PitchSideMonitor

PitchSideMonitor

1/31/2025, 8:41:58 AM

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lttsports_what-happens-when-a-major-football-tournament-activity-7287781000728780800-a2lm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop *What happens when a major football tournament is postponed? How do the ripple effects impact the entire football ecosystem?* #PitchSideMonitor 1️⃣ Unforeseen challenges: From Euro 2020’s pandemic delays to AFCON’s rescheduling due to both Covid-19 and local weather concerns, delays stem from more than just logistics. 2️⃣ Strategic opportunities: Postponements can help align tournaments with broader planning, as seen with CHAN 2024, providing a chance to fine-tune preparations for future events like AFCON 2027. 3️⃣ Impact on the football calendar: A delayed tournament often leads to fixture congestion, causing chaos for domestic leagues and international schedules. 🟥 In an exclusive interview, Dr. Josaphat Depaget, nutritionist for the Diables Rouges, shared insights on how diet plays a crucial role in maintaining athletes' physical and mental well-being amidst high-pressure schedules. "The biggest challenge is making players understand that nutrition is a key factor in their performance." – Dr. Josaphat Depaget

PitchSideMonitor

2/6/2025, 11:22:09 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/05/uefa-weighs-up-scrapping-extra-time-for-champions-league-knockout-rounds 🔍 UEFA is considering scrapping extra time in Champions League knockout rounds, with matches going straight to penalties to ease fixture congestion and reduce player fatigue. However, changes are unlikely before the current TV rights deal expires in 2027. 🔍 The move could benefit underdog teams by leveling the playing field against bigger clubs with deeper squads, while broadcasters may welcome the shorter, more predictable match durations. 🔍 Only a few recent Champions League and Europa League ties have gone into extra time, and UEFA has already removed extra time from Super Cups, setting a precedent for this potential rule change.

PitchSideMonitor

2/10/2025, 7:25:10 PM

Mercato : pourquoi les prêts avec option d'achat obligatoire se multiplient https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-pourquoi-les-prets-avec-option-d-achat-obligatoire-se-multiplient/1539137 🔍 Financial Fair Play (FFP) Compliance Clubs use these structured deals to spread payments over multiple seasons, helping them stay within FFP regulations. 🔍 Cash Flow Management Teams can temporarily reduce immediate expenses while securing players for the future, making transfers more financially manageable. 🔍 Market Uncertainty & Risk Mitigation Clubs prefer loaning players with an obligation to buy rather than committing large sums upfront, especially for uncertain talents. 🔍 Strategic Flexibility Selling clubs secure guaranteed income, while buying clubs delay full payment, allowing for budget adjustments in future seasons.

PitchSideMonitor

2/12/2025, 9:18:10 AM

https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20250211/1002405548/tebas-contundente-esto-solo-servira-jugadores-cinco-ferraris-paguen.html 🔍 Gap between big and small clubs: Javier Tebas warns about a growing inequality in football due to the Champions League format and competitions like the Club World Cup, which concentrate revenue among a few big teams. 🔍 Revenue concentration: Teams like Liverpool earn up to €99 million in the Champions League, while smaller clubs like Young Boys barely receive €29 million, worsening the disparity. 🔍 Impact on national leagues: Tebas highlights that this inequality threatens the competitiveness of national leagues, fueling projects like the Super League and harming teams like Osasuna, which also contribute to the qualification process. 🔍 Proposal for redistribution: As a solution, Tebas suggests redistributing income from European competitions, emphasizing that national leagues are essential and should receive fairer compensation.

PitchSideMonitor

2/16/2025, 8:00:54 AM

https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/649379/Sports/Al-Hilal-accuses-SPLs-Michael-Emenalo-of-bias-and-SFFs-Manuel-Navarro-of-pressuring-team-to-accept-local-referees 🔍 Al-Hilal's Allegations Against SPL's Michael Emenalo: Al-Hilal accused Saudi Pro League (SPL) Director Michael Emenalo of bias in decisions, claiming he favors certain teams, impacting the league's fairness. 🔍 Criticism of SFF's Manuel Navarro: The club alleged that Saudi Football Federation (SFF) Head of Referees, Manuel Navarro, pressured Al-Hilal into accepting local referees instead of neutral or foreign officials for their matches. 🔍 Demand for Referee Transparency: Al-Hilal stressed the need for impartial refereeing and urged the SPL and SFF to ensure fairness and transparency to maintain the league's credibility. 🔍 Rising Tensions in Saudi Football: The accusations highlight growing tensions within Saudi football, as clubs call for reforms amid the league’s rapid global rise and increasing scrutiny.

PitchSideMonitor

2/19/2025, 9:49:15 AM

https://www.sofoot.com/breves/la-ligue-1-et-la-serie-a-degringolent-sur-google-le-foot-feminin-explose 🔍 Decline in Google Search Interest for Ligue 1 and Serie A: Recent data indicates a significant decrease in Google search queries for France's Ligue 1 and Italy's Serie A, suggesting waning global interest in these men's football leagues. 🔍 Surge in Women's Football Popularity: In contrast, women's football has experienced a remarkable rise in attention, with increased online searches and social media engagement, reflecting its growing global appeal. 🔍 Record-Breaking Attendances in Women's Leagues: European women's football leagues have reported unprecedented attendance figures. For instance, the Women's Super League (WSL) saw a 41% increase in average attendance during the 2023-24 season, while France's D1 Féminine experienced a 38% rise, underscoring the sport's expanding fan base. 🔍 Strategic Investments Fueling Women's Football Growth: The surge in women's football popularity is attributed to strategic investments, including enhanced broadcasting deals, increased sponsorships, and the professionalization of leagues, all contributing to the sport's heightened visibility and commercial viability. Ranking of European Women's Football Leagues by Average Attendance (2023-24 Season): 1. Women's Super League (WSL): 7,300+ average attendees per match. 2. D1 Féminine: Notable 38% increase in average attendance. 3. Liga F: 11% growth in average attendance.

PitchSideMonitor

2/24/2025, 3:12:20 PM

https://spobis.com/article/lafc-coo-johns-gibt-einblicke-in-die-globale-vision-des-mls-clubs 🔍 Global Player Network: LAFC, under Stacy Johns' leadership, is building a worldwide player network, partnering with clubs like Grasshopper Club Zürich, FC Wacker Innsbruck, and Racing Club de Montevideo to develop top talents and create value. 🔍 Red & Gold Football: The joint venture with FC Bayern Munich strengthens scouting and player development globally, with recent expansions into South America (Racing Club) and Africa (Gambinos Stars), and future plans for Asia. 🔍 Balancing Identity and Innovation: LAFC integrates data-driven strategies into partner clubs while respecting local traditions, ensuring clubs maintain their unique identity alongside modern advancements. 🔍 Cross-Continental Learning: Johns highlights the need for greater knowledge sharing in European football, emphasizing the success of open innovation exchange in US leagues like the NFL and MLS.

PitchSideMonitor

2/25/2025, 1:06:06 PM

https://www.delo.si/english/exclusive-interview-aleksander-ceferin-uefa-president-freedom-of-speech-politics 🔍 Champions League Reform Success: Čeferin claims that 99% of fans now support the new Champions League format, which has made the competition more unpredictable and exciting for both clubs and sponsors. 🔍 US Market Expansion: UEFA is negotiating future TV rights with the agency Relevent but has not discussed moving the Champions League final to the United States, contrary to media rumors. 🔍 Player Fatigue Debate: Čeferin acknowledges that players are overworked but points out that clubs need more matches to sustain high salaries. He finds it ironic that the best-paid players complain the most. 🔍 European Decline: Čeferin criticizes Europe's strict regulations, lack of unity, and economic competitiveness, arguing that the EU is losing global influence while China and the US advance. 🔍 Freedom of Speech Erosion: He expresses concern about increasing political correctness in Western societies, stating that people can no longer freely express opinions without backlash. 🔍 Geopolitical Concerns: Čeferin warns that the world is in its most dangerous state since WWII, with aggressive leaders, indecisive politicians, and Europe sidelined in global decision-making. 🔍 Sport as a Unifier: He highlights UEFA's efforts to bridge political divides, like Serbia and Albania co-hosting the Euro U-21, while criticizing politics for preventing Russian U-17 participation.

PitchSideMonitor

2/27/2025, 5:31:21 PM

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lttsports_brasileirao-2025-interview-with-maxwell-activity-7300926185771819008-ip9O?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAmWZN0B4yFxWzsMCtj8Sil0JGB5T9vwUMs 🔍 Key Takeaways from Our Conversation with Maxwell on Brazilian Football 🇧🇷 🔍 Economic Fragmentation – Conflicting interests among stakeholders prevent the creation of a unified, globally competitive league. 🔍 Coach Education & Development – While Brazil produces exceptional talent, structured training and scouting at the grassroots level need urgent improvement. 🔍 Brasileirão 2025 & Power Shift With the "Lei do Mandante" granting clubs full media rights, Brazilian football is undergoing a seismic transformation. 🔍 A Defining Moment – In a year of CBF elections and major decisions, the future of Brazilian football hangs in the balance—will it become a global force or miss another opportunity?