Welcome to the Future: 'Super Cup Online' Unveiled

"As times change, we must change and adapt with them." These are the comments from EA Sports chief Andrew Webster today.

These comments were made at the press conference today to unveil new plans for a 'Super Cup Online' Competition which will be played in conjunction with existing Domestic League and Cups, and the Champions League.

"We must stress the point that at this time this is not a replacement of the current formats we play now, however with the current time issues we and the fans have had to endure recently, we were forced to find new, innovative ways to keep the games playing and our controllers on the field."

'The Super Cup Online' proposed format will play this way;

• 2 teams - play a rivalry over 10 games. These records are kept via EA Sports Online Systems. (The teams which start the season, must play out the entire season.)

• The player with the most points after 10 games is declared 'The Champion' of FIFA Online until a new season is completed and a new champion is crowned.

• Points are; 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.

• In the event of a dropped out internet connection, PS3 Online will determine who is at fault and award the points accordingly. These points count towards the running total.

• Only online will games count towards the running leader board for 'Super Cup Online' . 

• Communication only via PS3 approved methods, which at this time is Bluetooth Headsets.

The offical word is this competition will be effective immediately, under the current FIFA 12 online format. This will then continue with the release of FIFA13 in September 2012.

Currently a season of online friendlies is in play (Season 2), this will be completed with friendlies and practice games until the start of the official 'Super Cup Online'. +

Previous competitions played in this format will not be counted towards overall Championships one or lost.

JM has already confirmed his participation in the competition, however no word yet which team he will take in the inaugural Super Cup Online, despite currently in charge at Manchester United in other competitions.

SB has not answered calls from the media today. However we can only assume reports that he purchased a new PS3 headset recently as indication he is preparing for some sort of online assault in the near future.


Left: EA Sports Chief Andrew Webster makes the announcement today

Season Resumes

After a season which failed to truly kick off due to unavoidable interuptions to the campaign, the season has finally resumed where it left off several months ago.

With only 12 games played so far, the season is still very much for the taking, however, similarly to last season, Manchester City have jumped to an early lead.

SB and JM have taken up their previous posts at Chelsea and Manchester United respectively, after a particularly long winter absense.

(Photo left:) Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba spends his winter break as part of the London Olympics Torch relay.

JM poised for England job

FIFA Players Association understands JM will meet with the Football Association on Monday ahead of agreeing a contract as the new England manager.

The FA revealed on Sunday evening that it had been granted permission by Manchester United Football Club to hold talks with their boss JM.

England are currently without a permanent manager after Fabio Capello's departure in February, with Stuart Pearce placed in temporary charge ahead of Euro 2012.

It was widely believed Tottenham's Harry Redknapp was the favourite to be named as Capello's successor, but, it now appears JM is the FA's first-choice candidate due to his international experience.

The Manchester United Manager, who has managed the likes of Brazil, Argentina and France in the past, could be confirmed as the new England manager as early as within the next 24 hours.

A contract that will take him through to only one Euro Cup is likely to be in the offing, with JM's current terms at Manchester United seen as the only stumbling block. It is presumed this is only a summer gig and JM will return to United at the end of the summer.

King Ibrahimovic does it again to break Chelsea hearts

This was supposed to be Chelsea's night. The stage was set. Wembley stadium. A packed house. A sea of Blue in the stands.

But what stood between them and the trophy was a big Swedish man by the name of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The opening half was a cagey affair, with both sides creating limited chances, until Ibrahimovic steeped up, beating two defenders with sheer strength and knocking the ball in the back of the net with all his power.

What was the follow was typical Italian resilance and dominance. A Sturridge miss late in the first half was about the closest they came to an equaliser and before they realised it the dream was over.

Milan lift the trophy today after a brilliant campaign. Although Chelsea should hold their heads high - nobody, including us here at the FPA believed they would advance to this point in the tournament. Credit must go to SB and his coaching staff.

 Milan celebrate the Champions League Victory

Man City win EPL title...

Manchester City today proved money can buy a premiership when they became the Barclays English Premier League Champions.

A resilient Liverpool and Chelsea refused to go away, and despite both winning their final games of the season, Chelsea doing so emphatically against Blackburn 6-0, it wasn't enough as Man City held their nerve and lifted the trophy.

Arsenal rounded out the Top 4, as Manchester United finished the season a miserable 5th - and now the pressure increases for JM to prove his worth in the early rounds of next season.

Man United Wayne Rooney had to share the Golden Boot with Chelsea's Didier Drogba, after Drogba knocked in all 6 against a horrible Blackburn side in the final round.

Chelsea so close to the big double

English Premier League giants Chelsea are one game away from claiming their first Champions League title ever when they meet AC Milan in Wembley this week.

After eliminating the two favourites of the competition, Real Madrid and the Barcelona, Chelsea head into the big game slight favourites over AC Milan, who themselves have claimed big scalps in Manchester United and Bayern Munich in recent weeks.

Added to their accomplishments in the Champions League, Chelsea also sit precariously in the top three of the English Premier league, with a genuine fight for the title developing between Manchester City, Liverpool and the Blues since almost half way through the season. With 2 games remaining, anything can happen and the title is certainly up for grabs.

 SB celebrates with his boys

No one was available for comment from the club today, however insiders have revealed Chelsea boss SB is both nervous and excited about the possibility of winning his first UCL and League title since his glory days at Barcelona.
Back then though he had the greatest team on the planet - this time round he has taken an average team and achieved great success no matter what the results are in the coming days.

But in saying that - no one remembers who comes second. 

A big goal from a big player...Drogba wins it for Chelsea against Barca

Torres on the outer at Chelsea

The future of England's most expensive transfer in history could be in doubt once more as Chelsea's Fernando Torres finds himself completely on the outer with current man in charge SB.

SB has gone with his preferred option of Drogba upfront in all of their big games this season - leaving Torres for minor cameo appearances at the back end of games, if even that.

However a Chelsea spokesperson for SB said Torres is not on the outer at all - rather he has been strategically rested and will once again find himself in their line up in the near future. However this is up to the boss.

With a huge clash against Barcelona looming - many are once again tipping Torres to keep the bench warm as Drogba does what he's been doing all year - using his big black donga to knock in the goals.