Soccer
14 Out 2024 | 17:38 |
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La Liga, the Europa League and FIFPRO, the entity that represents professional football players, joined forces to file a formal complaint against FIFA to the European Commission. The reason for the complaint revolves around the creation and expansion of the Super Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in June 2025, in the United States. FIFA's proposal to hold this tournament in an expanded format, with the inclusion of more teams and a A calendar that many consider exhausting has generated strong opposition from several world football entities. The main argument of these organizations is that FIFA would be abusing its dominant position on the global football scene and compromising the balance between national and international competitions, by forcing the implementation of a tournament that, according to them, benefits few clubs and disrespects the calendar of many others.
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, was one of the main voices against FIFA in this process. During his speech, he spared no criticism of football's highest entity, classifying FIFA's stance as "abusive" and highlighting that the organization is ignoring the negative effects that the new format can bring for world football. Tebas, known for his firm opinions and criticism of major decisions that affect European football, stated that the Club World Cup represents a threat to the financial and sporting balance of the national leagues. According to him, the creation of this tournament is a strategy by FIFA to increase control over club football, weakening leagues such as La Liga, Premier League, and Serie A, which have well-established domestic championships and generate substantial revenue for your clubs.
FLAMENGO FOLLOWS CLOSELY
FIFPRO also highlighted concerns about the impact that the Club World Cup could have on the physical and mental health of players. The organization had previously spoken out against the increase in the number of matches and competitions in a short space of time, emphasizing that the physical overload on athletes is reaching alarming levels. The inclusion of yet another global competition in the already crowded world football calendar could worsen this scenario, damaging the longevity of players' careers and compromising the technical level of the competitions. According to FIFPRO, FIFA is prioritizing its own commercial interests and neglecting the well-being of football's main protagonists: the athletes.
SUPER MUNDIAL COULD BE COMING CLOSE
In addition to La Liga and of FIFPRO, the Europa League, one of UEFA's most traditional club competitions, also expressed its dissatisfaction with the new FIFA tournament. The entity's president, Aleksander Čeferin, had already shown himself against the expansion of the Super Club World Cup, claiming that the competition weakens the prestige and relevance of continental tournaments, such as the Europa League and the Champions League. For Čeferin, FIFA is trying to centralize power in club football and destabilize the balanced ecosystem that exists between national leagues and continental competitions. He highlighted that the calendar is already saturated and that the inclusion of yet another major global tournament only intensifies the burden on clubs and players.
The complaint filed with the European Commission aims to investigate whether FIFA is violating European Union competition rules by promoting a tournament that could be considered a monopoly of international competitions. The entities involved in the complaint argue that FIFA is using its dominant position to force the implementation of the Club Super World Cup, without considering the negative impact on football as a whole. The European Commission, which has already investigated FIFA, on other occasions due to monopoly issues, can play a fundamental role in defining the next steps in this dispute between the organizations that govern world football.
The Argentine team begins training at Fluminense's training center and should play more defensively at Maracanã against Mengão this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm
17 Set 2025 | 15:15 |
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Estudiantes is already in Rio de Janeiro for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Flamengo , scheduled for Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Argentine team trained at Fluminense's facilities , preparing for the decisive duel.
Coach Eduardo Domínguez tested a more conservative formation, including an extra defensive midfielder in midfield, as a strategy to contain Flamengo's attacks. According to Radio Província 1270 in La Plata, the change could result in only one striker on the field , demonstrating a more solid defensive posture.
Estudiantes ' likely lineup for the clash includes: Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, Arzamendia; Ascacibar, Piovi, Amondarain, Medina, Tiago Palacios; Carrillo.
It's not yet clear whether Piovi will play as an extra midfielder or be replaced by Castro . Amondarain, despite being an attacking midfielder, could drop back and act as a third midfielder, depending on Domínguez's strategy in recent training sessions.
With the prospect of a more closed Argentine team, Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, will have to work hard to break down Estudiantes' defense and seek a positive result in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.
Rubro-negro evaluates changes in the starting lineup for the clash with the Argentine team this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, for the Libertadores
17 Set 2025 | 14:49 |
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Up front, Bruno Henrique is recovered and available to play, expanding coach Filipe Luís's offensive options. Plata and Luiz Araújo are also options at wing. Léo Ortiz returns to the defensive system after missing the match against Juventude.
A possible Flamengo lineup for Thursday has: Rossi; Emerson Royal (or Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (or Viña); Allan (or De La Cruz), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro (or Bruno Henrique) and Samuel Lino.
According to information gathered, the club's coaching staff is likely to opt for midfielder Jorginho, who is recovering from a muscle edema. Although he is fit to play, the club does not want to risk losing him for an extended period.
Without Jorginho, coach Filipe Luís is evaluating the best alternatives for the position. De La Cruz and Saúl are the main candidates to form a partnership with Saúl in midfield . The coach will lead the final training session before the match on Wednesday (17) to determine his replacement.
Another confirmed absence is left-back Alex Sandro, who is nursing a calf injury and will be unfit to play. Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña are competing for the starting spot on the left wing.
Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and will now be valid for the duel between Mengão and the La Plata club in the quarterfinals
17 Set 2025 | 14:10 |
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Conmebol announced this Tuesday (16) an important new development for the quarterfinal stage of the Libertadores . From this stage onwards, the main referee will immediately communicate his decision to the entire public present at the stadium , ensuring greater transparency in the arbitration process.
This measure has already been used in the organization's competitions. In the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, for example, the rule was applied experimentally . Now, it officially returns for the decisive matches of the Copa Libertadores.
The first duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes takes place this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The stadium will have a full house: All tickets were sold in advance , guaranteeing an estimated audience of around 69 thousand people.
The return leg is scheduled for September 25th in La Plata, Argentina, also at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). It will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) . Fans can stay up to date with all the details of the match at Gazeta do Urubu.
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