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Arsenal and Basel in Champions League driving seat
Sam Williams5
Aug 22, 2013 7:10:00 AM
A host of clubs were in action on Wednesday night as they bid to book their place in the group stages of European football's elite competition
Arsenal and Basel have one foot in the Champions League proper after recording victories in the first-leg of their play-off encounters on Wednesday night.
The Gunners ran out 3-0 winners over a disappointing Fenerbahce side, with goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud sealing a much needed win.
Another side to seal an impressive away victory were Swiss champions Basel, who ran out 4-2 victors at Ludogorets.
Murat Yakin's men went in front in Bulgaria after just 12 minutes through Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, before Marcelinho drew the home side level 11 minutes later.
Midfielder Ivan Stoyanov then gave the hosts the lead after the interval, but Basel responded in style with Salah's second of the game, a strike from Giovanni Sio and a late Fabian Schaar penalty putting them firmly in charge of the tie.
Schalke have endured a nightmare start to the new Bundesliga campaign and their chances of reaching the group stages of the Champions League are in the balance after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by PAOK.
The German side dominated the vast majority of the match at the Veltins Arena and Jefferson Farfan put them in front midway through the first half. However, Miroslav Stoch grabbed an equaliser and an all-important away goal for the Greek visitors 17 minutes from time.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Austria Vienna put themselves in the driving seat for qualification by nicking a 2-0 win away at Dinamo Zagreb.
The Austrian champions soaked up pressure from Dinamo throughout the game and got their noses in front on 68 minutes through Marin Leovac, before striker Marko Stankovic sealed the victory seven minutes later.
Meanwhile, the tie between Steaua Bucharest and Legia Warsaw remains too close to call after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Romanian capital.
Federico Piovaccari put the home side ahead with a smart finish in the first half, but Jakub Kosecki grabbed a crucial away goal for the visitors eight minutes after the break.
Mulgrew: We need crowd behind us to turn play-off clash around
RONNIE ESPLIN – 22 AUGUST 2013
Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew is looking to experience one of the big European nights in Glasgow next week as the Hoops try to claw back the shock 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Shakhter Karagandy.
The Scottish champions' loss at the Astana Arena on Tuesday night was as unexpected as it was potentially damaging to Neil Lennon's side, who were made to pay for slackness in defence and profligacy in front of goal.
While the robust Kazakhstan side looked limited, a turnaround in front of what is sure to be a packed house is required if Celtic are to reach the lucrative group stages of the competition for the second successive season.
Mulgrew is hoping the crowd will play their part in the Hoops' rescue mission. The Scotland international said: "The crowd will get right behind us and we will really need to go for them.
"We were well prepared, we knew what was coming and we know what we will get again next week but we have to stand up to it better and score a few goals."
Mulgrew (below) knows the Parkhead club's decision to allow midfielder Victor Wanyama, striker Gary Hooper and defender Kelvin Wilson, the spine of last season's team and arguably the three best players in their departments, to leave will come under scrutiny should they fail to overcome the Kazakh champions.
Lennon has brought in Amido Balde, Virgil van Dijk, Derk Boerrigter and Steven Mouyokolo, while Schalke 04 striker Teemu Pukki is on the radar, but the Hoops manager continues to search for more players, although no new signing would be eligible for the second leg.
"We are not using that as an excuse," said Mulgrew.
"We knew these questions would come but we have a lot of belief in each other, we have a big squad and enough players to deal with the challenge. You are hoping you get a more positive result but it could have been worse.
"We have to look at the positives and we have a real chance if we approach it positively next week.
"We are not thinking along the lines (of non-progression).
"We knew this tie was over two legs and we are looking to next week to turn it around."
Keller bemoans Schalke´s second-half performance
22 August 2013
Schalke head coach Jens Keller was dissatisfied with his team's 1-1 draw at home to PAOK in their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg.
Jefferson Farfan put the Bundesliga outfit ahead with a 32nd-minute strike in Gelsenkirchen but Miroslav Stoch scored a crucial equaliser for PAOK in the second half.
Keller said his side's performance had been solid but urged them to stay positive despite being frustrated with the result.
"We are not happy with the final result. We played a great first half and performed as we wanted to and should have got a result from that," the 42-year-old coach told reporters after the draw.
"We were aggressive, attacked them early and earned the goal but then in the second half we didn't continue that level of performance.
"We stopped running and fighting hard for the ball, which is required to keep a clean sheet against good opposition.
"I think we had a good performance even though the result isn't satisfying. Luckily for us we still have the second leg, so the chances to go through aren't that bad and we have to stay positive and keep fighting."
Keller lamented Schalke's failure to create more chances, particularly in the first half, and said their final passes were poor.
"I think we had many good scenes, just the final pass was missing but we were good from the wings, the way we played especially in the first half was OK," Keller said.
The second leg, to be played in Greece on Tuesday, will be behind closed doors because of crowd disturbances.
PAOK coach Huub Stevens, who was in charge at Schalke from September 2011 to December 2012, was pleased with his team's second-half performance.
"We didn't play well on the wings in the first half, which is something that we cleared up at half-time," Stevens said.
"In the second half Schalke weren't so dangerous. We were more stable and we profited from that."
A place in the UEFA Champions League group stage awaits the ten winners as the play-offs conclude, starting on Tuesday. UEFA.com selects some second-leg facts.
Tuesday's games
FK Austria Wien v GNK Dinamo Zagreb (2-0)
• The Vienna club have not surrendered a two-goal lead in Europe for more than 50 years. The only time they let slip such a winning position was in the 1960/61 European Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 2-0 at home but lost 5-0 in England.
• Dinamo's biggest comeback came en route to winning the 1966/67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup when they lost their semi-final first leg 3-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt but triumphed 4-0 in the return.
FC Basel 1893 v PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (4-2)
• Basel are unbeaten in seven home matches in Europe, including a 1-0 success against Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in the third qualifying round. The Swiss club have won eight of the nine European ties in which they gained a two-goal advantage in the first leg.
• Bulgarian champions Ludogorets had only ever played one European tie before this season – losing to a Dinamo Zagreb strike eight minutes into added time in last season's second qualifying round just as an away-goals triumph beckoned.
Legia Warszawa v FC Steaua Bucureşti (1-1)
• Legia are hoping to make it third time lucky after twice losing in the final round of qualifying, against FC Barcelona in 2002/03 and FC Shakhtar Donetsk in 2006/07.
• Overall, Steaua have lost six of the ten UEFA competition ties in which they drew the first leg at home.
PAOK FC v FC Schalke 04 (1-1)
• PAOK's two previous encounters with German opponents both went to penalty shoot-outs. In the 1983/84 UEFA Cup second round against FC Bayern München, Pál Csernai's PAOK side drew 0-0 at home and earned a second stalemate in Munich before losing the tie 9-8 on penalties.
• Schalke were unbeaten in their four away matches in the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League, a run that included a 2-1 victory over Olympiacos FC in Greece with Benedikt Höwedes and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring.
Arsenal FC v Fenerbahçe SK (3-0)
• To qualify for the group stage Fenerbahçe SK must become only the third continental opponents in 50 years to inflict on Arsenal a home defeat of three goals or more – a massive task for a team who have only scored a combined three goals on eight previous trips to England.
• Although Arsenal lost twice at home by two goals in last season's UEFA Champions League – 2-0 against FC Schalke 04 in the group stage and 3-1 against Bayern in the round of 16 – only twice in their entire European history have they suffered a defeat of the kind Fenerbahçe need. Those two heavy losses came against FC Internazionale Milano (0-3) in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage and FC Spartak Moskva (2-5) in the 1982/83 UEFA Cup first round.
Wednesday's games
FC Zenit v FC Paços de Ferreira (4-1)
• Before losing to AC Milan in the 2012/13 group stage, Zenit had gone 16 games unbeaten at home in UEFA competition. Including their 5-0 defeat of FC Nordsjælland in the third qualifying round they have won three of their last four home outings in Europe, and have lost just one of their last 22.
• Paços, competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, have never before scored an away goal in European competition.
AC Milan v PSV Eindhoven (1-1)
• This is the only tie of the play-off round that pits together two former European champions – PSV lifted the trophy in 1988 while Milan are seven-time winners.
• Milan lost 2-0 to AFC Ajax in their last home meeting with an Eredivisie side, in the 2010/11 group stage, albeit with progress to the last 16 already assured. Their overall record against Dutch clubs at San Siro is W6 D1 L3.
NK Maribor v FC Viktoria Plzeň (1-3)
• Plzeň have never let a two-goal lead slip in Europe and will arrive in Maribor confident of finishing the job given their free-scoring form in qualifying and a run of six games unbeaten on their travels in UEFA competition.
• Maribor have twice gone into a European home tie with a two-goal first-leg deficit and ended up eliminated on each occasion – against FC Zimbru Chisinau in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round (0-2 a, 1-0 h) and Olympiacos in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup first round (0-2 a, 1-3 h).
Celtic FC v FC Shakhter Karagandy (0-2)
• Celtic can take heart from the fact that four times previously they have returned to Glasgow with a 2-0 first-leg deficit to overcome in UEFA competition – and three times they have pulled off a successful fightback.
• Whatever the outcome, Shakhter can look forward to a historic first European group stage appearance for a Kazakh club, given that the losing side will advance to the equivalent phase of the UEFA Europa League.
Real Sociedad de Fútbol v Olympique Lyonnais (2-0)
• Lyon must do something they have never achieved before and overturn a first-leg home defeat if they are to reach the group stage. Twice before they have been in this position – against Maribor in the 1999/2000 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round (h 0-1, a 0-2) and against Trabzonspor in the 1991/92 UEFA Cup second round (3-4 h, 1-4 a).
• Real's last home victory in continental competition was in September 2003, when Darko Kovačević earned them a 1-0 success against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Peta urges Uefa to ban animal slaughter in European football
• Letter to Michel Platini follows sheep death in Kazakhstan
• Peta: 'We hope Uefa will act swiftly and decisively'
Press Association
The Guardian, Friday 23 August 2013 10.58 BST
Shakhter Karagandy's players celebrate during the win over Celtic. Photograph: Alexei Filippov/AP
The animal rights campaign group Peta has appealed to Uefa's president, Michel Platini, to ban the ritual slaughter of animals in European football. The call for action follows the killing of a sheep by the Kazakh side Shakhter Karagandy before their home Champions League play-off match against Celtic.
On Monday, a day before the Scottish side's 2-0 first-leg play-off defeat at the Astana Arena, the animal was sacrificed in the corner of the stadium by the home side before they commenced a training session.
At the pre-match press conference, the Kazakh club's Russian manager, Viktor Kumykov, acknowledged the "tradition" but was reluctant to discuss its precise nature. Shakhter travel to Glasgow to play the second leg next Wednesday night.
In a letter to Platini, Peta points to Uefa's claim to be "forward-looking" and Platini's own words describing Uefa's "duty to protect the game, the players and our values" and asks him to use his influence to stop any further slaughter in this season's Champions League and Europa League.
"We are deeply disturbed that a sheep was stabbed to death in an attempt to bring good luck to the Kazakh team," says Peta's associate director Mimi Bekhechi. "We hope Mr Platini will agree that animal sacrifice has no place in modern society, and we hope Uefa will act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the beautiful game is not further stained with the blood of animals."
European football's governing body has punished an Armenian duo for their attempt to influence the outcome of an Europa League match
Uefa has banned Armenian referee Andranik Arsenyan and his assistant Hovhannes Avagyan for life for attempting to fix a Europa League match.
Arsenyan and Avagyan admitted they attempted to manipulate the outcome of the fixture between Inter Turku and Vikingur on July 11 this year.
An initial investigation had been sparked after the governing body's betting fraud detection system uncovered suspicious betting patterns around the fixture.
"Referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan, who officiated at a Europa League match last month between Inter Turku and Vikingur, have been suspended for life by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body (CDB) for their attempt to manipulate the outcome of this game," a Uefa statement reads.
"In a hearing at the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), referee Arsenyan and assistant referee Avagyan admitted having tried to manipulate the outcome of the second-leg fixture, which ended 1-0 in favour of Vikingur.
"The Uefa betting fraud detection system (BFDS) – which monitors over 32,000 matches across Europe, including all first and second division games, cup ties and Uefa competition fixtures – had detected suspicious betting patterns around this encounter, and this prompted the start of an investigation by Uefa, to which the FFA contributed closely.
"Uefa is pleased with the excellent cooperation of the FFA, the local authorities and the betting operators during the investigation process."
The decision follows the recent banning of Ukrainian outfit Metalist Kharkiv from all Uefa competitions after a match-fixing inquiry.
The Euro 88 winner has praised the San Siro side's ruthless approach in the wake of their away draw versus the Eredivisie giants
Former Netherlands star Ruud Gullit has outlined the difference in football philosophy between AC Milan and PSV in the wake of the first leg of their Champions League qualifier earlier this week, heaping praise on the Serie A side's greater efficiency.
The Eindhoven outfit dominated for large parts of Tuesday's encounter at the Philips Stadion and got a number of chances to record a crucial home win, but they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw, with Tim Matavz cancelling out Stephan El Shaarawy's opener.
"I really enjoyed the Champions League qualifier between my former clubs PSV and Milan," Gullit wrote in his column for De Telegraaf.
"It was clear to see how they have different philosophies. PSV were fun to watch, while Milan were all about efficiency.
"The defence is sacred in Italy and that reflects in attackers' mentalities. They know that they get only one chance and have to convert it. That's part of their attitude.
"Stephan El Shaarawy showed just that in Eindhoven."
The decisive return leg takes place at San Siro on August 28.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Arsenal v Fenerbahce
26 August 2013
Arsenal will hope to confirm their participation in the UEFA Champions League for the 16th-straight season against Fenerbahce on Tuesday.
The Premier League side hold a 3-0 advantage ahead of the qualifying play-off second leg at the Emirates Stadium following a comfortable victory in Turkey on Wednesday that came courtesy of goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal went into that game amid suggestions of a crisis, with fans expressing frustration over a lack of transfer activity after an opening-day league defeat at home to Aston Villa.
However, they have since followed up their easy win at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium with a 3-1 away victory over Fulham on Saturday, and are now brimming with confidence ahead of a second encounter with the Turks.
Fenerbahce also enjoyed a return to form in the Super Lig over the weekend, as they defeated Eskisehirspor 1-0 at home courtesy of a second-half Dirk Kuyt strike.
But Ersun Yanal's side are, in truth, simply looking to salvage some pride from their trip to London.
They will at least be buoyed by the fact that they earned a 0-0 draw during the last encounter between these teams at the Emirates, which came in November 2008.
Yet, even if Fenerbahce pull off a miraculous comeback to seal progression, their place in the Champions League would be by no means assured.
The 18-time Turkish champions are still fighting a UEFA ban for alleged match fixing and must await a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will come after their clash with Arsenal.
Pellegrini promised €58m transfer kitty if Manchester City make Champions League knockout stage
Aug 24, 2013 11:06:00 PM
The new Etihad Stadium boss has been tasked with improving the club's poor recent record on the continent, and will be rewarded a significant transfer kitty if he succeeds
By Paul Clennam
Manuel Pellegrini has been promised a €58 million January transfer kitty if Manchester City progress from the Champions League group stage this season, Goal understands.
The Etihad Stadium outfit have failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition in two consecutive campaigns and were unable to secure a single win last term, finishing bottom of their group behind Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Ajax.
However Pellegrini, who guided Malaga to the last eight of the competition last season, will see his January budget bolstered by the club's hierarchy should he improve on City's recent continental performances.
The club hierarchy are determined to see Pellegrini's men position themselves as a powerful European force, and were impressed by the Chilean's impressive continental record with Malaga and former club Villarreal before appointing him to replace Roberto Mancini in June.
Sources close to the club have revealed that City will sanction a significant January spending spree in order to strengthen the depth of the squad, with the club aiming to fight on four fronts in the new year as they attempt to regain the Premier League title from Manchester United.
Club officials are also hoping to target players from clubs who fail to progress from the group stages should City qualify, with the defence having been highlighted as an area where the club could look to improve.
City have spent over €104m this summer, adding Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic to the squad which finished 11 points behind champions United last term.
Despite being happy with the club's summer business, Pellegrini has admitted that City may look to make a further signing before the end of the transfer window on September 2.
"I’m very happy with the squad we have but if we think it’s important we need another player we’ll see next week," said the Chilean earlier this month.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Celtic, Lyon out to overturn deficits
25 August 2013
Celtic and Lyon will attempt to overturn deficits in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off fixtures on Wednesday.
With a place in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition up for grabs, the stakes will be high, with Celtic seeking to respond from their 2-0 defeat at Shakhter Karagandy of Kazakhstan in the first leg.
Celtic had more shots on goal than their opponents in the first leg but were made to pay for their profligacy, as strikes from Andrei Finonchenko and Sergei Khizhnichenko put them on the back foot.
The 1967 European Cup winners reached the round of 16 in the competition last year after a sensational run included group-stage triumphs over Barcelona and Spartak Moscow.
And Celtic manager Neil Lennon is remaining confident about his side's hopes.
He said: "The tie is far from over. We've got plenty in us to turn the deficit around and the players will be very, very motivated.
"There will be a few players who will be disappointed with their performances (in the first leg), but we're still well in this tie, although we've got a lot to do."
Lyon – who reached the semi-finals of the 2009-10 Champions League – are up against it when they travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
Outstanding goals from Antoine Griezmann and Haris Seferovic helped Sociedad to a 2-0 win in the first leg at Stade de Gerland.
Lyon followed up that defeat with a 1-0 Ligue 1 loss to Reims, also at home, and Remi Garde's side will need to produce something special if they are to reach the group stages.
Premier League outfit Arsenal should ease their way into the next stage of the Champions League after defeating Fenerbahce 3-0 in the first leg in Turkey.
Arsene Wenger's side have reached the group stages for the last 15 seasons and should have no problems at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg on Tuesday.
Stephan El Shaarawy's early goal helped Italian giants Milan to a 1-1 draw at PSV last week, and Massimiliano Allegri's men will feel confident ahead of the second leg.
Milan were surprise losers to Verona on Saturday in Serie, A but should have enough about them to see off their Eredivisie opponents.
Schalke reached the last four of the Champions League in the 2010-11 season but only take a 1-1 scoreline into the second leg of their tie against PAOK Salonika, also to be played on Tuesday.
Miroslav Stoch scored with 17 minutes remaining for PAOK in the first leg, and with home advantage in Greece, they will be looking to cause an upset.
Other fixtures to be played on Tuesday see Austria Vienna take a 2-0 lead into a home match against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, while Poland's Legia Warsaw host Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest with the score locked at 1-1.
And Bulgaria's Ludogorets trail 4-2 against FC Basel ahead of the second leg in Switzerland.
Ties on Wednesday see Slovenia's Maribor travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen with a 3-1 deficit, while Zenit St Petersburg should be comfortable winners against Portugal's Pacos de Ferreira.
Zenit won the first leg 4-1 on the road last week thanks to a hat-trick from midfielder Roman Shirokov.
Arsenal should not be a Pot 1 team - Uefa must overhaul ludicrous Champions League draw Old order preserved as European football's governing body continues to safeguard the positions of traditional Champions League teams at the expense of new contenders
Wenger confirms Koscielny and Wilshere fit to face Fenebahce The Frenchman has revealed the defender has recovered from a head injury picked up in the first leg in Turkey while the 21-year-old was rested against Fulham
Poli: Milan must make Champions League at all costs The 23-year-old believes Wednesday's clash with PSV presents an opportunity for his side to get over their loss to Verona and is determined to triumph
Arsenal - Fenerbahce Preview: Turkish giants hope to salvage some pride
The Gunners are all but assured of Champions League group stage participation having triumphed 3-0 in Istanbul, and simply need to avoid a miraculous turnaround
By David Lynch
Arsenal will hope to confirm their passage through to the Champions League for the 16th-straight season against Fenerbahce on Tuesday.
The Premier League side hold a 3-0 advantage ahead of the qualifying play-off second leg at the Emirates Stadium following a comfortable victory in Turkey on Wednesday that came courtesy of goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal went into that game amid suggestions of a crisis, with fans expressing frustration over a lack of transfer activity after an opening-day league defeat at home to Aston Villa.
However, they have since followed up their easy win at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium with a 3-1 away victory over Fulham on Saturday, and are now brimming with confidence ahead of a second encounter with the Turks.
Fenerbahce also enjoyed a return to form in the Super Lig over the weekend, as they defeated Eskisehirspor 1-0 at home courtesy of a second-half Dirk Kuyt strike.
But Ersun Yanal's side are, in truth, simply looking to salvage some pride from their trip to London.
They will at least be buoyed by the fact that they earned a 0-0 draw during the last encounter between these teams at the Emirates, which came in November 2008.
Yet, even if Fenerbahce pull off a miraculous comeback to seal progression, their place in the Champions League would be by no means assured.
The 18-time Turkish champions are still fighting a Uefa ban for alleged match fixing and must await a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will come after their clash with Arsenal.
AC Milan - PSV preview: Balotelli in line for home European bow in crunch second leg
The striker is set to play his first game for the Rossoneri at San Siro in continental competition, with last week's 1-1 draw leaving the tie on a knife-edge
AC Milan will look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Verona when they host PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Massimiliano Allegri's side started their Serie A campaign with a 2-1 loss away to Andrea Mandorlini's outfit on Saturday as two Luca Toni headers cancelled out Andrea Poli's opener.
But the Italian giants are in a favourable position to qualify for the Champions League group stages, having secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Philips Stadion last Tuesday.
Stephan El Shaarawy's first-half effort gave Milan the crucial away goal, but a Tim Matavz equaliser in the second half ensured the tie remains in the balance.
Allegri has several injury issues ahead of the game with striker Giampaolo Pazzini and centre-back Daniele Bonera both missing with knee problems, while midfielder Nigel de Jong remains a doubt.
The 46-year-old is fearful of a hangover from the loss to Verona, but warned that fitness issues in the squad could not be used as an excuse for failure.
"Losing like this is painful as it's the first week," he told reporters after the loss. "Especially as we have the important Champions League game against PSV on Wednesday.
"Some players have not managed to do much training but that cannot be an excuse."
Philip Cocu's PSV side are too looking to overcome a lacklustre league display, after they rescued a 1-1 draw away to Heracles on Saturday thanks to Park Ji Sung's 86th-minute equaliser, leaving them second in the Eredivisie table with 10 points from four games.
Defender Karim Rekik says the squad do not fear their illustrious opponents, but emphasised the importance of keeping a clean sheet in Italy.
"We are not afraid of Milan and we should not change our way of playing because we are playing at the San Siro," he told NUsport.
"I think it is especially important to keep the (score to) zero. If that works, then we definitely have a chance."
Cocu has no fresh injury worries ahead of the fixture, with Luciano Narsingh (knee) and Oscar Hiljemark (groin) likely to be the only absentees.
Juventus can trouble any team in Europe, says Pepe The 30-year-old has little doubt that the Serie A champions can make an impact on the continent this season and has praised summer signing Carlos Tevez
Celtic 3-0 Shakhter Karagandy (Agg 3-2): Forrest leaves it late to secure Champions League progress A stoppage-time goal from the 22-year-old completed a stunning turnaround as the SPL outfit booked their place in the group stages of Europe's premier cup competition
AC Milan 3-0 PSV (4-1 on aggregate): Boateng & Balotelli ensure group stage place The Rossoneri brushed aside the Dutch giants with a confident performance at San Siro to seal qualification for the fifth consecutive year
Real Sociedad 2-0 Olympique Lyonnais (4-0 on aggregate): Vela double seals progression The Mexican striker netted two second-half goals to see his side into the group stages of the competition following their 2-0 win in France last week
Shakhter Karagandy face sanctions over sheep slaughter Uefa have warned the Kazakhstan outfit over possible sanctions if they persist with their tradition of slaughtering a sheep around matches
Keller hails Schalke fighting spirit The Bundesliga outfit edged out Greek side PAOK in their Champions League playoff second leg on Wednesday, much to the delight of their under-fire boss
Shakhter Karagandy face sanctions over sheep slaughter
By Henry Jackson96
Aug 28, 2013 3:21:00 PM
Uefa have warned the Kazakhstan outfit over possible sanctions if they persist with their tradition of slaughtering a sheep around matches
Shakhter Karagandy have been warned by Uefa that if they continue to slaughter sheep before a game they will face possible sanctions.
The Kazakh champions courted controversy ahead of the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Celtic last week when they performed a ritual killing of a sheep the day before the clash.
Ahead of the second leg of the tie against Neil Lennon's men on Wednesday, which Shakhter lead 2-0, a letter written by Uefa competitions director Giorgio Marchetti to the club's executive director Yerden Khalilin was released.
"We were informed that an animal slaughter took place at some point prior to the Champions League fixture involving Shakhter Karagandy and Celtic at the Astana Arena on Tuesday 20 August 2013," wrote Marchetti.
"Although certain practices may be culturally rooted, they have no place in or around a sporting arena or event.
"In this context, I would like to make you aware that animal slaughter on a football pitch or in a stadium before, during or after a Uefa competition match - or with reference to a Uefa competition - is totally improper, and will not be tolerated.
"In case of re-occurrence, it will inevitably lead to a full investigation by our disciplinary bodies."
The practice led to outrage from leading animal rights groups, with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) writing an open letter to Uefa president Michel Platini demanding action.
European football's governing body has now responded to those concerns, threatening disciplinary proceedings should the practice be repeated.
Fenerbahce officially banned from Europe for two years
Aug 28, 2013 10:59:00 AM
The Court of Arbitration for Sports has decided to reject the Istanbul giants' appeal against their suspension from European competition
Fenerbahce have been banned from European competitions for two years after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) opted to uphold the club's punishment for their involvement in match fixing in Turkey.
The Istanbul giants had appealed Uefa's initial two-year ban with CAS and were consequently allowed to take part in the qualification phase of the Champions League where they were beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Arsenal, provisionally seeing them enter the group phase of the Europa League.
However, CAS has now made the decision to turn down Fenerbahce's appeal, meaning they will be banned from playing European football for 2013-14 and 2014-15.
"CAS has dismissed the appeal filed by Fenerbahce against the decision taken by Uefa to exclude them from European club competitions," an official CAS statement reads.
"Uefa excluded Fenerbahce of the Uefa club competitions for two seasons because of match-fixing. The Turkish club appealed such decision to the CAS and in agreement with the parties the CAS established an expedited procedural timetable and granted a stay of the Uefa decision to the Turkish club, allowing it to take part in the qualification phase of the current edition of the Champions League until the outcome of the CAS appeal was known.
"Pursuant to the Uefa decision, which is now confirmed by the CAS, Fenerbahce are excluded from two editions of the Uefa club competitions."
Meanwhile, CAS has also rejected Metalist Kharkiv's appeal against their one-year ban from European football.
The Ukrainian side were suspended due to their role in a match-fixing scandal, too, and had already been disqualified from the Champions League playoffs as a result, with PAOK taking their place.
"CAS has dismissed the appeal filed by Metalist Kharkiv against the decision taken by Uefa to exclude them from European club competitions," the statement continued.
"Pursuant to the Uefa decision, which is now confirmed by the CAS, Metalist Kharkiv are excluded from the Uefa club competitions 2013-14."
Uefa has welcome CAS' decisions to reject Fenerbahce and Metalist's appeals and will meet later on Thursday to determine what will happen to the Turkish giants' Europa League place.
"Uefa welcomes today's decisions of CAS rejecting the appeals made by Fenerbahçe and Metalist Kharkiv against the Uefa Appeals Body decisions of 15 July 2013 and 14 August 2013 respectively," their statement read.
Fenerbahce have made an official announcement indicating that they will continue the judicial procedure. The Turkish club underlines that they will appeal Swiss Federal Court about the decisions made by the Uefa and CAS.
Dortmund in pot 3, Napoli in pot 4 - the Champions League group stage seedings in full
By Stefan Coerts550
Aug 28, 2013 9:50:00 PM
Holders Bayern Munich and Spanish champions Barcelona will be among the front-runners, while Rafa Benitez's Italian side face a potential 'group of death'
The seedings for Thursday's Champions League group stage draw in Monaco have been decided and the biggest news is the presence of last year's runners-up Dortmund in pot three and Rafa Benitez's Napoli in pot four.
The 32 qualifiers have been divided into four pots, with the restriction that teams from the same national association cannot be drawn together.
There are few surprises in pot one as holders Bayern Munich take their place alongside powerhouses such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea - although the occupation of Portuguese duo Porto and Benfica will raise some eyebrows.
Last year's finalists Borussia Dortmund have to settle for a place in pot three, meaning they could once again end up in a tricky pool - with a group featuring Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli on the cards.
Another potential 'group of death' could be one consisting of Belgian champions Anderlecht - who are only in pot four - and giants Manchester City, Juventus and reigning European champions Bayern Munich.
The draw takes place on Thursday in Monte Carlo at 1745CET and you can follow it live on Goal.
Pots
The Champions League group stage pots for 2013-14 are as follows:
Begiristain wary of Champions League competition The Manchester City director has warned his side not to underestimate their opponents in the group stage of the competition and is confident of challenging this season
Marotta confident of Juventus progress The Bianconeri director believes his side's Champions League draw could have been worse but warned of the threat that Galatasaray pose
Heynckes: I threatened to bench Ribery The German coach has heaped praise for the way in which the Frenchman responded to being ordered to work harder for his team-mates after the 2012 Champions League final loss
Ancelotti experience can help Real Madrid topple Juventus - Butragueno The former Spain striker insists that the Italian coach has what it takes to get the best out of his players as they prepare for a tough Champions League group campaign
Van der Sar: Eriksen can be a star at Spurs The Ajax director hopes the Dane will stay in Amsterdam but believes he could be a big hit in north London should his much-anticipated transfer go through
Bayern defeat still hurts, says Messi The Argentine admits last season's European exit still hurts but is keen to make up for that disappointment this time around
Tough draw for Juventus, says Conte The Italian his hoping his side call upon their experiences of last season's European campaign after being handed a tricky group
Benitez fears 'competitive' Napoli group The Partenopei boss says his team will face a tough task in one of the most challenging draws of the European tournament
Cruyff backs Ajax to stun Barcelona The Netherlands legend is confident that the Dutch giants can emerge from the group stages of the competition
Ronaldo set to snub Uefa ceremony for friendly The 28-year-old is reportedly set to decline the opportunity to attend the Best Player in Europe event in Monaco on Thursday in favour of competing in a friendly
