There’s nothing worse than watching your team lose at home, but you can always count on football fans to keep up the home support. Creating a raucous atmosphere in your own stadium is always crucial, as the so called ‘12th man’ often spurs the team on to victory. Most chants are often hostile taunts towards the opposition or vociferous cries about their own team, belting out traditional anthems that have been sung on the terraces for years.
Despite having a reputation for being drunken hooligans with low levels of education, once every so often, football fans defy this image and come up with something highly amusing. People often forget this is simply a minority of those who actually attend football matches, though we can safely assume it’s not any of the above who come up with the decent chants and therefore credit is due for the witty geniuses behind some of the lyrics produced in the stands. We round up some of the best efforts from recent years and bring you the list of the top 25 funniest football chants.
Click on Nigel Adkins to unveil the list
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There was some uncertainty when Mohamed Salah turned out to be Liverpool’s main buy of last summer’s window.
The attacker’s failed spell at Chelsea, where he struggled to get a game over a two-year period, did not give Liverpool supporters much encouragement when he signed on the dotted line from Roma.
At the age of 21, Salah moved to Stamford Bridge from Basel, but under then-manager Jose Mourinho he was rarely given a chance to impress,
In fact, he had loan spells at Fiorentina and Roma before he was sold to the latter permanently in 2016.
Since moving to Anfield, the Egyptian international has certainly shown Mourinho and his former clubs what they are missing as he has been in unstoppable form.
The 25-year-old has slotted in perfectly to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play, and despite naturally being a winger, the star has scored an impressive 43 goals in all competitions.
Last week, Salah was voted PFA Player of the Year by his peers, and he has a five-goal advantage in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
It appears that Mourinho has tried to save face by pointing the finger at others in regard to the player’s sale from Chelsea.
In an interview with ESPN Brazil, the now-Manchester United boss said:
“It is the first time that I am going to say this, but it is another injustice that has been talked about me. People say that I was the one that sold Salah and it is the opposite. I bought Salah. It is the opposite. I was the one that bought Salah. I was the one that told Chelsea to buy Salah. It was with me in charge that Salah came to Chelsea.
“Chelsea decided to sell him, OK? And when they say that I was the one that sold him it is a lie. I bought him. I agreed to send him on loan, I thought it was necessary, I thought that Chelsea had wingers… Some of them are still there like Willian, [Eden] Hazard and all those players already in a different level.
“So the decision to send him on loan was a decision we made collectively, but after that, the decision to sell him and to use that money to buy another player wasn’t mine.”
Liverpool fans have been tweeting their reactions.
Be they employed in League Two or La Liga, the Champions League or the Championship, every manager’s greatest strength than also be their fatal flaw; a double-edged sword, a blessing and a curse, that at some point proves their ultimate undoing.
Take Jose Mourinho, for example. His functional philosophy and pragmatic approach has won this season’s title, but last year it cost Chelsea during a Premier League campaign in which two clubs, for the first time in the competition’s history, scored more than 100 league goals. Or Pep Guardiola, considered by many to be the best in the business; tiki-taka and ever-changing formations created the greatest club side the world has ever seen at Barcelona, but last night it lead to Bayern Munich’s annihilation by his former club.
And it’s not just limited to the realms of footballing ideology. Newcastle fans bemoaned Alan Pardew’s substitutions for years, but the Magpies would probably be in the relegation zone right now if the former Toon manager’s introductions from the bench hadn’t clinched a series of winners at the start of the season.
Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal is no different. He too, is paradoxically plagued by the same defining gifts that made him so successful at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – particularly, his tactical tinkering.
For such a colourful character, the Dutchman is decisively reserved during actual matches. Whilst some managers patrol their technical areas for a full ninety minutes and others jump from their seats before slumping back into them, LVG tends to sit there calm and collected, cross-referencing his notes with the action in front of him.
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On the pitch, however, United are continually changing. They switch from back fours to back threes, push members of the front-line into midfield and vice versa, and rotate Wayne Rooney through seemingly every position with the exclusion of centre-half. It creates a continuous veil of confusion; but tends to perplex the Red Devils as much as it does the opposition.
Overall, I’ve been impressed with van Gaal’s tinkering this season. His introduction of Marouane Fellaini against West Bromwich Albion in October, quickly resulting in a goal from the Belgian battering ram, and his decision to switch to a back four against QPR in January – albeit, at the behest of the travelling United support – particularly coming to mind.
Likewise, his tactical decisions proved inspired at last summer’s World Cup. He created a functioning 3-5-2 out of a Netherlands team that had never attempted the system before before, utilising winger Arjen Robben as a centre-forward and striker Dirk Kuyt as a right wing-back, whilst Daley Blind played just about everywhere. Even the novel idea of substituting on a goalkeeper – Newcastle’s Tim Krul – for a penalty shoot-out paid off dividends, seeing Oranje surpass Chile into the semi-finals.
Recently, however, amid a run of three games without victory, van Gaal’s tinkering has unquestionably cost United. Staring into the face of defeat against Chelsea three weeks ago, he subbed off Juan Mata, arguably United’s most in-form player prior to the fixture, for Adnan Januzaj, a winger who is yet to record any output in 17 Premier League appearances this season, whilst Luke Shaw, the only United player to truly penetrate the space behind Chelsea’s defence for the entire 90 minutes, exited the fray for Tyler Blackett, a centre-back almost incomparable to the England international through his lack of attacking flair and dynamism.
Likewise, last weekend’s defeat to West Brom produced the bizarre situation of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie playing behind Maroaune Fellaini, the midfielder’s height and power seen more essential to conquering the Baggies’ backline than two strikers ranked third and tenth respectively in the Premier League’s all-time scoring charts. Unsurprisingly, United failed to score, instead finding themselves rather chaotic, confused and static in the final third.
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It’s not gone down well with a significant portion of the Red Devils faithful. #LVGOut is unlikely to make a reappearance on Twitter any time soon, but some have grown frustrated with the United gaffer’s seemingly illogical, perpetual tinkering. It’s not a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth; rather, the one cook determined to use as many differing seasonings as possible – to the extent it’s become dogmatic.
But just as it’s been United’s undoing in recent weeks, at some point, van Gaal’s counter-intuitive tactics will prove the inspiration for victory, as it has already on many occasions this season. No manager can get it right every time; the real test is whether over the course of his three-year Red Devils contract, LVG’s approach gains United more points – and hopefully more trophies – than it loses them.
With the arrival of Hawk-Eye football has finally caught up with technology. In mid April it was announced that Hawk-Eye would be used for the 2013-14 Premier League season.
Hawk-Eye works by having seven cameras mounted within the roof of the stadium, at both ends of the pitch they will be directed at the goal. These cameras will then track any ball movement within the goal mouth. Computer software which is installed will determine whether the ball has crossed the line or not. If it has indeed crossed the line the result can be relayed to the referees watch within one second. Hawk-Eye is said to be millimetre accurate and can provide definitive replays to TV outlets.
The success of Hawk-Eye has already been proven in such sports as Cricket and Tennis. In Tennis, Hawk-Eye has come up time and time again to correct the officials which have made a mistake. With the balls traveling as fast as 140mph it is no surprise that there is technology in place to ensure a correct decision has been made. In Tennis however, it is up to the player to challenge the call, now being used in Football it will be a yes or no decision. The advantage of this being, players won’t be able to argue with technology. In Tennis once the decision is made on the screen in front of a rapturous crowd, the player has no choice but to accept the decision. Once the decision is made to the referee there is nothing the football players can do about it. The point being respect for referees will have to increase greatly, all too often we have seen decisions of all goals go the wrong way and referees taking the brunt of it. Understandably the players will have been upset that it is incorrect decision, but when a referee and his other officials have a split second to call it, it’s safer and easier to say no goal than goal. Respecting referees is something that still needs to be ironed out and this is one step that has been long overdue towards it.
The influence this will have on the game will be massive, it will stop occasions such as these happening:
2005 – Tottenham’s Pedro Mendes’ long ranger clears the line by a healthy distance before Roy Carroll scoops it clear. Goal not given.
2005 – In the Champions League Semi-Final, Liverpool’s Luis Garcia scored a goal that did not cross the line, Jose Mourinho was left furious and without a Champions League final.
2010 – A memorable one for the nation when Frank Lampard’s volley clearly beats Manuel Neuer, connects with the bar and bounces back out. The goal was not given in what could have been a sensation turnaround in the 2010 World Cup game.
2012 – Ukraine unjustly not awarded a goal after the ball crosses the line, just before John Terry hooks it out.
In all of these instances, huge mistakes have been made which have cost the unfortunate team in each circumstance detrimental consequences. As said previously many of us felt the pain of Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany. Although many believe Germany were too much for England as it was, if that goal had stood all the momentum would have been with England, something they could have carried on through to the final whistle. Jose Mourinho, from when was last asked, is still adamant that Luis Garcia’s goal didn’t cross the line. Had this been adjudicated correctly it could have been Chelsea who had won the Champions League trophy. Perhaps Jose and Chelsea would never have departed.
It is evident with the many examples of unjust decisions that this is the right course, but why so long? Football is a delicate sport which holds many traditions and values, something we implore as football fans to carry on. If you think back to when it was first created, the ideal has changed a lot since then. Two goals, a ball and 22 men. Since 1660 there have been records of football being played, technology in this time has evolved tenfold, Cars, Planes, iPhones. Football has got to a stage where it must finally embrace the wonder that is technology and use it for good in the game.
Here are some more public thoughts on Hawk-Eye:
Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger: ‘It’s good news and I hope there is more good news to come on technology because we want the right decisions to be taken. The more assistance the referees get, the better it is’
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore: ‘Football is fundamentally a simple game; whichever side scores most goals wins. So, when one is scored, or indeed not scored, and we have the ability through technology to definitively know whether the ball crossed the line we should absolutely use it’
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Chelsea Midfielder, Frank Lampard: ‘It’s a no brainer. It’s been a bit of time coming, but they got there in the end’
Tweeting after the England v Ukraine Euro Game, Sepp Blatter: ‘After last night’s match#GLT is no longer an alternative but a necessity’
There is one man however who is strictly against the idea of Goal-Line technology altogether. Uefa President Michel Platini has publically announced time after time that he thinks Goal-Line Technology is a waste of time, and that football would be better of keeping to it’s traditions. Platini stated: ‘the money earmarked for installing Goal-Line Technology is an expensive luxury and would be better spent on grassroots football’. This was after it was announced that Goal-Line Technology was being used at the Fifa’s Club World Cup.
Those like Platini who argue football should keep it’s traditions do have a fair point, but when does keeping a sports traditions over rule fair play? In this case it simply doesn’t, just decisions must be made and from this, no later debate can be sparked. With the result determined within less of a second it will certainly not slow down the game. Hawk-Eye is the start of technologies infusion within the game, and as much as it is promoted throughout this article, I feel I must state that we ought to be careful. Rightfully Platini advocates keeping the tradition of the game, if we embed too much alien technology it could end up taking over. Hawk-Eye is the right move for now, but lets let that settle before we consider introducing another revolutionary wave.
According to Football London, Everton are growing increasingly confident that they will be able to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere at the end of the season.
What’s the story?
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has spoken on a number of occasions about his desire to keep Wilshere at the Emirates Stadium behind the end of the season.
The England international has worn the armband for the Gunners in recent weeks, but he has less than three months left to run on his contract at the London club, and will be able to leave on a free transfer at the end of June.
According to Football London, Everton are becoming increasingly confident that they can convince the midfielder to make the move to Goodison Park this summer.
The report claims that the Toffees are prepared to meet Wilshere’s wage demands, in addition to offering the 26-year-old a sizeable signing-on fee in order to sweeten the deal.
Would Wilshere fit in at Everton?
When Wilshere first broke into the Arsenal team, there was incredible excitement surrounding the young midfielder, who seemed to have everything in this game.
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The Englishman, who is valued at £16.2 by transfermarkt.co.uk, is closing on 200 appearances for the Gunners, but he was famously sent on loan to Bournemouth last season following a number of injury struggles.
Wilshere found it difficult to make his mark at Bournemouth, but has worked his way back into the Arsenal team this season – making 35 appearances in all competitions.
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Ability-wise, there are few better central midfielders in English football, and if Everton can find a way to drag consistent performances out of Wilshere then they would be signing a wonderful player for a very small fee.
It could easily go the other way, however, when considering that Wilshere’s form has been a little hit and miss in recent weeks.
Southampton sit sandwiched between Liverpool and Tottenham only five points adrift of the Champions League places. And although it seems unlikely that the Saints will be able to make up the deficit it is still possible.
Liverpool who are just a point in front are the team everyone believes can still challenge for the honour with Spurs outsiders, but I believe that it is Ronald Koeman’s men who deserve to break into the top four more than those two.
Both Spurs and Liverpool tend to compete season after season for those precious four places and while they have achieved their goal in the last few years it is always followed by a disappointing campaign.
Liverpool finished last season just two points away from winning the title after a blazing Premier League campaign which saw their affectionately termed SAS trio named as the best attacking line up of the year. Luis Suarez’s massive goals tally was a big reason why the Reds achieved so much last season and his departure proved costly. But that was Liverpool’s mistake. They didn’t plan well for the loss of Suarez and have been punished for that failure all season.
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Tottenham’s problem has been their numerous disappointing players who they continually fail to offload. Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho were all brought into White Hart Lane under Andre Villas-Boas but have never reached the highs expected of them. Since his appointment last summer manager Mauricio Pochettino has made the Lilywhites more solid and they are fortunate to have the talented young forward Harry Kane in the squad as they’d be utterly lost without his influence.
But the Saints still deserve to finish above them as they have been punching above their weight all year holding on even when key players were losing confidence. Southampton under Koeman have shown a huge amount of courage to overcome the summer exodus of key players such as Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw who joined so called bigger clubs in a desperate bid for trophies and higher wages.
Southampton still have a few difficult games before the end of their season notably welcoming top four challengers Tottenham to St Mary’s and a trip to the Etihad on the final day. Considering that the Saints have won three of their last five shows that they are looking to end their campaign strongly and a Europa League position is the very least that they deserve.
And if that is the tournament they get then it will still be a triumph for a team which finished 8 last season and that no one expected to stand a chance of even making it that high this time around. Maybe a run in the Europa League would be a good introduction to European football before attempting an assault on the main tournament. Right now they’re on course to do just that and Ronald Koeman and his men should be proud to have proved all of the doubters wrong.
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Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Tottenham last weekend was quite rightly hailed as a significant victory for the club and for manager Brendan Rodgers in particular for what it meant to not only the team’s hopes of pushing for a top five finish, but as a vindication of the man in the dugout’s methods, but despite the noticeable improvements being made this term, the task ahead to restore the club to the top still looks a long and arduous one fraught with trap-falls.
The current campaign has been one which has best been characterised by a one step forward, two steps back approach. Expectations have routinely been dampened only to be risen through the roof again after the odd result or spate of good form. Rodgers has at times resembled an excitable schoolboy that you need to constantly keep in check. Many Liverpool fans, myself included, have found this season an enjoyable jaunt, in support of the new man at the helm and his methods, but in danger of cringing every other week at either the corporate speak coming out of Rodgers mouth or his baffling need to set himself up for a fall. It’s all part of the ego, but many if not most back Rodgers plans and vision for the club, it’s just when he feels the need to, you know, talk, that we get a little uncomfortable.
The inconsistencies have been there all season, though, and point to a busy summer ahead. The squad has been padded out in terms of strength in depth and Liverpool are now in possession of a truly dangerous side on an attacking front and they’ve already scored more goals than last term and look well on course to better the points tally and league position that predecessor Kenny Dalglish achieved.
The two cup final appearances last year merely papered over the cracks of the club’s deeply ordinary form after the turn of the year; the system implemented by Dalglish fell apart and the lack of a coherent plan was a real worry looking further ahead. You simply don’t judge progress, as Chelsea fans will tell you this season, by how the team fares in any given cup, rather the bread and butter of a sustained league campaign and on that front at least, Rodgers has delivered a real improvement.
However, there’s a feeling that persists that the club should still be better off than where they currently find themselves in the league, seven points adrift of Chelsea having played a game more. It’s only now that the fluid nature of the top four and the weaknesses of those challenging for a Champions League place have really come out in the open and Liverpool may see this as a missed opportunity to re-establish themselves rather than focus on it being a period of transition.
Numerous challenges have been put in front of the club this year and they have been met, but the changing nature of the accusations levelled at them is worth drawing attention to; first it became that they were the last club in the top flight to beat a team inside the top ten, next up before the Tottenham game it was that they hadn’t beaten a side in the top four. It all points to a predatory moving of the goalposts triggered to undermine the team’s progress. The narrative of a club in crisis is one that sells plenty of easy copy, but it just hasn’t quite stacked up this year, particularly when you compare it to the scandals that rocked the club last season.
Still, after the win over Tottenham, which came courtesy of three horrific errors, there was a sense that there is still plenty of room to improve, especially from a defensive standpoint, with the side looking fragile against better quality opposition and incapable of keeping clean sheets. Jamie Carragher’s retirement and Martin Skrtel’s recent marginalisation point to a summer of concentrated centre-back recruitment which is crucial to the side bridging the gap on the more consistent teams ahead, with the win over Andre Villas-Boas’ side signalling the first time the side have won three league games on the trot this season.
Rodgers was quickly made to look stupid after targeting a top two finish by the 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa at home back in December, while Stewart Downing claiming that ‘it’s coming together’ and captain Steven Gerrard targeting a ‘perfect’ finish to the campaign all simply serve to ramp up the rhetoric precisely at a time when they need to talk less. The message of a club and team in transition craving stability is a sound one, you just wish those trotting it out would stick to it themselves a bit more and not get so carried away on the basis of a few results.
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How the side fares next season rests largely on the future of Luis Suarez, should he stay, with the break up of the traditional top four, Liverpool certainly stand a chance of crashing the party, but at the moment it is a castle built on soft foundations. The summer represents a pivotal period and a potential crossroads for their future development; finishing the campaign well is obviously important, but the real litmus test on their progress lies further ahead.
Over the last few seasons, the main problems that have affected Liverpool have been related to the defence.Manager Jurgen Klopp, as well as his predecessor Brendan Rodgers, have always been wealthy in the attacking department at Anfield.However, at the back, issues have been evident, particularly in the centre-back pairings, and Dejan Lovren has been the culprit on numerous occasions.Goalkeeping errors have also plagued Liverpool’s progress, with Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius failing to perform well consistently.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/klopp-excuses.mp4However, the latter has been in better form since he became first choice at the turn of the year.In fact, Liverpool’s defensive record overall has been on the up following Virgil van Dijk’s arrival in January.A statistic fromÂTwitter user Janko revealed that the Reds are having their best run at the back since the 2011-12 campaign.
Supporters think that they know why…
Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.Comment from discussion With 4 goals conceded over the last 10 matches, Liverpool are having their best defensive run since the 2011/12 season.
Meanwhile, Klopp and his team are one game away from potentially reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
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At the moment, they hold a 3-0 lead from the first leg thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane.
Now in their 7th Premier League season, Stoke City have established themselves as a fixture of English top flight football. They now sit only seven points behind media darlings Southampton with ten games to go. But the negative attitude towards The Potters’ accomplishments go on, why?
It is of little doubt when Stoke were promoted, under former boss Tony Pulis, they played a style which suited their personnel. Physical and uncompromising, effective but at times, unpleasant to watch.
The mini climate at the Britannia Stadium has always been used as a measuring stick for any player. ‘Good, but could they do it on a wet and windy night in Stoke?’
The phrase is still tirelessly churned out to this day, even though the modern day Stoke City is an entirely different animal to the one that Pulis bought up and established in the top division.
Where once the powerful Mamady Sidibe, would flick on the trademark Rory Delap missiles. It is now Mame Biram Diouf, finishing off a through ball from the mercurial Bojan.
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Mark Hughes has transformed his side into one whom can play good, aesthetically pleasing football, but still mix it with the best as and when they need to.
With a run in, that on paper looks like one that could reap a lot of points, Stoke City have a very realistic chance of breaking their own points record. Hughes is in a period of serious progression for the Potters, but the old stereotypes still persist.
Even in the summer, something as simple as transfer fees were wildly over exaggerated. Figures were banded around that were nowhere near the actual facts. Stats to show how compared to the brilliant Southampton, they have thrown money around. Nothing of the sort.
Although, they haven’t reached the dazzling highs that Southampton did earlier in the season, they now seem poised to not only match the Saints, but to overtake them. However, few column inches have been filled with the rise of Stoke City, few column inches are filled with calls for Stoke players to be drafted into the England side.
Praising Stoke is still seen as an admission you like the ‘dark side’ of the game, but it is coming to a time when those old clichés involving them, hold fewer and fewer truths. Yes, they can still ‘mix it’, but what side doesn’t? It is almost impossible to expect any side, bar the real world class outfits to not play football to suit their players.
Mark Hughes has not only rebuilt his own reputation, following his disastrous spell at QPR, but is in the process of transforming the reputation of the Midlands club.
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Come May, for all the plaudits and adulation of Ronald Koeman’s Southamton side, it may be Stoke City who finish top of the rest in this season’s top flight.
I’m sure the fans of The Potters, may be happy to go quietly under the radar.
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The annual UEFA Champions Festival will take place in London on 23–26 May 2013, it was formally announced today.
The free four-day football celebration, featuring a series of family-friendly activities, will be the first major event to come to the home of the 2012 London Olympics since last summer, taking place on The International Quarter close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
UEFA is inviting fans and families to visit the festival and take part in a series of free activities including the opportunity to have photos taken with the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.
Festival attendees will also have the chance to visit the UEFA Champions League museum to experience all the memories of past tournaments with children able to take part in a variety of skills clinics and coaching courses put on by professional coaches throughout the week.
Festival ambassadors, including former England players Faye White and Steve McManaman, will be on hand to meet and greet the fans who will also be invited to participate in an exciting schedule of entertainment hosted by UEFA Champions League partners.
The festival will open on Thursday 23 May running through to Sunday 26 May following the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25. The festival will include one of the most popular events of the week, the Ultimate Champions Match which will feature a number of UEFA Champions League greats of years gone by.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “We are delighted that the UEFA Champions Festival is returning to London and especially that it will take place on the International Quarter close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the scene of our biggest sporting moment. It will provide a fantastic week-long family event and will revive the spirit of community and celebration that made last year’s Olympic Games so special.”
UEFA Champions League final ambassador Steve McManaman said: “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Stratford area came alive in the summer for London 2012 and UEFA is very proud to bring the annual UEFA Champions Festival to such a fantastic facility and offer an event that gives both parents and children the opportunity to celebrate football in a truly spectacular venue with free admission for all. We expect everyone will be blown away by the amazing multi-event entertainment programme on offer.
Mark Dickinson, managing director of development at Lend Lease, said: “The International Quarter will become a vibrant new commercial hub for London. We are looking to attract early investment in the form of exhibitions and events this year and are delighted to work with organisations such as UEFA to ensure benefits from these events spread beyond their boundaries to communities in the surrounding areas.”
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Further details regarding the exciting events on offer to fans during the week of the festival will be released in the coming weeks.