Dale Johnson
@dalejohnsonbbc.bsky.social
Football Issues Correspondent @BBCSport. Lots of VAR, plus regulations, coefficients and permutations. Views my own. Ex-ESPN.
Here's how the Champions League knockout bracket looks.
The top 8 will be drawn into one of two possible places on Friday (11 am UK) to create the RO16 fixtures, and the full bracket.
HOW THE DRAW WORKS, FULL INFO: www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
The top 8 will be drawn into one of two possible places on Friday (11 am UK) to create the RO16 fixtures, and the full bracket.
HOW THE DRAW WORKS, FULL INFO: www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
February 19, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Here's how the Champions League knockout bracket looks.
The top 8 will be drawn into one of two possible places on Friday (11 am UK) to create the RO16 fixtures, and the full bracket.
HOW THE DRAW WORKS, FULL INFO: www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
The top 8 will be drawn into one of two possible places on Friday (11 am UK) to create the RO16 fixtures, and the full bracket.
HOW THE DRAW WORKS, FULL INFO: www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
Brace yourselves.
Unfathomable VAR intervention in the Dutch Eredivisie at the weekend.
PEC Zwolle score a 90th minute winner.
It's disallowed by the VAR for offside.
The offside was directly from a corner.
You cannot be offside directly from a corner.
Merry Christmas!
Unfathomable VAR intervention in the Dutch Eredivisie at the weekend.
PEC Zwolle score a 90th minute winner.
It's disallowed by the VAR for offside.
The offside was directly from a corner.
You cannot be offside directly from a corner.
Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2024 at 11:26 AM
Brace yourselves.
Unfathomable VAR intervention in the Dutch Eredivisie at the weekend.
PEC Zwolle score a 90th minute winner.
It's disallowed by the VAR for offside.
The offside was directly from a corner.
You cannot be offside directly from a corner.
Merry Christmas!
Unfathomable VAR intervention in the Dutch Eredivisie at the weekend.
PEC Zwolle score a 90th minute winner.
It's disallowed by the VAR for offside.
The offside was directly from a corner.
You cannot be offside directly from a corner.
Merry Christmas!
Marc Guehi wears a religious slogan on his captain's armband again, in contravention of the FA's rules and Laws of the Game, after being reprimanded earlier today.
This time he spins the message to "Jesus loves you."
This time he spins the message to "Jesus loves you."
December 3, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Marc Guehi wears a religious slogan on his captain's armband again, in contravention of the FA's rules and Laws of the Game, after being reprimanded earlier today.
This time he spins the message to "Jesus loves you."
This time he spins the message to "Jesus loves you."
However, if Wales are drawn in a group of five with Austria, Belgium or a UNL QF loser, then their draw options default to this image.
That's because a group of five can have only one UNL QF or PO team, and that team would have come from Pot 1.
That's because a group of five can have only one UNL QF or PO team, and that team would have come from Pot 1.
November 30, 2024 at 11:39 AM
However, if Wales are drawn in a group of five with Austria, Belgium or a UNL QF loser, then their draw options default to this image.
That's because a group of five can have only one UNL QF or PO team, and that team would have come from Pot 1.
That's because a group of five can have only one UNL QF or PO team, and that team would have come from Pot 1.
What's changed?
Previously, all Nations League (UNL) quarterfinal (QF) and playoff (PO) teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4 were to be "in priority allocated to groups of four."
This has been removed. These teams now could potentially be in a group of five.
You can see the edit here.
Previously, all Nations League (UNL) quarterfinal (QF) and playoff (PO) teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4 were to be "in priority allocated to groups of four."
This has been removed. These teams now could potentially be in a group of five.
You can see the edit here.
November 30, 2024 at 11:39 AM
What's changed?
Previously, all Nations League (UNL) quarterfinal (QF) and playoff (PO) teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4 were to be "in priority allocated to groups of four."
This has been removed. These teams now could potentially be in a group of five.
You can see the edit here.
Previously, all Nations League (UNL) quarterfinal (QF) and playoff (PO) teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4 were to be "in priority allocated to groups of four."
This has been removed. These teams now could potentially be in a group of five.
You can see the edit here.
Ok, so FIFA has made a small, yet significant change to the protocols for the World Cup qualifying draw.
It could have an impact on each of the home nations, but potentially the greatest effect could be on Wales.
A thread to explain for the home nations.
It could have an impact on each of the home nations, but potentially the greatest effect could be on Wales.
A thread to explain for the home nations.
November 30, 2024 at 11:39 AM
Ok, so FIFA has made a small, yet significant change to the protocols for the World Cup qualifying draw.
It could have an impact on each of the home nations, but potentially the greatest effect could be on Wales.
A thread to explain for the home nations.
It could have an impact on each of the home nations, but potentially the greatest effect could be on Wales.
A thread to explain for the home nations.
Gyokeres then passed the ball to Isak.
It's at this point Isak is valid for offside, and he's very clearly onside.
Somehow the VAR has used a pass too early, and not recognised his error when confirming the whole attacking phase
Remarkable.
It's at this point Isak is valid for offside, and he's very clearly onside.
Somehow the VAR has used a pass too early, and not recognised his error when confirming the whole attacking phase
Remarkable.
November 20, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Gyokeres then passed the ball to Isak.
It's at this point Isak is valid for offside, and he's very clearly onside.
Somehow the VAR has used a pass too early, and not recognised his error when confirming the whole attacking phase
Remarkable.
It's at this point Isak is valid for offside, and he's very clearly onside.
Somehow the VAR has used a pass too early, and not recognised his error when confirming the whole attacking phase
Remarkable.
The VAR used the image above to make the decision. But at that point the defender passed the ball to Viktor Gyokeres.
Alexander Isak was not part of any offside phase and an offside offence was impossible.
Alexander Isak was not part of any offside phase and an offside offence was impossible.
November 20, 2024 at 9:01 PM
The VAR used the image above to make the decision. But at that point the defender passed the ball to Viktor Gyokeres.
Alexander Isak was not part of any offside phase and an offside offence was impossible.
Alexander Isak was not part of any offside phase and an offside offence was impossible.
UEFA has confirmed to Sportbladet that there was a major VAR error to rule out Alexander Isak's goal for Sweden vs. Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
Isak was given offside, with this image displayed.
But it was not as it seems.
Isak was given offside, with this image displayed.
But it was not as it seems.
November 20, 2024 at 9:01 PM
UEFA has confirmed to Sportbladet that there was a major VAR error to rule out Alexander Isak's goal for Sweden vs. Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
Isak was given offside, with this image displayed.
But it was not as it seems.
Isak was given offside, with this image displayed.
But it was not as it seems.
So Lewandowski wasn't given a clown shoe. He was given the defender's leg and boot.
And the defender got Lewandowski's arm.
And the defender got Lewandowski's arm.
November 20, 2024 at 5:37 PM
So Lewandowski wasn't given a clown shoe. He was given the defender's leg and boot.
And the defender got Lewandowski's arm.
And the defender got Lewandowski's arm.
We know for certain that Republic of Ireland and Scotland will be in a group of 4 and will start their World Cup qualifying campaigns in September.
They cannot draw the six teams in Pot 2 who aren't in playoffs.
Must finish 2nd to get a World Cup playoff, no route through UNL.
They cannot draw the six teams in Pot 2 who aren't in playoffs.
Must finish 2nd to get a World Cup playoff, no route through UNL.
November 20, 2024 at 12:27 PM
We know for certain that Republic of Ireland and Scotland will be in a group of 4 and will start their World Cup qualifying campaigns in September.
They cannot draw the six teams in Pot 2 who aren't in playoffs.
Must finish 2nd to get a World Cup playoff, no route through UNL.
They cannot draw the six teams in Pot 2 who aren't in playoffs.
Must finish 2nd to get a World Cup playoff, no route through UNL.
Pots 2, 3, 4: "the UNL PO participants from these pots are in priority allocated to groups of four."
As there are six playoff teams in Pot 2, prioritised into the six 4-team groups, Wales have to go into a group of 5.
Can get anyone other than "QF winners" from Pot 1.
As there are six playoff teams in Pot 2, prioritised into the six 4-team groups, Wales have to go into a group of 5.
Can get anyone other than "QF winners" from Pot 1.
November 20, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Pots 2, 3, 4: "the UNL PO participants from these pots are in priority allocated to groups of four."
As there are six playoff teams in Pot 2, prioritised into the six 4-team groups, Wales have to go into a group of 5.
Can get anyone other than "QF winners" from Pot 1.
As there are six playoff teams in Pot 2, prioritised into the six 4-team groups, Wales have to go into a group of 5.
Can get anyone other than "QF winners" from Pot 1.
Had clarification of World Cup draw conditions. We know a few more things.
- England 75% chance of group of 5
- Wales definitely group of 5
- Northern Ireland 85.71% chance of group of 5
- Rep of Ireland & Scotland definitely group of 4
Thread to explain, and here are the pots.
- England 75% chance of group of 5
- Wales definitely group of 5
- Northern Ireland 85.71% chance of group of 5
- Rep of Ireland & Scotland definitely group of 4
Thread to explain, and here are the pots.
November 20, 2024 at 11:42 AM
Had clarification of World Cup draw conditions. We know a few more things.
- England 75% chance of group of 5
- Wales definitely group of 5
- Northern Ireland 85.71% chance of group of 5
- Rep of Ireland & Scotland definitely group of 4
Thread to explain, and here are the pots.
- England 75% chance of group of 5
- Wales definitely group of 5
- Northern Ireland 85.71% chance of group of 5
- Rep of Ireland & Scotland definitely group of 4
Thread to explain, and here are the pots.
I somehow managed to miss Ireland off here.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
November 19, 2024 at 11:09 PM
I somehow managed to miss Ireland off here.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
I somehow managed to miss Ireland off here.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
November 19, 2024 at 11:07 PM
I somehow managed to miss Ireland off here.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
They are in the same position as Scotland.
Unlikely to play England and in a 4-team group.
Here are your pots for the World Cup qualifying draw on December 13.
Scotland just miss out on Pot 2, which could lead to a trickier draw. Must finish in the top two of their group.
Wales now effectively guaranteed a World Cup playoff, if needed, as the 7th best group winners.
Scotland just miss out on Pot 2, which could lead to a trickier draw. Must finish in the top two of their group.
Wales now effectively guaranteed a World Cup playoff, if needed, as the 7th best group winners.
November 19, 2024 at 10:43 PM
Here are your pots for the World Cup qualifying draw on December 13.
Scotland just miss out on Pot 2, which could lead to a trickier draw. Must finish in the top two of their group.
Wales now effectively guaranteed a World Cup playoff, if needed, as the 7th best group winners.
Scotland just miss out on Pot 2, which could lead to a trickier draw. Must finish in the top two of their group.
Wales now effectively guaranteed a World Cup playoff, if needed, as the 7th best group winners.
As it stands, that late Andy Robertson goal puts Scotland in Pot 2 for World Cup qualifying draw. It could be crucial for a more favourable route.
But it's not locked.
If BOTH these happen on Tuesday, Scotland are Pot 3.
Slovakia win home to Estonia
Czechia win home to Georgia
But it's not locked.
If BOTH these happen on Tuesday, Scotland are Pot 3.
Slovakia win home to Estonia
Czechia win home to Georgia
November 18, 2024 at 11:09 PM
As it stands, that late Andy Robertson goal puts Scotland in Pot 2 for World Cup qualifying draw. It could be crucial for a more favourable route.
But it's not locked.
If BOTH these happen on Tuesday, Scotland are Pot 3.
Slovakia win home to Estonia
Czechia win home to Georgia
But it's not locked.
If BOTH these happen on Tuesday, Scotland are Pot 3.
Slovakia win home to Estonia
Czechia win home to Georgia
This is how the World Cup draw pots look right now.
Scotland have lost their place in Pot 2 and seem destined for Pot 3.
Not too much is likely change from what you see here.
12 group winners = Auto qualify
12 group runners-up = Playoffs (+ 4 Nations League group winners)
Scotland have lost their place in Pot 2 and seem destined for Pot 3.
Not too much is likely change from what you see here.
12 group winners = Auto qualify
12 group runners-up = Playoffs (+ 4 Nations League group winners)
November 14, 2024 at 12:15 PM
This is how the World Cup draw pots look right now.
Scotland have lost their place in Pot 2 and seem destined for Pot 3.
Not too much is likely change from what you see here.
12 group winners = Auto qualify
12 group runners-up = Playoffs (+ 4 Nations League group winners)
Scotland have lost their place in Pot 2 and seem destined for Pot 3.
Not too much is likely change from what you see here.
12 group winners = Auto qualify
12 group runners-up = Playoffs (+ 4 Nations League group winners)