Champions League 2013/14

[brenchill]

They'll find the money. And recoup it plus more if they win the whole thing.

They won't recoup it if they go out at the semi-final stage. According to the Spanish Sky Sports guy, you get £1.3m for going out at the semi-final stage and it'll cost Athletico £3m per game.

It's safe to say he will not be playing.

[Berober]

Just seen amongst the Daily Mail's sports section, a small piece on 'Who can Chelsea draw in the semis?'

It's not exactly hard to figure out, is it now?

Well you never know...

[brenchill]

Chelsea drew Maccabi Haifa in the rehearsal earlier today.

[Colly]

Real v Bayern

Atletico v Chelsea

[stokeriño]

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Chelsea

1) YAY 2ND LEG AT HOME

2) Apparently UEFA have reversed their stance on Courtois...because apparently they openly welcome the inevitable controversy.

[Colly]

Ha. I won.

[brenchill]

Reversed their stance?

Chelsea and Athletico have a contractual agreement. If Courtois plays, they have to pay.

[stokeriño]

Reversed their stance?

Chelsea and Athletico have a contractual agreement. If Courtois plays, they have to pay.

But then they come out with stuff like this:

http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

[DFF]

Reversed their stance?

Chelsea and Athletico have a contractual agreement. If Courtois plays, they have to pay.

But then they come out with stuff like this:

http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

Based on that statement, that aspect of Courtois' contract is null and void.

To be honest, as long as this kind of thing was consistently upheld across the whole continent, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it.

[Jimmy]

Really looking forward to seeing Madrid/Munich over two legs.

[METALMAN]

Just realised that on the date of the final I'll be on holiday in Brussels with a friend from Munich. Bayern better not win this thing or she'll be unbearable.

[Lineker]

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay confirms that the club will allow goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, on loan at Atletico Madrid, to play against his parent club in the Champions League semi-finals.

Before the draw was made, Uefa released a statement to clarify that it expects the Belgium international to be free to face the Blues in both legs.

"The loan was arranged back in the start of the season. He can play against Chelsea, that's never in doubt," Gourlay says.

"Regarding the Uefa statement we'll evaluate that in due course. As far as we are concerned we will comply with loan rules. He can play in both ties against Chelsea if selected. That is fact."

[stokeriño]

Reversed their stance?

Chelsea and Athletico have a contractual agreement. If Courtois plays, they have to pay.

But then they come out with stuff like this:

http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

Based on that statement, that aspect of Courtois' contract is null and void.

To be honest, as long as this kind of thing was consistently upheld across the whole continent, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it.

Well, you mention consistency...

Nine months ago UEFA had this to say about a similar situation featuring a loaned player between Celtic and IF Elfsborg when they met in the Champions League qualifying rounds:

"As we, in line with the FIFA regulations on status and transfer of players, consider a loan to be a transfer, we do not have any regulations regarding players not playing against their parent club whilst on loan to another club. If a player is duly registered on the player list of IF Elfsborg then he can play against any team that Elfsborg are drawn against."

"Any agreement between the two clubs that this player wouldn’t play against Celtic should Elfsborg be drawn against them is purely between the clubs. UEFA would not have any involvement or consideration of this agreement, it would be neither endorsed or enforceable by UEFA."

Hmm.

[DFF]

Reversed their stance?

Chelsea and Athletico have a contractual agreement. If Courtois plays, they have to pay.

But then they come out with stuff like this:

http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

Based on that statement, that aspect of Courtois' contract is null and void.

To be honest, as long as this kind of thing was consistently upheld across the whole continent, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it.

Well, you mention consistency...

Nine months ago UEFA had this to say about a similar situation featuring a loaned player between Celtic and IF Elfsborg when they met in the Champions League qualifying rounds:

"As we, in line with the FIFA regulations on status and transfer of players, consider a loan to be a transfer, we do not have any regulations regarding players not playing against their parent club whilst on loan to another club. If a player is duly registered on the player list of IF Elfsborg then he can play against any team that Elfsborg are drawn against."

"Any agreement between the two clubs that this player wouldn’t play against Celtic should Elfsborg be drawn against them is purely between the clubs. UEFA would not have any involvement or consideration of this agreement, it would be neither endorsed or enforceable by UEFA."

Hmm.

That way my pouint - if they were consistent, then no one would be bothered.

[stokeriño]

Ah, touché.

[Kaney]

And Elfsborg played that player against Celtic anyway.

[brenchill]

Back to the Courtois situation, aren't Chelsea going to damage the relationship between them and Courtois if they prevent him from playing? I would imagine he would be pretty pissed off with Chelsea if they stopped him playing in the Champions League semi-final.

[Matt]

I think he'll probably go soon enough anyway, Cech has a few years left at the top level and Courtois isn't going to want to sit on the bench or go out on loan forever

[Jimmy]

Apparently they're close to a new 5 year deal for Courtious. It's that or he'll be used in exchange for Costa.

[King Ellis]

I look forward to the year 2021, when he finally makes his debut for Chelsea after a decade of waiting for his chance at being their number 1, only to drop several clangers and be dropped, never to be heard from again.