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UEFA ABOLISHES AWAY GOAL RULE IN ALL CLUB COMPETITIONS

UEFA announced on Thursday that the away goals rule will be abolished in European tournament knockout ties from the 2021-22 season.

The rule, which had been in place since 1965, was used to determine a winner when teams were level on aggregate after a two-legged match. The team that had scored more goals as the away side were awarded the victory. But from now, this will be replaced by extra time and penalties.

A UEFA statement read: “Following the recommendation of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the UEFA Women’s Football Committee, the UEFA Executive Committee has today approved a proposal to remove the so-called away goals rule from all UEFA club competitions (men, women and youth) as of the qualifying phases of the 2021/22 competitions.”

Commenting on the abolishment of the away goals rule, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various UEFA meetings over the last few years. Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.

“The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams — especially in first legs — from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage. There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored.

It is fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was. Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the UEFA Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.”

Lyon, who had won the previous five editions of the women’s Champions League, were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals on away goals last season.

In the men’s Champions League, FC Porto and PSG benefited — eliminating Juventus and Bayern Munich — to reach the last eight and semifinals respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the 2019 final after beating Manchester City and Ajax on away goals before they lost the final to Liverpool.

The rule change was not unanimous, Ceferin said, but was made after the rule’s “fairness” was questioned. The decision to scrap the away goals rule was taken by UEFA’s Executive Committee following the recommendation of its Club Competitions Committee and the Women’s Football Committee.

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WIJNALDUM THREATENS NETHERLANDS WALK-OFF AMID RAINBOW ARMBAND PLANS

Georginio Wijnaldum will wear a rainbow-coloured armband when he captains the Netherlands against the Czech Republic in Budapest on Monday and has declared that he and his teammates could leave the field if they are subjected to any form of abuse.

Hungary has faced criticism over its treatment of LGBTQ people after passing a law that prohibits the sharing of content in schools that could be deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change.

Football’s attempts to show support have also created controversy, with UEFA launching an investigation into Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s use of a rainbow armband – a nod to the flag of the LGBTQ community – before acknowledging the motif as “a team symbol for diversity”.

However, the governing body did not allow Munich’s Allianz Arena to be lit up in those colours for Germany’s final Group F game against Hungary on Thursday, ostensibly due to its rules regarding political neutrality.

But that has not discouraged Wijnaldum from plans to wear an armband featuring the words “One Love” for the first time in the tournament when the Dutch head to the Hungarian capital.

“It is not just against Hungary,” he said. “The armband means a lot because we stand for diversity – one love means everybody is a part of it and everybody should be free to be who they are.

“In our opinion [the right to be yourself] has been encroached upon. As players, we have a podium to do whatever we can to help.”

UEFA launched an investigation into allegations that France star Kylian Mbappe and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo faced racist and homophobic abuse during their appearances in Budapest.

And Wijnaldum has warned that he will be ready to take his team off the pitch should any such incidents occur during Monday’s last-16 clash.

“UEFA should be there to protect the players and make the decision,” he said. “It should not be left to the players. Players often get punished for protecting themselves so UEFA needs to take a lead role in this.

“I have said I don’t really know how I will react in such a situation. I thought first that I would walk off the pitch but maybe not now because maybe the opponent will think: ‘Let them [in the crowd] throw racist slurs and they will walk off the pitch’.

“It could be the case that I will walk off the pitch but I will speak with the players about it first.”

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EURO 2020: GORETZKA’S STRIKE IN DRAMATIC HUNGARY DRAW HELP GERMANY SECURE SECOND SPOT

Leon Goretzka’s late equaliser clinched Germany a 2-2 draw against Hungary and a second-placed Group F finish on a roller-coaster night in Munich.

Joachim Low’s side trailed 2-1 and appeared to be heading for their second group defeat, which would have left them third in the table, when substitute Goretzka fired them level in the 84th minute.

Adam Szalai’s early header had given Hungary a flying start and straight after Kai Havertz’s second-half equaliser for Germany, Andras Schafer headed the underdogs back in front.

Germany sealed second spot and will now play England in the round of 16 at Wembley on Tuesday, while Group F winners France, who drew 2-2 against Portugal, face Switzerland on Monday.

The game kicked off in pouring rain and following a controversial moment when a fan ran onto the pitch holding a rainbow flag in support of the LGBTQI+ community during Hungary’s national anthem.

After the game got under way, Joshua Kimmich tested Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi with an early angled shot before Germany fell behind in the 11th minute.

Roland Sallai’s brilliant, arcing cross from deep bisected Germany defenders Kimmich and Mats Hummels and Szalai stooped to head beyond stationary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Germany responded through Hummels, who headed Kimmich’s cross following a corner against the crossbar.

Matthias Ginter was next to pass up a gilt-edged chance for the Germans as he failed to get full connection on a loose ball in front of goal.

Germany hogged first-half possession, but Hungary chased everything down as if their lives depended on it and Szalai threatened again shortly before the interval.

Low replaced Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan with Goretzka in a bid to add some urgency to his side, but the boos rang out as Leroy Sane over-hit his corner shortly afterwards.

Szalai was inches away from a second for Hungary when his free-kick after Sane had handled struck the outside of Neuer’s right-hand post.

Germany equalised in the 66th minute when Havertz headed home from close range after Gulacsi had failed to get anywhere near a looping free-kick into the box and the ball had struck Hummels on the head.

But the Germans were level for less than two minutes. Straight from the restart, Szalai helped on a long ball over the top and Schafer beat Neuer to the bounce to head Hungary back into the lead.

Germany chased another equaliser in a bid to snatch a Wembley date against England from Hungary’s grasp and Toni Kroos flashed a shot just wide in the 81st minute.

With the clock ticking down, Germany’s substitutes came to the rescue.

Jamal Musiala, who had replaced Robin Gosens two minutes earlier, fired a low cross into the box and after Timo Werner’s effort was blocked, Goretzka lashed home the rebound.

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SPAIN THRASH SLOVAKIA TO REACH EURO 2020 KNOCKOUT STAGE

Spain cruised into the knockout stage at Euro 2020 with a comfortable 5-0 win over Slovakia in Seville on Wednesday.

An unfortunate Martin Dubravka own goal set the 2010 world champions on their way before further goals from Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and another own goal from Juraj Kucka completed the lopsided scoreline.

Spain, who will play Croatia in the round of 16, finished Group E in second place with five points from three matches. While Slovakia, who were eliminated with the loss, end their group campaign in third place with three points.

Spain’s day began with a thud when Alvaro Morata saw his penalty well-saved by Dubravka in the 12th minute. But the Newcastle goalkeeper proved more generous at the half-hour mark when he inexplicably punched the ball into his own net after a Sarabia shot hit the crossbar and fell toward him in the six-yard box.

Spain, who had dominated up to that point, piled on from there, with Kucka’s own goal from close range capping an impressive performance for Luis Enrique’s men.

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COPA AMERICA: LATE GOAL GIVES BRAZIL CONTROVERSIAL WIN OVER COLOMBIA

Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa América.

Brazil had won their previous nine games coming into the match in Rio de Janeiro, all bar one of them without conceding a goal, but they went behind in the 10th minute thanks to a wonder strike from Luis Díaz.

Juan Cuadrado swung in a cross from the right and Porto midfielder Díaz leapt acrobatically to volley an overhead kick past a helpless Weverton.

Brazil were forced to chase the game and they had most of the ball and almost all the chances, though Colombia did an excellent job of closing them down in the final third.

The hosts eventually got an equaliser with 12 minutes remaining, though it came in controversial circumstances.

With Brazil on the attack the ball hit referee Néstor Pitana and as Colombia’s players paused expecting him to order a drop ball the Argentine, who refereed the 2018 World Cup final, allowed play to continue.

Brazil took full advantage as Roberto Firmino headed home a cross from the left, with goalkeeper David Ospina letting the ball squirm through his hands on the night he tied Carlos Valderrama as Colombia’s most capped male player with 111 appearances.

The Colombian players were incensed but the goal was allowed to stand, even after a check by the VAR.

Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda refused to be drawn on the decision other than to say, “I think the situation with the referee distracted our players.”

There was worse to come for the visitors. Their protests after the equaliser led to 10 minutes of stoppage time being added, and in the 100th minute of the match Casemiro headed home from a corner to give Brazil the win.

Captain Casemiro said Brazil fully deserved the three points.

“Brazil deserve congratulations for their mental strength, for being well on top, and getting our reward in the end because we had the coolness to keep plugging away in search of a goal,” he added. “That’s the mentality you have to have.

“They came forward once, scored a goal, sat back and it turned into a game of attack against defence.”

Brazil had already qualified for the quarter-finals and with four points from four games Colombia join them. Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are vying for the last two spots from the group. In Sunday’s final group games, Ecuador face Brazil while Peru play Venezuela.

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PSG SET TO MAKE IMPROVED OFFER Of £60M FOR INTER MILAN’S ACHRAF HAKIMI

Paris Saint-Germain will be hopeful of pipping Chelsea in the race for Achraf Hakimi as they get ready to launch an improved bid worth £60million for his services, according to reports.

Chelsea and PSG have both been put on red alert this summer over Hakimi’s situation at Inter Milan, with the Serie A champions desperately needing cash to help resolve their financial crisis.

And now according to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Ligue 1 giants are set to table a £60m bid – which is what he is valued by Inter at – that includes add-ons to complete a move for Hakimi after having an initial £56m offer knocked back.
It has also been claimed that PSG have already reached personal terms with Hakimi, with the Moroccan agreeing a five-year contract at the Parc des Princes.

And PSG are said to now be ‘confident’ of getting the deal over the line for one of the most sought-after full backs in European football.

Former Real Madrid star Hakimi played a starring role as Inter claimed their first Serie A title since 2010.

Hakimi played 45 times in all competitions last season under former boss Antonio Conte, scoring seven goals and creating 11 assists as he provided a huge attacking threat for Inter down the flanks.

The 22-year-old right back can also play on the left side of defence too, as well as a winger, and would provide PSG with extra quality in their bid for Champions League glory.

The latest news will come as a huge blow to Chelsea, who have been in pursuit of Hakimi this summer.

The Blues have been in talks over a deal for Hakimi, and were planning to use Marcos Alonso as a sweetener to get their man.

Chelsea have shown interest in a £52m cash deal which would also include 30-year old Alonso.

The arrival of Hakimi at Chelsea would add competition to the right wing back spot, which is currently held by Reece James, as the European champions look to lead a Premier League title charge next term.

But Chelsea will now be hoping that Inter push back PSG in their latest move for Hakimi.

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NIGERIAN FORWARD, EMMANUEL DENNIS JOINS WATFORD

Newly-promoted English Premier League club Watford FC made an official announcement on Monday that they have reached an agreement with Belgian side, Club Brugge for the transfer of Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Dennis.

Other details around the length of the contract and the financial implication are yet to be fully disclosed by the two parties.

The statement on Watford website Monday night read: “An agreement with Club Brugges has been reached for the transfer of exciting young forward Emmanuel Dennis, Watford FC is delighted to confirm.”

Dennis, 23, spent part of last season on loan in Germany’s Bundesliga with FC Köln but he failed to impress

The Nigerian forward first joined the Belgian top-flight side in the summer of 2017.

A scorer of 27 goals in less than 100 club appearances for Brugges, Dennis has featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League where he scored some famous goals; including against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to Watford, they are currently finalising ‘personal terms’ with the pacy striker – so far capped twice by Nigeria.

Born in the Northern Nigerian town of Yola, Dennis began his footballing quest in the country’s capital city with the Abuja Football Academy.

It was from the Abuja Academy that Dennis headed out to Europe for a professional football career in 201a 6 as he settled for the modest Ukrainian side, Zorya Luhansk despite the reported interest from a handful of othasclubs.

Watford have a rich history of Nigerian players with the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Isaac Success presently playing for the Hornets while Odion Ighalo can pass for a club legend at Vicarage Road.

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EURO 2020: BELGIUM BREAKDOWN STUBBORN FINLAND TO MAINTAIN PERFECT START

An own goal from Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and a smart Romelu Lukaku finish sent Belgium into the last 16 of Euro 2020 with a perfect record from Group B after a 2-0 win in St Petersburg.

The Finns had fought an increasingly desperate rearguard action in the hunt for the point they hoped would prove enough to seal qualification but were ultimately left to almost certainly exit the tournament.

Thomas Vermaelen’s 73rd minute header from a corner struck a post before dropping over the line after striking the hand of the unfortunate Hradecky, who had earlier kept his side in the game.

And Belgium consigned the Finns to their fate in the 81st minute after a clinical turn and shot in the box by Lukaku, making up for an earlier effort that had been ruled out by VAR.

The Belgians eased into the game secure in the knowledge they had already done enough to progress, but despite making eight changes boss Roberto Martinez kept most of his big guns involved.

Unsurprisingly, they dominated the early stages, but apart from a couple of early attempts by Lukaku to muscle his way towards goal, the well-organised Finnish defence held firm.

It took half-an-hour for Belgium to have their first real chance when the ball fell to Axel Witsel on the edge of the box, only for the midfielder to spoon his effort way over the bar.

Lukaku should have done better in the 37th minute when he was sent through by a brilliantly incisive lofted pass by Kevin De Bruyne but fired his low shot straight at Hradecky.

Hradecky stretched brilliantly to deny 19-year-old Jeremy Doku shortly before the break as the Finns headed for the interval still in pole position for a place in the last 16.

Stacking all 11 men behind the ball, the Finns looked increasingly confident and even managed a rare shot on target just past the hour-mark when Rangers’ Glen Kamara shot straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Hradecky saved his side once more in the 63rd minute when he denied Eden Hazard and two minutes later Lukaku blasted past the keeper, only to have his effort ruled marginally offside after a lengthy delay.

But Vermaelen’s header provided the crucial breakthrough for the Belgians and Lukaku’s clinical finish left Finland, who ended the group in third place on three points, hoping for a mathematical miracle if they are to avoid an early trip home.

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AUSTRIA REACH EURO KNOCKOUT STAGES AFTER VICTORY OVER UKRAINE

Austria progressed to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time after Christoph Baumgartner’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Bucharest.

Baumgartner produced what proved the decisive moment with a 21st-minute finish as Franco Foda’s men leapfrogged their opponents to claim second spot in Group C and set up a last-16 meeting with Italy at Wembley on Saturday.

Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine, meanwhile, must wait to see if they have done enough among the third-placed finishers to advance themselves, having ended up with three points from their three group matches.

A positive start from Austria saw early efforts sent off-target by Marcel Sabitzer and Aleksander Dragovic.

There was also a shot deflected wide from Marko Arnautovic, who was available again after being banned against Holland for insulting another player in his side’s opener against North Macedonia.

Five minutes later Austria grabbed the lead when David Alaba delivered a corner from the left and Baumgartner diverted the ball in with an outstretched leg.

Ukraine threatened just before the half-hour mark as Mykola Shaparenko saw his shot pushed away by Daniel Bachmann, with Andriy Yarmolenko just unable to get his boot to the loose ball.

Baumgartner, who had been involved in a clash of heads with Illia Zabarnyi prior to scoring, then had to be replaced by Alessandro Schopf, before Konrad Laimer had a curling attempt punched away by Georgi Bushchan.

As Austria continued to push for a second goal late in the first half, Arnautovic spurned a great chance as he side-footed wide near the penalty spot having been teed up in fine style by Schopf, then had a tame effort gathered by Bushchan, before Laimer missed the target with a skewed hit.

After the break, Xaver Schlager saw one strike saved by Bushchan and put another wide, before Bachmann was called upon to keep the ball out when it came off Laimer’s head.

Ukraine went close again with two minutes of normal time remaining, with Roman Yaremchuk flashing a shot across the face of goal as Shevchenko’s side failed to rescue a draw that would have seen them retain second place.

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MANUEL NEUER NOT TO FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION OVER RAINBOW ARMBAND

Germany captain Manuel Neuer will not face any disciplinary action after wearing a rainbow armband during Euro 2020 games, UEFA has announced.

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper has donned the armband for matches against France and Portugal to show his support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, prompting the European governing body to investigate whether it could be viewed as a political statement.

But UEFA has concluded there is no case to answer, given the 35-year-old was “promoting a good cause”.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “UEFA looked into the armband worn by the player in question and, considering that it was promoting a good cause, i.e. diversity, the team will not face disciplinary proceedings.”

The German Football Association said it had received a letter from UEFA confirming the matter should be considered closed.

The DFB posted on Twitter on Sunday evening: “UEFA have today shared with the DFB that they have stopped the review of the rainbow captain’s armband worn by @Manuel_Neuer.

“In a letter, the armband has been assessed as a team symbol for diversity and thus for a ‘good cause’.”