Why Amsterdam, Why?

No Champions League. No UEFA Cup. And now, a government ban on the selling of all magic mushrooms. Are there any reasons left to visit Amsterdam to see Ajax play?

Netherlands bans magic mushrooms [BBC]

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Champions League Draw

The memory of that unexciting night in Athens can finally be extinguished on August 30th, when UEFA hold the draw for the group stage of the Champions League. It'll kick off two days of glitz and ping pong balls, with a meaningless exhibition match thrown in for good measure.

Besides setting the early schedule for the two European cups, UEFA's Monaco extravaganza will culminate with the UEFA Super Cup. Sevilla will meet Milan at the Stade Louis II stadium on Friday, August 31st. It'll be only the fifth time in the game's 35 year history that a team has had the opportunity to defend it's title.

Monaco media details [UEFA.com]

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Sounds Like Alves Is Ready For A Move

In an interview with UEFA Magazine, Sevilla's Daniel Alves failed to commit himself to the la Liga club for next season's campaign:

Q: You have attracted interest from a lot of major clubs. Can you see yourself being at Sevilla next season?

A: It's a complicated topic and right now it's an awkward moment to talk about it. This is a period where we can't afford to get distracted by anything, we have to focus on the games and we've got a lot at stake. When the time comes, we'll talk about what we need to discuss but first we have to try to win a trophy then we'll see what decision we take. So long as it is beneficial to everyone.

The Brazilian, wrapping up his fifth year at Sevilla, looks like he's angling for a way out. Liverpool and Chelsea are just two of the rumored teams after the winger, with the Merseysiders having balked at a $23.8M move last summer.

Alves enjoying the moment [UEFA Magazine]

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Stuttgart's Got One Foot In The Door

Stuttgart moved to the brink of a fifth Bundesliga title as they twice came from behind to win away at Bochum to go two points clear of Schalke, who lost the initiative after losing to Borussia Dortmund in the Ruhr derby. Seven points off the pace towards the end of March, Stuttgart have taken a maximum 21 points from their last seven games in a remarkable turnaround.

Schalke now need to beat Arminia Bielefeld next Saturday and hope Stuttgart slip up at home to Energie Cottbus. One of the two sides will be crowned champions though, after Werder Bremen's challenge ended with a loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. It leaves Bremen four points adrift of Stuttgart, though they can still overtake Schalke in second to claim an automatic Champions League spot.

As for Bayern Munich, today's win against Cottbus did little to raise their spirits after they were officially eliminated from qualifying for next season's Champions League last week. But hey, at least they got off easy for secretly meeting with Bremen's Miroslav Klose. Don't forget the UEFA Cup next season!

Stuttgart one win away from title [CNN]
DFL close Bayern investigation [Supersport]

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Platini Picks Another Fight

Apparently not busy enough restructuring continental tournaments and crank calling Lennart Johansson, the president of UEFA is "insisting" that cup-winning teams must now receive their trophies in the stands instead of on a makeshift stage on the field. According to the Guardian's Paul Kelso, Michel Platini has managed to piss someone off, again:

Television executives are unhappy with the move, believing there was nothing wrong with a procedure that provided footage of elated team-mates gathered together on a raised dais backed by ticker-tape. Platini has ignored their concerns, however, as he attempts to stamp his authority on the organisation.

While I could care less, one does get the feeling that there must be at least a couple of people within UEFA that are wondering about what they've gotten themselves into with Platini as president.

Platini's retro trophy proposal is a TV turn-off [Guardian]

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Champions League/UEFA Cup TV Schedule

It's time to drink up and enjoy what the European season has to offer. The lineup for the first-legs of both cup semi-finals are as follows. Notice that from here on out, ESPN will be the exclusive broadcaster of the Champions League.

Tuesday - (4/24)
Manchester United v. Milan
Live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Replay on ESPN Classic
Friday (4/27) re-air on FSC

Wednesday - (4/25)
Chelsea v. Liverpool
Live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Replay on ESPN Classic

Thursday - (4/26)
Osasuna v. Sevilla
Live on FSC
Same Day Delay on FOX Sports en Espanol

Espanyol v. Werder Bremen
Live on FOX Sports en Espanol
Same Day Delay on FSC

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No running with the bulls for Smith and Gers

Let's be honest - there's very little competition for the Old Firm in the Scottish Premier League, and Rangers have suffered a pretty disappointing season, sitting 16 points behind Celtic in second place. With the exception of a rich foreign owner buying some of the other clubs (ala Hearts), most teams up north haven't had much success breaking up the dominance of the two, and even then, your newly-minted savior could turn out to be a raging tyrant (ala Hearts).

Since the inception of the Scottish Premier League in 1998 through last season, Celtic and Hearts have won 226 and 208 games out of 300, respectively. That's a points average of nearly 2.4 between the two of them. The nearest challenger is Hearts, who've won 126, with a points average of 1.5. So, there goes disparity in it's pleated, bagpipe-bleating, pie-eating Scottish best, summarizing why some fans hope to see the Old Firm play in the EPL instead.

Unfortunately, though still in second place, Gers have had a hard time of it this year, and it got worse last night, when they were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Osasuna 1-0 (2-1 agg). To make matters worse, the Spanish club did very little to ensure Rangers fans were confined to away fan areas of the Estadio Reyna de Navarro, and ultimately some of Glasgow's finest fans were allowed to mix with the home fans. Throw in some Pamplonian riot police, and we've got ourselves a mess, and for Rangers, an ugly end to their European campaign.

Rangers slam police over Spanish stadium violence [Glasgow Evening Times]

UEFA await match report from Osasuna [The Scotsman]

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Roma v. Lyon Get The Go-Ahead

Today's news out of Italy centered on Serie A's clubs in Europe, three in particular. The first story had to do with Roma and their first-leg Champions League match against Lyon. As part of security measures adopted after the Catania riots, all night games in the country had been cancelled for the month of February. This created a TV conflict when it came to the Champions League, that kicks off all of it's games simultaneously. That meant a 8:45pm start in Rome, at odds with the new regulations. But since the Stadio Olimpico is one of the few grounds that were sanctioned to allow fans in this past weekend, the government decided to not hold this match to domestic requirements concerning it's start time.

Livorno coach Daniele Arrigoni has criticized the decision by the Italian authorities and UEFA to close the club's Stadio Picchi to fans for tomorrow's UEFA Cup match. The government had given Livorno supporters hope that they might still be able to get in when a special commission was sent to check the stadium this afternoon. The club's last-ditch effort to pass the new security regulations didn't work, as it was decided that not enogh had been done to get the keep the game from being played behind closed doors. Experience the eeriness of it all tomorrow, live on Setanta at 2:40pm ET.

Meanwhile, Italy's other UEFA Cup participant, Parma, travel to Portugal to take on Braga on Thursday. There hasn't been any word yet as to the status of Parma's home-leg match next week on the 22nd. Instead, the club's supporters woke up to this morning to the news that the team had dumped Stefano Pioli and replacedhim with Claudio Ranieri.

In the excitement of it all, Ranieri got a little carried away and let this out of his pie-hole: "I will take no prisoners, leave nobody injured, you’re either with me or you die." Suffice it to say, a poor choice of words in light of recent developments. Credit to Parma's new boss for issuing a quick apology, and according to one journalist, he's too good of a person to beat him up over it.

Olimpico gets Lyon go-ahead [Channel 4]
Arrigoni laments silent Picchi [Channel 4]
Ranieri replaces Pioli at Parma [Italian Calcio]
Ranieri's Parma faux pas [Channel 4]
All hail Claudio Ranieri [Guardian Sport Blog]

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One Match To Be Played In A Closet, The Rest To Be decided Next Week

Today's big development in Italy, getting past the hangover of having to play games behind closed doors, is the decision by UEFA to have Livorno play it's UEFA Cup home-leg against Espanyol in an empty stadium. The club's Armando Picchi ground does not fulfill the security requirements spelled out by the Italian government. The status of Parma's home-leg match against Portuguese side Braga will be decided next week.

In the Champions League, it's the same story for both Milan and Inter. Europe's governing body has put off a decision on the Milan duo's home matches as well. Roma, Serie A's other remaining Champions League participant, has gotten the thumbs-up from the government to play it's home matches in front of it's supporters.

A story lost in the shuffle has been the issue of Italy's European Championship qualifiers. Italy's next game is at home to Scotland on March 28th. Both the Italian and Scottish FAs believe that the stadium in Bari will be up to code by then. You'd imagine that if it isn't ready, they would just move the game to one of the six stadiums that are equipped to handle a full house.

For a bit of insight into what's transpired in the land of calcio this past week, read this James Richardson post. Money quote:

"If three clubs play with their crowds behind them, and the others don't, it'll make the championship unfair," points out Gennaro Gattuso of Milan, one of the teams affected. It's a fair point, but bear in mind that all the clubs are being asked to do is put in place some basic security requirements - turnstiles, closed circuit TV, etc - that they were legally meant to have in place over a year and a half ago. A couple of games without any gate money may give them the incentive to finally get the work done.

No one thinks the next few weeks are going to be easy (apart from the people selling pay-TV subscriptions) and no-one's pretending that these measures will mean an end to violence, but at least this week we've seen a definite step in the right direction. A belated one, perhaps, but a step nonetheless.

Livorno UEFA Cup tie to be played behind closed doors [Reuters]
UEFA postpone stadio decisions [Channel 4]
Celtic and SFA may get green light for Italy [Scotsman]
The end of the old Ultras violence [Guardian Unlimited]

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And Away We Go

Today, there are three developments to get to regarding the Italian game. First, the country's Interior Ministry, charged with finding out which grounds meet new security requirements, have given a clean bill of health to only six Serie A stadiums. Rome’s Olimpico, Genoa’s Marassi, the Artemio Franchi in Siena, Cagliari’s Sant’Elia, the Barbera in Palermo, and the Olimpico in Turin all made the cut. This means that all league matches in those stadiums will be played in front of the fans, and inversely, all of those left off the list will play their matches behind closed doors.

That left the next move to the club presidents, who threatened to strike if the "closed stadiums" rule was put into effect. It seems that they've come to their senses and decided to accept the government's ruling. The clubs left off the OK list will now focus their energies on getting their stadiums up to code as soon as possible. For some, it could be only a matter of weeks. For others, the necessary improvements might not be ready until the beginning of next season.

The third issue, that remains unsolved for the time being, concerns the clubs that are still in competing in Europe. Livorno host a UEFA Cup match next Wednesday, while Parma do the same on February 22nd. In the Champions League, Valencia travel to Milan to take on Inter on February 21st and Milan host Celtic on March 7th.

As I write this, Milan and Inter are starting to think of contingency plans if the San Siro isn't ready to allow fans in. Inter might host their match in Genoa or Palermo, while Milan might go outside of the country. Geneva and Newcastle are possible venues for the Rossoneri.

The following fixtures will be played in empty arenas this weekend:

Serie A
Atalanta v. Lazio
Chievo Verona v. Inter
Fiorentina v. Udinese
Messina v. Catania
Milan v. Livorno

Serie B
Brescia v. Bari
Napoli v. Piacenza
Pescara v. Mantova
Triestina v. Treviso
Lecce v. Verona
Modena v. Albinoleffe

Six stadiums get green light [Channel 4]
Clubs agree to play – official [Channel 4]
Milan duo plan Champions move [Channel 4]

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Safety First

Against the wishes of many, the Italian government approved new measures that they hope will curb the type of violent incidences that were on display last Friday in Sicily. As was reported yesterday, soccer will resume this weekend, to what extent, it remains to be seen. These are the new rules that will govern calcio:

• There will be no evening kick-offs in February, all games must be played in the afternoon
• Supporters will be banned from possession of flares, smoke bombs, or firecrackers up to 24 hours before and after a sporting event
• Clubs are urged to create a staff of stewards to police the fans, and there will be heavy fines if they employ someone with a criminal record for this role
• Suspected hooligans can now be arrested 48 hours after the incident rather than the current 36, while the prison sentence for resisting arrest is raised to a minimum of five years and a maximum of 15
• A ban on the block sale of tickets to away fans
• Tickets must feature the buyer's name and the seat in the ground where they must sit
  
• A beefing-up of stadium bans for those involved in violence at grounds
• A ban on financial or working relationships between clubs and fan associations
• Stadiums which are not in line with security regulations will remain closed to fans
• Journalists are asked to set a code of ethics that they will police themselves so as to not inflame public opinion around sporting events
  

The Italian FA will present a list of up-to-scratch stadiums on Thursday morning. Only four grounds are believed to fully comply with the law: Rome's Olympic Stadium,Turin's Olympic Stadium, Palermo's Stadio Barbera, and Siena's Stadio Artemio Franchi. Sampdoria, Cagliari, Empoli, Messina, Parma, and Reggina should be able to play in front of their home crowds as well, as their stadiums are within reach of meeting the required standards. Ascoli, Atalanta, Catania, Chievo Verona, and Udinese, on the other hand, look set to play behind closed doors as their grounds are far from satisfying the requirements.

As expected, there has been plenty of criticism to the government's new rules of operation. The presidents of Serie A and Serie B clubs have worked themselves into a tizzy over it. Quite understandably, they are worried about the prospect of empty stadiums and the loss of revenue. The clubs that won't be playing in front of fans want a uniform decision made for all stadiums: either every team plays, or no one does.

As noted above, a special government committee will carry out a check at every Serie A stadium tomorrow before deciding which is fit to host matches with spectators. This will be especially important to Milan, Inter, Livorno, and Parma, all of whom have European matches in the next couple of weeks.

Italy approves tough new plan, matches to resume [Guardian Unlimited]
Serie A and B resume on Sunday [Channel 4]
Clubs - All or nothing! [Channel 4]

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Looks Like Someone Finally Grew A Pair

I guess this is what happens when hundreds of your fans tear up the seats in an opponent's stadium and begin hurling them onto the pitch and at the home fans. Bravo to UEFA for finally having the stones to take action against this type of behavior. Here's the skinny:

• Immediate disqualification from this season's UEFA Cup, plus any revenue that might bring
• $121,950 fine
• The club must reimburst French side AS Nancy for any repairs made to the Stade Marcel Picot
  

While I'm happy about UEFA finally getting off it's ass and making a statement, I feel that it's still a little lenient. While I feel bad for coach Erwin Koeman and his players, I would have made Feyenoord play behind closed doors in Rotterdam for a couple of games the next time they play in European. I imagine that the Dutch club is on a very short leash at the moment, but I think that some sort of probationary period is in order as well.

Feyenoord, for their part, will "look at the verdict and arguments very closely" and then decide what course to take. Supposedly, they can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. I don't think they will, but let's hope they just let it go.

Feyenoord out of UEFA Cup [Dutch News]

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Dear ESPN: Please Keep O'Brien And Balboa On The MLS Circuit

With the recent news of the Disney family acquiring the rights to the 2008 Euros, there's been a lot of talk concerning who might be in the broadcast booth once the games come around. According to Oliver Tse (scroll down to the comments section) from soccerTV.com, because of who actually bought the rights, the announcers will be the same ones that currently do the Champions League broadcasts. If Mr. Tse has is right, and I have no reason to doubt him, that would mean that the bogey team of Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa won't be calling any of the games.

In the end this seems to make sense. During the Germany '06, O'Brien and Balboa where the pairing that did all three of the U.S. games. That's what they prepared for and what they knew best. Once Bruce Arena's team was eliminated, they carried on through the end of the tournament, butchering our ears along the way. Not only were they overshadowed by John Harkes and his partner (I want to say JP Della Camera, but not sure on that one), their knowledge of the world game beyond the U.S. was severely exposed.

While I don't have any problems with the ESPN teams that do the Champions league (I could do without Tommy Smyth and Shep Messing), my first choice would be to have ESPN send the BBC/ITV feed into my home. For Portugal '04, it's the one thing that kept me watching as a poor Greek team stifled it's way to the championship. The British commentary before the match, during halftime, and after the match alone makes it the number one choice in my mind.

Since I doubt that scenario might come about, my second choice would be to include Allen Hopkins and Andres Cantor. I believe that Hopkins is still involved with ESPN, why not let him call some games? As for Cantor, his credentials speak for themselves. I know that he currently works under the NBC umbrella, but aren't they and ABC on friendly terms after the switch of NFL announcers Al Michaels and John Madden? [San Francisco Chronicle, EPL Talk]

In other eye-numbing news:

• FSC spends some cash. Does anybody start watching this tournament before the quarters or semis anyway? [Live Soccer TV]
• This news should extend your viewing pleasure, but don't they run the risk of diluting such a great product? [International Herald Tribune]

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Here are the games of note on TV this week through Sunday:

Wednesday
Internacional v. Al Ahly
5am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel / FOX Sports en Espanol
[Delayed: 8pm ET on FSC]
We get our first look at Barcelona's likely opposition, Internacional de Porto Alegre.

Chelsea v. Newcastle United
2:30p ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel / FOX Sports en Espanol
Games in hand don't equal 3 points Jose, though Newcastle shouldn't be that tough of a nut to crack.

Wigan Athletic v. Arsenal
2:30pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
For Arsenal, the trouble isn't the Big Four, it's everybody else.

Boca Juniors v. Estudiantes de La Plata
3pm ET, LIVE
TyC Sports USA
Neutral site, stands split evenly down the middle: what a great way to finish a not so nice season.

Colo Colo v. Pachuca
7:30pm ET, LIVE
FOX Sports en Espanol
The aggregate scoreline is 1-1 as the teams line up for the second-leg of South America's UEFA Cup equivalent.

Thursday
Barcelona v. America
5am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel / FOX Sports en Espanol
[Delayed: 8pm ET on FSC / FOX Sports en Espanol]
Will Barca come out sleepy or do they give America the Werder Bremen treatment?

Saturday
Arsenal v. Portsmouth
9:45am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Are Pompey ready to solidify their top four place?

Sunday
FIFA Club World Cup Final
5am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel / FOX Sports en Espanol
[Delayed: 5pm ET on FSC / FOX Sports en Espanol]
This could be a fun one to watch if the South Americans and Europeans get through.

Rangers v. Celtic
7:30am ET, LIVE
Setanta Premium
[Delayed: Wednesday 7pm ET on Setanta Sports USA]
Old Firm matches, two hours well spent.

Everton v. Chelsea
8:40am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Chelsea won't be allowed too many more slip-ups.

West Ham United v. Manchester United
11am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Farewell Alan Pardew, enjoy watching the Reds rip your team apart on TV.

Espanyol v. Real Madrid
1pm ET, LIVE
GolTV
Two big wins in a row for Barcelona's other team doesn't bode well for Real.

Roma v. Palermo
2:30pm ET, LIVE
RAI International
[Delayed: 3pm ET on GolTV]
The Sicilians could send Roma into a tailspin with a win here.

As always, please check your local listings for dates and times in your area.

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