UEFA & Other Competitions- eurosoccerblog.com

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2005-04-22T22:44:00.000Z

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Barthez gets three-month ban for spitting at ref

2005-04-22T11:02:00.000Z

Olympique Marseille and France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has been given a six-month ban, three of which are suspended, for spitting at a referee.

UEFA approves new player rules

2005-04-22T07:44:00.000Z

A rule designed to increase the number of locally trained soccer players was unanimously approved Thursday by European soccer federations.

Inter won't make Uefa appeal

2005-04-21T22:00:00.000Z

Internazionale have opted against lodging an appeal with Uefa against their punishment for the violence which marred their meeting with Milan.

Uefa warns clubs after outburst

2005-04-20T19:59:00.000Z

Uefa has warned clubs they will be held responsible for provocative comments made by their coaching staff.

EURO qualifying format decided

2005-04-20T09:06:00.000Z

The winners and runners-up in the seven qualifying groups will go through to the UEFA EURO 2008™ final round in Austria and Switzerland in three years' time.

Wenger non-plussed by Chelsea v Liverpool Euro clash

2005-04-20T06:20:00.000Z

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has labelled the Champions League semi-final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea as "an anti-climax".

Paris to host 2006 Champions League final; Athens 2007

2005-04-19T20:27:00.000Z

Paris will host next year's Champions League final and Athens will get the 2007 edition.

Mourinho slams 'ridiculous' UEFA

2005-04-19T09:28:00.000Z

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has criticised UEFA for their 'ridiculous pursuit' of fitness coach Rui Faria during last week's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

Pele backs Beckenbauer for Uefa

2005-04-19T06:05:00.000Z

Pele believes Franz Beckenbauer is better equipped than Michel Platini to take over as president of Uefa when Lennart Johansson stands down in 2007.

UEFA Executive Committee to choose site of 2006 and 2007 Champions League finals

2005-04-19T06:03:00.000Z

The UEFA Executive Committee will choose the host cities for the 2006 and 2007 Champions League and UEFA Cup finals on Tuesday.

Owen has no Liverpool regrets

2005-04-16T20:28:00.000Z

Real Madrid striker Michael Owen insists he has no regrets over his move from Liverpool , despite his former club's success in the Champions League this season.

Inter consider UEFA appeal

2005-04-16T00:34:00.000Z

Nerazzurri President Giacinto Facchetti has announced they could lodge an appeal against their four-match UEFA order to play behind closed doors.

English Unimpressed As Uefa Slaps Inter’s Wrist

2005-04-15T23:56:00.000Z

Reaction in England to Uefa’s punishment of Internazionale has been, in a word, incredulous.

Millions of World Cup ticket orders weeded out

2005-04-15T23:48:00.000Z

Prospective 2006 World Cup fans will have a slightly better chance of success in Friday's ticket draw after organisers uncovered attempts to buy millions of tickets using automatic ordering.

Robben hopeful of facing Liverpool

2005-04-15T23:46:00.000Z

Arjen Robben is looking to provide Chelsea with a major lift by returning to action in time for their Champions League semi-finals against Liverpool.

Inter hit with stadium ban and fine

2005-04-15T17:43:00.000Z

Inter Milan were handed a record six-match stadium ban and 300,000 Swiss francs ($248,600) fine after their Champions League quarter-final second leg against city rivals AC Milan was abandoned because of crowd trouble.

New Forums Ready!

2005-04-15T09:48:00.000Z

As we promised, the Forums are now ready! Please register here.

Uefa Cup Reaction: Toon Face Injury Crisis After Exit

2005-04-15T08:50:00.000Z

Newcastle United, shell-shocked after Sporting Lisbon came back from two goals down to knock them out of the Uefa Cup 4-2 on aggregate, now face an injury crisis ahead of Sunday's crucial FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Kahn In Sagnol Spat

2005-04-15T03:45:00.000Z

Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath is attempting to defuse an incendiary atmosphere at the club after skipper Oliver Kahn criticised defender Willy Sagnol for failing to close down Joe Cole in the lead up to Chelsea's crucial second goal in Wednesday's Champions' League tie.

Milan dream of seventh final

2005-04-15T03:37:00.000Z

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is dreaming of a seventh UEFA Champions League final in the Silvio Berlusconi era.

UEFA Cup Semi Finals Draw

2005-04-14T22:11:00.001Z

PFC CSKA Moskva's bid to become the first side from the Russian capital to win one of the major European club trophies remains on course but they must get past Parma FC as the UEFA Cup last-four lineup was decided on Thursday night with final hosts Sporting Clube de Portugal earning a tie against AZ Alkmaar.

Perez strike sees off Villarreal

2005-04-14T22:11:00.000Z

An eighth-minute strike from Kenneth Perez proved decisive as AZ Alkmaar edged past Villarreal CF and into the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

Sporting stage dramatic comeback

2005-04-14T22:10:00.000Z

Sporting Clube de Portugal staged a heroic fightback to secure a place in the last four of the UEFA Cup after a dramatic win against Newcastle United FC kept alive their hopes of playing in the final here at the Estádio José Alvalade.

We didn't deserve to beat Liverpool- Buffon

2005-04-14T20:20:00.000Z

"In the end the away goal we got was useless. It's a pity but we really could have done better at home," said Buffon, the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

Lyon president blames referee for CL exit

2005-04-14T20:18:00.000Z

Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has blamed the referee for his side's defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Souness axes Robert

2005-04-14T20:15:00.000Z

Outspoken Frenchman Laurent Robert was left out of Newcastle's UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg clash with Sporting Lisbon as manager Graeme Souness finally lost patience with him.

Bayern needs to recover from CL heartbreak

2005-04-14T20:11:00.000Z

With the Bundesliga season entering its decisive stage, the two leading clubs must recover from recent setbacks.

Injured Pirlo risks missing PSV clash

2005-04-14T10:05:00.000Z

AC Milan's in-form midfielder Andrea Pirlo faces a race against time to be fit for the expected Champions League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven later this month, the club said on its website.

Hiddink hopes history repeats itself

2005-04-14T10:02:00.000Z

PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink is looking for a repeat performance of 1988 after his team booked a meeting with AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Del Piero salutes Reds' defence

2005-04-14T08:12:00.000Z

'We have to congratulate Liverpool,' he said. 'They have defended well, they made it very difficult for us to have any shots on goal.'

Watch Champions League goals (Video)

2005-04-14T06:03:00.000Z

Inter Milan 0 - 1 AC Milan (goal)

Riot and Dida gets it

Bayern Munich 3 - 2 Chelsea
Frank Lampard
Claudio Pizarro
Didier Drogba
Paolo Guerrero
Mehmet Scholl

PSV 1 - 1 Lyon
Sylvain Wiltord
Alex da Dias Costa
Penalty Shootout

Liverpool boss: Nothing to lose against Chelsea

2005-04-14T04:30:00.000Z

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says his team have nothing to lose as they prepare for their Champions League semifinal with Chelsea.

Liverpool boss Benitez hails Xabi return

2005-04-14T04:28:00.000Z

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hailed the performance of Xabi Alonso in place of crocked skipper Steven Gerrard in last night's Champions League triumph over Juventus.

English flavour to final four

2005-04-14T00:54:00.000Z

An English side will feature in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in six years after both Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC won their last-eight encounters to set up an all-Premiership semi-final.

Inter chief: We'll accept punishment

2005-04-14T00:53:00.000Z

Internazionale president Giacinto Facchetti admits the club's image has been tarnished by the incident which caused last night's Champions League clash with AC Milan to be abandoned.

Three Wise Men Hail Chelsea

2005-04-14T00:32:00.000Z

Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Uli Hoeneß, the Bayern Munich management hierarchy, paid warm tribute to Chelsea and lamented their own luck as the dust settled on last night's Champions' League quarter-final second leg.

Uefa Cup QF, Second Leg Preview

2005-04-14T00:19:00.000Z

Just a week after the first legs there’s all to play for in three of the four Uefa Cup Quarter Final ties, while CSKA Moscow will feel confident of securing their place in the last four.

eurosoccerblog.com voters got it wrong!

2005-04-13T23:59:00.000Z

CL Reaction: Liverpool Want Revenge Against Chelsea

2005-04-13T23:48:00.000Z

Liverpool’s brave 0-0 draw in Turin gave them a 2-1 aggregate victory over Juventus and set up the first-ever all-English Champions League semi-final. The Reds will meet Premiership champions-elect Chelsea over two legs and manager Rafael Benitez is keen to avenge three narrow defeats against the Blues this season.

CL Reaction: Hiddink Pleased With PSV’s Maturity

2005-04-13T23:47:00.000Z

CL Reaction: Capello Salutes Liverpool

Carra: Liverpool belong here

2005-04-13T22:20:00.000Z

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insisted the club were back where they belong as the Reds reached the last four of the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven advance to Champions League semifinals

2005-04-13T22:18:00.000Z

In its first visit to Juventus since the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy, Liverpool played a 0-0 tie Wednesday night and advanced to the semifinals of the European Champions League on a 2-1 aggregate score.

Liverpool overcomes Juve; PSV Lyon in extra time

2005-04-13T20:57:00.000Z

Liverpool set up an all-English Champions League semifinal by holding Juventus to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. | Juventus V Liverpool - Player Ratings

Missile-throwing between Juve and Liverpool fans

2005-04-13T20:54:00.001Z

Liverpool and Juventus fans threw missiles at each other before kick-off in Wednesday's Champions League game after home fans had clashed with police.

Juventus fans clash with police before game

2005-04-13T20:54:00.000Z

A group of 50 Juventus fans clashed with police outside the Delle Alpi stadium on Wednesday, shortly before their team's Champions League game against Liverpool.

Faria was ordered to remove hat

2005-04-13T13:21:00.000Z

UEFA officials made Chelsea coach Rui Faria remove his woolly hat to prove he was not in communication with banned boss Jose Mourinho during the Champions League quarter-final second leg in Munich last night, it has emerged.

Benitez out for victory in Turin

2005-04-13T13:13:00.000Z

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will not take a safety-first approach to the second leg of his side's Champions League quarter-final with Juventus.

Milan don't want Inter banned

2005-04-13T13:04:00.000Z

Milan director Umberto Gandini admits he does not want city rivals Internazionale banned from European competition.

Cisse: It’s A Miracle

2005-04-13T12:58:00.000Z

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse insists it’s a miracle that he is in contention to face Juventus tonight after breaking his leg against Blackburn in October.

Del Piero seeks to calm Juve's fans

2005-04-13T12:47:00.000Z

'I was a boy when the Heysel disaster happened,' said the Italy striker and Juve captain.I know that nothing that we do can cancel what happened.'

UEFA decision on Friday on abandoned Milan match

2005-04-13T12:44:00.000Z

Inter Milan can expect severe punishment when UEFA meet on Friday to decide what action to take over the abandoned Champions League quarter-final second leg against city rivals AC Milan.

Juve arrests ahead of Reds match

2005-04-13T12:40:00.000Z

Police have arrested six Juventus fans ahead of the Italian club's Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

Maldini backs abandonment

2005-04-13T10:10:00.000Z

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini believes referee Markus Merk was right to abandon the Champions League clash with Inter Milan due to crowd trouble at the San Siro.

Shearer: Newcastle can lift UEFA Cup

2005-04-13T10:08:00.000Z

Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer is convinced they're the best team left in the UEFA Cup this season.

Baros brushes off Juventus complaints

2005-04-13T10:07:00.000Z

"We had nothing to lose and now we want to reach the semi-finals. I think we can score at Juventus. Of course it is going to be difficult, but while 2-1 is not the best it is also not the worst result."

Dudek: We won't botch Italian job

2005-04-13T10:04:00.000Z

Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek still has no idea whether he will return to the Liverpool side for Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final showdown with Juventus - but is convinced the Reds can triumph in Turin.

Lamps: Let's avoid Monaco repeat

2005-04-13T10:02:00.000Z

Lampard said: "Last season's semi-final against Monaco was one of my biggest disappointments. Not just losing the game but the manner in which we lost. But now we have the extra strength in the team which we didn't have against Monaco.

Preview: Lyon – PSV Eindhoven

2005-04-12T23:24:00.000Z

A place in the semi-finals is all that is left for PSV and Lyon on Wednesday night. PSV have a slight advantage going into the game with their away goal, but Lyon are looking to go to the next stage for the first time in the club’s history.

Preview: Juventus - Liverpool

2005-04-12T23:23:00.000Z

With the tie delicately poised at 2-1, Juventus and Liverpool will both be confident of securing their passage to the semi-final of the Champions League. The encounter should be a far cry from the game at Anfield, as Real Madrid learned, Juve are more than capable of overturning a first leg deficit.

Liverpool v Juventus Highlights (Video)

2005-04-12T23:04:00.000Z

Highlights of the first leg. File Size: 44 MB.

Inter-Milan Incidents: Was It All Planned?

2005-04-12T22:37:00.000Z

Shocking revelations by Inter fans who admitted that the flare shower was programmed from before.

UEFA to rule on Milan

2005-04-12T22:33:00.000Z

A UEFA spokesman said: "The referee and the match delegate have provisionally declared the result a 1-0 win to Milan. However, that is provisional. The matter will be decided by the Control and Disciplinary body of UEFA in due course."

Court rules: Russians are Europeans

2005-04-12T22:20:00.000Z

The European Union's top court on Tuesday decided Russian soccer players have an unrestricted right to play in the 25 EU nations, a ruling which could open up EU leagues to even more foreigners.

Seedorf:The Italian Goverment Must Do Something

2005-04-12T21:44:00.000Z

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf was the first player to comment on the Euroderby match suspension due to fan disorders.| Mancini bitter at 'fans'

Capello wary of Reds

2005-04-12T21:40:00.000Z

Juventus coach Fabio Capello believes his side must still be wary of Liverpool even without Steven Gerrard.

Derby abandoned in Milan

2005-04-12T21:21:00.000Z

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between FC Internazionale Milano and AC Milan was abandoned after the visitors' goalkeeper Dida appeared to be struck on the shoulder by an object thrown from the crowd.| Milan Win But Football Loses

Chelsea celebrate despite defeat

2005-04-12T21:20:00.000Z

Chelsea FC reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League despite added-time goals from José Paolo Guerrero and Mehmet Scholl that earned FC Bayern München victory in Germany.| Lampard: Getting Through Is What Matters

No Liverpool For Trezeguet

2005-04-12T19:09:00.000Z

Juventus will have to play without their French striker on Wednesday night’s decisive Champions League match against the Reds.

Benitez Urges Fans To Behave

2005-04-12T19:08:00.000Z

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged his sides supporters to behave when they travel to Turin for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus.

Juventus defenders angry with Liverpool's Baros

2005-04-12T19:04:00.000Z

Juve's Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero said: "Some Liverpool players did not play fair and Baros was one of them

CL Preview: Inter hopeful but form dictates AC Milan victory

2005-04-12T11:49:00.000Z

Every form guide avaliable suggests that AC Milan's 2-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with city rivals Inter should be enough to see the Italian champions through to the last four.

CL Preview: Bayern Munich-Chelsea

2005-04-12T10:46:00.000Z

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are strengthened ahead of the return Champions' League quarter-final showdown with Chelsea in which the four-time European champions must score at least twice to progress to the last four.

Dida aims to keep it clean

2005-04-12T10:37:00.000Z

AC Milan goalkeeper Dida can carve himself another piece of UEFA Champions League history if he keeps a clean sheet in tonight's quarter-final second leg against FC Internazionale Milano.

Baros confident of upsetting Juve

2005-04-12T10:34:00.000Z

The crushing blow of losing skipper Steven Gerrard for Liverpool's crunch Champions League showdown in Turin has not dented the confidence of Czech striker Milan Baros.

Cisse, Alonso back in Liverpool Champions League squad

2005-04-12T10:32:00.000Z

Striker Djibril Cisse and midfielder Xabi Alonso are back in Liverpool's squad for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final against Juventus in Turin.

Magath confident of Bayern success

2005-04-12T02:57:00.000Z

Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath is ready to spring an upset in the Champions League against Chelsea.

Casillas v Buffon (Video)

2005-04-12T00:16:00.000Z

File Size: 30 MB. Enjoy!

Sticky: Watch Champions League goals/Video

2005-04-11T23:59:00.000Z

Liverpool 2 - 1 Juventus
Sami Hyypia
Luis Garcia
Fabio Cannavaro

Lyon 1 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
Florent Malouda
Phillip Cocu

AC Milan 2 - 0 Inter Milan
Jaap Stam
Andrei Shevchenko

Chelsea 4 - 2 Bayern Munich
Joe Cole
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Didier Drogba
Michael Ballack

Gerrard's Absence Confirmed

2005-04-11T21:45:00.000Z

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's trip to Juventus for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Mourinho Expecting Tough Encounter

2005-04-11T21:44:00.000Z

Jose Mourinho has stressed that his side face a tricky encounter when they travel to Bayern Munich for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Shearer confident over fitness

2005-04-11T21:38:00.000Z

Alan Shearer has issued an upbeat bulletin on his fitness, with the veteran striker confident of being fit to face Sporting on Thursday.

Poll: Juventus v Liverpool

2005-04-11T17:34:00.000Z

Champions League Preview: No room for errors

2005-04-11T05:32:00.000Z

Bayern Munich meet Chelsea and Inter Milan meet AC Milan on Tuesday while Juventus play Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven meet Olympique Lyon on Wednesday in the second legs of four ties which are far from over.

Chelsea's Cole hits back at Bayern Munich long-ball jibes

2005-04-11T05:05:00.000Z

Bayern ace Owen Hargreaves said the Blues only won last week's Champions League clash by humping it up to Didier Drogba.

Liverpool concern over crocked Gerrard

2005-04-11T05:04:00.000Z

Liverpool have injury concerns surrounding captain Steven Gerrard ahead of their Champions League return-leg at Juventus.

Chelsea boss Mourinho: I will be in stands for Bayern return

2005-04-11T04:53:00.000Z

"Not being on the bench was very difficult for me, very difficult. I wouldn't say it turned out harder than I thought it would be - but it was still hard enough."

Pizarro back for Bayern

2005-04-10T14:32:00.000Z

Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro should play against Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring injury. "I feel fit and I have no more problems," the Peruvian international said after coming through a training session on Sunday.

My ban won't affect players - Mourinho

2005-04-10T07:22:00.000Z

Jose Mourinho has admitted that his role in the dug out would not be as vital as the preparation of his squad leading up to Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final return leg against Bayern Munich.

Morientes frustrated missing Liverpool's Euro success

2005-04-09T10:47:00.000Z

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes admits he is frustrated at not being able to take part in the club's Champions League campaign.

'No vendetta,' urges Turin's mayor

2005-04-09T05:39:00.000Z

Turin mayor Sergio Chiamparino has called on Juventus fans to show "good sense" ahead of their side's Champions League quarterfinal second leg with Liverpool next week.

Feyenoord appeal-match ban on spectators

2005-04-09T00:54:00.000Z

Feyenoord appealed Friday a UEFA decision to impose a one-match ban on fans at their De Kuip stadium.

UEFA Cup round-up

2005-04-08T22:22:00.000Z

The race for the semi-finals is hotting up with some in-form European sides setting the pace for title. The quarter-finals showed that CSKA Moscow look the favourites for the competition after putting four past Auxerre, the shock result of the evening was the fantastic away display by AZ Alkmaar.

UEFA must do more to combat soccer racism, activists say

2005-04-08T22:08:00.000Z

European soccer's governing body must do more to rid the sport of racism, delegates at an international conference said Friday.

Xabi confident of Liverpool comeback for Juventus trip

2005-04-08T08:08:00.000Z

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says he'll be fully fit for next week's Champions League clash at Juventus.

Champions League Best XI

2005-04-08T01:26:00.000Z

A look at the players who stole the show in the first leg of the Champions League Quarter Finals.

Uefa Cup Wrap: Advantage CSKA, Newcastle & AZ

2005-04-08T00:51:00.000Z

The first leg of the Uefa Cup quarter-finals produced home wins for CSKA Moscow and Newcastle United, an away win for AZ Alkmaar and a score draw between Austria Vienna and Parma.

UEFA report backs Chelsea

2005-04-07T14:07:00.000Z

The report states: "The referee told us that he had contact with Frank Rijkaard from the pitch to the front of his dressing room door (closed). Rijkaard wished to say hello to Frisk at the beginning of the tunnel and then tried to talk to him climbing the stairs.

Bayern promise electrifying second leg

2005-04-07T14:01:00.000Z

Bayern Munich are promising an electrifying second-leg performance at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday when they attempt to overturn a 4-2 defeat by Chelsea and reach the Champions League semi-finals.'We want to attack so hard that the stadium walls are going to shake,' said Bayern's director of football Uli Hoeness.

Liverpool worried by potential for trouble

2005-04-07T13:35:00.000Z

Liverpool fans are concerned that may be targeted for violent reprisals from Juventus supporters when they travel to Turin for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.