it might make euros more interesting....without the big names.....somehow more honest? But then, how will big names be made....surely an international reputation is a big part of that?
So the president of the new super league, Florentino Perez, who incidentally is also president of Real Madrid, has said that they are forming this new league to SAVE FOOTBALL! Is he for real? (pardon the pun). What he really means is they want more money. I find it really sad that the game I love has been monopolised by greed. Luckily I'm old enough to remember watching football from the terraces, paying a fiver at the turnstiles to get into Ninian and win or lose we all valued our experiences. At least I still have those memories.
What would it mean to "Football UK" if we were to be without those top 6 clubs being involved? If the right decisions are made, it could be an opportunity to benefit the game from top to bottom. Expelling them would be a bold move, and it would need a joint committment from the PL and the EFL, but it could be the shake up the game needs. To maintain the current league pyramid structure, a basic requirement would be the need to retain a large proportion of the existing funding from Sky, BT Sport etc rather than them switching the cash to this proposed new ESL. That would need some meaningfull negotiations, but without the self-enriching elite clubs sucking the competitive life out of the UK game, it should become far more competitive. With the right agreements in place between the authorities, revenues should filter down through the divisions in a much fairer way than at present - or have I got the rose tinted glasses on again?
Personally I can't see the likes of Sky, BT etc sticking with the existing national leagues if this monstrous proposal goes ahead. They will go with the global demands which will be set by the likes of Asia, Africa, USA etc who will only want to see the "top" clubs. The impact of that will need enormous refinancing of the rest of football which will be unachievable for most clubs in their present form. If it goes ahead, and I hope the countries, national leagues and fans have the balls to stand against it, eventually it will be the death of football as we know it. Greedy ba$tards will rule. NOT OK!!!!
Sadly I can't see it happening, as much as the situation presents a golden opportunity, pretty much every remaining Premier League club, Championship Clubs and even several from Leagues 1 and 2 will still be very much tied in to the greed is good, Premier League paradise will remain type ethos. Many of these clubs wouldn't want sweeping reforms that make the entire pyramid more balanced if it would mean losing revenue to benefit others. Despite the likes of Everton releasing statements of disgust, if they and their likes become the new "big 6" they too would expect much bigger slices of the pie to allow them to sustain and grow their reach. It's a sad state of affairs but football as a genuine sporting contest is fecked as it's all just business now and what can be done to maximise revenues.
That is a definite danger, but something needs to change and this situation by default is an opportunity. Sadly, I think you're probably right, but there you go - Utopia is a long way off.
Looks like its crumbling. Man City out, Chavski likely to follow. Woodward, who was instrumental in putting it together, has resigned from Man U. More clubs to follow.
Yes it’s a good start to the collapse but why did those 2 clubs sign up for it without getting fans opinion? They’re both still a disgrace for getting on board initially.
Smacks of revenge rather than working together for a mutually acceptable way forward. Cannot be good for the future of the game in this country and may provoke a "sod you all then" response.