Barca, Chelsea, United & Arsenal

[Royal Lady]

I have got two bets on tonight - 2-2 and 3-1 to Barca. This will, inevitably, mean that Chelsea win about 4-0.

[TBM]

Remember a few seasons back that penalty Liverpool got against Sheff Utd when Morgan was nowhere near the ball but nowhere near Gerrard either and a penalty was given

[1960]

helpful video. But do you see, as Fletcher kicks the ball away Fabregas starts to turn to the right to go after it - he realises at this point that it's not a foul. Then Fletcher takes his legs out, stopping him from getting the ball. Guilty as charged.

[TheMaraudingDog]

So half way through making a tackle where he's committed his body and is leaning back on a bent leg with his body twisting away and head not facing the ball he realises that Fabregas is through and then decides to take him out?

You've got to love the nobbers that have never played

[Archie's penalty]

helpful video. But do you see, as Fletcher kicks the ball away Fabregas starts to turn to the right to go after it - he realises at this point that it's not a foul. Then Fletcher takes his legs out, stopping him from getting the ball. Guilty as charged.

Very good point.

[FORSTERS_RIGHT_FOOT]

What a hit son, what a hit.

[Kitsondinho]

Despite the goal, Barca have had most of the possession......but I doubt Chelsea care at the moment!!!

[handbags_harris]

Chelsea can quite literally fcuk off.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Anyone got a video link via the internet to watch this?

[Row Z Royal]

Has anyone else failed to spot Ballack?

[earleyroyal]

Dark day for football if Chelsea win this, once again only one team is trying to play football. Pass pass pass pass pass pass, Chelsea get it, HOOF, repeat with the odd tactical foul thrown in.

Also Andy Gray can fukk off, I thought he was supposed to describe the game not root for the English teams - he said something like 'not a bad foul to give away, that one' - can't be much pleasure in winning a game like that.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

You are all Chelsea-hating-negative-bastards, I realise that, but how can nobody be praising that strike?

[T.R.O.L.I.]

As Essien's volley crossed the line you could almost hear the screams of anguish from Platini as the prospect of an all Englsh final for the second year running grew ever larger.

Hypothetically and seeing as Platini seems to hate the success of the English clubs in the CL (6 maybe 7 out of the last 10 finalists), is there anything he can realistically implement to stop the domination? I can't see the other European leagues voting for a return to the "Champions only" format of the old Eurpoean Cup so is there anything else or will he just have to put up with it?

[Alivey]

Platini hates everytihng english.. hes out to get us.. paranoia has set in.. hes so anti english omg i bet he would love it if we were killed..

[T.R.O.L.I.]

There's no paranoia in my post - Platini has already spoken at length about the Englaish domination of the latter stages of the CL not being good for the competition. But seeing as no club in the CL is going to vote on reducing the size of the CL as it may reduce their revenue stream, what other options does the UEFA president have?

A simple question to spark some debate on here. Sorry if it doesn't live up to your AE-spamming posting agenda.

[Alivey]

who wouldn't want more countries in the latter stages of the champions league? isn't that the competition is suppose to be about.. europe. if you want to watch a bunch of english clubs play eahc other.. why not.. i dunno.. watch the fa cup, league cup, premire league..

[Alivey]

btw chelsea was linked in the notw to spending 50m to buy a player.. they are ruining football again

[Deathy]

Rows of seats at the back of the stand to the right of the gantry are empty, all along the back. Gr8 support!!

[Dirk Gently]

The crux of Platini's argument is that English clubs have an unfair advantage in Europe because their governing body allow them to run up massive debts whilst most other European clubs are prohibited from doing this - which is not a level playing field, financially.

The tactic will be to not allow clubs to enter European competitions unless their debts are realistic and sustainable, but the PL, the big clubs and UEFA are furiously brief ling journalists across the continent to get their arguments prior to the big battle that's coming over the next few years.

it looks like Alivey has lapped up the PL's briefing hook line and sinker - but that's understandable, because that's the line that's appearing in most English media outlets. The power of the PL and their money speak volumes, and the press are easily bought.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

who wouldn't want more countries in the latter stages of the champions league? isn't that the competition is suppose to be about.. europe. if you want to watch a bunch of english clubs play eahc other.. why not.. i dunno.. watch the fa cup, league cup, premire league..

Which is what Platini is getting at but (using this season as an example) can you really see Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus, possibly Bayern Munich etc voting for a reduction of the Champions League to just the Champions of each country? The resultant massive loss in revenue both on and off the pitch to me says that would never happen. So, my original question of is there anything else Platini (or UEFA) can realisitically do or is the format of the CL here to stay (and possibly grow)?