Champions League restructuring

[andyh]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Think it would be a fascinating title race, between say:-

Villa
Everton
Leeds
Leicester
Southampton
West Ham
Wolves

Throw in a surprise like Brighton if they can get a striker and maybe Newcastle if they get bought out.

[Somniloquism]

I think what would be interesting is if all the current threats against the ESL players do come to pass, how many would still want to play for the money rather then the honour. How many cricketers and other sportsmen played in SA for the money back in the day for example?

[clash city rocker]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

[Clive W]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

Apparently all 12 have signed binding 23 (yes 23) year contracts with no escape without the others’ approval.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

A few thoughts on the current mess:

• The PL are not the good guys. They colluded with the membership of the First Division and promised more money (first from Sky) and more control of the game and they have consistently sought to concentrate wealth and power in the 'top clubs'. The ESL, is just the PL on steroids.
• It might be that rather than being serious about creating the ESL, this was just an attempt to wrestle even more more power and a greater share of the money - and they have simply overplayed their hand. In which case they should be very heavily punished.
• The owners of the 'big 6' look to the NFL as their model. So rather than seeking to stop the creation of the ESL, why not move it on to the next stage - recognition that these 'super clubs' are money-making franchises.
  They should not participate in English football and the respective local authorities should not give them a license to operate their grounds.
  They can simply relocate to locations most appropriate to the intended 'customer base' - presumably for Citeh and Arsenal that would the UAE (Emirates) and the others dotted around China. Matches can be played when they suit their TV audiences and presumably there would be an endless supply of people to fill the grounds.
  I imagine the Chinese Government can knock up a replica of Old Trafford and Anfield in a fortnight.

Fuck 'em all. UTV.

[ChicagoLion]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

Apparently all 12 have signed binding 23 (yes 23) year contracts with no escape without the others’ approval.

Really? Where did you see that? Crazy stuff if they have.

[Monty]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

Apparently all 12 have signed binding 23 (yes 23) year contracts with no escape without the others’ approval.

Really? Where did you see that? Crazy stuff if they have.

I've seen reputable journos saying there are no binding contracts.

[Drummond]

From Guardian:
“If Boris Johnson is so minded,” says Geof Walker, “he only needs to bring forward a short bill banning any football in England other than matches organised by the FA. Such laws are already in place in France and Germany.

Anyone know if it is true those laws exist in France and Germany? Maybe that explains why Bayern München and PSG did not join.

You'd no doubt get some zealous cops arresting people for playing in the park. :-)

[Brazilian Villain]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

Neither do I nor do I think it's necessarily desirable in the long-term as they would then set up their own league which would detract from the PL. This opportunity should however be used to level the playing field if possible.

I would let them stay but with revised watertight and fairer contracts wrt the PL. Also penalties should be applied along the lines of
1) Points deductions for all 6 for 3 seasons say 12 points or 12,9,6 points.
2) Banned from the FA and League Cups for 3 seasons.
3) Banned from Europe for 3 seasons.

[Clive W]

A few thoughts on the current mess:

• The PL are not the good guys. They colluded with the membership of the First Division and promised more money (first from Sky) and more control of the game and they have consistently sought to concentrate wealth and power in the 'top clubs'. The ESL, is just the PL on steroids.
• It might be that rather than being serious about creating the ESL, this was just an attempt to wrestle even more more power and a greater share of the money - and they have simply overplayed their hand. In which case they should be very heavily punished.
• The owners of the 'big 6' look to the NFL as their model. So rather than seeking to stop the creation of the ESL, why not move it on to the next stage - recognition that these 'super clubs' are money-making franchises.
  They should not participate in English football and the respective local authorities should not give them a license to operate their grounds.
  They can simply relocate to locations most appropriate to the intended 'customer base' - presumably for Citeh and Arsenal that would the UAE (Emirates) and the others dotted around China. Matches can be played when they suit their TV audiences and presumably there would be an endless supply of people to fill the grounds.
  I imagine the Chinese Government can knock up a replica of Old Trafford and Anfield in a fortnight.

Fuck 'em all. UTV.[/list]

I think Anfield and Old Trafford would fit into the Wuhan wet fish market with space to allow for expansion

[SamTheMouse]

It wouldn't be so unbelievable. We're talking about people who have managed to take control of clubs with revenues in the billions and saddle them with mountains of debt.

[Chris Stares]

Some light relief...

https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/why-we-represent-the-average-football-fan-by-bozza-and-willy-20210420207320

[Drummond]

Bayern Munich, who are the current holders of the Uefa Champions League, have released the following statement in the last hour:

FC Bayern Munich takes a closed position on the Super League. President Herbert Hainer says: “Our members and fans reject a Super League. It is our wish as FC Bayern and our goal that the European clubs live this wonderful and emotional Champions League competition and develop it together with UEFA. FC Bayern says no to the Super League. "

The chairman of the board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirms: “On behalf of the board I can expressly state that FC Bayern does not take part in the Super League. FC Bayern stands in solidarity with the Bundesliga. It was and is always a great pleasure for us to be able to play as the German representative in the Champions League. We all still fondly remember our Champions League victory in Lisbon in 2020, such a happy moment is never forgotten.For FC Bayern, the Champions League is the best club competition in the world. "

[Clive W]

If ‘the big 6’ fuck off (which they must now), football will be weird for a while.

But, it will soon become the ‘new normal’ and the competition to win the PL, or to qualify for the CL or to do well in the cups will still be there and will intensify as time goes on.

Football cannot be so beholden to this bunch of mercenaries that think the world will end if they fuck off.
They are not bigger than the game itself.

Be nice to think they would fuck off into obscurity and just become part of history but dont think it's going to happen unless any contracts have already been signed.

Apparently all 12 have signed binding 23 (yes 23) year contracts with no escape without the others’ approval.

Really? Where did you see that? Crazy stuff if they have.

It’s from an Australian daily newspaper website but I’ve seen it somewhere else but can’t remember where - possibly the DT

“There are signed agreements — 23-year contracts”, the source said. “This is categorically not a bargaining chip. I can see why people might come to the conclusion but I am happy to correct it. This is proper, it’s happening.”

JP Morgan, the US investment bank, confirmed that it was financing the new league, which will hand an initial £3bn ($5.4bn) to the founding clubs. It declined to elaborate or explain how the deal was structured or funded.“