UEFA Champions League 2020/21

[Gazz]

I listened to the game on the radio and if you'd told me Neymar and Mbappe didn't come out for the second half, I'd believe you.

[Jimmy]

It was a great game, that on the grandest stage, saw goals come from a corner, a goalkeeping flap and a freekick then went through the middle of the wall. Football is great. 

[Lineker]

Quote

BT has confirmed that it is in "early discussions" over BT Sport - following a report that it was in talks to offload a stake in the TV operation.

The Daily Telegraph said the telecoms giant was understood to be in talks with potential partners including Amazon, Disney and sports streaming service Dazn, as well as an unnamed British broadcaster.

BT said in a brief statement: "Further to media reports, BT can confirm that early discussions are being held with a number of select strategic partners, to explore ways to generate investment, strengthen our sports business, and help take it to the next stage in its growth.

"The discussions are confidential and may or may not lead to an outcome."

The statement did not name the companies involved in the discussion.

BT Sport currently holds the rights to screen Champions League and Europa League football as well as showing a tranche of Premier League and FA Cup games a season, plus Premiership and European rugby union.

Amazon already has a foothold in English football broadcasting, holding rights to a smaller number of Premier League games. Sky - the owner of Sky News - has the largest presence in the top-flight.

The announcement that BT is in talks with potential investor partners for BT Sport comes after short-lived plans for a European super league were announced by 12 clubs including England's "big six" of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.

That initiative collapsed within days after a wave of opposition from politicians, players, fans and other clubs - but if it had got off the ground could have severely undermined the Champions League, analysts said.

Shares climbed 2%.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Maybe BT doesn't think the breakaway European Super League is as dead as it appears to be.

"The sports broadcaster's crown jewels are its exclusive rights to the existing UEFA-backed competitions including the Champions League - a product which would be massively devalued if the top clubs followed through on a threat to forge out on their own.

"Plus at the moment the world of sports and sports rights is in a flux thanks to the pandemic - it's a very different world from the one in which BT launched as a challenger to Sky nearly a decade ago.

"By selling a bit of the business, and reducing the amount it spends on sport, BT could generate funds to help meet the massive bill it faces for investing in broadband infrastructure."

 

[DavidMarrio]

Remember when there was Champions League on ITV... Good times. 

Might be why "16-24 year olds aren't interested" 

[Szumi]

What shit weather, what shit City are winning.

[FLiam]

The season traditionally finishes in like mid-May doesn’t it? And usually it’s lovely sunshine and warmth - even in Manchester. Wtf is it doing snowing? 

[gunnar hendershow]

 

[DavidMarrio]

I've resigned myself to the sportswashing cunts winning the Champions League. 

[Baddar]

Real Madrid have been awful.

Why Vini is effectively a RWB is baffling.

[The Lusophone]

21 minutes ago, Baddar said:

Real Madrid have been awful.

Why Vini is effectively a RWB is baffling.

Is it quite possibly because Zidane isn't that good a tactician?

[Baddar]

Great play by Pulisic to set up that Mount goal.

Man City v Chelsea final.

[DavidMarrio]

3 minutes ago, Baddar said:

Great play by Pulisic to set up that Mount goal.

Man City v Chelsea final.

Arab state V Russian Oil. 

A match made in anti-human rights and oligarchy heaven 

Only took Pep over a billion quid to get City the final 

[stokeriño]

We're in the Champions League Final after being comfortably the better team over both legs against Real Madrid. This feels a little surreal.

[Colly]

Just imagine how you'll feel when you see John Terry picking up the trophy in Istanbul. Granted he doesn't play for either team, but he'll probably do it anyway.

[stokeriño]

Tbh the memes would almost demand it.

[Gazz]

Kante bossed Madrid's entire midfield on his own.

[METALMAN]

17 minutes ago, DavidMarrio said:

Arab state V Russian Oil. 

It is indeed a shame that your beloved baseball team side-project didn't make it this far

[stokeriño]

I swear the interviewer just described Real Madrid as the 'Aristocats' of European football.

[DavidMarrio]

1 minute ago, metalman said:

It is indeed a shame that your beloved baseball team side-project didn't make it this far

I mean baseball's shit but it's not as shit as human rights abuse.... 

1 minute ago, stokeriño said:

I swear the interviewer just described Real Madrid as the 'Aristocats' of European football.

They wish they could be as cool as Thomas O'Malley

[METALMAN]

I know I'm just kidding (and I actually quite like baseball - it's the one exception to my generally flawless taste in things)