Champions League restructuring

[PaulWinch again]

Yes, the website very clearly mentions that they want to play in domestic leagues. It says nothing of cups.

They absolutely must be banned.

[curiousorange]

As keen as I am to see the likes of Spuds become international whipping boys, this absolutely rips the money out of the world game. Loads of clubs will go to the wall, even if the league is more competitive. All we can do is hope it fails and laugh at Chelsea going from crap to minted to playing Borehamwood in the space of two decades.

[olaftab]

I suppose they'll want to leave the domestic cups as well.

No the thing is they expect to still carry on in the Premier League as normal and cup competitions and be free to play in the Super League during the midweek.

[Toronto Villa]

I’m not done with football. Villa will still play in the PL and the domestic trophies. We will have a better chance of winning them too and playing in Europe.

It wouldn't be the same though would it? People didn't like the Premier League when it came into being but that was essentially just a rebranding exercise. This would mean 6 of the biggest clubs in England no longer being there, thus massively diminishing the quality and value of the Premier League.  Then all that would happen is the next biggest clubs (us, Everton, Leicester, Newcastle, Leeds, West Ham etc) would dominate, with the likes of Cardiff, Boro, Norwich and Watford making up the numbers. Thanks but no thanks. The money in the domestic game would be hit severely, and then we'd all have to hope for a small chance of being invited to their big boys' club.

I don’t necessarily agree as it all depends on what restrictions are placed on the breakaway clubs. If you are Salah or DeBruyne or Kane and you were told you could no longer play for your country, do you think those players will want to be a part of that league? I actually think there could either be a migration back to the established league system or players won’t be as inclined to move to it. That’s not what happened when the PL was formed.

[PaulWinch again]

FIFA, UEFA have to stand behind bans/expulsions. They can’t back down or they’re toast.

[cdbearsfan]

This is even shitter than The Hundred.

[PaulWinch again]

This is even shitter than The Hundred.

To be fair I think the Hundred is generally aimed at growing the game. This is all about self-interest.

[olaftab]

So can any of original 15 ever get relegated ?

No not from the Super League but if they are allowed to stay in the domestic competitions you could have a scenario where one of 6 are relegated from the PL into championship but they still play in the Super League.  They MUST be banned from domestic competition.

[TonyD]

Imagine the state of the Spanish league if they leave it.   

[PaulWinch again]

So can any of original 15 ever get relegated ?

No not from the Super League but if they are allowed to stay in the domestic competitions you could have a scenario where one of 6 are relegated from the PL into championship but they still play in the Super League.  They MUST be banned from domestic competition.

If they stay in it could never happen. Their ridiculous wealth would widen their gap. This is just a power grab.

[Risso]

I’m not done with football. Villa will still play in the PL and the domestic trophies. We will have a better chance of winning them too and playing in Europe.

It wouldn't be the same though would it? People didn't like the Premier League when it came into being but that was essentially just a rebranding exercise. This would mean 6 of the biggest clubs in England no longer being there, thus massively diminishing the quality and value of the Premier League.  Then all that would happen is the next biggest clubs (us, Everton, Leicester, Newcastle, Leeds, West Ham etc) would dominate, with the likes of Cardiff, Boro, Norwich and Watford making up the numbers. Thanks but no thanks. The money in the domestic game would be hit severely, and then we'd all have to hope for a small chance of being invited to their big boys' club.

I don’t necessarily agree as it all depends on what restrictions are placed on the breakaway clubs. If you are Salah or DeBruyne or Kane and you were told you could no longer play for your country, do you think those players will want to be a part of that league? I actually think there could either be a migration back to the established league system or players won’t be as inclined to move to it. That’s not what happened when the PL was formed.

Simple. They'll just start their own World Cup as well.

[Monty]

The rich ruin everything and should be overthrown and destroyed.

[Risso]

The rich ruin everything and should be overthrown and destroyed.

Define 'rich'. Villa have spent hundreds of millions to be a bottom half team.

[Stu]

It's a really good opportunity to fix the game. Salary caps, squad caps, stop clubs from hoarding players only to loan them out, equitable sharing of any TV money.

Football fans don't give a fuck about 'quality' or endless rainbow flicks and rabonas, they just want their team to win.

This, of course, means that the national FA's of England, Italy, and Spain need to have the balls to stand up to these clubs, which I just don't believe they possess.

[PaulWinch again]

The FIFA statement is weak.

Existing footballing bodies have to come down incredibly hard on this.