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BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
European demotion could galvanise Palace
Crystal Palace's demotion to the Uefa Conference League could "galvanise" the club and bring them closer together, says Chris Sutton. The Eagles beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield on Sunday but less than 24 hours later were told they had lost their appeal against being dropped from the Europa League. They had qualified for the competition after winning the FA Cup last season but were punished by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules."I don't necessarily see it as having an effect on the players - this is the best period in the club's history," former Premier League striker Sutton said on 5 Live's Monday Night Club."On the footballing side of it, Palace just have to move on and get on with the season. And in many ways, it may actually galvanise the club. "It might bring them closer together, if that's possible." American businessman John Textor owned a 43% stake in Palace until he sold it in June and is the majority owner of Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa had until 1 March 2025 to show Uefa proof of multi-club ownership restructuring, but the club missed that ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) also means Nottingham Forest's spot in the Europa League is confirmed, having been promoted into the competition in Palace's place."They've won an FA Cup, they've won a Community Shield. So I think there's still a lot of excitement," Sutton added. "You still can't take away them winning the FA Cup; you still can't take away the great performance in the Community Shield. If you're a Palace fan, you love that. "You've got to focus on the positives, as much as anything. But it's certainly not ideal."Palace will face either Norwegian side Fredrikstad or Midtjylland of Denmark in the Conference League play-off round later this month. Rory Smith, football correspondent at the Observer, also thinks the ruling from Cas could work in Palace's favour."I think there is a very good chance this ends with Palace winning the Conference League - and they should not be in the Conference League, they should be in the Europa League," Smith said. "It's ridiculous that they're not and it's ridiculous Uefa couldn't say look, this is clearly just an administrative oversight." In July, Palace submitted an appeal to Cas against Uefa - which issued the punishment - as well as Lyon and Nottingham rules state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European argued Textor did not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa did not accept the Premier League side's defence."It may well be that - I don't know if it makes it bittersweet or just sweet or just bitter - Palace will be one of the three strongest teams in the Conference League," Smith continued. "There is a very good chance, especially if they keep Eberechi Eze and maybe Marc Guehi, that they end up with another trophy next season. "And it might be that the fans come to think of it as an unfortunate, [but] happy incident, I guess."
Scottish Sun
23 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers boss Russell Martin opens up on Nicolas Raskin's future and says Belgian's form last season counts for nothing
RUSSELL MARTIN reckons Nico Raskin had his head turned by summer speculation over his future. And the Rangers boss insists the Belgian's top performances last season count for NOTHING now. 4 Nico Raskin delighted at full-time after first leg win over Plzen Credit: Willie Vass 4 Raskin has been benched in the last couple of games Credit: SNS 4 Martin says he doesn't want to sell the 24-year-old Credit: Getty Raskin has lost his starting role in the team to Joe Rothwell and has been benched for the last two games. Martin vows he does NOT want to sell the 24-year-old. But he reckons the midfielder has been affected by transfer links away from Ibrox. He said: 'What Nico did last season, rightly or wrongly, I can't have a feeling about. 'I can only judge on right now. 'He came out of the team for a reason that me and him spoke about. 'And his reaction has been top. Like, really, really brilliant. And I think that's all you can ever ask for. 'He has a brilliant chance of playing with Joe, without Joe, if he lives in that place all the time. 'There's a bit of uncertainty about him this summer, for sure. 'Not from people ringing us, but I think from people ringing him, definitely. Rangers boss Russell Martin admits there will be 'a bit of pain' as he reacts to Dundee draw at Ibrox 'I think that's affected his approach. 'Not in terms of professionalism and stuff, but he's a young man. 'I think there's been loads of stuff written in your back pages, about £20million, £15million, this club, that club. 'It's been the same with a lot of the guys. 'There's been a lot of uncertainty around a lot of players, But I think that's every summer when you play for a football club like this. 'So, people deal with it in many different ways and he's been fantastic in his reaction, which has been great. 'Of course, he's going to have an impact at some point. 'And then we had a discussion and since he came out of the team, he's been a different guy. Incredible. 'So, he needs to stay all the time. 'What anyone did last season - and it's difficult to say that because fans have watched him play really well for the team. 'But to judge someone on that is really hard because what we're going to ask him to do is so different. 'But he's a really fantastic player. And he's a young man that I'm getting to know all the time. 'And actually, I really like his character and personality. 'And I think I'm really clear with him on the demands of what playing in the position he really wants to play in is going to take. 'Then it'll be up to him because he'll have opportunities like he did on Saturday to play there. 'He made a big difference for us. He made the most difference. He made half of the tackles that we made the whole game. So, there's a big, big difference for us. 'It's my job to make sure, playing for this football club, whoever you are, that the demands are really clear and whatever position you play. And when he lives there, he's fantastic. 4 Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Martin knows clubs are keeping tabs on Raskin's situation, but he added: 'Hopefully, he can get to the end of the window, he's played brilliantly, the window shuts and he's still here. 'And then we can keep improving and keep kicking on. 'He and Joe can definitely play in the same team at some point. It doesn't have to be one or the other. 'I don't think we're in a position where we have to sell anyone. 'I don't think we're in a position where we want to lose some of the best performers last season that we think can become really top performers for us this season and moving forward. 'That's the plan, unless someone comes in and blows our minds and everyone decides - the player, the club - everyone decides that it's the best for everyone and then we can make sure that the position to replace them with someone else 'It is the same for anyone. I think any club in world football now, I don't think there is a club that's immune to that, really.' Gers face Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday in their Champions League third round second-leg. Martin's men have a 3-0 lead as they aim to reach the £40million play-off against either Salzburg or Brugge. He added: 'They'll have, I guess, a nothing-to-lose approach. 'So, we have to be really ready for that." Martin, meanwhile, has revealed Gers may NOT postpone their league clash with St Mirren that's scheduled for August 24.a He added: 'Someone mentioned to me this morning, oh, this can happen, this permutation and all this stuff. But it's just not something we're going to get caught up with. 'We're not even at the end of August yet. 'So, we'll see. But our league position, the points table and all that stuff, will not dictate what we do with the St Mirren game at all. 'So, at the minute, I expect we'll play.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Tributes paid to Leicester City stadium announcer Bradley Varnam
Tributes have been paid to Leicester City's long-serving stadium announcer Bradley Varnam, who has died after a short Varnam, who was 56, began his role with the club at the old Filbert Street stadium in 1997, and continued when the Foxes moved to the King Power Stadium in 2002. In a statement, the club said it was "deeply saddened" and he was "an enduring part of the matchday experience for generations of supporters".A club spokesperson said: "Over the years, Bradley's voice became the soundtrack to countless moments in the club's history – from the highs to the lows, and everything in between." The spokesperson added: "His presence on matchdays will be sorely missed by players, staff and supporters alike."On social media, former player Steve Walsh said: "Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Bradley Varnam."From my playing days at Filbert Street to my visits back to King Power, Brad was always there with a smile, a joke, and that legendary voice that became part of Leicester City's heartbeat."A true gent who loved the club and its people."
