Date: Thursday 24th October
Venue: New Slovakia National Stadium
Kick off time: 17.55
Live @ https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/413800
One match ban enabled
Nuno Espirito Santo’s charges are heading to Slovan Bratislava on Thursday.
However, the gold and black faithful will not be allowed into the stadium in Slovakia because of a UEFA sanction against Slovan for racism being enforced.
Wolves’ supporters had long been aware of the sanction after Slovan supporters’ racist behaviour – through chants and banners – in the Europa play-off encounter against PAOK in August.
There was hope, though, that Wolves fans could go to the game in Slovakia’s captial city as Slovan had made an appeal.
However, the appeal has been heard and rejected by European football’s governing body.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “Whilst we fully respect UEFA’s obligation to punish unacceptable behaviour by opposition supporters, we are deeply disappointed that this decision will ultimately affect our own fans and their ability to support the team.
“We have understandably explored all avenues to find a way in which to remedy this situation, but unfortunately we have been advised that there is no way around this decision."
Bratislava have been fined for the racist behaviour and handed another fine ‘for the blocking of stairways, throwing of objects, invasion of the field of play and insufficient organisation’ in the game against PAOK.
Those two fines amount to £82,000.
Slovan have also been ordered to display a banner with the wording ‘Equal Game’, with the UEFA logo on it, against Wolves.
Despite the UEFA sanction, the stadium will not be empty.
That is because new rules allow accompanied children up to the age of 14 from schools and football academies to attend behind-closed-doors matches free of charge.
Despite a behind-closed-doors sanction, Slovan’s last Europa home game – a 4-2 win against Besiktas – was watched by 5,000 children accompanied by adults at the ratio of 12:1.
It is estimated that this game will be watched by a near capacity crowd of around 20,000, Slovan's biggest gate to date!
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Wolves have received a limited number of tickets, 200 having been made available to due to UEFA policy.
Given the small number of tickets, a decision has been made to initially offer a reward to the supporters who travelled to Yerevan to watch Wolves face FC Pyunik in August.
The tickets, priced at £55 each, will be offered to the respective 48 supporters on Monday 14th October, before becoming available to gold and silver away season ticket holders in the two days which follow. Despite the outrageous price, all 200 tickets are expected to sell.
After 2 games, Slovan Bratislava are top of Group K with 4 points & a goal difference of 2.
Sporting Braga are 2nd, also with 4 points and a goal difference of 1.
Wolves are third with 3 points and Besiktas 4th with 0 points.
Gem’s prediction 0-1
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport ESPN.
Slovan Bratislava v Wolves Preview [LIVE]
posted on 23/10/19
I would like to think that Nuno will err on the side of caution and play a 3-5-2 formation. Line up really depends on who's fit, with one eye on the Newcastle game. With Bennett not in the squad, will it be Saiss or Vallejo, or even Dendonker on the right side of the back three. My line up:-
Patricio, Saiss, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Dendonker, Moutinho, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Cutrone, Jota.
Thoughts anyone?
posted on 23/10/19
Bit out of the loop after the weekend game following the two week break as i was down and dirty trawling the preserves along the lower Rio Grande, even an unexpected Tornado warning threatened our digs(missed us but did touch down on South Padre a little later) so i don't know who is in and out and how we performed.
Is Jimenez out for this or just saving him Wolfie? Is MGW performing better or still a passenger?
posted on 23/10/19
Sounds a bit different to a pub crawl around Wolverhampton cinci but no less dangerous.
Jota looked sharp on Saturday, I'd definitely give him a start alongside Jimenez. Doherty to start Traore on after 70 minutes to rip em up. I'd play Saiss at the back if he's ready, I fear we'll get crucified if we play Jesus.
Sorry couldn't resist.....
posted on 23/10/19
And talking of getting down and dirty with the preserves, reminds of a girl I went out with who was fond of strawberry jam.
posted on 23/10/19
"I'd play Saiss at the back if he's ready, I fear we'll get crucified if we play Jesus."
Agreed, we won't have a prayer if we play him.
posted on 24/10/19
Saiss will probably play if fit although Kilman can’t be far away from getting a chance. Either of those play and I guess it would mean Boly switching to the right.
Certainly play Jota to get him back up to speed and getting the best out of him would be key to the second half of the season as it was last year
posted on 24/10/19
The old goalpost is now called the Leaping Wolf I think. The Cuban is still going. My old pre match haunt the Dog and Doublet is no more. Now called the Underdog and just opens three nights a week more as a club.
posted on 24/10/19
No mention of The Molineux Hotel, The Fox, or The Feathers?
posted on 24/10/19
Redwings Lodge in Waterloo Road has a bar
posted on 24/10/19
comment by Oldgoldilox - 1 Carl Ikeme (U17303)
posted about 13 hours ago
And talking of getting down and dirty with the preserves, reminds of a girl I went out with who was fond of strawberry jam.
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