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Celtic fan sentenced over Kylian Mbappe incident during PSG match

Celtic fan John Hatton confronts PSG's Kylian Mbappe. The Celtic fan who tried to kick Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe during last month's Champions League clash at Celtic Park will not be jailed. John Hatton, from Belfast, was sentenced to a 160-hour community payback order at Glasgow Sheriff Court and banned from attending football matches for the next four years. The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of assault and behaviour likely to incite public disorder last month. He ran onto the pitch and tried to kick Mbappe during PSG's 5-0 thrashing...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3227421/celtic-fan-sentenced-over-kylian-mbappe-incident-during-psg-match

Ballon d'Or's missing men: Lukaku, Firmino, Sanchez, Pulisic miss cut

Shaka Hislop and Alexis Nunes react to Jeremy Mathieu's comments regarding Neymar leaving Barcelona to win the Ballon d'Or.

        Mark Ogden reports from Lisbon as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face a defining night in their international careers.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar will once again be the main contenders for the Ballon d'Or after the trio were named among the 30-player shortlist for the 2017 award on Monday.
But while the star-quality of the nominees is undeniable, there were many notable omissions from the list of contenders.
ESPN FC's correspondents give their views on who missed out on some deserved recognition:

ARSENAL: One doesn't have to wear Arsenal-tinted glasses to find it mind-boggling that Alexis Sanchez...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/blog/cristiano-ronaldo-news/74/post/3225248/ballon-dors-missing-men-romelu-lukaku-roberto-firmino-alexis-sanchez-christian-pulisic-miss-cut

Trending: Ballon d'Or nominees revealed as Ronaldo battles to keep crown

Shaka Hislop and Alexis Nunes react to Jeremy Mathieu's comments regarding Neymar leaving Barcelona to win the Ballon d'Or.
Monday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending ...

BALLON D'OR: The 30 nominees for the 2017 Ballon d'Or are being unveiled on Monday, with 2016 winner Cristiano Ronaldo the favourite. Neymar was among the first five names on the shortlist released by France Football.

BARCELONA: Neymar has demanded UEFA expel Barcelona from the Champions League in a dispute over a bonus payment, according to Press Association Sport.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has dismissed...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3224325/trending-ballon-dor-nominees-revealed-as-ronaldo-battles-to-keep-crown
Neymar asks UEFA to boot Barcelona from Champions League amid dispute

Craig Burley and Alexis Nunes run through this week's player power rankings, which see Neymar and Leo Messi top the list.
Neymar has demanded UEFA expel Barcelona from the Champions League in a dispute over a bonus payment.
Representatives of Neymar made the request to European football's governing body as a row between the player and his old club over a loyalty bonus continues, UEFA confirmed to ESPN FC.
The 25-year-old completed a world-record €222 million transfer from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, and his camp has insisted the timing of the move meant Barcelona are obliged to pay him a loyalty...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3224516/neymar-asks-uefa-to-boot-barcelona-from-champions-league-amid-dispute
Paris Saint-Germain met with UEFA to discuss financial fair play regulations

Mark Donaldson and Shaka Hislop delve into Adrian Rabiot's interest in playing in the Premier League and where he may fit.
UEFA has confirmed to ESPN FC that Paris Saint-Germain officials met with European football's governing body on Thursday to discuss how the club intend to respect its financial fair play regulations.
UEFA launched a formal investigation into PSG last month after the Ligue 1 leaders struck two deals worth over €400 million during the summer transfer window to recruit Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
L'Equipe reported on Thursday that several PSG directors had attended a meeting earlier that day at...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/paris-saint-germain/story/3221915/paris-saint-germain-met-with-uefa-to-discuss-financial-fair-play-regulations
Anderlecht hire former Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck

Hein Vanhaezebrouck is the new manager of Anderlecht.
Less than a week after leaving Belgian club Gent, Hein Vanhaezebrouck has taken over as coach at rivals Anderlecht.
Anderlecht says Vanhaezebrouck has joined the team on a three-year contract, only six days after Gent and the coach split following a bad start to the season.
Anderlecht has had an equally bad start to the league and let go of coach Rene Weiler just before Vanhaezebrouck became available.
Vanhaezebrouck led Gent to their first Belgian league title two years ago and also added the Super...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/anderlecht/story/3220110/anderlecht-hire-former-gent-boss-hein-vanhaezebrouck
Squad wage levels more critical to success than transfer fees, study finds

Shaka Hislop delves into the latest transfer rumours including Pulisic, Ronaldo and more in Rumour Rater. Real Madrid's recent Champions League success has shown that squad salary levels are more important than one-off transfer fees, according to new research from KPMG.
The study also suggests that Premier League clubs' recent lack of European can be attributed to owners who don't pass on increased revenues to their squads.
KPMG's Football Benchmark group found that at most of Europe's top clubs, revenues were growing at a much higher rate than salaries -- with the most dramatic rises taking place in...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/story/3219847/squad-wage-levels-more-critical-to-success-than-transfer-fees-study-finds
We've heard of BBC, how about SOFABEDS?
We've all heard of the 'BBC' at Real Madrid, but what other strike force acronyms are present in the UCL?
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3219802/weve-heard-of-bbc-how-about-sofabeds
After outlasting Ancelotti at Bayern, Ribery's injuries derail him once again

With Franck Ribery set for a spell on the sidelines, Craig Burley assesses how it will affect his career moving forward.
MUNICH -- Franck Ribery's return to France for Wednesday's high-profile Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-German was an opportunity for the 34-year-old Bayern Munich legend to remind the French public of his dazzling trickery and talents. At least that was Ribery's intention.
German sports magazine Kicker reported that Ribery (signed for €25 million from Marseilles in 2007) had purchased 40 tickets for family and friends for the mouthwatering game. It must have been soul-destroying...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3219549/after-outlasting-ancelotti-at-bayern-riberys-injuries-derail-him-once-again
Willy Sagnol gets 5/10 in debut but Bayern make unwanted history in draw

After a 2-2 draw at Hertha, Bayern interim manager Willy Sagnol believes the team is no longer the strongest in Germany.

For a second consecutive game and the first time in Bundesliga history, Bayern Munich squandered a two-goal advantage in a disappointing 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin.

Beginning life after Carlo Ancelotti, it all looked plain sailing for the German champions after Mats Hummels' powerful header on 10 minutes and Robert Lewandowski's exquisite finish had chiselled out a hard-fought 2-0 lead in the capital. However, the gallant hosts refused to wilt and Ondrej Duda reduced the arrears from close range...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3218624/willy-sagnol-gets-5-out-of-10-in-debut-but-bayern-make-unwanted-history-in-draw

Paul Pogba's 'long term' absence presents problem for Mourinho

The FC crew discuss the impact Paul Pogba's injury will have on Manchester United.

        The FC crew discuss the impact Paul Pogba's injury will have on Manchester United.

This article originally appeared on ESPN FC on Sept. 13, 2017 and has been edited to reflect the latest updates.
There was a pivotal moment in Paul Pogba's first season at Manchester United, albeit one that did not arrive until March. Injured in a Europa League tie with Rostov, Pogba missed the next three games.
The first one, a 3-1 win at nearly relegated Middlesbrough, went smoothly enough. The next two, home games against West Bromwich Albion and Everton, did not.
Both ended in draws -- 0-0 and...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/manchester-united/360/blog/post/3203073/paul-pogba-injury-absence-presents-jose-mourinho-with-a-problem

PSG defeat was 'last straw' for Bayern to sack Carlo Ancelotti - director

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui sympathises with Carlo Ancelotti and says the Italian has had an extraordinary career.

        The guys respond to your tweets about Carlo Ancelotti, Arsenal turning things around and their thoughts on expected goals. 
            
        Raphael Honigstein explains what lead to Ancelotti's sacking and who is next in line for the Bayern job. 
            
        Alison Bender and Don Hutchison discuss who Bayern will look to next as they part ways with Carlo Ancelotti. MUNICH -- Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says the atmosphere within the team is not good, admitting the crushing 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain was the "last straw" leading to the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti.

Bayern parted company with Ancelotti on Thursday, one day after the heavy Champions League defeat in Paris.
"There is not a good atmosphere in the team," Salihamidzic said at a news conference. "We weren't playing good football and it wasn't getting any better. We saw weaknesses...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/bayern-munich/story/3216617/psg-defeat-was-last-straw-for-bayern-to-sack-carlo-ancelotti-director

Carlo Ancelotti sacked: Tactics trouble and player power rule at Bayern

The ESPN FC crew discuss what went wrong for Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich.

        The ESPN FC crew discuss what went wrong for Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich.

Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Bayern Munich manager on Thursday following a 3-0 humbling at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
While some have thought the decision was hasty, here are five reasons why Bayern have acted ...
Not good enough. pic.twitter.com/Re0WkwVbWs— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 28, 2017

Tactical mishaps 
It was billed as a battle between PSG's new money and Bayern's more traditional, hard-earned values -- a high-profile opportunity for the Bundesliga champions to demonstrate their more conservative transfer policy could take on PSG's lavish...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3216337/carlo-ancelotti-sacked-tactics-trouble-and-player-power-rule-at-bayern
Cristiano Ronaldo always shines under bright lights of Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace against Dortmund was among the highlights of UCL Matchday 2.
Speaking after Real Madrid's victory over Apoel Nicosia in the opening round of European fixtures, Cristiano Ronaldo stressed the importance of the Champions League to the most successful club in the competition's history. "We want to win it. It's Real Madrid's competition," he said.
It certainly is the tournament that will provide the most gleaming footnote to Ronaldo's career when he has kicked his last ball as a professional and he was at it again on Tuesday. The Portugal international's brace...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3216252/cristiano-ronaldo-always-shines-under-bright-lights-of-champions-league
WATCH: Oddities of UCL Matchday 2
From Messi's boot being kissed to Costa's awkward situation, check out all the strange moments from Matchday 2 in the UCL.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3216183/watch-oddities-of-ucl-matchday-2
UEFA charge Sporting Lisbon after fan kissed Lionel Messi's boot

With many questions surrounding Barca during preseason, Ale Moreno feels they are certainly proving their doubters wrong.
```
     Barcelona needed an own goal to stay top of Group D as they only just managed to scrape past Sporting Lisbon. 
```

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Sporting Lisbon following the pitch invasion by a fan during Wednesday's Champions League Group D game against Barcelona in Lisbon.
The supporter raced onto the Jose Alvalade stadium pitch late in the second half with the hosts 1-0 down and darted towards Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
He hugged the Argentina captain and kissed his boot before being whisked away by a steward. Barca prevailed, 1-0. On Thursday, UEFA announced it had opened...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3215877/uefa-charge-sporting-lisbon-after-pitch-invader-kissed-lionel-messis-boot

Bayern's heavy defeat at PSG left them no choice but to fire Carlo Ancelotti

Alison Bender and Don Hutchison discuss who Bayern will look to next as they part ways with Carlo Ancelotti.

        After getting trounced 3-0 by PSG, the FC panel call out Ancelotti's naive tactics against PSG's free-flowing side.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had threatened "quick consequences" at the banquet in the Paris team hotel on Wednesday night, and Bayern's executive chairman stayed true to his word. Shortly after the club's return to Munich, Carlo Ancelotti was fired.

"Our team's performances since the start of the season have not met our expectations. The match in Paris clearly showed we had to take immediate action," was how the official press release quoted Rummenigge, and those two sentences neatly explain the rationale...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3215384/bayern-now-in-damage-limitation-mode-psg-expose-deeper-problems

Borussia Dortmund advancing in UCL will be 'very difficult' - Michael Zorc

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale ran riot in Dortmund as Real Madrid join Spurs as top of Group H.

        The ESPN FC crew discuss Borussia Dortmund's shortcomings in their 3-1 loss against Real Madrid. 
            
        Despite a strong penalty claim, Borussia Dortmund manager Peter Bosz had no complaints about his side's loss to Real Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has acknowledged that it will be "very difficult" to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
Dortmund were outclassed on Tuesday as they suffered their first Champions League home defeat to Madrid in their seventh meeting with the Spanish side in Europe's biggest club competition.
The loss left the Bundesliga leaders without a point from their first two group-stage matches for the first time...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/borussia-dortmund/story/3215594/borussia-dortmund-will-find-it-very-difficult-to-reach-ucl-knockout-round-zorc

Vote: Were Batshuayi, Kane, Lukaku, Mbappe, Ronaldo the UCL stars?

The crew answer your tweets on where PSG rank among the top teams in Europe, the happier coach between Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola and more.

        ESPN FC's Steve Nicol believes Man United deserve credit for not taking their opposition lightly so far in Group A. 
            
        While there's little doubt Kylian Mbappe is a star for the future, Craig Burley makes the case for him being the third-best player in the world today.

Another round of UEFA Champions League fixtures has come and gone, leaving us with a number of memorable performances during the second week of the group stage.
Several big names, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, had their usual strong performances. Others, such as Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi, struck when it counted.
Some teams have stated their case to move on to the knockout rounds (we're looking at you, Premier League), while others are continuing to struggle.
What...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3215471/batshuayi-kane-lukaku-mbappe-ronaldo-the-champions-league-stars

Atletico Madrid among Chelsea's top 5 Champions League away wins

The ESPN FC crew praise rock solid Chelsea for their Champions League heroics.
On Wednesday night at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Chelsea produced the kind of away performance that Premier League clubs have proven almost entirely incapable of on the Champions League stage in recent years, dominating genuinely elite opponents in Atletico Madrid on their own pitch.
But where does it rank among Chelsea's best Champions League performances on the road?
ESPN FC runs through the top five ...