Audio http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...istances-qpr-premier-league-franchise-system? Tony Fernandes has distanced himself, and QPR, from any suggestions the Premier League should adopt an American-style franchise system. Chief Executive of the League Managers Association, Richard Bevan, claimed last week week that several foreign owners were keen on introducing a ring-fenced league, and scrapping promotion and relegation. One of those reported to be interested was Fernandes, but he claims no talks have taken place and believes any idea would be rejected by the football fraternity. “ There was no discussion with myself and I don’t think that would ever be accepted by the footballing community ” Tony Fernandes When asked about the franchise system, the QPR chairman said: “That was news to me. “Having followed football all these years I don’t think that makes sense. If you started a league and there were 20 teams, like the NFL, and there’s no promotion and relegation that’s fine, but this has been going on for hundreds of years. “It’s not right that the clubs become exclusive, there are many pedigree sides that deserve to be in the Premier League, such as West Ham, and they shouldn’t be blocked from promotion. “There was no discussion with myself and I don’t think that would ever be accepted by the footballing community.” iReader
That's quite a relief to know that this ridiculous franchise idea isn’t one that’s backed by the QPR board. The whole notion of doing away with promotion and relegation is absolutely scandalous IMO. However, the slightly out-of-context West Ham reference makes me a bit uneasy that the only reason he’s against the idea is so that the Hammers aren’t locked out of the top flight… Although, maybe I’m being unfairly cynical.. I would much rather that he'd come straight out and said that the whole idea is just plain wrong, instead of just saying that there would be problems having the idea accepted by the football fraternity. To me it doesn't sound like he has any real issue with the principal of the thing.
The more information that comes out on this the more I believe that it is all in Richard Bevan's head. He would love the idea and it would make him - in his own mind - more important than he is. This is the best way he can find to test the water with HIS idea AND get his name in the paper. He's not known as Dick for nothing.
This has been kicked about for a few days but is still filling the sports pages and talk radio. Do we vote yes as we are in the Prem and would be guaranteed never to go down? Do we vote no and take our chances? Nothing surprises me any more and I can see this proposal or something like it going ahead in the same way I can see there being a 39th game abroad, Super-league with the top and the bigger clubs slicing up foreign TV rights between them. Cash is King and the super-rich owners are not going to stop chipping away at this until they get their way. As a small club in a big league it would be in our interests to close the door on relegation but I for one would never want to see this happen. What have the last 15 years been for if not the fight to get into the top division? How can we look the likes of Leeds, West Ham, Leicester etc in the face and say we should be free from relegation? They would argue that their grounds are bigger, more supporters etc and we should be punted into League One because of our smaller capacity. On old 606 I argued with the likes of Leeds that just because a club is small doesn't mean it should be barred from competing, us and Blackpool are classic examples of excellent footballing teams doing the business despite limited resources and a lack of massive fan bases. Not for me thanks.
Imagine if they had instigated this ridiculous idea last season. What would be the the point in trying to achieve anything? It would quickly kill off the game in the lower divisions.
In shock and awe Self-interest could seriously damage our game, says Jeff Jeff Stelling Posted 20th October 2011 view comments Scrapping promotion and relegation would be the death of football. I hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime - and I don't believe it will - but I wouldn't want English football to let its guard slip. I've been banging on about this on Soccer Saturday for five years and judging by the comments of LMA chief executive Richard Bevan not without good reason! In these days when football is such big business it's only natural to expect owners to try and ring-fence their investments and we shouldn't be narrow-minded and think this only applies to foreign owners because there are British ones who would unquestionably support such a move. But to do so would be to ignore the best interests of the game and supporters. It is putting self-interest first and would be calamitous for our game. How many fans would still go and watch a match if it didn't matter whether their team won or lost? As unlikely as that scenario may seem I am still concerned that it could happen one day. While it's reassuring to hear real football people like Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson support my view, there will always be those who love the rewards that football can bring rather than the game itself. That for me is the real worry, particularly if a sizeable number of owners group together, sidestep the FA's power of veto and set up a new competition. Plot Equally, I detest the notion that in time we will see teams play some league matches overseas. People in favour of a 39th Premier League game point to the strength of support for English football abroad but what about the fans over here? To me it is purely another financial ruse to swell the coffers; for goodness sake, supporters are detached enough from Premier League games as it is at the moment. Apart from anything else, playing a game thousands of miles away is another match they won't be able to get to. I find it hard enough to watch Hartlepool games as it is! In some respects it would also be to the detriment of the game in developing countries because it will tempt fans away from watching their local clubs in their local leagues. All in all I think it's a hideous, money-making plot and I struggle to see why any football fan would support it in any way, shape or form. It's just a nonsense. So many football teams now, whether they be in the Premier League or otherwise, complain about the amount of games they play and how much travelling they do already - so I struggle to see how anyone other than the owners benefit. Rant over.
These kind of debates will never stop until the Euopean Super League is finally a reality. The power and financial clout of the premier League has stalled this for many years but sooner or later the biggest clubs will have their way. That new league when it comes will indeed be a franchise system without relegation. The domestic leagues will then be able to resume some degree of normaility but without the mega bucks of the PL of course.
The only ones really interested in this type of thing would be someone like Phil Gartside who has spent years trying to ensure that Bolton won't go through the trapdoor by fair means or foul, he would love this idea but wouldn't gain much support from the big teams as they are, no doubt, planning to leave Gartside and the rest of the PL no-hopers behind by forming their own Super League. In a way, the sooner they do it the better it will be for football in this country and we may even have a title race that isn't the closed shop it is at present.
