European Super League imminent?

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: European Super League imminent?

But would this not mean a much more competitive league?

I'm sure a Premier League without the so-called Big Six would be more competitive, but would that make it any more attractive to the average football supporter?

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: European Super League imminent?

The Premier League will do nothing if it goes ahead, the Clubs involved are too big for them to sanction.

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: European Super League imminent?

If it’s just replacing the champions league what’s all the fuss about?

I can fully understand the fuss as the knock-on effects of this move could potentially be horrendous. However, in reality this is clearly a power play between the big clubs and the football authorities. Under the circumstances, it's somewhat ironic that the likes of FIFA and UEFA are being portrayed as bastions of sporting honour and integrity, when we all know they're nothing of the sort.

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: European Super League imminent?

If it’s just replacing the champions league what’s all the fuss about?

The fuss is because that sort of thing is not decided by the clubs. They can say they will continue to compete in the EPL, but bluntly its not up to them. FIFA have already clearly stated that they will NOT be allowed to play in any other domestic or European club competitions. So you effectively have two sports: the self-elected elite who compete amongst themselves and whose players are banned from international competition; and everyone else, playing a pyramid system.

It may be a way to put pressure on a shake-up of the CL but it's a clumsy way to go about it. Just take a look at the tone of the UEFA statement, and the backlash. You've got six clubs here who have just announced something akin to the rebrand.

[surge]

Re: European Super League imminent?

"Breakaway clubs believe they can circumvent Fifa opposition to a closed-shop Euro Super League by offering five places a year to qualifying teams. Along with 15 permanent members. They are, it seems, preparing for a huge legal battle"

I still don't fully get it. Champions League basically sees same teams qualify and get to later stages based on how much more those teams can spend already so (apart from reduction in fixtures and greater ownership of the competition) why bother with a legal battle when lax football rules allow you to secure greater slice of financial pie already?

Oh, I see, they want to be able to change the rules in the future to bend it even more to their designs. At least it's going to be fun seeing Spurs get eaten by the shark when Liverpool, Man United, Juve, Barca and Real Madrid decide there should be a break away league with just five clubs.

[Whisperer]

Re: European Super League imminent?

I'm sure a Premier League without the so-called Big Six would be more competitive, but would that make it any more attractive to the average football supporter?

Life goes on Gunman, like I said in an earlier comment invite Celtic & Rangers even start a British league but I would penalise the clubs who breakaway and even the players so once you go to the ESL there's no getting your last pay-check playing in the lower leagues and I like the sound of no internationals, not sure if Harry Kane would go with that.

[goats]

Re: European Super League imminent?

Who knows? But I'm certain that the lure of playing in a top flight where the biggest clubs are the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool would be significantly diminished if the biggest clubs in the division were Everton, Newcastle and West Ham.

How could you forget Leeds? Or have they had an invite too.....:hehe:

[billy.ronson]

Re: European Super League imminent?

Who knows? But I'm certain that the lure of playing in a top flight where the biggest clubs are the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool would be significantly diminished if the biggest clubs in the division were Everton, Newcastle and West Ham.

Lets be honest for all the club owners the main lure of Premier League is the money , the actual opposition is largely irrelevant !!
Yes , its sounds better when playing Liverpool,Man Utd, etc but they get a bigger slice for playing games against Burnley, Sheff Utd ,etc in a bottom 3 Premier game than playing Brentford v or Swansea in a top six Championship game!

i am assuming the new league is looking to let the clubs own the tv rights so sign up now for your ECL SUPER LEAGUE season ticket for all the league games "Home and Away" only £540 (£30 a game) else £35 a game..... this offer only covers the 18 league games not play offs or last 16 games.

Oh yeah , we might have fans who actually want to be in the stadium .......ummm, errrr we'll announce details on those seats when we work out how much we need to make on the day to cover policing, hospitality, stewarding ,etc

[City123]

Re: European Super League imminent?

The fuss is because that sort of thing is not decided by the clubs. They can say they will continue to compete in the EPL, but bluntly its not up to them. FIFA have already clearly stated that they will NOT be allowed to play in any other domestic or European club competitions. So you effectively have two sports: the self-elected elite who compete amongst themselves and whose players are banned from international competition; and everyone else, playing a pyramid system.

It may be a way to put pressure on a shake-up of the CL but it's a clumsy way to go about it. Just take a look at the tone of the UEFA statement, and the backlash. You've got six clubs here who have just announced something akin to the rebrand.

They've done this kind of power play before but never gone as far as as this, normally just rumours of meetings in secret

I genuinely hope UEFA etc hold their nerve and call their bluff.

[Rjk]

Re: European Super League imminent?

I'm sure a Premier League without the so-called Big Six would be more competitive, but would that make it any more attractive to the average football supporter?

It would also be faced with dwindling finances, which would mean that the quality of players in the league will rapidly decline.

Anyone who thinks that the top 6 leaving will be good for the clubs left behind is absolutely deluding themselves.

When we were languishing in the lower leagues (which was all I had known until I was in my early 20s), you still dream of rising through the leagues and getting to the top - as unlikely as it seemed at the time, you knew there was at least a possibility - unearthing a gem and having a few good seasons and all of a sudden you're up there.

If the possibility of getting to the very top is taken away, then that takes away a lot of the magic for me

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: European Super League imminent?

Who knows? But I'm certain that the lure of playing in a top flight where the biggest clubs are the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool would be significantly diminished if the biggest clubs in the division were Everton, Newcastle and West Ham.

These clubs know what they're doing. they will have anticipated the reaction of the major football organizations, and 'supporters' alike, and have solutions and answers for all. I'm pretty certain they'll retain teams in their various leagues, albeit a second string which will probably be as strong as a top 6, with overall squads of 40+ - which they'll be able to afford. They may change the names, ie Man Utd play as the 'Red Devils' in the PL, and they won't need to come in the top 4 anyway because they're already there.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: European Super League imminent?

They've done this kind of power play before but never gone as far as as this, normally just rumours of meetings in secret

I genuinely hope UEFA etc hold their nerve and call their bluff.

Doubt it though. Probably end up with even more dosh. For f*cks sake, how much more do they want !

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: European Super League imminent?

They've done this kind of power play before but never gone as far as as this, normally just rumours of meetings in secret

I genuinely hope UEFA etc hold their nerve and call their bluff.

I think they will. Have you seen their statement? They literally say enough is enough.

[Baloo]

Re: European Super League imminent?

Is this a case of the PL not being careful what they wished for?

[Hilts]

Re: European Super League imminent?

The PL if this goes ahead would have to kick them out.

How can you have 6 teams with a massive financial advantage against the rest of the sides. All the top players would want to play for 1 of the 6.

This is greed pure and simple.

The PL becomes devalued no doubt about that.

The only incentives would be a promotion to this so called super league.

The top division in the countries taking part more or less becoming a 2nd tier league.

I just cant see how they can continue to play in the PL though with such an obvious advantage.