FOOTBALL LEGENDS PIRÈS, TREZEGUET, CAFU AND ESSIEN JOIN YOUTUBE STARS FOR THE EE WEMBLEY CUP 2018

• International football legends Robert Pirès, David Trezeguet, Cafu and Michael Essien join stars of YouTube’s most talked about teams for The EE Wembley Cup 2018
• The legends join the new American Football-inspired Draft stage with the format also now including Fast and Furious 30 minutes matches, Man Down Time and Sin Bins, ripping up the rulebook for 2018’s series
• To mark the countdown to this exciting new series, EE research reveals over half (58%) of British football fans believe goal-line technology is the game’s best innovation from the past 30 years
• The first episode of The EE Wembley Cup 2018 is now live on Spencer FC’s YouTube channel and EE’s YouTube channel, culminating in a live final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, on Sunday 25^thNovember 2018 at 2pm
• Tickets to the live final are available via www.ee.co.uk/wembleycup

Monday 5^th November 2018: EE is revealing the all-star line-up of legends that will be dusting off their boots to take part in The EE Wembley Cup 2018.

This series will feature 1998 FIFA World Cup winners Robert Pirès and David Trezeguet, legendary Brazilian defender and double FIFA World Cup winner, Cafu, plus, Chelsea legend, Michael Essien, who enjoyed a stellar career for the Blues, that included both Premier League and Champions League medals.

The legends will be picked to join one of the four teams as part of the new American Football inspired Draft stage before they head to Wembley Stadium to take part in the live final on Sunday November 25^th.

The Draft stage is just one of the ways EE is ripping up the rulebook for this year’s EE Wembley Cup. Other new rules introduced include a fast and furious 30 minute game format, Man Down Time and Sin Bins turning the traditional footballing tournament on its head.

EE conducted research with football fans across the UK to identify the best and worst football innovations from the past 30 years, showing how technology has transformed the beautiful game.

Three quarters (74%) of the nation agree that tech innovations have heightened their football viewing pleasure, with goal line technology topping the list (58%). Almost half (47%) of all of football lovers still admit that the traditional match format could be updated for a more thrilling experience.

Further findings reveal that the technological advancements in current football tournaments have also given football fans more confidence in a fair final result (54%), helping to reduce post-match disappointment and backing for referee’s decision-making during games (67%).

Top 10 football innovations:

1. Goal line technology (58%)
2. Instant replays (42%)
3. Refereeing team having microphone connections with each other (36%)
4. Undersoil heating (36%)
5. VAR (35%)
6. HD cameras to broadcast the games (31%)
7. Vanishing spray (26%)
8. Fancy football boots (17%)
9. The transfer window (16%)
10. Electronic performance & tracking systems (15%)

A third (33%) of British football fans admit that it’s hard to beat live football stadium action, although 96% of fans still turn to technology for instant replays, match analysis or to watch an epic goal up-close.

Designed for the devoted YouTube generation, the unique EE Wembley Cup tournament featuring Spencer Owen (Hashtag United), F2 Freestylers (F2 FC), Calfreezy (Rebel FC) and WillNE and Stephen Tries (XO), is set to be the most electrifying yet.

As well as the football legends, team captains can also boost their squads with stars of YouTube’s most talked about teams in the Draft stage, with Joe Weller, Sean Garnier, Fifa Manny and Chris MD, also featuring in the exciting episode.

The first episode of The EE Wembley Cup 2018 is now live on Spencer FC’s YouTube channel and EE’s YouTube channel, culminating in a live final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, on Sunday 25^thNovember 2018 at 2pm

French footballing legend, Robert Pirès comments “Recent innovations in football have revolutionised the way we talk about and watch matches. I feel like matches have become more exciting and are packed with more action and drama as a result. It will be brilliant to play at Wembley Stadium again and it’s guaranteed to be another dramatic match at The EE Wembley Cup 2018 final. I think introducing the Draft Stage to the tournament format is a really fresh new approach to football, and Man Down Time is an exciting alternative to the penalty shootout"

Pete Jeavons, Director of Brand Marketing at EE: “The EE Wembley Cup is ripping up the rule book for 2018 with some innovative twists and a brand new tournament format. One of the most exciting additions to the series is the introduction of a Draft stage. Allowing teams to bolster their squads with World Cup winners and global legends is really going to raise the stakes for 2018. With the addition of these world class players to the stellar line up of football YouTubers, this year’s EE Wembley Cup is going to be one to remember.”

Tickets to the live final are currently available to purchase via www.ee.co.uk/wembleycup from £10 for EE customers and £15 for all other customers, with no booking fee. The event is not-for-profit, with £2 from every ticket sold being donated to Sport Relief.