Football

Europa, Conference Leagues draws set stage for new era in European Football

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2 years ago

August 30, 2024

Europa, Conference Leagues draws set stage for new era in European Football

The Europa League and Conference League draws took place this afternoon, introducing a revamped format ahead of the new season.

Both competitions will now feature a 36-team league structure, replacing the traditional group stage.

Rangers will play both Manchester United and Tottenham in the Europa League group stage, adding to fixtures against Lyon, Olympiacos, and Nice. United face a trip to Fenerbahce, where they will play former manager Jose Mourinho, as well as Porto. Spurs, meanwhile, host Roma and face a trip to Galatasaray among their fixtures.

In the Uefa Conference League, Chelsea are the only Premier League team in the hat and the Blues will play Gent from Belgium, Heidenheim from Germany, Astana from Kazakhstan, Shamrock Rovers from Ireland, Panathinaikos from Greece, and Noah from Armenia.

They are joined by Hearts from Scotland, The New Saints from Wales and Larne from Northern Ireland, who found out their fixtures during the draw.

Rangers will face Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League this season.

Erik ten Hag’s side also face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, with the Portuguese manager welcoming his former side to Istanbul.

The Red Devils travel to Porto, with further trips to Viktoria Plzen and FCSB. While Paok, Bodo/Glimt and Twente will play at Old Trafford.

Ange Postecoglou’s side also travel to Turkey to play Galatasaray, Germany against Hoffenheim and Hungary against Ferencvaros, while Spurs will entertain Qarabag, AZ Alkmaar, Roma and Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Manchester United: Rangers (h), Porto (a), PAOK (h), Fenerbahce (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Victoria Plzen (a), Twente (h), FCSB (a)

Tottenham: Roma (h), Rangers (a), AZ Alkmaar (h), Ferencvaros (a), Qarabag (h), Galatasaray (a), Elfsborg (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Rangers: Tottenham (h), Manchester United (a), Lyon (h), Olympiacos (a), Union Saint-Gilloise (h), Malmo (a), FCSB (h), Nice (a)

Conference league:

Chelsea (ENG): Gent (h), Heidenheim (a), Astana (a), Shamrock Rovers (h), Panathinaikos (a), Noah (a)

Hearts (SCO): Copenhagen (a), Heidenheim (a), Omonoia (h), Cercle Brugge (a), Petroclub (h), Dinamo-Minsk (a)

Larne (NIR): Gent (h), Molde (a), Olimpija (a), Shamrock Rovers (h), St Gallen (h), Dinamo-Minsk (a)

The New Saints (WAL): Fiorentina (a), Djugarden (h), Astana (h), Shamrock Rovers (a), Panathinaikos (a), Celje (a)

Shamrock Rovers (IRL): Chelsea (a), APOEL (h), SK Rapid (a), The New Saints (h), Borac (h), Larne (a)

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Rising Tensions Between Regulators and Airlines The financial strain has coincided with renewed friction between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), following disputes over the remittance of statutory charges and the delivery of regulatory services. Operators say the situation reflects deeper systemic liquidity stress across the sector, where airlines are increasingly unable to meet overlapping obligations imposed by aviation agencies while maintaining operational stability. A Layered and Fragmented Tax System At the centre of industry complaints is what operators describe as a “multi-layered and excessive” taxation structure involving the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Airlines such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines are subject to a range of compulsory charges, including the 5% ticket levy, passenger service charges, value-added tax on tickets and aviation inputs, and other operational deductions collected at different stages of the value chain. Industry players argue that the system creates cash flow distortions because several charges are collected upfront or deducted at source, leaving airlines with reduced working capital for day-to-day operations. Beyond ticket-based deductions, carriers also face landing fees, parking charges, overflight fees, navigation levies, and ground handling costs. Combined with jet fuel, which accounts for a significant share of total operating expenses, analysts say profitability on many domestic routes has been severely constrained. 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Europa, Conference Leagues draws set stage for new era in European Football

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Europa, Conference Leagues draws set stage for new era in European Football

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