LOI in Europe 2011

[Spudulika]

Uefa says Swiss club FC Sion faces being kicked out of the Europa League for fielding ineligible players when it beat Scotland's Celtic in the playoff round.
Uefa says Celtic has lodged official protests that Sion breached a one-year FIFA transfer ban, which was originally imposed in 2008 but took effect in January.
Uefa President Michel Platini says Sion fielded its offseason signings "in clear violation of the ban."
Sion is included in today's group stage draw but Celtic could be reinstated.
Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino says its disciplinary committee will rule on Celtic's protest before the first match on Sept. 15.
First, Uefa is waiting for a Swiss civil court ruling on Sion's case.

[osarusan]

What's the story with drawing each group's letter? Why can't the first team drawn be in group A and so on?

[christo]

What's the story with drawing each group's letter? Why can't the first team drawn be in group A and so on?

Cos they need to drag it out as long as physically possible

[Spudulika]

For anyone watching on UEFA, does the commentator evoke a memory of standing in a bookies listening to the horses going to post or dogs into a box?

[osarusan]

Oh ffs they're going to draw letters to decide groups for every team. Wake me up in 45 minutes.

[BonnieShels]

Would it be a down the dress or up the dress job?

Ask b2bw. I would be a gentleman and let her decide.

[RonnieB]

For anyone watching on UEFA, does the commentator evoke a memory of standing in a bookies listening to the horses going to post or dogs into a box?

Just what I was thinking!

[elroy]

Presume shams were the lowest seeded team in the draw?

[Ezeikial]

Also, I know this may screw up the league scheduling a bit, but if necessary it should be extended to accomodate Rovers in Europe. We as a league should be supporting each of our clubs in Europe, not hindering them. (I hope Im wrong but) This opportunity may not come around again for a few years.

Laudible senitment - but who would pay the wages required?

[BonnieShels]

UEFA now.

[elroy]

Im liking Group K

Twente, Fulham

[paul_oshea]

Thats a tough group though, wouldn't it be good if they got a glamour tie but also some reasonable teams who they could possibly beat or draw to get extra money and improve their co-efficient too.

[elroy]

Glamour teams are probably Spurs
PSV
Atletico
Lazio

But they are paired with Rubin
H Tel Aviv
Udinese
Sporting lisbon

respectively....................each of those pairings are very tough

[paul_oshea]

I think playing in the Group stages at home with the shackles off so to speak might see a different type of shams.

[Kingdom]

L - without a doubt so far. After that E,G,H or K.
Avoid A.

[SwanVsDalton]

What chance in future years an LOI ambassador could get involved in these draws? Probably end up with John Delaney picking himself though.

[christo]

Argh just draw the teams...

[BonnieShels]

This is the worst kind of tv.

[elroy]

L - without a doubt so far. After that E,G,H or K.
Avoid A.

Group E?? Kiev and Besiktas??!Not sure i share your sentiment there

[elroy]

This is the worst kind of tv.

Ah just enjoy it, its not like we're here often :)

[TiocfaidhArmani]

This is the worst kind of tv.

UEFA have mastered the art of dragging the arse out of something to a fine art.

[Spudulika]

SPurs and Rubin, good trips and good money, both in the RDS, but could only see 1 point out of 12.

[MeathDrog]

Group I is the group of death..

[BonnieShels]

Group L for me.

[Spudulika]

L all the way, Rovers fans can bring their umbrellas and join in with the craic in Athens. :-)

[Kingdom]

Group H isn't the worst either. I don't understand how they limit the choices down to 3 pots? I understand why they'd limit to 6 as two sets of three are linked.

Group I to be avoided. Unless they want big draws and no chance of progression.

[SwanVsDalton]

H for me. Followed by L, B and maybe K. But H and L are probably the two I'd most fancy.

[Spudulika]

here goes

[christo]

Hope rovers are out early

[BonnieShels]

That felt great seeing the name up there.

[paul_oshea]

Group M for me.

[Spudulika]

Jordi and Ton will play.......back to Israel for Ton!

[paul_oshea]

i dont understand this why are rovers being drawn out third?

[SwanVsDalton]

H is gone. That's a shame. Come on L!

[BonnieShels]

i dont understand this why are rovers being drawn out third?

They're not.

[paul_oshea]

H was tough. no harm

[Spudulika]

A or L, lovely.

edit: bojjox

2nd:" yaaaay, Kazan rocks! Umbrella carrying Rovers fans will be able to commute from Salonika to Athens.

[BonnieShels]

Thank fupp F is gone

[paul_oshea]

dale johnson from epsn:

Dale Johnson: Really hope Shamrock get an English draw.

[Kingdom]

Damn, L gone.

[SwanVsDalton]

H was tough. no harm

They're all tough in fairness, on balance I'd have fancied Rovers against Brugge and Birmingham over a lot of the other second and third seeds.

[paul_oshea]

who is this guy:

Dale Johnson: Still three groups of English teams for Shamrock!

[SwanVsDalton]

K for me now. Simply because I think a result is more likely against northern European teams. Please not A, D, E or I. Here we go...

[BonnieShels]

Coooommmmmmeeeeee on!

[Kingdom]

Here we go....
Damn.

Spurs Rubin

[paul_oshea]

Dale Johnson: SHAMROCK ROVERS ARE OUT!

[BonnieShels]

Bawlls!!!

[Closed Account]

Spurs, Rubin Kazan and PAOK.
Tough trip to Russia.

[cornflakes]

Barstoolers dream

[SwanVsDalton]

Glamour draw, but no chance of qualifying. Well we did say that before...;)

A couple of big nights against Spurs will do the league no harm.