In a decision last night, UEFA (the governing body of Europe) have done the sensible thing and from the European Championships in 2016, there will be 24 teams competing, instead of just 16, the BBC reports.

The vice-chairman of Uefa’s development and technical assistance committee- Franz Beckenbauer - said the following:-

“Yes for sure it’s going to be 24 teams…The European Championships will not lose any quality by that.”

We Say: I for one am delighted. As a Welshman, we have been close on many occassions but never quite made it, and the quality of the teams that didn’t qualify for the latest tournament in Austria/Switzerland shows.

The last time it was expanded was in 1996, after the fall of the Soviet Union. It seems strange since the breakup of Yugoslavia it hasn’t been increased further.

This was Europe in 1992

And this is Europe in 2008

And there was a complete change in Europe, particularly in the Soviet area. I’m very happy at the news, but it will be interesting to see qualification. Will they keep it 8 groups of 6, and let the top 3 (instead of the top 2) qualify? Or come up with something new? Only time will tell.

I’d be up for the top 3, as it’d be more open to shocks.

I’m a big one for the whole “Man on the street” arguement, and Q.P.R. have seemingly screwed over the fans.

The club, owned by multi millionaires Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal and Flavio Briatore, have put up the ticket prices to £40 for most games, and £50 for some, according to the BBC.

In a statement, Q.P.R. said this

“The board has considered it a necessity to increase match-day prices to maintain budgets previously set. We are totally committed to building a sound financial base for the future.”

Q.P.R. will be a Premier League side in a few years, fact. But when you consider that their tickets cost more than every single Premier League club (with the exception of Chelsea and Manchester United), it sort of smacks a bit of driving the things away that make any club great, the fans.

Your thoughts?

So, the deadline day for football clubs in England has passed, so what does this blog make of it? Here my thoughts on each team who made a deal.

Bolton Wanderers (Dzemaili out: Loan) - No real big loss for Bolton. Obviously it’s done to try and get more experience.

Blackburn Rovers (Bunn in) - Interesting signing. Bunn is one of England’s promising young goalkeepers, will be interesting to see if he’ll push Paul Robinson for a place. But certainly one for the future.

Everton (Saha, Nash in) - Two interesting signings. Saha in particular. If he stays injury free, Saha could prove to be one of the better signings of the transfer window.

Fulham (Zakuani, John, Smertin out) - Fairly non exciting transfers out, though Fulham have been strengthening all summer.

Hull (Cousin in) - A perfect player for Hull. Great signing in my opinion, another piece in the team to survive in the Premiership.

Liverpool (Flora, Gulacsi, Riera in. Finnan, Voronin out) - Riera is a good, Premiership tested winger, so a nice move by Liverpool, who’ve had trouble down the left. Voronin is not a surprise, but Finnan leaving is.

Man City (Robinho in. Corluka, Vidal out) - The most shocking move of the day. Man City, under new owners, really splashed the cash yesterday. City have managed to sign one of the most potentially brilliant midfielders in the world with Robinho. Will be interesting to see if he’ll do a Tevez or a Mascherano though.

Man Utd (Berbatov in. Saha, Campbell out) - Fergie got his man with Berbatov. Premiership tested, deadly and perfect to help Man Utd retain their title. Saha have already been talked about under Everton, Campbell will be talked about under Tottenham.

Newcastle (Gonzalez, Xisco in) - Xisco was one of the first deals on deadline day, and can be a perfect fit for Newcastle - who have been struggling with strikers. Gonzalez is an interesting move, considering he just recently signed for Valencia.

Portsmouth (Belhadj in. Cranie, Christophe out.) - Algerian Belhadj comes to the club from Lens. Cranie & Christophe leave on loan. Not a huge amount for Pompey fans to be excited about, but I don’t think they’d care, as they spent big all summer.

Sunderland (McCartney in, Higginbotham out) - Resigning of their former left back George McCartney who was unsettled at West Ham, and Higginbotham returning to Stoke.

Stoke (Higginbotham, Soares in. Parkin out) - More strengthening for Stoke with Stoke-like players (Higginbotham is ex Stoke). Parkin’s Preston move is made permanent. Nothing hugely exciting but Stoke aren’t really.

Tottenham (Pavlyuchenko, Corluka, Campbell in. Berbatov out) - The big movers. They lose Berbatov to Manchester United which is not idea, but Pavlyuchenko and Campbell are in their place. Pavlyuchenko had an awesome Euro 2008, and Campbell has huge potential.

West Brom (Donk) - Interesting signing of a Dutchman with a great name. Will be interesting if he can help West Brom stay up (who remain footed to the bottom of the Premiership). But if I was a WBA fan, I’d be a little concerned.

West Ham (McCartney out) - See Sunderland.

Wigan (Bouaouzan, Nash, Sibierski out) - Offloading for Wigan, nothing too disasterous or notable though.

They’re my thoughts on the Deadline Day 2008, what are your thoughts?

I’m not a big fan of them, but in the League Cup today League 1 Leeds have thumped Championship side Crystal Palace 4-0 in the League Cup.

There’s a big hoo haa in the League Cup, whether it’s acutally a competition, fact is you can only beat the team that’s put in front of you, and after a convincing game against Chester City, Leeds have continued their dominance.

I think Leeds will do well this year, whilst I’m a firm believe in no club is too big to go down, I’m a believer in the fact that a club, with as big a support as Leeds United, can easily bounce back from their troubles and go on to go back to where they were. Look at Manchester City, a few years back they were in League 1, now they’re a safe Premiership team.

What do you think?

A few days ago, it was announced that John Terry - Chelsea’s captain - has regained his position as England captain, beating Rio Ferdinand to the captaincy.

In a press conference, Fabio Capello said the following:-

“Rio, when he was captain, played very well - the same level as John. It was not easy for me to choose because they are very good players. The big personality of John was the reason I chose John but Rio is very important to the team.”

We Say: I am personally quite shocked by this. I’m not saying JT isn’t a good captain, because he is for Chelsea. However, I feel he didn’t really lead the team with gusto in the Euros like he probably should’ve. Rio in my eyes should have been made captain, give him a chance to prove himself.

What do you think? Do you think Rio or John Terry shoudl’ve been made captain? Or maybe somebody else? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

A report on the BBC has stated that football clubs should pay for policing at all football games.

As it currently stands, the clubs play for any policing required within and around the ground, and any extra policing laid on for the match is paid for by the taxpayer.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for football clubs of premier league stature to pay  for extra police in and around the ground, I just wonder when it will stop.

Take for example a policeman intercepts a known hooligan in the city centre on match day. What should happen then? Or what should happen if an off duty policeman at a match stops a crime? I walk around a my 20,000 population town on a Saturday and see the place teaming with police. Why’s that? “Because there’s a match on”. Most of the fans are in one bar, and then make their way up.

I don’t like the whole “bash the Premiership” attitude, as generally it filters down to local clubs without big budgets to operate, and it’s rather unnescessary overall at lower league level. Some games do need the extra police, but for your average Yeovil vs. Rotherham, it’s completely unnescessary.

What are your thoughts?

The world’s oldest football club - Sheffield FC - along with McDonalds have begun a pioneering Boots for Africa scheme to improve their livelihood of children in some of the poorest parts of the world.

The scheme - launched a few weeks ago - needs people to donate old football boots to the scheme, so they can be sent to children who live in Africa, who have never owned a pair of football boots.

Football brings communities together, and Boots for Africa aims to give children with a love of the beautiful game the opportunity to play the game without the need of getting their feet injured by playing barefoot on rubble.

To find out how to donate, or to become a partner yourself, please check out the links below.

Further Links
Boots for Africa
Boots for Africa on Ultra Football Boots

The football team Bournemouth in League Two have been handed a 17 point penalty - according to the BBC. This follows Luton Town’s 30 point penalty, and chances are Rotherham will be penalised a further 17 points. This effectively means that Luton Town are favourites for being relegated from the football league, with Bournemouth and Rotherham competing for survival, as one other team goes down.

It’s a fascinating situation, it should be interesting to see how teams who just beat relegation last year approach this season, as there’s a good chance that they’d be safe. Would Luton resign to the fact they’re relegated and simply prepare for next season, or would they fight tooth and nail to stay up. Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on this? Fair or unfair?