docking rebel club Sion 36 points for fielding ineligible players.

The SFV were threatened with expulsion from all competitions by world football's governing body FIFA if they failed to punish Sion, who were kicked out of the Europa League by UEFA earlier this season after fielding players they had signed during a transfer embargo.

FIFA told the SFV there would be a blanket ban on Swiss football if action was not taken by January 13.

Sion have now been docked three points for each of the 12 Swiss league and cup matches any one of the six ineligible players appeared in. They had been third in the Swiss top flight with 31 points prior to the sanction.

The SFV said in a statement on their official website Schweizerischer Fussballverband - Portal - www.football.ch "The central board of the SFV has withdrawn 36 points from Super League club FC Sion. The board has therefore met the requirements of FIFA from December 17, 2011."

FIFA had demanded on December 17 that "all matches in which the relevant players participated shall be declared forfeit or three points shall be deducted respectively".

The announcement - subject to ratification from FIFA - means FC Basle will remain in the Champions League and ends any hope of a reprieve for Manchester United, who were knocked out by the Swiss side.

 

[Haarithan]

No offence, but this was just too good.

 

[barmyarmy]

Hard to imagine worse season in the CL than this. If Chelsea lose to Napoli (which is quite likely) then not a single quarter finalist.

 

[Haarithan]

Milan were just too good on the counter to Arsenal. Nice little farewell for Henry too.

The other game at St.Petersburg was apparently a thriller with two late goals, too bad I'd missed it owing to cricket.

 

[puddleduck]

And everyone laughed at me when I said the quality of English football is at an all time low...

 

[m_vaughan]

Thats right. By no means is the EPL the strongest in the world anymore.

 

[JBlues08]

We could well be the only English team left if we get past Napoli OR there will be none at all after the Last 16 stage. Next week is gonna to be very intriguing indeed.

 

[puddleduck]

Thats right. By no means is the EPL the strongest in the world anymore.

Unfortunately the Sky hype machine keeps on doing its job.

We must be the only country in the world that would refer to Wigan v Bolton as Super Sunday!!!! !!!! !!!!

 

[Auwais]

 

[barmyarmy]

It's the Daily Fail. What do they know?

 

[puddleduck]

Haha, probably the most accurate report they've ever produced...

On the plus side, if there's anyone to blame for their defeat, it's foreigners

 

[War]

We could well be the only English team left if we get past Napoli OR there will be none at all after the Last 16 stage. Next week is gonna to be very intriguing indeed.

Given how Chelsea are playing at the moment and how well Napoli played to knock Man City out - i think its highly unlikely Chelsea will be able to topple them to be honest.

 

[JBlues08]

Given how Chelsea are playing at the moment and how well Napoli played to knock Man City out - i think its highly unlikely Chelsea will be able to topple them to be honest.

I did say "could". Just hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Expecting the latter tomorrow.

 

[Haarithan]

Just hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Expecting the latter tomorrow.

Just quoting that part considering I use that phrase often. Anyway, you were spot on.
And it's official - Serie A's back as the strongest league in the world!