The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in 1955, as the European Cup, and later renamed as the UEFA Champions League in 1992. The competition features 79 teams from 54 UEFA member countries. It is considered the most prestigious club competition in the world, as the best club teams from Europe compete to win the title. To qualify for the tournament, clubs must earn their place through their domestic league position or by winning a domestic cup competition. The competition consists of a group stage followed by knockout rounds, with the winner of the final being crowned the Champions of Europe. Teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are among the most successful clubs in the history of the competition, with each club winning the tournament multiple times. The tournament is watched by millions of football fans around the world and generates significant revenue for UEFA and participating clubs.

The UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying is the process through which 55 European nations compete to qualify for the final tournament. The qualifying process has undergone some changes from previous editions, with a new format being implemented. In this format, all 55 teams will be split into ten groups, with the top two teams of each group automatically qualifying for the final tournament. The third-placed team in each group will proceed to the playoffs, where they will compete for the remaining four spots in the final tournament. The qualifying process will see the introduction of the UEFA Nations League playoff route, which will be used to determine the final four teams that will participate in the tournament. This route involves the 16 highest-ranked teams from the Nations League, who failed to qualify from their respective groups, competing against each other for the final four spots in the tournament. The qualifying process is expected to be highly competitive, with some exciting matches expected to be played. The UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying will be an opportunity for some of the best teams in Europe to showcase their skills and secure their place in the final tournament.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the UEFA Champions League, where the thrill of football meets incredible stories and memorable records. UEFA Champions League: Facts, Glories and Passions offers an in-depth exploration of the competition’s most iconic moments, from its origins and evolution to the trophies and awards that define the tournament’s prestige. Discover intriguing facts about legendary players, surprising teams that defied expectations and epic finals that left indelible marks on fans’ memories. Discover incredible stories of comebacks and comebacks that demonstrate the passion and unpredictability of the sport. This book is a celebration not only of the athletic feats but also of the cultural and economic impact of the Champions League, revealing how the competition shapes the landscape of global football. Ideal for sports aficionados, historians and anyone wanting to understand what makes the UEFA Champions League a true footballing gem.

The book is an introduction to sports law, in particular International (worldwide) and European (EU) sports law. The chapters are all put in the perspective of the innovative sports law doctrine that is developed and presented in the opening chapter on what sports law is. After a general coverage of the core concept of “sport specificity” (that is whether private sporting rules and regulations can be justified notwithstanding they are not in conformity with public law), the book covers the following specific main themes of International and European Sports Law (capita selecta): comparative sports law; competition law and sport; the collective selling of TV rights; sports betting; Social Dialogue in sport; sport and nationality; professional football transfer rules; anti-doping law in sport; transnational football hooliganism in Europe; international sports boycotts. In this book association football (“soccer”) is the sport that is by far most on the agenda. It is the largest sport in the world and most popular all over the globe. The elite football in Europe is a day-to-day commercialized and professionalized industry, which makes it a perfect subject of study from an EU Law perspective.

Manchester United F.C. is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world. The team was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club and eventually changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. Manchester United has a rich history, having won a record 20 English League titles, 12 FA Cups, 3 European Cups, and several other domestic and international trophies. The club has also produced some of the greatest football players in history, including George Best, Bobby Charlton, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester United has a global fan base and is one of the most valuable football clubs in the world. Over the years, Manchester United has undergone several changes in ownership and management, but has always maintained its status as a top-tier football club. The team plays its home games at Old Trafford, which has a capacity of over 75,000 spectators. The club's greatest success came under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, who led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 European Cups during his 26-year tenure. Today, Manchester United is led by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who is tasked with bringing the club back to its former glory and competing for domestic and international titles.

Gary Lineker is a former English professional footballer who spent most of his career playing as a striker for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nagoya Grampus Eight. Born in Leicester in 1960, Lineker started his football career at the age of 16 when he joined his hometown club Leicester City. He quickly rose through the ranks, making his first-team debut in 1979 and scoring his first goal in the same match. Over the next few years, Lineker established himself as one of Leicester's most talented players and was eventually named their player of the year in 1983. After a successful season with Leicester, Lineker was sold to Everton for a then-British transfer record fee of £800,000. He performed outstandingly for Everton, leading the team to win the FA Cup in 1984 and to become the league's top scorer in the following season. After three seasons at Everton, Lineker was sold to Barcelona where he continued his impressive goal-scoring form, scoring 42 goals in 103 appearances. In 1989, Lineker returned to England to join Tottenham Hotspur where he remained until his retirement in 1994. Apart from his successful club career, Lineker also had a glittering international career with the England national team, scoring 48 goals in 80 appearances. After retiring from football, Lineker has worked as a television presenter and pundit.

Azerbaijan is a country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the east. Azerbaijan has a rich history and has been inhabited by various peoples and empires throughout its history. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since undergone significant political and economic reforms. Azerbaijan is known for its oil and natural gas reserves, which have helped fuel its economic growth. The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku, a city famous for its oil industry and the iconic Flame Towers. Other major cities include Ganja, Sumgait, and Mingachevir. The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, although Russian and English are also widely spoken. The majority of the population is Muslim, but the country is known for its religious tolerance and the coexistence of various religious communities. Azerbaijan is a member of several international organizations, including the UN, the Council of Europe, and the Non-Aligned Movement.