Good to see they're making up for their blunder the other day. Also the moderator of the fantasy league mini league would probably want to look at this and see if they want to make the change with points.

I posted a thread on the league's forum about starting points from gameweek 2 :)

 

Agree or disagree? Not much feedback over there.

UEFA to scrutinise Man City's Etihad deal

 

Manchester City's sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways will be analysed by Uefa's financial fair play (FFP) boss.

 

In a 10-year deal reportedly worth £400m, Etihad now sponsors both the club's shirt and the stadium.

 

But with City and Etihad sharing Abu Dhabi links, critics have claimed this is an attempt to circumvent European football's strict new financial rules.

 

City declined to reply, although the club have previously said speculation over the figures was "not accurate".

 

When asked what his reaction was when he first heard about City's deal, the chairman of Uefa's Financial Control Panel, Jean-Luc Dehaene, said:

 

"I had some questions, yes.

 

"You know where the problems are and you know you will have to confirm them. But on the other hand they are all members of the ECA (European Club Association) and if they don't follow the rules they won't have the support of the other clubs.

 

"But it would be dangerous for our authority if we take judgements without facts."

 

The 71-year-old former Prime Minister of Belgium confirmed his panel would "benchmark" all deals to make sure they were "fair value".

 

"If we see clubs that are looking for loopholes we will act," he said.

 

"It is not enough to say 'we've got a sponsorship contract and that's OK' if the contract is out of line."

 

As well as the shirt and stadium, Etihad also sponsors The Etihad Campus which is being developed around the ground. This will create an expanded academy, sports science centre and training ground, as well as office and retail space and a 7,000-seat stadium for youth games.

 

All of this investment is exempt from the FFP rules as it is not deemed football-related. Any income accrued, however, does count.

 

 

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport on Monday, City's chief executive Gary Cook said the deal was "unique".

 

"The Ethihad Campus, which constitutes some 210 acres is unique in its breadth, depth and length of term," he said.

 

"It involves the tradition, which is shirt sponsorship, the naming rights of the stadium, but what we haven't seen in football is a campus, creating a place to be, to work.

 

"We've got a great relationship with Ethihad. It's a long-term programme and they are equally very excited by it."

 

Cook added that City's recent spending was "not sustainable" but was needed to quickly attain Champions League football.

 

Manchester City have been the focus of intense scrutiny ever since an Abu Dhabi-based consortium led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the club in 2008.

 

The club made a loss of £93m in 2008-09, £121m in 2009-10 and last year's figures, due in September, are expected to be even worse, despite an increase in turnover partly due to a number of lucrative sponsorship deals with other Abu Dhabi-based companies.

 

Etihad Airways, for example, is owned by the Abu Dhabi government. The oil-rich state's ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is Sheikh Mansour's half-brother.

 

 

FIFA FAIR PLAY AT A GLANCE

 

*Clubs hoping to take part in the Champions or Europa Leagues must balance their football-related expenditure over a three-year period

*This is the first season that counts towards the 2013/14 assessment but clubs will be allowed to make a loss of 45m euros (£39.4m) over the three years, falling to 30m euros from 2015/16.

*It is not until 2018 that clubs have to bring their annual losses below £8.8m.

*The ultimate sanction for any club that fails to comply with the FFP criteria is a ban from European competition.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14490740.stm

Petition campaigning for the release of government files from discussion surrounding the Hillsborough disaster has been tweeted over the net following an appeal by the current government to prevent them from being released.

 

It would be really great if you could sign it.

 

 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2199

Manchester City's sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways will be analysed by Uefa's financial fair play (FFP) boss.

 

In a 10-year deal reportedly worth £400m, Etihad now sponsors both the club's shirt and the stadium.

 

But with City and Etihad sharing Abu Dhabi links, critics have claimed this is an attempt to circumvent European football's strict new financial rules.

 

City declined to reply, although the club have previously said speculation over the figures was "not accurate".

 

When asked what his reaction was when he first heard about City's deal, the chairman of Uefa's Financial Control Panel, Jean-Luc Dehaene, said:

 

"I had some questions, yes.

 

"You know where the problems are and you know you will have to confirm them. But on the other hand they are all members of the ECA (European Club Association) and if they don't follow the rules they won't have the support of the other clubs.

 

"But it would be dangerous for our authority if we take judgements without facts."

 

The 71-year-old former Prime Minister of Belgium confirmed his panel would "benchmark" all deals to make sure they were "fair value".

 

"If we see clubs that are looking for loopholes we will act," he said.

 

"It is not enough to say 'we've got a sponsorship contract and that's OK' if the contract is out of line."

 

As well as the shirt and stadium, Etihad also sponsors The Etihad Campus which is being developed around the ground. This will create an expanded academy, sports science centre and training ground, as well as office and retail space and a 7,000-seat stadium for youth games.

 

All of this investment is exempt from the FFP rules as it is not deemed football-related. Any income accrued, however, does count.

 

 

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport on Monday, City's chief executive Gary Cook said the deal was "unique".

 

"The Ethihad Campus, which constitutes some 210 acres is unique in its breadth, depth and length of term," he said.

 

"It involves the tradition, which is shirt sponsorship, the naming rights of the stadium, but what we haven't seen in football is a campus, creating a place to be, to work.

 

"We've got a great relationship with Ethihad. It's a long-term programme and they are equally very excited by it."

 

Cook added that City's recent spending was "not sustainable" but was needed to quickly attain Champions League football.

 

Manchester City have been the focus of intense scrutiny ever since an Abu Dhabi-based consortium led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the club in 2008.

 

The club made a loss of £93m in 2008-09, £121m in 2009-10 and last year's figures, due in September, are expected to be even worse, despite an increase in turnover partly due to a number of lucrative sponsorship deals with other Abu Dhabi-based companies.

 

Etihad Airways, for example, is owned by the Abu Dhabi government. The oil-rich state's ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is Sheikh Mansour's half-brother.

 

 

FIFA FAIR PLAY AT A GLANCE

 

*Clubs hoping to take part in the Champions or Europa Leagues must balance their football-related expenditure over a three-year period

*This is the first season that counts towards the 2013/14 assessment but clubs will be allowed to make a loss of 45m euros (£39.4m) over the three years, falling to 30m euros from 2015/16.

*It is not until 2018 that clubs have to bring their annual losses below £8.8m.

*The ultimate sanction for any club that fails to comply with the FFP criteria is a ban from European competition.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14490740.stm

 

 

Bunch of Toothless dogs

I posted a thread on the league's forum about starting points from gameweek 2 :)

 

Agree or disagree? Not much feedback over there.

 

Agree. Cos it really screwed me over with injuries to some of my players so if you could do it that'd be awesome

Petition campaigning for the release of government files from discussion surrounding the Hillsborough disaster has been tweeted over the net following an appeal by the current government to prevent them from being released.

 

It would be really great if you could sign it.

 

 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2199

 

already have. I hate how people are still trying to prevent THE TRUTH from coming out. Funny how it was a tory government in charge at the time that started the cover up and now just as we're closer than ever from getting justice it's again the tory's in charge.

Don't Buy The S*n. Justice For The 96.

Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle FT in the derby

 

Nasty challenge from Phil Bardsley, sent off. could have broken coloccini's leg

 

Sunderland 0 - 1 Newcastle

 

Newcastle continue to hold the upper hand in recent Tyne-Wear derbies as Ryan Taylor's goal earned them a narrow win over Sunderland.

 

The hosts were on top for periods but Joey Barton was denied a goal when his header struck Sebastian Larsson's arm.

 

It looked like that incident might prove pivotal but Taylor's free kick flew straight in on 62 minutes.

 

Stephane Sessegnon and Asamoah Gyan had chances for Sunderland, while Phil Bardsley was sent off late on.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14514549.stm

Frimpong off now for Arsenal

 

some nasty tackles flying about today

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool FT!

 

 

Liverpool see off 10-man Gunners

 

Liverpool struck twice late on to secure their first league win at Arsenal for 11 years and increase Arsene Wenger's troubles.

 

Arsenal - featuring Samir Nasri in the line-up with his proposed move to Manchester City on hold - held their own until impressive youngster Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off with 20 minutes left.

 

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish reacted by introducing Luis Suarez and Raul Meireles in what proved to be the decisive move, as the pair were involved in both goals.

 

They combined before youngster Ignasi Miquel, on for early injury victim Laurent Koscielny, saw a clearance deflect off Aaron Ramsey into his own net after 78 minutes and Suarez applied a simple finish from Meireles's pass in the dying seconds to wrap up Liverpool's first win of the season.

 

Gunners boss Wenger cut a frustrated figure as luck deserted an Arsenal side depleted by injuries and suspension, and still recovering from Monday's departure of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

 

Arsenal applied plenty of effort but look desperately thin on rescources, something Wenger must address urgently, whereas Dalglish was able to bide his time before bringing on Suarez to make an emphatic impact.

 

Dalglish was ecstatic at the final whistle, whereas Wenger must now fear his defensive options will be reduced further by Koscielny's back problem ahead of Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Udinese in Italy.

 

Nasri received a mixed reception when his name was announced - but swiftly won over his detractors with an energetic and influential performance in the opening period, with youngster Frimpong also impressive.

 

Arsenal also had to regroup after the early loss of Koscielny with a back spasm. Young Spanish defender Miquel came on and Liverpool almost took advantage of the defensive readjustment as Andy Carroll rose to meet Stewart Downing's cross and produce an athletic save from Wojciech Szczesny.

 

Szczesny had an easier task to save from Jordan Henderson's header before Arsenal grew in confidence and started to threaten in the latter stages of the half.

 

Nasri demonstrated the verve that has made him such a coveted asset with a surging run from inside his own half that ended with him shooting just wide from 20 yards and Frimpong also forced a fine stop from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina with a low drive.

 

As a downpour soaked the Emirates, Arsenal almost made the breakthrough after 68 minutes when Andrey Arshavin found Van Persie in the area but Reina stuck out a leg to make a vital save.

 

Wenger rubbed his hands through his rain-soaked hair in sheer frustration, and he was not feeling any better two minutes later when Frimpong marred what had been a performance of real promise with a wild challenge on Lucas that earned him a second yellow card and dismissal.

 

Dalglish used Liverpool's numerical advantage to make a double substitution, sending on Suarez and Meireles for Carroll and Dirk Kuyt. Wenger's response was to replace Arshavin with Henri Lansbury.

 

When the deadlock was broken, it came in cruel fashion for Arsenal with 12 minutes left. Miquel, with Suarez in close attendance, attempted to clear only to see his attempt strike Ramsey and loop over the stranded Szczesny.

 

The energy visibly drained out of Arsenal and Suarez's late second only increased the pain for Wenger and Arsenal's increasingly frustrated fans.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14514681.stm

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool FT!

 

DElightful!

great result, fimpong is as stupid a footballer as his last name is. and Suarez just showed his quality by the impact he made on the game.

Arsenal may go down !

And to think for at least 3 hours Liverpool were top of the league. I hope they enjoyed their taste of 1st place before they drop down to 6th again

 

Meanwhile down in the proper league, 2 teams have so far managed 100% starts (Derby & the Saints), and Peterborough came back from 1-0 down to win 7-1 against Ipwich

And to think for at least 3 hours Liverpool were top of the league. I hope they enjoyed their taste of 1st place before they drop down to 6th again

 

Meanwhile down in the proper league, 2 teams have so far managed 100% starts (Derby & the Saints), and Peterborough came back from 1-0 down to win 7-1 against Ipwich

 

See that's a stupid comment to make, for starters we were joint top, secondly it's the second game of the season get realistic, thirdly anyone with a brain will know if liverpool do win the league it'll be by luck. Don't be bitter because your team i'm assuming are a league or two below the one were every player wants to play in.

 

yeah a proper league were teams score 7 goals one week and lose by 7 the next then go into administration at the end of the season. Next you'll be saying the SPL is better too

The championship is more competitive than the premiership could ever dream to be.

The championship is more competitive than the premiership could ever dream to be.

 

how many points did QPR win the championship by again? and then how many did united win the league by last season?

how many points did QPR win the championship by again? and then how many did united win the league by last season?

 

4 points, whereas United won by 9

 

How many points separated 2nd to 6th?

 

9 points in the championship compared to 13 in the premiership.

 

How many points separated top from bottom?

44 in the championship, 47 in the premiership.

 

The championship is more competitive than the premiership

that proves nothing at all, that just shows that both leagues are very alike. And if you love the championship so much what will you do when or if your team ever gets promoted to the premier league? do you even want them to get promoted?

And to think for at least 3 hours Liverpool were top of the league. I hope they enjoyed their taste of 1st place before they drop down to 6th again

 

Meanwhile down in the proper league, 2 teams have so far managed 100% starts (Derby & the Saints), and Peterborough came back from 1-0 down to win 7-1 against Ipwich

 

Yeah I did enjoy the taste of 1st place actually.

 

Proper league? It may be competitive but it doesn't mean it's quality. The fact newly promoted Southampton are topping it doesn't exactly speak quality does it. Proper...ish league more like.

We won !!! Top of the leauge... all season now !

Is it bad to remember when the league tables never got published until after the 6th round of games as they are "meaningless" at such an early start of the season. A team could be top this week and finish the season dead bottom.

Is it bad to remember when the league tables never got published until after the 6th round of games as they are "meaningless" at such an early start of the season. A team could be top this week and finish the season dead bottom.

 

Yea true, City will finish bottom !

No Wolves will ;)

No Wolves will ;)

 

hmm maybee.

 

I dont like Wolves that much...

 

I dont like that place at all.. they have strange accents... and its called the black country for some bizzare reason !

 

Southampton will replace them hopefully and Pompey !