The big Match between Chelsea and Manchester United which was scheduled to take place on the 19th of December had to be called off due to bad weather, and now it has been rescheduled to be played on the 1st of
march. However there still is a possibility that the dates may yet again be changed if either of the two teams is involved in an FA cup 5th round replay. That would mean more problems for the Premier League and, not to mention, Chelsea and Manchester
United who have enough on their plate as it is. The two giants of the English game could not have afforded to have a match called off and that too of this magnitude. It was believed that such a match would go a long way towards determining which way the title
is heading- especially considering Chelsea are the defending Champions and Manchester United are their main challengers. Chelsea started the season in great form and none of the challengers looked capable of even getting close to them. But in the last 6 weeks
or so, the fortunes have changed and United have gone on top of the table while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 linger in the 4th position. It would have been a great chance for Chelsea to win and kick start their title defence. However the match is not to take place for
at least another 9 weeks, which would mean that by then the premier League table may have a whole new outlook. Regardless of the table standings at that point, though, the importance of the match could not be stressed any more as it would be even closer to
the end of the season and 3 points of either side may still be crucial in deciding the title.
Talking about setting the dates of big games, Barcelona have announced on their website that they would be playing Manchester United in a friendly match in off season in the United States. The match is scheduled to be played on the
30th of July in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/United-States-c3034 capital, Washington DC. Manchester United, although, are yet to confirm the match. It is, however, believed that United would be going to the United States for another pre season tour next year.
Meanwhile, Michel Platini, the current president of UEFA is all set to stay in charge for another 4 year term. It was confirmed by UEFA that Platini was the only candidate for the post and hence would be re-elected.
The final date for any contenders to hand in their nominations was on Wednesday the 22nd of December. But no names were submitted and Platini has been given a free pass to remain in power for another
term.
Michel Platini became the UEFA president back in 2007 when he beat Lennart Johansson in a very closely fought contest. Now that he has no contenders he would officially be elected president once again in a ceremony
in Paris on the 22nd of March in 2011.
Since 2007, when he took his port, Platini has made some significant changes to the European football- not just at club level but also on the international front.
On the international front, the big change he made is that from 2016, European Championships would consist of 24 teams instead of just 16. He believes that more teams should be able to participate in the mega tournament so that it
is followed more diversely and a bigger chunk of Europe is represented in the tournament. While at the club level, Platini has established that there would be more champions from smaller European leagues in the Champions League rather than teams getting 3rd
and 4th spots in some of Europe’s bigger leagues. Once again the aim is to make sure that more and more European countries are made part of the big tournament which would help the smaller leagues in terms of revenue and get more recognised.
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