Association Football 2023/2024 Discussion Thread

[JGibson]

UEFA Euro 2024 group stage draw is out as of yesterday.

[JGibson]

The Premier League has a very tight title race.

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1733974984366649830

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1733995058372763838

[JGibson]

The Bournemouth v. Luton match got abandoned due to Luton captain Tom Lockyer's cardiac arrest collapse at around the 59' mark of the match, in which both teams were level 1-1.

https://twitter.com/LutonTown/status/1736080936503009371

[JGibson]

The Premier League has ordered the Bournemouth v. Luton Town match that was abandoned at 1-1 to be replayed in full at a date and time to be announced.

https://twitter.com/LutonTown/status/1737525792819572829

[JGibson]

The European Court of Justice rules that neither FIFA nor UEFA can legally block the formation of the Super League.



Paul MacInnes at The Guardian:

Uefa has been found to be “abusing a dominant position” in the way it applies its rules, leaving the potential for a revival of the European Super League project.


In a long-awaited ruling by the European court of justice, Uefa and football’s international governing body, Fifa, were found to have rules relating to the establishment of new competitions that were not “transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate”. These rules have been declared “unlawful” by the court.
 
The judgment also found, however, that its decision “does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved”. The ruling has been awaited by football’s stakeholders as potentially offering sign as to the future of the European game and whether a project such a Super League could happen again.


[...]

 
A22 swiftly revealed its plan for men’s and women’s Super Leagues, with 64 teams in the men’s competition, 32 in the women’s and promotion and relegation across the divisions in each. It said the initial selection of clubs would be based on merit, there would be no permanent members and clubs would continue to play in their domestic leagues, with Super League matches scheduled midweek. Ejection from either competition, however, would happen only for clubs that finish at the bottom of the last tier.

 
Clubs would be placed in groups of eight, guaranteeing them 14 matches a season. Reichart said of the project’s plans, which would in effect replace Uefa’s Champions League. “For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches. For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”

[JGibson]

Arsenal got hosed by the corrupt deep state-run PGMOL yet again on a VAR decision (wrongly awarded a goal similar to the incorrectly awarded goal at Newcastle), as they lose to West Ham 2-nil.

[JGibson]

Arsenal blow a very early 1-nil lead and a chance to finish 2023 in 1st place, lose 2-1 to Fulham and all 3 points. This could be very disastrous and costly to our title race hopes.

[JGibson]

Jürgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current season.

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1750834818873434156

[JGibson]

Arsenal, with their 2-1 win over Brentford, temporarily go on top, pending tomorrow's Liverpool v.  Manchester City game.

[JGibson]

Liverpool and Manchester City share the spoils, as they drew 1-1 and gain a point apiece. This result keeps Arsenal on top of the table with 64 points, as their goal differential is +46 compared to the Reds +39.

Easter Sunday is shaping up to be a big date in the Premier League title race, as Arsenal face Manchester City at the Etihad. Arsenal is ahead of Man City by a point.

None of Arsenal, Manchester City, or Liverpool will be playing PL contests next weekend, as they and/or their scheduled opponents are playing in the FA Cup.

Table:
1 ARS 64 [+46]
2 LIV 64 [+39]
3 MCI 63 [+35]

[JGibson]

Last 8 (Quarterfinals) matchups set:

UCL: 
https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1768597062612910577

UEL:
https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague/status/1768611656953635054

UECL:
https://twitter.com/europacnfleague/status/1768627086615339284

[JGibson]

Arsenal walk out of the Etihad with a point, as they drew the defending champions Manchester City nil-nil. Liverpool will be top of the table, as they beat Brighton 2-1 earlier.

[JGibson]

Bayer Leverkusen may be on the verge of stopping Bayern Munich's 11-season run in the Bundesliga of winning the league, assuming they win this weekend.

[JGibson]

Arsenal embarrassed themselves and hurt their title hopes with their 2-0 capitulation to Aston Villa.
This is their first PL loss since the blown 1-0 lead to Fulham in which they lost 2-1 on NYE.
 Manchester City now have the top spot.

[JGibson]

Arsenal lose to Bayern 3-2 on aggregate. Manchester City lose to Real Madrid 4-3 on penalties after drawing 4-4 on aggregate.

England's hopes for an extra UCL spot are fading fast.